TENTATIVE NEW MAP FOR MISSOURI SENATE WOULD SEE EXPANSION OF DISTRICT FOR SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
A judicial panel in charge of redrawing Missouri's state Senate districts has released a tentative new map.
The plan unveiled this week is based on the 2020 census results and would take effect for this year's elections.
The judicial panel took over redistricting after a bipartisan commission failed to agree on maps.
The new map would see an expansion to Senate District 25 in Southeast Missouri. The district previously included Butler, Stoddard, New Madrid, Dunklin, Pemiscot, Mississippi, Carter, and Shannon Counties.
Under the new map, the district would also add Ripley, Oregon, and Wayne Counties, while losing Shannon County to Senate District #33.
Because no new map had been adopted yet candidates so far have been filing for office under the districts drawn after the 2010 census. But they could have a chance to file based on the new proposed districts before the filing period ends on March 29th.
PUBLIC INVITED TO PROVIDE COMMENTS AS A PART OF THE PBPD ACCREDITATION PROCESS
Poplar Bluff residents will have an opportunity to give their opinion on various aspects of the Poplar Bluff Police Department as a part of the PD’s accreditation process.
According to Police Chief Danny Whiteley, a team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Incorporated, will conduct a virtual assessment on March 21st and 22nd to examine all aspects of the Poplar Bluff Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services,
Employees and members of the community are also invited to offer comments at a public information session at 5 pm on March 21st.
The public information session will be done via a Google Meet Video call. You can find a link to the call as well as additional information on the Poplar Bluff Police Department Facebook page.
MULTIPLE CAMPGROUNDS OPENING TODAY AT WAPPAPELLO LAKE.
Camping season is coming up and the Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake is ready for visitors.
According to officials, the Greenville Campground and Redman Creek Campground East are both opening for the year today.
The Peoples Creek Campgrounds upper and lower are scheduled to open to the public on April 6th.
Officials say that the Redman Creek Campground West and Snow Creek are open all year.
On March 25th, the Redman Creek Picnic Shelter #1 will open as will the fish cleaning station. March 26th will see the opening of the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center on weekends from 10 am to 4 pm.
Beaches will open to the public on April 22nd.
For more information, contact the Wappapello Management Office at 573-222-8562.
STATE OFFICIALS URGE DRIVERS TO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE
St. Patrick’s Day is this week and Arkansas state officials are urging everyone to celebrate responsibly.
According to the Arkansas State Police, law enforcement officers are teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to spread the message about the dangers of drunk driving.
According to NHTSA officials, during the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day period almost half of crash fatalities involved a drunk driver.
Additionally, from 2015 to 2019, a total of 280 lives were lost in drunk driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day period.
Drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink. Walking while intoxicated can also be deadly, as lack of attention to their surroundings could put pedestrians at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.
CARTER COUNTY ROAD TO BE CLOSED TODAY FOR CULVERT REPLACEMENT
Route B in Carter County will be closed today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert under the roadway.
The closure will be located between Route K and Route 60.
Work is scheduled to take place today from 8 am to 5 pm.
MODOT CREWS TO BE IN STODDARD COUNTY TODAY FOR REPAIRS ON ROUTE K
Route K in Stoddard County will be temporarily closed so crews can replace a culvert under the roadway.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the work zone will be located from Highway BB to County Road 235.
Officials say that work will take place today from 8 am to 3 pm.
