POPLAR BLUFF SUPERINTENDENT ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION
The Poplar Bluff R-1 Superintendent will be stepping down.
Dr. Scott Dill tells KWOC News that he submitted his resignation to the School Board Thursday night.
Dill has served as Poplar Bluff superintendent for seven years and says that he is grateful for the opportunities that have been provided to him and he is looking forward to new challenges in the future.
While reflecting on his decades of service in education, Dill added that Poplar Bluff will always be first and foremost on his mind.
Dill’s resignation will go into effect at the end of the current school year.
Poplar Bluff R-1 School Board President John Scott tells KWOC News that he is thankful for the years of service that Dr. Dill provided and we hate to see him go.
Scott added that the search for a new superintendent will begin in the coming months.
MANY SOUTHEAST MISSOURI SCHOOLS TO RETURN TO CLASS TODAY
Numerous schools around Southeast Missouri are set to return to classes today.
At least 27 area school districts will hold their first day of school today, including Poplar Bluff, Bernie, Campbell, Clarkton, Doniphan, East Carter County, Greenville, Kennett, Naylor, and Senath-Hornersville.
More area school districts will begin classes on Tuesday, including Twin Rivers, Dexter, Clearwater, Sikeston, and Malden.
Today’s Talk KWOC will be at the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center and Middle School’s this morning putting together a back to school video that will debut on the KWOC Facebook page this afternoon.
MOTORISTS ASKED TO WATCH FOR STUDENTS ON THE ROADWAYS
With students returning to school in Southeast Missouri this week, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding drivers to watch for students.
Drivers should expect a change in traffic patterns ─ school buses and parents taking their children to school and many young drivers will join other motorists on the road and affect the morning and afternoon commute. Also expect an increase in pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about riding a bus, walking, or driving to school in a safe manner. If they ride a bike, please make sure they wear a helmet and follow traffic laws.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI TEACHER NAMED SEMI-FINALIST FOR MISSOURI TEACHER OF THE YEAR
A high school teacher in Southeast Missouri has been named a semifinalist for 2023 Missouri Teacher of the Year.
According to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Richland High School American History teacher Paul Arnold was one of 17 semi-finalists chosen for the award, which spotlights the positive impact excellent teachers have on their students.
The finalists will be announced on Thursday, September 1st.
IMPAIRED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY IN MISSOURI AND ARKANSAS
Law enforcement agencies are conducting a new campaign to keep impaired drivers off the roadways.
Law enforcement agencies across Missouri and Arkansas will participate in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement period through September 5th.
Officials say that highway fatalities continue to be on the rise with a focus on four risky behaviors: not wearing a seat belt, cellphone use while driving, excessive speeds, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during the 2020 Labor Day holiday period, there were 530 crash fatalities nationwide.
Forty-six percent of those fatalities involved drivers who had been drinking. More than one-third of the fatalities involved drivers who were drunk, and one-fourth involved drivers who were driving with a BAC almost twice the legal limit.
FIRST PHASE OF FUTURE I-57 PROJECT TO BEGIN TODAY IN BUTLER COUNTY
The first phase of the U.S. Route 67/Future I-57 project will begin today in Butler County. Missouri Department of Transportation officials say that this includes upgrading the Route 160/158 interchange south of Poplar Bluff.
The interchange will be reconfigured with two roundabouts in place of the current loop ramps in the northwest and southeast quadrants.
Work on the project is set to begin today, with completion anticipated by November 2023.
Initially, work will consist of pipe extensions and earthwork for the new merge ramps. During this stage of construction, Route 160/158 and Route 67 will be minimally impacted.
Additional information detailing impacts to traffic will be released prior to the start of paving, which is anticipated to begin in 2023.
MODOT CREWS TO BE WORKING ON MULTIPLE ROADS TODAY IN RIPLEY COUNTY
Missouri Department of Transportation crews will be making driving surface improvements today on Routes P and DD in Ripley County.
Officials say the section of roadways to be affected is located from Route 142 to the end of state maintenance.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. While work is under way, the routes will be open to local traffic only.
