NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL TAKES HOME PB SHOWDOWN CROWN
New Madrid County Central are the new champions of the Poplar Bluff Showdown.
The Eagles defeated Vilonia 88-67 Saturday night to win the 36th Annual Poplar Bluff Showdown.
In the 3rd Place Game, Christian Brothers beat Memphis East 53-49. McCracken County took home the Consolation Championship with a 53-48 win over Urbana.
The Poplar Bluff Mules won the 7th Place Game over Germantown 76-74.
MISSOURI MINIMUM WAGE RISES 30 CENTS
Missouri's low-wage workers have received a small pay hike with the coming of the new year.
The state's minimum wage rose yesterday by 30 cents to $12.30 an hour. The minimum wage for tipped workers in Missouri also rose by 15 cents to $6.15 per hour.
Missouri’s minimum wage has almost doubled in the past decade. In 2015, the state minimum wage was only $7.65.
According to the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, beginning this year the minimum wage rate for all private and non-exempt businesses will be based on the increase or decrease in the cost of living pursuant to the Consumer Price Index.
CAL-MAINE FOODS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE FORMER TYSON PLAN IN DEXTER
A potential buyer has been found for the former Tyson plant in Dexter.
Cal-Maine Foods has announced a definitive agreement to acquire the broiler processing plant, hatchery and feed mill in Dexter that was closed last year by Tyson Foods.
According to a news release, Cal-Maine Foods is the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States.
The company will initially convert the broiler processing plant to an egg grading facility and, subject to the completion of the transaction, anticipates making additional investments in the facilities and community and creating new jobs.
In connection with the acquisition, Cal-Maine Foods expects to enter into agreements with some of Tyson’s former contract farmers to convert their operations to support Cal-Maine Foods’ cage free, free range, or pasture raised egg production operations.
TEN DIGIT DIALING COMING TO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI NEXT MONTH
Phone users in Southeast Missouri will soon have to start using the area code when making local phone calls.
According to the Missouri Public Service Commission, phone numbers with the 235 area code may be assigned to the same area that is currently covered by the 573 area code beginning on March 24th.
Officials say that an overlay plan introduces a new area code within the entire area code, so that multiple area codes are assigned to the same area. An overlay plan does not require any customers to change telephone numbers, but it does require ten-digit dialing on all local calls.
Beginning February 24th, all local calls made within the 573 area code must be placed using ten digits. On and after that date, calls placed using just seven digits will not be completed.
The 573 area code serves multiple communities in Eastern and Central Missouri, including Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, Caruthersville, Cape Girardeau, Jefferson City, and Rolla.
TWO PEOPLE STABBED DURING DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Two people were stabbed during a weekend domestic disturbance in Northeast Arkansas.
According to Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder, shortly after 8 am Sunday morning, Paragould Emergency Services received a 911 call regarding a domestic disturbance in which a subject had been stabbed.
Deputies found one stabbing victim in critical condition at the scene and learned that a party that had fled the scene had also been stabbed.
Paragould Police Department officers were able to intercept the second stabbing subject a short time later. That subject was also in critical condition.
Both subjects were flown to area hospitals for medical treatment.
Snyder says that the investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.
CULVERT REPLACEMENT SCHEDULED FOR TODAY IN NEW MADRID COUNTY
U.S. Route 61 in New Madrid County will be reduced today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert under the roadway.
The section of roadway being reduced is located near Route W in the Kewanee area.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
