TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE FOR THE UPCOMING MUNICIPAL ELECTION
The Missouri General Municipal Election Day is less than a month away and you are running out of time to make sure you are registered to vote.
Butler County Clerk Donna Hillis tells KWOC News that today is the last day to register to vote for the April 4th election.
Citizens in Poplar Bluff and Butler County will both be voting on tax issues during the municipal election.
The Poplar Bluff proposition asks voters if the city of Poplar Bluff should impose a local use tax at the same rate as the total local sales tax rate. The Butler County sales tax issue asks if there should be a countywide sales tax of three percent on all tangible personal property retail sales of adult use marijuana sold in the county.
Poplar Bluff City Council Member Robert Smith is being challenged for his position as Ward 5 Councilman by Spencer Jones. There will also be elections for multiple area school boards.
Hillis says that her office will be open through 5 pm Today and her staff will also be available through the lunch break to help Butler County residents register to vote or check their registration status. Butler County residents can also call the Clerk’s Office at 573-686-8050 to check their registration status.
MISSOURI LAW THAT BANS POLICE FROM ENFORCING FEDERAL GUN LAWS FOUND UNCONSTITUTIONAL
A Missouri law banning local police from enforcing federal gun laws has been struck down as unconstitutional.
The law that was struck down by U.S. District Judge Brian Wimes on Tuesday forbade local police from enforcing federal gun laws that don't have an equivalent state law. Missouri’s legislature passed the law in 2021.
Federal laws without similar Missouri laws include statutes covering weapons registration and tracking, and possession of firearms by some domestic violence offenders.
The Justice Department, which last year sued to overturn the Missouri law, said the Missouri state crime lab, operated by the Highway Patrol, refused to process evidence that would help federal firearms prosecutions after the law took effect.
KWOC News spoke with Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor who says that he hopes legislators will work with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors going forward to find ways to protect second amendment rights while also enabling law enforcement officials to work with federal agencies to keep communities safe.
TEENAGER SERIOUSLY INJURED IN UTV WRECK NEAR DONIPHAN
A teenager was seriously injured in a UTV crash Monday near Doniphan.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 15 year old male, from Doniphan, was driving the UTV on Highway 142 when his vehicle crossed the center of the roadway and struck a pickup truck.
The teenager received serious injuries in the crash and was transported by ambulance to a Poplar Bluff hospital.
The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries.
LAKE ROAD PRINCIPAL NAMED EXEMPLARY NEW PRINCIPAL BY MISSOURI ASSOCIATION OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS
A Poplar Bluff Elementary School principal has been recognized by her peers across the state.
Rondi Vaughn, who is in her third year leading Lake Road Elementary, has been named the Southeast Region’s 2023 Exemplary New Principal by the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals.
In addition to taking the helm as principal at the peak of the public health crisis, Vaughn helped to complete Lake Road's phase-in plan to include grade six during the 2020/21 school year.
She was recognized on Monday during the annual MAESP Leadership Conference at Osage Beach.
Vaughn was nominated for the award by Eugene Field Principal Jennifer Taylor, who was a MAESP Distinguished Principal honoree last year.
WESTWOOD BAPTIST ACADEMY BASKETBALL TEAMS HONORED BY POPLAR BLUFF CITY COUNCIL
Two local basketball teams were recently celebrated by the Poplar Bluff City Council.
The Westwood Baptist Academy Boys and Girls basketball teams were each presented proclamations by Poplar Bluff Mayor Steve Davis during the City Council meeting Monday night.
The boys team was the Missouri Christian School Athletic Association division two champions for this school year. The girls team finished in fourth place during the state tournament.
BRIDGE REPAIRS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY IN DUNKLIN COUNTY
Route 53 in Dunklin County will be reduced to one lane today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform bridge repairs.
According to officials, the bridge is located between County Road 215 and County Road 211, near Campbell.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
MODOT CREWS TO BE WORKING THIS WEEK IN STODDARD COUNTY
Route AB in Stoddard County will be reduced this week so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can perform shoulder repairs.
The section of roadway being reduced is located from Route 25 to County Road 503 near Aquilla.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily through Friday.
