THOUSANDS OF ECLIPSE VIEWERS FLOCK TO POPLAR BLUFF
Residents from across the United States as well as around the world descended on Poplar Bluff Monday to view the eclipse.
A total solar eclipse was observed in Poplar Bluff beginning at 1:56 pm. It was the first total solar eclipse in the country since 2017.
Poplar Bluff City Manager Matt Winters tells KWOC News that there were visitors in Poplar Bluff from more than 35 states and more than half a dozen foreign countries.
He added that he is extremely thankful for the city staff who stepped up and managed the different concerns they had going into the day and is excited that they had the opportunity to show off Poplar Bluff.
It will be a much longer wait until the next total solar eclipse occurs in the country, as the Planetary Society says the next total solar eclipse will not occur until 2044 and that path of totality will only hit three states, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
ONE INJURED IN SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH NEAR POPLAR BLUFF
A Cape Girardeau woman was badly injured in a single vehicle crash on Sunday in Butler County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 81 year old Rose Weaver was driving on US Highway 60 when her vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway, struck a rock bluff, and overturned.
Weaver suffered serious injuries in the crash and was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital.
OVER 3,000 BIRDS HARVESTED DURING YOUTH WEEKEND OF MISSOURI TURKEY SEASON
Over 3,000 turkeys were taken during the recent youth weekend.
Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that young turkey hunters in Missouri harvested 3,721 birds on April 6th and 7th.
This was an increase from last year when young hunters checked 2,550 birds during the 2023 spring youth weekend.
The regular spring turkey season runs from April 15th through May 5th.
MAN FACING CHARGE AFTER BICYCLIST FLOWN FROM THE SCENE OF A HIT AND RUN NEAR CLARKTON
A bicyclist was flown from the scene of a hit and run Sunday morning in New Madrid County.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that 50 year old Waymon Burnett, of Gideon, was hit by a vehicle while cycling on Highway 162, one mile east of Clarkton.
The vehicle then fled the scene. The incident occurred shortly after 2 am Sunday morning.
Burnett was seriously injured in the collision and flown to a Memphis hospital.
Later on Sunday, a trooper arrested 29 year old Sergio Arojna, of Gideon, in connection to the incident.
Arojna is facing a felony charge of leaving the scene of a crash.
OVER A WEEK LONG IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO CAUSE DELAYS ON US HIGHWAY 60
Eastbound Route 60 in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction beginning this week as contractor crews perform guardrail improvements.
The section of roadway being reduced is located east of Route WW near Dudley.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, through Tuesday, April 16th.
CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR ROAD PROJECTS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Contracts have been awarded for upcoming road projects in Southeast Missouri.
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded contracts for Southeast District projects during its regular meeting last week.
A 4.3 million dollar contract was awarded to Robertson Contractors for bridge improvements in multiple locations.
The bridges are located over the St. Francois River on Route U in Butler County, as well as multiple drainage and lateral ditches in Dunklin County.
Additional information, including timelines and impacts to traffic, will be released prior to the start of construction.
