ONE DEAD FOLLOWING MOTORCYCLE CRASH IN BUTLER COUNTY
One person is dead in connection to a motorcycle crash Monday afternoon in Butler County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 77 year old Dwight Sanders, of Poplar Bluff, was driving on Route PP when his vehicle ran off the side of the roadway, overturned and ejected him.
Sanders was pronounced dead at the scene by Butler County Coroner Jim Akers.
OVER TWO DOZEN TRAIL RIDERS RESCUED AFTER HIGH WATER STRANDED THEM ON AN ISLAND IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Over two dozen trail riders were rescued from rising waters Sunday night in Southeast Missouri.
Shannon County Emergency Management announced late Sunday night that the Cross Country Trail Ride Campgrounds was being evacuated and that the FEMA shelter had been opened for trail riders. The Jacks Fork River had risen to over 13 feet, causing significant flooding in the area.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Marine officers responded to the area, helping evacuate campers and utilizing boats to rescue approximately 30 trail riders who had become stranded on a small island encircled by stagnant, deep water. The subjects were transported safely back to land just after midnight.
The Cross Country Trail Ride Facebook Page on Monday said that water has receded and their Campground was reopened.
GENE BESS INDUCTED INTO THE NJCAA HALL OF FAME
Former Three Rivers College Basketball Coach, Gene Bess, has joined the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
Bess was inducted last week during the NJCAA Foundation Awards Event.
Bess coached at Three Rivers College for 50 years, from 1971 to 2020. During his time leading the Raiders’ program, Bess was named NJCAA National Coach of the Year twice and amassed 1,300 wins. He is the all-time winningest college basketball coach across all levels.
Bess coached his teams to 17 NJCAA Tournament appearances, including four finals and two championships.
Bess had previously been inducted into the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame, Missouri Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
NEW STATE TROOPER ASSIGNED TO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
One new State Trooper has been assigned to Southeast Missouri.
Colonel Eric Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, tells KWOC News that 21 troopers will graduate from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, June 21st.
One of the graduates will be coming to Southeast Missouri.
William Vanmatre, of Wappapello, was assigned to cover Stoddard County.
Trooper Vanmatre will report to duty in Troop E on Monday, July 8th.
US 62 IN DUNKLIN COUNTY TO BE CLOSED THIS WEEK
U.S. 62 in Dunklin County will be closed this week so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can perform bridge repairs.
The section of roadway involved in the project is located from County Road 217 to the Missouri State line.
Weather permitting, work will take place today through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
MODOT ANNOUNCES PLANS TO REPAIR HIGHWAY 67 BRIDGE IN WAYNE COUNTY
The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced plans to repair a joint on the southbound lanes of the U.S. Route 67 bridge over the St. Francis River in Wayne County.
The bridge is located near the Old Greenville Recreation Area.
During construction, southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in the vicinity of the bridge. Northbound traffic will not be impacted.
Officials say that the project is tentatively expected to be awarded to a contractor this December, and construction could begin as early as next spring. Weather permitting, repair work will be underway for approximately 90 days once the project begins.
