DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS IN DONIPHAN AND SIKESTON TO CLOSE TODAY
The Joint Disaster Recovery Centers in Doniphan and Sikeston are set to close today.
According to FEMA officials, the centers will be open through 6 pm.
Homeowners, renters and self-employed business owners in 10 Missouri counties who were impacted by the May 19th through 27th severe storms, tornadoes and flooding can visit either of the centers in Southeast Missouri for one-on-one help, regardless of where they live. Services at the centers are free.
The 10 counties are: Butler, Carter, New Madrid, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Barry, Howell, and Texas.
DRCs are a one-stop shop for disaster survivors who have applied with FEMA and need to present additional documentation or just have questions about the status of their cases.
The deadline is also approaching for people to register for disaster assistance through FEMA. That deadline is September 23rd.
More information is available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
ONE IN CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO THREATS AT BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL
One person has been taken into custody in connection to threats at Bloomfield Schools.
According to the Bloomfield Department of Public Safety, on Thursday, DPS received reports of two possible threats communicated by two students at Bloomfield Schools.
An investigation was conducted that resulted in one suspect being taken into custody.
Officials say they will continue to investigate the second incident, however it has been determined that it was a non-credible threat.
Bloomfield DPS Director James Dew says that this is an investigation involving juveniles and no further information will be released.
THREE POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOL CAMPUSES HAVE NEW HEALTH CLINICS
New school clinics have been opened at three Poplar Bluff R-1 campuses.
According to school officials, School-based health clinics are functioning at three sites within the Poplar Bluff School District this academic year as the result of a grant initiative aimed at increasing access to health care in the region.
Missouri Highlands expanded its operation to include Eugene Field, O’Neal, and the Middle School based on acuity of need and designated space.
The clinics have a board-certified family nurse practitioner, licensed practical nurse, and patient services rep. The medical team rotates building sites on a fixed schedule throughout the week.
The startup costs for the equipment and supplies needed to open the Poplar Bluff clinics, along with Doniphan, were funded by a two-year $350,000 grant expansion. The initial grant secured by the nonprofit three years ago, valued at $400,000, covered Lone Star, Naylor and Neelyville.
Guardians will be contacted to provide consent for wellness checks in the fully functioning medical laboratory, and insurance carriers will be billed by the organization with sliding scale discount payment options available based on household income level.
ESSEX MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOLLOWING GUILTY PLEA FOR STATUTORY SODOMY AND ATTEMPTED RAPE
An Essex man will spend the rest of his life behind bars following his guilty plea to multiple sex related charges.
According to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith, earlier this week Shea Johnson, of Essex, pled guilty to five counts of Statutory Sodomy 1st Degree with a child under the age of 14 and one count of Attempted Rape 1st Degree with a child under the age of 14, among other charges.
The crimes were alleged to have occurred in 2020.
Johnson, who has been categorized as a “predatory sexual offender,” received six consecutive life imprisonment sentences for the charges.
33RD ANNUAL OLD GREENVILLE DAYS SET FOR THIS WEEKEND
The 33rd Annual Old Greenville Days will be held this weekend.
According to the Wappapello Lake US Army Corps of Engineers, the annual event has been scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Greenville Recreation Area.
Officials say the free event will include arts, crafts, history, music, and other activities for the entire family.
For more information, contact the Wappapello Lake Management office by calling 573-222-8562.
DEADLINE IS APPROACHING TO REGISTER FOR YOUTH BASKETBALL IN POPLAR BLUFF
Time is running out for parents to get their kids registered for youth basketball in Poplar Bluff.
According to Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation, today is the final day to register for 1st through 6th grades youth basketball.
Games will be played at the Poplar Bluff Middle School and Black River coliseum. Practices will tentatively start the week of September 30th with games scheduled to begin around the week of October 28th.
The cost to register is $20. Parents can get their kids registered at pbparks.recdesk.com.
TWO BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE HEARTLAND LEADERS HONORED AT CONFERENCE
Two leaders of the Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland were honored at a conference this week.
According to a post on the Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland Facebook Page, Boys and Girls Club Chief Operating Officer Robbie Toth-Cosby was inducted into the Missouri Area Council Hall of Fame.
She has been the driving force behind countless initiatives at the Club, including expanding the clubs and creating an award-winning college program.
Boys and Girls Club Board President Lara Moffitt also won the Missouri Area Council Liaison of the Year award. The announcement post says that Moffitt’s leadership has strengthened partnerships and secured funding for programs, making a difference in the lives of many of the club members.
Both were honored during the Boys and Girls Clubs Missouri Conference.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI CONSERVATION AREA TO BE TEMPORARY CLOSED THIS WEEK
A Southeast Missouri conservation area will be temporarily closed this week.
The Missouri Department of Conservation’s Little River Conservation Area in Dunklin and Pemiscot counties will be temporarily closed through Saturday due to continued access road bridge construction.
MDC Construction Project Manager Joaquin Marquez tells KWOC News that the contractors will be removing all components of the temporary access road and replacing the borrowed soil east of the bridge. Marquez added that removal of the temporary access is one of the final stages of the construction project.
Little River Conservation Area is located five miles east of Kennett on Highway 412.
