SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STUDENT ELECTED MISSOURI JUNIOR BETA PRESIDENT
Last week was a big one for many Junior High and elementary students in Southeast Missouri.
Many students competed in a variety of categories at the Missouri Junior and Elementary Beta convention in Branson.
One student who stood out was 7th Grader Brooklyn Bader, from St. Teresa Catholic School in Glennonville, who was elected the Missouri Junior Beta President.
Brooklyn’s mom Amanda tells KWOC News that Brooklyn worked extremely hard for the election, including campaigning until she had multiple blisters in her feet.
Amanda added that Brooklyn was overwhelmed by the support she received from everyone.
Brooklyn will now run for the National Junior Beta President this summer in Orlando.
FRIGID COLD TEMPERATURES TO START YOUR WEEK
Arctic air is pushing dangerously cold temperatures to our area for the early part of this week.
According to the National Weather Service, minimum wind chill values are expected to be below 20 degrees and in some cases, below 10 degrees, through Wednesday in Poplar Bluff.
Officials say that temperatures will begin to moderate back toward normal values after Wednesday.
To find warming centers in your area, go to Health.Mo.Gov/warmingcenters.
POPLAR BLUFF VOTERS TO DECIDE ON BOND ISSUE FOR PB SCHOOLS IN APRIL
Voters in the Poplar Bluff area will be asked about a bond issue at the upcoming election in April.
According to Poplar Bluff School officials, the R-I Board of Education voted to place a no-tax bond issue on the April 8 ballot, estimated to generate $11.5 million dollars.
The 20-year general obligation bonds would be issued to extend the 18-cent debt service previously approved by voters in 2009 to construct the Kindergarten Center and perform extensive renovations at Junior High including electric, plumbing, and heating and air.
Officials say that if the issue is approved, the school would have the opportunity to expand its building capacity at Early Childhood, enhance safety district-wide, and address deferred maintenance including the construction of a new bus garage, all at zero increased cost to taxpayers.
While the April ballot issue focuses on the most pressing needs, the long-range plan will be designed to look ahead to the next decade, a process expected to wrap up in the fall. A larger citizens' advisory committee representing a diverse cross-section of patrons will meet next month to help guide the district in prioritizing future projects to focus on.
CITY OF POPLAR BLUFF AWARDED ALMOST TWO MILLION DOLLARS FOR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
The city of Poplar Bluff will be getting almost two million dollars for infrastructure improvements.
According to the Delta Regional Authority, Poplar Bluff has been awarded $1.9 million dollars to make improvements to the transportation infrastructure within the Industrial Park, ensuring safer and reliable roadways for employees and freight trucks accessing the five manufacturing companies within the park, while also attracting news businesses to the park.
The money comes from the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance program, a partnership program between the Delta Regional Authority and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
DEXTER MAN DEAD FOLLOWING HEAD ON COLLISION IN STODDARD COUNTY
A Dexter man has died from injuries he received in a two vehicle crash on Thursday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred shortly after noon on Thursday when a 27 year old male from Dexter crossed the center line of Stoddard County Road 413 and struck another vehicle head on.
The driver of the first vehicle was transported to a St. Louis hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The driver of the second vehicle was flown to a Cape Girardeau hospital with serious injuries.
VOLLEYBALL COACH NAMED TRC RAIDER OF THE YEAR
A former Volleyball player for Three Rivers College has been named the 2025 Raider of the Year.
Branson High School and former Winona High School volleyball coach Francie Spurgin McBride will receive the honor at the 2025 TRC Alumni Reunion on February 1st at the Libla Family Sports Complex.
The Raider of the Year Award is presented to a former Three Rivers athlete who has succeeded beyond their sport and time at Three Rivers.
Spurgin McBride graduated from Eminence High School in 1992, where she helped the 1991 team reach the state quarterfinals. She then played volleyball for two years at Three Rivers before transferring to Evangel University.
After college, Spurgin McBride worked at Eminence as the assistant volleyball coach. She then moved to Winona, where she won five Class 1 state championships, including three in a row from 2012-14. The Wildcats reached 14 final fours and finished second four times, third twice, and fourth three times.
Spurgin McBride completed her fifth season as the Branson High School volleyball coach in 2024. In 2020, Branson won its first district championship since 1992 and reached the state quarterfinals. She was inducted to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY EVENT SCHEDULED FOR TODAY AT OLD WHEATLEY SCHOOL IN POPLAR BLUFF
A special event has been scheduled for today in Poplar Bluff to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The community is being invited to attend the event, which will begin at 11 am at the Old Wheatley School located at 921 Garfield Street.
The Poplar Bluff R-1 JROTC will be presenting the colors to kick off the celebration and the guest speaker will be Poplar Bluff High School football great Eddie Moss.
Refreshments will be served following the program.
Numerous governmental offices will also be closed today in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Poplar Bluff city officials say that both the city hall and municipal court will be closed today.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol also announced that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed for the holiday.
