News

KENNETT, Mo. - The Kennett Board of Public Works (KBPW) chief executive officer (CEO) offered Kiwanians here a comprehensive presentation regarding the utility, its history and its future impact on the city. KBPW CEO Jamie Chitester said the utility has offered much and continues to provide necessary services to the people of Kennett...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. - A Butler County judge Tuesday ordered a bond reduction for a Columbia woman charged with a laundry list of felonies at Dunklin County. 36th Judicial District Circuit Court Presiding Judge Kacey L. Proctor, tapped by the Missouri Supreme Court to hear felony cases involving Crystal Renee Umfress, 44, reduced her bond, with stipulations, according to court records...

MALDEN, Mo. - The Dunklin County Foster Coalition hosted its annual Christmas party for the foster children of Dunklin County. The event was Sunday, Dec. 8th at Southeast Missouri Community Church (SEMO CC) at Malden. The event was possible only because of the outpouring of support from more than 50 Southeast Missouri organizations, businesses, and supporters...

KENNETT, Mo. - Students enrolled in schools here might attend four days a week rather than the traditional five beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. Board of Education directors heard from Kennett Schools Supt. Dr. Richie Leeker regarding the matter at Tuesday's meeting of the Kennett School District No. 39 Board of Education...

How a small town's Christmas parade turned into a community triumph “Christmas will always be, as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand”-Dr Seuss In Loving memory of Kenneth Dewayne Johnson. With only 1 month of preparation, Senath celebrated a Christmas Season to remember! The Senath Christmas Parade has been going on consecutively since 2004. ...

The First Presbyterian Church choir under the direction of Viretta Sexton invites the community to join in for the 13th annual Hallelujah on the Steps, the annual mass singing of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from The Messiah. The event began in 2011 with Hallelujah on the Square, a flash mob of sorts conceived by Sexton, at the Dunklin County Courthouse steps...

A 26-year-old Osceola man who has been missing since Sunday is the victim of an apparent homicide. Aaron Hopewell’s body was discovered by a bystander around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday in the 300 block of East Elizabeth Street in his hometown. According to Captain Wels Skaggs with the Osceola Police Department, Hopewell was found laying in the backyard of the residence...

MALDEN – A civic group here whose aim is to promote harmonious living is giving back once again. The Positive Brotherhood, which has sponsored food drives and giveaways for area residents sponsors a Hoodie and Sweatshirt Giveaway from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Bootheel Youth Museum at Malden...

At Kennett Veterinary Clinic, Dr Everett Mobley and his staff want to continue helping the Kennett Humane Department. For the rest of December, anyone bringing a donation of pet food or bedding to the office at 1704 Saint Francis street will receive a $5.00 credit on their next service at Dr Mobley’s office...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently set turkey and deer hunting dates for the 2025-2026 seasons. The hunting dates were approved by the Missouri Conservation Commission at its Dec. 13 open meeting at the MDC St. Louis Regional Office in St. Charles...

DEXTER – On an early August morning in 2023, Shawn Hinkle received a call from one of his technicians at Tyson Foods who, through tears, told him the company’s plant in Dexter was shutting down. Hundreds of jobs at the poultry slaughterhouse would be lost and farmers like Hinkle, who contracted with Tyson to raise egg-laying hens, would be out of business...

Beverly Alford-Thomas has been helping those in need in Kennett and the surrounding area for decades. Though her business, Leonard and Virgie's Place, lost their building in 2023, she continues to assist the community through her home and vehicle. “I still get texts and calls from all over Kennett and the area for help,” Thomas said...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. - A change of defense attorney, change of venue and change of judge resulted in delays for the trial of a Columbia woman who faces a litany of felony charges at Dunklin County. However, the Missouri Supreme Court last week stepped in and assigned a new judge to hear the felony case, according to Supreme Court records...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - After a number of continuances, venue changes and over the objections of the defense, a Malden husband and wife accused of 18 felonies in connection to an alleged embezzlement scheme is slated for arraignment in January. 34th Judicial District Circuit Court Presiding Judge Joshua D. Underwood on Dec. 10 scheduled the 10 a.m. Jan. 28, 2025 hearing for Korey Adams, 51, of 3932 E. Sue Dr., Malden...

MALDEN, Mo. - Sleigh bells rang for children of all ages as they walked through the winter wonderland that was the Bootheel Youth Museum (BYM) on Saturday Dec. 10. The museum, a destination at Malden, hosted its annual Pancakes with Santa event with help from the community and especially, the Malden Lions Club...

What do new cars and pound puppies have in common? They both are looking for owners. KHD Officer Tena Petix informed, “Recently, I was contacted by an employee of Dodge Bayird in Kennett regarding the dealership hosting a fundraiser for KHD.” Petix continued, “We are always excited to add people and businesses to our team effort to find families for the dogs at KHD.”...

MEMPHIS - Construction planned on the I-55 bridge across the Mississippi River at Memphis for Dec. 13-16 has been postponed. Work on the 75-year-old structure, which has been under construction off and on for more than a year, was postponed until mid-January due to the possibility of inclement weather forecast for the weekend...

SIKESTON—Route 53 in Dunklin County will be closed as construction crews perform two bridge replacements. These bridges are located between Route J and Route H near Campbell, Missouri. Weather permitting, work is scheduled to begin Monday, Jan. 6 with completion anticipated Tuesday, May 6. The route will remain closed until the work is completed and a signed detour will be in place...

NEW MADRID — An off-duty New Madrid County deputy and three children were killed in a head-on collision Tuesday, Dec. 17 in New Madrid County. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at 4:35 p.m. on Route U, half a mile west of New Madrid as the 41-year-old male driver of Lilbourn lost control of his westbound vehicle, crossed the center line and struck the eastbound vehicle driven by a 17-year-old female of Lilbourn...

FCC Behavioral Health is hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The blood drive is located at 875 State Highway VV in the Thrive Building B in Kennett from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment register at redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are welcome as well. Bring picture ID or Red Cross Donor number...

SENATH, Mo. - A downpour that lasted nearly all day Saturday stopped just in time for Senath's annual Christmas Parade. The parade, planned and enjoyed by city residents, began after officials moved the event to 7 p.m. to allow for a timely and festive Christmas spectacle...

The Arbyrd City Council recently held their December meeting. The session began with discussion of old business. Mayor Richard Kelley rejected the Purchasing Policy and sent it back to the council with a veto. Ordinace 3-24 addressed purchases made for the city. All purchase requests were to be brought before the board of alderman before purchases are made...

KENNETT, Mo. - Soon it will be Christmas Day. Sleigh bells rang Sunday when the Kennett High School choirs presented the students' annual Christmas concert at Kennett High School. Under the direction of Cassidy Gage and Lafe Arens, singers performed wonderfully, and separate choirs sang a diverse selection of 12 enjoyable Christmas tunes...

The jolly old elf, himself, has partnered with Tractor Supply to spread some holiday cheer in our area. Kennett Humane Dept. Officer Tena Petix stated, “I was recently approached by Santa, former Mayor Chancellor Wayne, offering to host a Photo with Santa opportunity at the Kennett Tractor Supply.”...