DEXTER K9 DEATH INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

An investigation into the death of a K9 officer in Stoddard County is ongoing.

According to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith, his office is broadening and continuing the criminal investigation regarding alleged animal abuse and neglect of Dexter PD K9 Apollo and K9 Knox.

Last week, criminal charges were filed against Derrick Durall, who had been the K9 handler for the Dexter Police Department since December 2020. Durall faces two counts of felony animal abuse and two counts of misdemeanor animal neglect.

He has also been fired from his position.

HUNTERS DONATE ALMOST 250 THOUSAND POUNDS OF VENISON TO SHARE THE HARVEST PROGRAM

Missouri hunters have donated almost 250,000 pounds of meat to the state’s Share the Harvest Program.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri deer hunters donated 247,575 pounds of venison to the program this past deer season, including almost 5,400 whole deer.

Officials say that the donated deer meat goes to local food banks and food pantries to help feed hungry Missourians.

Since the program was started in 1992, it has provided nearly 5 million pounds of lean, healthy venison for hungry people all around the state.

THE DEADLINE IS TODAY TO PURCHASE TAGS FOR BULKY ITEM PICKUP

Today is the final day for Poplar Bluff residents to purchase tags for this month’s Bulky Item Pickup.

Residents can purchase bulk item tags from the City Collector’s office at City Hall for $20. The tags entitle you to the removal of four bulk items, such as couches or refrigerators. Tires may be collected for a charge of $3 per tire with a limit of four tires.

No construction materials or small items will be picked up and the program is for residential areas only.

Today is the final day to purchase item tags at City Hall to be included in next week’s pick up, which will be conducted on Tuesday, April 16th.

JOB FAIR SET FOR APRIL 16TH IN POPLAR BLUFF

A Job Fair has been scheduled for next week in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Butler County Community Resource Council, the Parents Working Committee will host the Job Fair and Career Expo from 10 am to 2 pm on April 16th at the Libla Family Sports Complex on the campus of Three Rivers College.

There will be several vendors ready to share their open positions with job seekers and some will be doing on-site interviews.

For more information, contact the Community Resource Council at 573-776-7830.

SHOULDER REPAIRS SCHEDULED FOR THIS MONTH IN THE ESSEX AREA

Route 114 in Stoddard County will be reduced for most of this month as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform shoulder repairs.

The section of roadway being reduced is located between Trotter Street and County Road 763 near Essex.

Weather permitting, work will take place from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through Tuesday, April 29.

BRIDGE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULED FOR THE NEXT WEEK ON INTERSTATE 155

Interstate 155 in Pemiscot County will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction for the next week as construction crews perform bridge maintenance.

The section of roadway being reduced is located from mile marker 9.2 to the end of state maintenance.

Weather permitting, work will take place from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Friday, April 19.