SCOTT COUNTY, Mo., (KBSI) — Funeral arrangements have been announced for Gerard Essner, 62, a Mississippi County farmer who was killed Monday, Oct. 6. Essner was a retired U.S. Army veteran and Sergeant First Class (E-7) who served 27 years in the Missouri Army National Guard, including a deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004–05. A lifelong member…
ELDORADO, Ill., (KBSI) — The Saline County Sheriff’s Office is crediting a local resident and business owner for assisting deputies in the recent apprehension of a suspect involved in an ATV theft and recovery. According to the sheriff’s office, Robbie Beaver, a longtime Eldorado resident and helicopter pilot, spotted the suspect fleeing from law enforcement on the stolen ATV. From…
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to honor survivors, remember those lost, and renew the community’s commitment to prevention and support. On Thursday morning, the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office joined representatives from the Safe House of Southeast Missouri and the Cape Girardeau County Commission for the signing of a proclamation…
HERRIN, Ill., (KBSI) — A Herrin woman was arrested early Wednesday after deputies discovered methamphetamine during a traffic stop, according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said they stopped a vehicle traveling north on 23rd Street in Herrin at about 1:45 a.m. for a traffic violation. While deputies conducted the stop, a Herrin Police Department K-9 unit arrived and…
MAYFIELD, Ky., (KBSI) — The Graves County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports of deer exhibiting unusual behavior near local businesses and schools. According to the department, the first report came on Sept. 29, when a deer was seen acting strangely near a business along Kentucky Highway 80, just east of Mayfield. A biologist from the Kentucky Department of Fish…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (KBSI) — Missouri drivers are seeing continued relief at the pump as gasoline demand drops and the state transitions to winter-blend fuel, according to AAA Missouri’s Weekend Gas Watch. The statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel is $2.76, five cents lower than last week and seven cents less than a year ago. Among major…
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — UPDATE: Runners and walkers turned out in a burst of color for a great cause Saturday as the Saint Francis Foundation hosted the annual Color Dash 5K and Fun Walk in support of Pink Up and life-saving cancer screenings. The Saint Francis Foundation will host its annual Color Dash 5K and Fun Walk on Saturday, Oct….
SIKESTON, Mo., (KBSI) — The Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team has announced the line-of-duty death of Sikeston Department of Public Safety Officer Henry Franklin, who died Oct. 6, 2025. Service Information: Visitation will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Minor Baptist Church, 416 South State Route H in Sikeston, Missouri. Funeral services will…
SCOTT CITY, Mo., (KBSI) — Drone footage captured a solemn tribute Wednesday as members of the Scott City Fire Department, Scott City Police Department, Benton Fire Department and North Scott County Ambulance District lined the Interstate 55 on-ramp to honor fallen Sikeston Department of Public Safety Officer Henry Franklin. Emergency crews staged along the route as Franklin’s body was transported…
NEW HAMBURG, Mo., (KBSI) — The Kenny Rogers Children’s Center will host its annual SXS Benefit Ride & Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Schindler’s Tavern in New Hamburg, featuring a full day of food, music, and family fun — all for a good cause. The event will include off-road rides, live entertainment, and a raffle for a Can-Am…
EAST PRAIRIE, Mo., (KBSI) — A Sikeston police officer and two other people are dead after what authorities describe as an apparent murder-suicide at a rural home in southeast Missouri. The Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called around 2:30 p.m. Monday to a residence at 8101 County Road 408, about 20 miles south of the Illinois–Missouri state line,…
SIKESTON, Mo., (KBSI) — The City of Sikeston has announced that condolence cards for fallen Sikeston Department of Public Safety Officer Henry Franklin may be sent to City Hall, where they will be delivered to his family. Cards can be mailed to: City Hall Attn: Franklin Family 105 E. Center St. Sikeston, MO 63801 Officer Franklin was killed in the…
MURRAY, Ky., (KBSI) — A Kansas man has pleaded guilty to multiple charges after a 2024 investigation that began when a 14-year-old from Murray was reported missing. According to the Murray Police Department, officers received a report of the missing juvenile on Nov. 18, 2024. The investigation revealed that the teen had been lured to Wichita, Kansas, by 21-year-old Samuel…
JACKSON, Mo., (KBSI) — A new mural celebrating Uptown Jackson’s vibrant community spirit is now complete, adding a fresh burst of color and creativity to the city’s historic district. City officials and community leaders say the project is part of ongoing efforts to beautify Uptown and highlight the area’s local shops, restaurants, and gathering spaces. “It’s been amazing to watch…
MARION, Ill., (KBSI) — The reigning champions of the International Lineman’s Rodeo are gearing up to defend their title — and the public is invited to see them in action this week. Ameren Illinois linemen Jason Novak, Austin Lewis, and Clayton Gulley, winners of last year’s competition, will meet with media and demonstrate their safety and climbing skills at 2…
HARRISBURG, Ill., (KBSI) — The Saline County Sheriff’s Office says it’s been a busy few days, with deputies handling multiple major calls and recovering several stolen vehicles while assisting with community events and ongoing investigations. Sheriff Doug Maier said that since Friday, deputies have recovered two stolen ATVs, three stolen UTVs, a stolen car, and a stolen truck, all while…
CAIRO, Ill., (KBSI) — The Southern 7 Health Department has announced the success of its second annual “Bundles of Joy” Diaper Drive, which collected more than 3,200 diapers in September to help families facing diaper insecurity in the southernmost seven counties of Illinois. Through the support of local businesses and community members, the collected diapers will be distributed in the…
JACKSON, Mo., (KBSI) — The City of Jackson and Jackson Fire Rescue will host a Fire Hose Uncoupling Ceremony and Public Open House to celebrate the completion of the newly remodeled Fire Station No. 1. The event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the station located at 525 South Hope St., Jackson, MO 63755. The uncoupling ceremony will…
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — It’s Fire Prevention Week 2025, and this year’s theme — “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” — serves as a timely reminder of the importance of properly handling and disposing of batteries. Local officials say the message hits close to home after a recent garbage truck fire may have been caused by…
BENTON, Ill., (KBSI) — The Franklin County Office of Emergency Management and Communications announced that Phase 1 of the county’s new 911 emergency communications center is now complete. Officials said the new facility successfully received, processed and dispatched its first 911 call for service on Friday, following the transfer of operations from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Phase 2 of…
HERRIN, Ill., (KBSI) — A Herrin woman was arrested Monday after Williamson County sheriff’s deputies recovered a stolen vehicle reported out of Jackson County, authorities said. Deputies located a 2010 Nissan Titan around 2:19 p.m. traveling north on Park Avenue before it pulled into the Walmart parking lot in Herrin. Multiple deputies boxed in the vehicle and took the driver,…
EAST PRAIRIE, Mo., (KBSI) — A law enforcement officer and two other people are dead following what authorities describe as an apparent murder-suicide at a rural home in southeast Missouri. The Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called around 2:30 p.m. Monday to a residence at 8101 County Road 408, about 20 miles south of the Illinois–Missouri state line, for…
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo., (KBSI) — Poplar Bluff police have arrested two men in connection with a Sept. 30 shooting at Mike’s Resale, authorities said. Detectives received information Saturday that Lamar Brown Jr. had been seen the previous night outside the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff. After several unsuccessful attempts to contact him by phone, officers located Brown outside the Super…
MT. VERNON, Ill., (KBSI) — A Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy arrested a Mt. Vernon man early Saturday after a traffic stop led to the discovery of illegal drugs, authorities said. Around the early morning hours, a deputy pulled over a red Chevrolet truck for a traffic violation on Illinois Highway 142 near Gothic Lane in rural Jefferson County. During the…