SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — The 2025–2026 Illinois bobcat hunting and trapping season ended Feb. 15 with 627 bobcats harvested, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Officials said 405 bobcats (62%) were harvested by hunters, while 222 (34%) were taken by trappers. Another 27 bobcats (4%) were salvaged by permit holders in cases such as roadkill. The department issued…
HERRIN, Ill., (KBSI) — The Herrin Police Department says its seven-digit phone lines are temporarily out of service due to a technical issue. Officials said the department is working with service providers to restore the lines as quickly as possible. Residents who need emergency assistance are asked to call 911. Police said the department will notify the public once phone…
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Southeast Missouri State University will host its annual SEMO Giving Day on March 19, encouraging alumni, students, faculty and supporters to contribute to scholarships and campus programs. The 24-hour fundraising event supports the university’s Transforming Lives campaign and has a goal of raising $360,000 for scholarships, academic programs and campus initiatives. “I am excited to…
FRANKFORT, Ky., (KBSI) — Andy Beshear announced nearly $6.5 million in funding Thursday for 10 bridge improvement projects across eight Kentucky counties and two cities. The funding will support repairs, replacements and reopenings of locally owned bridges to improve safety and travel for residents, according to the governor’s office. “These projects are about more than just infrastructure — they’re about…
MARION, Ill., (KBSI) — A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled Friday for the new ThrillHouse Family Entertainment Center, marking the start of its grand opening weekend. The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. March 13 outside the main entrance to the venue at The Oasis, the redevelopment of the former Marion Mall. Scheduled speakers include Michael Absher, officials from the…
CHESTER, Ill., (KBSI) — Chester High School temporarily restricted student movement Thursday while administrators addressed the needs of a student, according to school officials. Officials with the Chester Community Unit School District 139 said the restriction was implemented March 12 to allow administrators and support services to respond to the situation. School officials said there was no threat or danger…
MARBLE HILL, Mo., (KBSI) — A boil water order has been issued for customers served by the Marble Hill South Public Water System after fecal coliform/E. coli was detected in the water supply. The notice was issued March 11 for the system serving residents in Bollinger County. Officials say the boil water order is in place due to the presence…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (KBSI) — Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has ordered U.S. and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff Thursday in honor of a Butler County firefighter who died while responding to a call. Flags will be lowered from sunrise to sunset March 12 at government buildings in Butler County, the Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri and firehouses across…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — The Illinois Department of Transportation has released a new Illinois Route 66 map to mark the historic highway’s 100th anniversary this year. The map highlights attractions, towns and landmarks along the Illinois portion of the famed roadway while also providing a historical timeline of the route’s development and cultural significance. “The new Route 66 map is…
PADUCAH, Ky., (KBSI) — A Brookport, Illinois, man was arrested Monday after deputies found suspected methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop in Paducah. According to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy conducted a traffic stop around 2:52 p.m. March 9 near Estelle Street and Maple Avenue after observing a seatbelt violation. The driver was identified as…
MT. VERNON, Ill., (KBSI) — City fire officials say a proposed replacement for Station 1 cannot be built as a pole barn due to long-term durability, safety requirements and modern facility needs. Officials said the department considered the option in an effort to keep costs down for taxpayers, but engineers and architects determined a pole barn structure would not be…
MURRAY, Ky., (KBSI) — A Calloway County man has been arrested on child sexual exploitation charges following an investigation by the Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch. According to Kentucky State Police, James Kylen Johnson, 32, was arrested around 10:39 p.m. March 10 as part of an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigation. Investigators said the Electronic Crime Branch began…
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — A Cape Girardeau woman was arrested early Wednesday after officers found suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia during a vehicle search, according to the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Police said an officer conducting routine patrol around 2 a.m. March 11 near Broadview Street and Spartech Drive observed two people behind a business and made contact due…
CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — A day focused on natural approaches to women’s health is scheduled for March 28 at the Carbondale Civic Center. The Women’s Health Naturally event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the civic center, located at 200 S. Illinois Ave. Organizers say the event will feature vendors, workshops and discussions centered on natural health…
CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY, Mo., (KBSI) — Cape Girardeau County Parks officials say a temporary entrance to Melaina’s Playground at Cape County Park – North is being constructed to maintain public access during ongoing park improvements. The temporary entrance, located on Limbaugh Lane, will be used when construction limits access through the park’s main entrance. Officials expect the alternate entrance to…
PADUCAH, Ky., (KBSI) — Two people were arrested on drug and weapons charges following a traffic stop late Tuesday night in Paducah. According to police, Officer Austin Gruner conducted a traffic stop around 10:12 p.m. March 10 in the 2700 block of Irvin Cobb Drive on a vehicle driven by Branson L. Waldridge. Officer Ben Anthony and his K-9 partner,…
FRANKLIN, Tenn., (KBSI) — Memories of Honor has received a $5,000 grant through the Tennessee America 250 initiative to support the creation of a documentary preserving the Boots of Honor Memorial. The grant was awarded by the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial and will help fund a short film documenting the memorial and the public remembrance surrounding it….
JACKSON, Mo., (KBSI) — Autism Awareness of Southeast Missouri will host its first AASM Autism Color Walk & Roll on April 26 at Jackson City Park. The event will include a free Community Booth and Resource Area during the children’s portion of the event, giving families an opportunity to connect with local organizations, learn about available resources and participate in…
(Source: Pexels/Anna Tarazevich)GRAVES COUNTY, Ky. (KBSI) – Law Enforcement agencies across Western Kentucky are warning citizens to stay on high alert, as they’ve seen an increase in scam calls. Jeremy Prince is a Chief Deputy with the Graves County Sheriff’s Office; he shares they currently have between 7 and 10 victims who have gotten scammed under the most recent phone scam. Deputy Prince explains the scammer…
After a mild and stormy couple of days, seasonal temperatures look to return with plenty of sunshine for Thursday in Cape Girardeau. The latest runs of StormCast show gradual clearing through the overnight hours, followed by mostly sunny skies on Thursday. Lows will be near-average for much of the Heartland, with a strong wind out of the north gusting to…
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI(KBSI) -The Missouri EMS Funeral Response Team has announced the loss of one of their EMT’s. The team released a statement on their Facebook page saying 24-year-old EMT Hallie Gillis, with Medic One ambulance service in Kennett Missouri was traveling home after her shift when she was involved in a vehicle crash. According to the statement Hallie leaves behind…
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) Route 51 in Butler County will be closed as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert under the roadway. This section of roadway is located from County Road 212 to County Road 214 near Qulin, Missouri. Weather permitting, work will take place Thursday, March 12 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. As a reminder, a contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is implementing lane restrictions on Interstate 24 in Lyon County starting today,…
BUTLER COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) — Emergency managers and volunteers across Southeast Missouri are developing a new two-way radio network designed to keep communication running during severe weather and disasters, even when cell service or internet goes down. The project, called the SEMO Safety Network Upgrade, is a collaboration between Butler County Emergency Management, the Poplar Bluff Severe Weather Response Team…
JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI)- Liberty Utilities says crews have now restored natural gas service to about 3,000 customers following last week’s storm damage that caused a major gas outage in Jackson. Crews are continuing to work across all restoration zones and are focusing on both homes and businesses. Utility officials say most businesses have already had service restored or crews have…