Scott City, Missouri - The Scott County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help finding a missing Scott City man.

Sheriff Rick Walter says 23-year-old Zackary Johnston went missing Tuesday, January 19th sometime in the afternoon.

Walter says that Johnston's vehicle has been sitting on the side of AB Road across from Country Road 303 since about 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Johnston is described as a white male, 6 feet tall and  weighing 150 pounds.

Search and Rescue crews are searching for Zachary Johnston on foot and by helicopter.

Bloomfield, Missouri - Our beloved old courthouse in downtown Bloomfield is preparing for a facelift.  The Stoddard County Commission held a Pre-Bid meeting for the Stoddard County Courthouse cupola project. Representatives from R.L.Persons Construction and Pyramid Roofing were present for the meeting.  The bid opening officially began on January 29th at 10:00 a.m. .

Dale Rogers, an architect, with Robert Stearnes and Associates led the meeting explaining what needed to be done and outlined specifications and requirements for the work.  

"Three contractors have requested paperwork on this project," Rogers stated.  "They are R.L. Persons Construction of Poplar Bluff, Sides Construction of Cape Girardeau, and Keifner Brothers of Cape Girardeau."

Stoddard County received a $70,000 grant from the Missouri Department of National Resources, State Historic Preservation Office.  They required the county to contribute $30,000 in county funds for the restoration as well.

Listed as primary work to be completed are:  

*  Structural repairs for the cupola framing and floors of the cupola and attic

*  New Louver header and spire support

*  Removal of wood louvers and replacement with new wood louvers

*  New sheet metal flashings and sealants

Rogers also explained that the bid would include three alternates, if and only if there was enough money available for these projects.  They are application of fluid applied roofing, the use of metal and PVC louvers, and painting flashing and counter flashing.

Rogers also distributed to the contractors present a list of requirements that must be met.  He noted that the control arms on the clock in the cupola will be removed prior to any work being performed.

The completion date for the Stoddard County Courthouse is May 31, 2016.

Present at the County Commission Pre-Bid Meeting were Carol Jarrell and Danny Talking.  Also present were Dale Rogers, Jeff Alford of R.L. Persons, and Lloyd Stoner and Ed Pike of Pyramid Roofing.

Doniphan, Missouri - An Endangered Person Advisory has been issued by the Ripley County Sheriff's Department for a missing 19-year-old woman.

Deputies state that Topanga S. Thompson, 19, was last seen around 2 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 11 at Rural Route 2 Box 7641, County Road K-1 in Doniphan, Mo.

She is 5'4", 166 pounds with brown hair, blonde highlights and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a Carhartt jacket, black hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants.

Deputies say Thompson reportedly suffers from depression and may be suicidal.

They say she left her home on foot and without personal belongings. They are unsure where she was going. They say she left after posting vague, concerning statements on her social media account.

Anyone who has seen Thompson, or has any information, is asked to call 911 or your local law enforcement agency. You may also call the Doniphan Police Department - Ripley County Sheriff's Department at 573-996-5555.

2015 ends with highest fatalities in five years - 

63 percent of fatalities were unbuckled

As of Dec. 31, 853 lives were reported lost in 2015 Missouri traffic crashes. Sixty-three percent of the drivers and passengers killed were not wearing seat belts.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the leading causes of fatal crashes continue to be speeding, driver inattention and impaired driving. A couple of new trends have emerged for 2015 including increases in improper lane use and substance-impaired driving. Those crash trends are showing a 100 percent increase in expressway intersection fatalities and an 82 percent increase in overturning vehicle fatalities when compared to 2014.

"Fifty percent of those not belted were also ejected from the vehicle," said Colonel Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. "Seat belt use is the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries resulting from traffic crashes, so make sure everyone is properly restrained on every trip.

"Combined efforts in engineering, law enforcement, education, and emergency medical services aid in the reduction of roadway fatalities," says MoDOT Chief Engineer Ed Hassinger. "With lower gas prices in 2015, we are seeing an increase in the amount of overall travel on Missouri's roads. Drivers need to take a proactive role by wearing their seat belt and focusing on their driving,"