Ralph Riggs, Howell County Presiding Commissioner

08/29/2026

🚧 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐃𝐒 — 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐓 𝐀 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 🚧

A big shout-out to Southern Commissioner Bruce Williams and Northern Commissioner Calvin Wood for their work to replace several aging low-water crossings throughout Howell County.

Replacing every low-water crossing with a traditional bridge or large box culvert would be cost prohibitive for county taxpayers. Instead, Commissioners have worked to identify a practical, fiscally responsible design that allows additional water flow while providing a durable crossing designed to serve residents for many years.

These projects are about finding the right balance between safety, reliability, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

There is still plenty of work to be done across our county road system, but every completed crossing represents another step toward safer and more dependable infrastructure.

Thank you, Commissioners, for your continued commitment to improving roads and infrastructure in the Howell County and making every taxpayer dollar count.

08/12/2026

UPDATE-the Howell County Commission will be selecting the architectural firm tomorrow at the scheduled commission meeting.

UPDATE - NEW SHERIFF’S OFFICE/JAIL and/or JUSTICE CENTER

The Howell County Commission recently issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for architectural services to conduct a needs assessment and provide potential design services for a new Sheriff’s Office/Jail and/or a complete Justice Center.

Four qualified firms responded to the RFQ. Today, with the cooperation of Sheriff Matt Roberts,the Commission completed interviews with the top three firms, and we expect to announce our selection soon.

Throughout this process, our priority remains simple: “do what is best for Howell County and its residents.”

Selecting an architectural firm does not mean a final project, design, or price has been determined. This process is about gathering the professional information we need to understand our current and future law enforcement and justice needs, evaluate our options, and determine what is both practical and financially responsible.

The Commission is committed to listening to the people of Howell County and pursuing a solution that addresses the serious limitations of our current law enforcement facility while remaining fiscally responsible to our taxpayers.

This is a major decision that will affect Howell County for decades. We intend to approach it carefully, transparently, and responsibly—looking not only at what we need today, but at what will best serve Howell County well into the future.

Our goal is not simply to build something new. Our goal is to find the right solution for Howell County.

Thank you,
Ralph Riggs
Howell County Presiding Commissioner
[email protected] UPDATE - NEW SHERIFF’S OFFICE/JAIL and/or JUSTICE CENTER

The Howell County Commission recently issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for architectural services to conduct a needs assessment and provide potential design services for a new Sheriff’s Office/Jail and/or a complete Justice Center.

Four qualified firms responded to the RFQ. Today, with the cooperation of Sheriff Matt Roberts,the Commission completed interviews with the top three firms, and we expect to announce our selection soon.

Throughout this process, our priority remains simple: “do what is best for Howell County and its residents.”

Selecting an architectural firm does not mean a final project, design, or price has been determined. This process is about gathering the professional information we need to understand our current and future law enforcement and justice needs, evaluate our options, and determine what is both practical and financially responsible.

The Commission is committed to listening to the people of Howell County and pursuing a solution that addresses the serious limitations of our current law enforcement facility while remaining fiscally responsible to our taxpayers.

This is a major decision that will affect Howell County for decades. We intend to approach it carefully, transparently, and responsibly—looking not only at what we need today, but at what will best serve Howell County well into the future.

Our goal is not simply to build something new. Our goal is to find the right solution for Howell County.

Thank you,
Ralph Riggs
Howell County Presiding Commissioner
[email protected]

07/24/2026

As a county official elected by the majority of voters in Howell County, I refuse to endorse any candidate in the upcoming election. I feel that as a representative of the constituents of Howell County, I have no business endorsing a specific candidate. As far as I’m concerned I represent all Howell County residents, whether red, blue, green or rainbow. My office is open to any resident with a concern. I can be reached at [email protected] or by my cell phone 417-372-3695.

06/09/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2026

DRA to Make More Than $16 Million Available for Infrastructure, Workforce and Business Development Needs

Clarksdale, Miss. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is making more than $16 million in funding available through its States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP), a funding opportunity supporting economic and community development needs across DRA’s eight-state service region.

As one of DRA’s main investment tools, SEDAP targets projects addressing basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, in addition to workforce and business development needs for communities within DRA’s 255 counties and parishes. Awards will range from $50,000 to $500,000. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2026.

“Through the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program, the Delta Regional Authority is able to make strategic investments that expand opportunity and drive prosperity across our region,” said Thomas Hudson, Chief Programs Officer. “From improving infrastructure to strengthening the workforce, these investments lay the foundation for a stronger, more resilient Delta region.”

In 2025, DRA invested approximately $37 million toward 87 projects as a result of SEDAP, supporting community infrastructure, workforce development and long-term economic growth across the region’s eight states.

To learn more about the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program or to apply, visit www.dra.gov. For questions about the program, email [email protected].

About the Delta Regional Authority

The DRA was established in 2000 as a formal framework for joint federal-state collaboration to promote and encourage the economic development of the lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions. To fulfill this purpose, DRA invests in projects supporting transportation infrastructure, basic public infrastructure, workforce training, and business development. DRA’s region encompasses 255 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.

06/04/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝟖𝟐𝟕𝟎
Slab replacement work on County Road 8270 is scheduled to begin Monday, June 8, weather permitting. Please plan for delays, slow down near crews, and use caution when traveling through the area.
Your patience helps keep everyone safe.

05/05/2026

MoDOT - WORK WITH US: Slow Down and Stay Alert

Warmer weather means the start of a historic season of construction and maintenance work on Missouri’s roads and bridges. In 2025, Missourians can expect to see 800-1,000 work zones on any given day. Within these work zones are thousands of individuals just doing their jobs to help make transportation in Missouri better. Let's do our part to keep them safe, so that they can go home and complete this important work.

Remember, not all work zones look alike. Work zones can be moving operations, such as striping, patching or mowing. They can also be short term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris from the roadway. In any case, slowing down and putting the phone down are two steps all Missourians can take to make work zones safer.

Remember: We all have a role to play in keeping work zones safe. Slow down and put the phone down while driving. We're all better off for it.

Speed and distracted driving are the leading causes of work zones crashes in Missouri. Last year, aggressive driving contributed to more than 50% of work zone crashes last year. In Missouri, Motorists are required by the ‘Move Over’ law to slow down or change lanes when approaching law enforcement, emergency response vehicles and highway workers parked on the side of the road or in a lane.

Driver inattention is an equally concerning cause of crashes in work zones. Last year, more than 350 work zone crashes in Missouri involved a driver distracted by their phone. The average text takes five seconds to read. Traveling at 55 mph, you will travel more than the length of a football field—blindfolded. MoDOT’s slow moving maintenance operations move as slow as 10 mph and if you aren’t paying attention to the road, you will come up on the closed lane very quickly.

Help us keep work zones safe for everyone, especially the men and women who work in them every day. Slow down and put down the phone.

05/03/2026

04/28/2026

Recent storms have moved through Howell County, and our Road & Bridge Department is actively working to clear downed trees and debris from roadways across the area.

Crews are out doing everything they can to restore safe travel conditions as quickly as possible. We ask for your patience as this work continues.

⚠️ Please use caution when traveling:
• Watch for crews and equipment on roadways
• Slow down in affected areas
• Be alert for debris or partially blocked roads

Your safety—and the safety of our crews—is our top priority. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep Howell County roads safe.

04/27/2026

***OUT OF DATE. SEE NEWER POSTS***

Here are the watches out for this afternoon and evening. Counties
in pink are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9 PM CDT, and counties in yellow are under a Tornado Watch until 9 PM CDT. Stay weather aware this evening!

04/23/2026

Congratulations to our neighbors in Oregon County…

A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Jordan's Kwik Stop in Thayer was held on April 15.

SCOCOG provided key technical and grant development assistance to the City of Thayer in support of the project. SCOCOG prepared the Delta Regional Authority SEDAP application to secure funding for the water and sewer extensions needed to serve the site, which was identified for commercial development near U.S. Highway 63 and Missouri Highway 19.

SCOCOG also assisted the City with infrastructure coordination related to the outer road and access improvements, helping position the site for Jordan’s construction as well as future business development on adjacent property.