Your five-minute catch-up for Tuesday, July 21. Here’s what matters on our stretch of the river today.
Heat Advisory Through Tonight
Cooper and Howard counties are both under a heat advisory until 7 p.m. tonight, alongside much of Missouri, as a ridge of high pressure traps hot, humid air over the state. Heat index values are expected to hit 100–110 degrees this afternoon before relief arrives late tonight into Wednesday, when highs drop back into the mid- to upper 80s. NWS meteorologist Jordan Didio recommends drinking plenty of water, limiting strenuous outdoor activity, and finding air-conditioned spaces during the hottest afternoon and early-evening hours (Missourinet; NWS via ABC 17).
Roads & I-70
The Providence Road/Route 163 interchange work we’ve been tracking is still active — MoDOT’s live map shows the westbound I-70-to-163 ramp and nearby outer road segments closed as crews build toward that on-ramp closure later this month. The broader Boonville-to-Rocheport third-lane project remains under construction (started spring 2026, running through late 2027), with nighttime lane closures ongoing — expect signage and slower going if you’re on that stretch after dark (MoDOT).
Around the Counties
Boone County’s cyclospora count keeps climbing: the state health department now has 216 confirmed cases statewide, up from just 43 the week before, with 37 of those in Boone County alone. The parasite causes prolonged diarrhea, cramping, and fatigue, but doesn’t spread person-to-person. The CDC had linked the outbreak to a specific lot of Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce, but the FDA says that lettuce sample actually came back a false positive — so the source is still an open question. State epidemiologist Nathan Koffarnus says the case count is climbing partly because more people with symptoms are now seeking care rather than riding it out at home. If you’ve had unexplained, lingering stomach trouble this month, it’s worth a call to your doctor (KBIA).
Cooper County’s jail is closing a mail loophole: the Sheriff’s Office has signed on with TextBehind, a mail-management service that screens incoming letters to the Detention Center for contraband — mainly narcotics smuggled in through non-privileged mail — before anything reaches an inmate (Boonville Daily News).
Happening Soon
Two Boonville fundraisers worth the drive: the 8th annual Dean Caldwell’s Fore the Kids Memorial Golf Tournament tees off Saturday, July 25 at Hail Ridge Golf Course, and the Impact Activity Center (1111 Rural Street) holds its next fish fry Saturday, August 1, from noon to 3 p.m. — the last of three this summer (Boonville Daily News; Boonville Daily News). And a reminder: the MR340 — the world’s longest nonstop river race — paddles past our bluffs the week of July 28, with racers launching from Kansas City on the 28th. We’ve got the full preview here.
Outdoors & River
The Missouri River at Boonville is reading 8.03 feet and falling, well under flood stage. If you’re out on the water or the Katy Trail today, pair that pleasant river level with real caution about the heat — carry more water than you think you need.
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