AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING SUSPECTED LOOTING IN REYNOLDS COUNTY

As Reynolds County continues to recover from the historic flooding it received, authorities are investigating a suspected looting incident. 

According to the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office, authorities are trying to identify the owner of a vehicle that is wanted in connection with a looting incident that occurred Tuesday evening at River’s Edge Campground in Lesterville.

MISSOURI SEMA TO HOST APPLICANT BRIEFINGS TODAY IN DONIPHAN IN CONNECTION TO FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION

State officials will be in Southeast Missouri today to conduct briefings in connection with the recent federal disaster declaration.

Following the federal disaster declaration for multiple severe weather systems that impacted Missouri from April 23rd to April 28th, the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency will conduct applicant briefings for local governments and nonprofit agencies applying for Public Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Ripley County was one of the 10 counties included in the declaration.

IDENTITY RELEASED OF POPLAR BLUFF SHOOTING VICTIM, TWO MEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC News that an area man has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting Sunday evening in Poplar Bluff.

According to Poplar Bluff Police Chief J.R. Keirsey, a man and a woman were walking across the Pine Street bridge over Black River shortly before 6 pm Sunday, when they noticed two individuals following them in a black pickup truck.

As the couple continued across the bridge, one of the suspects allegedly ran up behind them and fatally shot the man before fleeing on foot. The pickup truck then left the area in the same direction.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE RESCUED FROM FLOOD WATERS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Multiple crews were involved in rescuing residents from flooding on Friday in Southeast Missouri.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency Friday and activated a search and rescue team to assist. He said late Friday that hundreds of people were saved from floodwaters, trees, rooftops and stranded vehicles.

In Reynolds County, two rescue boats capsized in the flooding, but other emergency personnel safely recovered the responders, the sheriff's office said.

BATTLE OF THE BADGES BLOOD DRIVE SCHEDULED FOR TODAY

Reservations are now being accepted for the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive in Poplar Bluff.

The Blood Drive is scheduled for noon to 5 pm today at Larry Hillis Dodge on North Westwood Boulevard.

This will also be a friendly competition between local police, fire, and EMS teams, as you will choose which team gets credit when you donate.

ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING HELD WEDNESDAY AT TRC IN POPLAR BLUFF

The Three Rivers College campus in Poplar Bluff was the site of a multi-agency training event on Wednesday

According to officials, TRC hosted an active shooter training in cooperation with local law enforcement, emergency medical services, the Poplar Bluff Fire Department, and Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Three Rivers Chief of Staff Chuck Stratton says that multi-agency training is the best way to prepare the College and community for high-risk situations.

GRANT AWARDED FOR PROJECT CONNECTING ROUTE 53 WITH ROUTE AA IN SOUTHERN BUTLER COUNTY

Grant money will be coming to Butler County as a part of a plan to connect two roadways in the southern part of the county.

United States Senator Eric Schmitt tells KWOC News that 1.2 million dollars for the Poplar Bluff South Connector in Butler County was included in the Department of Transportation’s 2026 Build Awards. 

According to the Department of Transportation, the project will complete a traffic study, preliminary engineering, and environmental permitting for a new roadway connecting Route 53 with Route AA in Southern Butler County.