Thursday November 20, 2025
POPLAR BLUFF POLICE INVESTIGATING SHOOTING ON FRANKLIN STREET
Officials are investigating a shooting that occurred in Poplar Bluff.
Lt. Josh Stewart with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC News officers are investigating a shooting that happened Tuesday afternoon in the 1000 block of Franklin Street. Around 2 pm, police found 47‑year‑old Jason Knuckles of Poplar Bluff suffering from two gunshot wounds to the abdomen. He was flown to a St. Louis hospital and is listed in critical but stable condition.
Investigators say Knuckles assaulted 35‑year‑old Joshua Hoffmeister, also of Poplar Bluff, who then fired a handgun. This is the second shooting involving the two men, following an August 2024 incident that authorities ruled justified.
Police say the facts of this latest case will be reviewed with the Butler County Prosecuting Attorney before any charges are considered.
HEAVY RAINFALL POSSIBLE TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
We could see some heavy rain today in Southeast Missouri.
According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service, locally moderate to heavy rainfall is expected today, which may lead to isolated flooding of poor drainage and flood-prone areas.
Most of Southeast Missouri is expected to receive between one and two inches of rainfall.
Weather officials say that any thunderstorms that develop today are expected to remain below severe limits.
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AUTO TOUR TO BEGIN ON NOVEMBER 28TH
We are close to the beginning of an annual holiday tradition in Southeast Missouri.
The 33rd Annual Festival of Lights Auto Tour will begin at the Redman Creek East Campground on November 28th.
The Auto Tour will be open on weekends from 5 pm to 9 pm through December 7th and then open nightly from December 12th to December 28th.
This event is being held in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
For more information, contact the Wappapello Lake Management Office at 573-222-8562.
SIGNAGE WORK TO CAUSE DELAYS TODAY IN DEXTER
One Mile Road in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform signage work.
The work zone will be located from North Outer Road to County Road 413 in Dexter.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER OPENING TODAY IN BUTLER COUNTY
A Disaster Recovery Center will be opening today in Butler County.
The center will be located at the Poplar Bluff Library - Ridgel Branch. It will be open from 11 am to 6 pm today, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm on Friday, and 11:30 am to 2:30 pm on Saturday.
Missourians who sustained damage to their primary residence or personal property due to the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred from March 30th through April 8th of this year can visit the center for one-on-one help.
The counties who are eligible include Butler, Carter, Dunklin, New Madrid, Ripley, Stoddard, and Wayne, among others.
At the centers, affected individuals can get help applying for disaster assistance, speak to state or federal representatives, receive updates on their FEMA registration, and more.
FEMA financial assistance may include money for basic home repairs, personal property losses or other underinsured/uninsured disaster-related needs such as childcare, transportation, medical needs, funeral, or dental expenses. The FEMA registration deadline is December 22nd.
More information is available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
THREE RIVERS SHRINE CLUB TO HOST TOY RUN NEXT WEEKEND
An event is scheduled for next weekend to benefit Shriner’s Hospitals.
The Three Rivers Shrine Club Toy Run will begin at noon on Saturday November 29th. Signups begin at 11 am at the Shrine Club on Kennedy Lane in Poplar Bluff.
Organizers say that Motorcycles, Hot Rods, and Side by Sides are all welcome. All toy and monetary donations will go to Shriner’s Hospitals.
FEED AND SEED EVENT SCHEDULED FOR TODAY
New Day Ministry in Poplar Bluff will be hosting a feed and seed event today.
The event is from 3 to 5 pm and is first come, first serve, with packs limited to one per household.
New Day Ministry is located at 703 Franklin Street in Poplar Bluff. For more information, call 573-718-4578.