Tuesday, December 2, 2025

AREA RESIDENTS URGED TO USE CAUTION IF DRIVING DURING WINTER WEATHER

Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas residents are being advised to use caution if they are getting out on the roadways today during the winter weather.

According to the National Weather Service, a mixed winter weather system crossed the area overnight, including snow, sleet, and freezing rain for some areas.

If you must travel while winter weather is covering the roadways, make sure to have a full tank of gas, extra blankets and gloves, as well as provisions like water and snacks in the event of an emergency. Keep your cellphone charged, but do not use it while driving.

While driving, remember to buckle up, give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination, and remember to give snowplows room to work. Don’t tailgate or attempt to pass them. In the event of a crash, stay buckled inside your vehicle until help arrives.

You can find road conditions online by using MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org, or through MoDOT’s free smartphone app, available for iPhone and Android phones.

COMMUNITY RECEPTION EVENT SCHEDULED FOR TONIGHT TO HONOR NEW POPLR BLUFF POLICE CHIEF

A special event has been scheduled for tonight to welcome and honor the new Poplar Bluff Police Chief.

Poplar Bluff City Manager Robert Knodell tells KWOC News that the Poplar Bluff Police Department is hosting a community reception for Chief JR Keirsey.

Knodell says that the event will be held at the Poplar Bluff Police Department from 5:30 to 7 pm.

DEPUTY UNHARMED AFTER NEW MADRID COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT VEHICLE HIT ON US HIGHWAY 61

One person was injured after a vehicle struck a New Madrid County Sheriff Deputy’s vehicle early Monday morning.

According to New Madrid County Sheriff Joey Higgerson, shortly after 5 am Monday, a deputy was blocking one lane of US Highway 61, south of Highway 80, for a downed power line when a vehicle struck the deputy’s patrol car.

The patrol car was knocked into a nearby ditch, however the deputy did not suffer any injuries.

The driver of the other vehicle was transported from the scene with minor injuries.

VAN BUREN MAN FACING MULTIPLE SEXUAL RELATED CHARGES INCLUDING STATUTORY RAPE

A continuing investigation has led to the arrest of a Van Buren man on multiple sexual related charges.

According to Carter County Sheriff Alonzo Bradwell, Kenneth Crawford was arrested in November for statutory rape 2nd Degree and endangering the welfare of a child engaging in sexual conduct under 17.

Bradwell says that his team has continued to investigate the case which has resulted in several more charges being filed, including sexual exploitation of a minor, two counts of statutory sodomy - 2nd degree, and four counts of possession of child pornography.

THREE PEOPLE KILLED IN MISSOURI TRAFFIC CRASHES DURING HOLIDAY WEEKEND

Three people were killed in traffic crashes in Missouri during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, troopers worked 304 traffic crashes, which included 82 injuries and three fatalities.

None of the fatalities were located in Southeast Missouri.

This year, troopers also made 87 DWI arrests over the holiday weekend.

All numbers were down compared to last year’s Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

MAGNITUDE 2.2 EARTHQUAKE HITS SOUTHEAST MISSOURI SUNDAY EVENING

A small earthquake was reported in Southeast Missouri Sunday evening.

According to the United States Geological Survey, a magnitude 2.2 earthquake was recorded at around 5:48 pm Sunday.

The earthquake was centered less than a mile northwest of Cooter and had a depth of around 5.3 miles.