Thursday, February 18, 2026

POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMERS TO COMPETE IN STATE MEET BEGINNING TODAY

Multiple members of the Poplar Bluff High School Swim and Dive team departed for the Class 1 State Meet on Wednesday.

Poplar Bluff will be represented by Dakota Collins, Gracie Muse, Maclaren Moore, Kinsley Gibbs, Lynn Cotrell, Allison Williamson, Zionah Johnson, Keira Willis, and Kate Scott in St. Peters both today and tomorrow.

The Mules Gracie Brown and Samiya Anders will serve as alternates.

The Class 1 Girls Swimming and Diving Meet can be watched for a fee at MSHSAA.tv.

MAN FOUND DEAD AFTER BEING HIT BY A TRAIN IN POPLAR BLUFF

An investigation is underway after an Arkansas man was found dead after being struck by a train in Poplar Bluff.

Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC News that 69 year old Charles Lynn Gibson, of Hope, Arkansas, was struck by the train at around 8:45 pm Tuesday night.

Witnesses at the scene reported that Gibson was lying on the train tracks and did not move when the train conductor was blowing his horn.

Akers added that it is believed that Gibson had passed away before the train struck him, but an autopsy will be performed to confirm a cause of death.

The investigation is being conducted by the Butler County Coroner’s Office, the Poplar Bluff Police Department, and Union Pacific Railroad.

Anyone who has had contact with Gibson over the past few days is asked to contact the Coroner’s Office at 573-686-7884 or the Poplar Bluff Police Department.

DETAILS RELEASED ABOUT FATAL CRASH IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

Authorities have released details concerning a fatal crash from Valentines Day in Northeast Arkansas.

According to the Arkansas State Police, 58 year old Melissa Alsup, of Paragould, was driving on US Highway 49 in Greene County, when her vehicle crossed into another lane and struck a vehicle head on.

Officials say that Alsup has died from injuries she received in the crash.

Two people in the second vehicle were injured and taken to an area hospital. The severity of their injuries were not released.

ADVANCE TEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN TWO VEHICLE CRASH

An Advance teenager was seriously injured in a crash Tuesday afternoon in Cape Girardeau County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the teen was driving on Highway AB when a vehicle crossed the center of the roadway and struck his vehicle.

The teen suffered serious injuries, while the driver of the other vehicle, a 34 year old man from Bloomfield, received moderate injuries. Both were transported to an area hospital.

OVER 650 GRAMS OF METH SEIZED DURING SEARCH IN PARAGOULD

Authorities in Northeast Arkansas have arrested two people after a search resulted in the seizure of a significant quantity of meth.

According to the Arkansas Second Judicial District Drug Task Force, earlier this month a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle driven by Sean Bradley Kellim, who had two outstanding felony warrants for delivery of a controlled substance.

The passenger in the vehicle, Kassondra Rashell Blevins, attempted to exit the vehicle during the traffic stop. As she did so, she dropped a clear plastic bag containing approximately 29.9 grams of methamphetamine and attempted to destroy it. After being taken into custody, Blevins informed officers that she had two additional bags of methamphetamine concealed in her clothing, totaling approximately 114.9 grams.

Following the arrest, agents executed a search warrant at Kellim’s residence where they located approximately 513.1 grams of methamphetamine inside a black zippered container on a couch. Investigators also seized various items of drug paraphernalia, including surveillance cameras and a monitoring system.

Both individuals were transported to the Greene County Detention Center to await a bond hearing. Kellim is facing charges of trafficking a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and maintaining a drug premises. Blevins is facing charges of possession of methamphetamine and tampering with physical evidence.

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.

CULVERT REPLACEMENT SET FOR TODAY IN BUTLER COUNTY

Route W in Butler County will be closed today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert under the roadway.

According to officials, Route W will be closed between Route KK and County Road 508.

Weather permitting, work will take place today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

CREWS TO BE PERFORMING BRIDGE MAINTENANCE TODAY IN STODDARD COUNTY

Route 51 in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane with an 8-foot width restriction today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can perform bridge maintenance.

The section of roadway being reduced is located from Route DD to Route 60 in Fisk.

Weather permitting, work will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m, today.