Monday, February 9, 2026
BUTLER COUNTY FIRE LEAVES ONE PERSON DEAD
One person has died following a house fire Sunday afternoon in southern Butler County.
Emergency crews responded to the fire at around noon on Sunday on Highway C, south of Poplar Bluff.
The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, the Butler County Fire Department, and the Butler County Coroner are all investigating the incident.
The name of the person killed in the fire has not been released.
CRASH KILLS ONE PERSON IN SOUTHERN BUTLER COUNTY
One person has died following a crash in Butler County.
According to authorities, the crash occurred Sunday evening at around 6 pm on Highway 67, south of Poplar Bluff.
One person was killed in the crash. Their name has not been released.
DONIPHAN CHEER SQUAD PLACES 3RD IN NATIONAL COMPETITION
A southeast Missouri cheer team placed in the top three at a national competition over the weekend.
The Doniphan High School Cheer Squad finished in 3rd Place in the small coed gameday division at the America’s Cheerleading Cup National Championship.
The competition was held this past weekend in Orlando, Florida.
JOINT OPERATION LEADS TO ARREST OF FOUR PEOPLE IN RIPLEY COUNTY
A collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies has led to the arrest of four people in Ripley County.
According to the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, on February 5th officers with the Ripley County Sheriff's Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, SEMO Drug Task Force, and the Missouri Attorney General's Office - Operation Relentless Pursuit Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence in Naylor.
During the search, officers located a quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
38 year old Joshua Leonard, of Naylor, and 54 year old Wilburn McCollum, of Corning, were each arrested on charges of trafficking drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Leonard is also facing a charge of unlawful use of a weapon.
31 year old Jessica Ezell, of Naylor, was arrested on charges of hindering prosecution on a felony offense and 1st degree endangering the welfare of a child. A fourth subject in the home was arrested on a Ripley County warrant for a traffic offense.
FORMER BASEBALL COACH NAMED TRC RAIDER OF THE YEAR
A former head baseball coach and player for Three Rivers College has been named the 2026 Raider of the Year.
A native of Springfield, Missouri, Stacey Burkey compiled a 23-9 pitching record over two years at Three Rivers and two years at Missouri State.
As coach, Burkey led the Raiders for 27 years before retiring in 2020 with 604 wins. While at Three Rivers, Burkey also served as an assistant baseball coach, assistant women’s basketball coach, intramural program director, adjunct instructor, athletic dorm manager, and student manager for the men’s basketball team.
After 33 years with the baseball program, six as an assistant, and 27 as head coach, Burkey has stayed involved in Three Rivers athletics as a driver, and gives youth baseball lessons in his spare time. His son Noah is in his first season as an assistant baseball coach with Three Rivers.
The Raider of the Year Award is presented to a former Raider athlete who has achieved success beyond their sport and time at Three Rivers.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY THREATENING TO KILL SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
A man has been taken into custody on multiple charges following an incident last week in Northeast Arkansas.
According to Corning Police Chief Blaine McClung, on Thursday, officers responded to an area business for a man who was yelling at employees and attempting to engage in physical altercations.
34 year old Raymond Fox, of Corning, was transported to the Clay County Detention Center on a charge of disorderly conduct
On Friday, a felony warrant was issued for Fox related to a prior incident in which he allegedly threatened to kill several family members and friends, as well as damaged property.
He is now facing charges of felony 1st degree terroristic threatening and misdemeanor 1st degree criminal mischief.
His bond was set at $100,000.
TREE TRIMMING CREWS TO BE WORKING THIS WEEK ALONG ROUTE ZZ IN STODDARD COUNTY
Route ZZ in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane for part of this week as Missouri Department of Transportation crews trim trees along the roadway.
The section of roadway being reduced is located from County Road 648 to County Road 659 near Dexter.
Weather permitting, work will take place today through Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.