Wednesday, March 11, 2026

WOMAN DIES FROM INJURIES RECEIVED IN BUTLER COUNTY CRASH

Updating a story we have been following for you, a Poplar Bluff woman has died from injuries she received in a head-on collision.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash happened shortly after 8:30 am Monday on Butler County Road 442 when a vehicle crossed into the path of another vehicle.

The driver of the second vehicle, identified as a 24 year old woman from Poplar Bluff, was transported to a St. Louis hospital where she passed away early Tuesday morning. No injuries were listed for the driver of the other vehicle.

DNA TESTING LEADS TO ARREST IN RAPE INVESTIGATION

A man has been taken into custody in connection to an ongoing rape investigation in Northeast Arkansas.

According to a warrant affidavit, in October of 2023, a juvenile victim disclosed that they were forcibly raped at gunpoint by an unknown male.

A sexual assault kit was collected and transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for analysis. In February of 2024, the Crime Lab reported that they had located male DNA on the kit but no matches were discovered in the CODIS database.

The kit was later sent to a laboratory in Texas for forensic genetic genealogy testing. Last month, the laboratory reported to detectives that their testing resulted in a presumed DNA match belonging to a potential defendant, 47 year old Steven Bearden, of Paragould.

Detectives executed a search warrant for Bearden and collected DNA samples. On March 5th, the Arkansas State Crime Lab reported that the DNA testing results confirmed that the male DNA from the victim’s sexual assault kit belongs to Steven Bearden with all scientific certainty.

Bearden has been taken into custody on charges of rape, kidnapping, and aggravated assault. He is being held in the Greene County Detention Center on a 1.5 million dollar bond.

PORTAGEVILLE BULLDOGS TO PLAY TONIGHT FOR A SPOT IN THE CLASS 3 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

A southeast Missouri girls basketball team will be playing tonight for a spot in the state championship game.

The Portageville Bulldogs will be challenging the Barstow Knights tonight at 6 pm in Columbia for the Girls Class 2 State Semifinals.

If Portageville wins, they will advance to the finals on Wednesday against Tipton or Marionville.

In Class 4, the Doniphan Donettes have advanced to the State Quarterfinals, where they will meet St. Francis Borgia at 6 pm on Friday.

TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE FOR THE UPCOMING MUNICIPAL ELECTION

The Missouri General Municipal Election Day is less than a month away and you are running out of time to make sure you are registered to vote.

Butler County Clerk Donna Hillis tells KWOC News that today is the last day to register to vote for the April 7th election.

There are multiple competitive races for the Poplar Bluff City Council as well as area school boards that will be decided on election day.

Hillis says that her office will be open through 5 pm today and her staff will also be available through the lunch break to help Butler County residents register to vote or check their registration status. Butler County residents can also call the Clerk’s Office at 573-686-8050 to check their registration status.

MISSING SOUTHEAST MISSOURI WOMAN FOUND SAFE IN OKLAHOMA

A woman who was reported missing in Southeast Missouri has been found safe.

According to the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, 62 year old Mary Louise Woods, of Bertrand, was located safe Tuesday in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Officials say that Woods approached a law enforcement officer and asked for assistance. When the officer ran her name through the national law enforcement database, it was discovered that she had been entered as a missing and endangered person.

She was transported to a medical facility.

MAN ARRESTED ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

Authorities have taken a Dexter man into custody on child pornography charges.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 46 year old David Gasser was arrested Monday night on two counts of felony possession of child pornography and a single count of possession of a controlled substance - methamphetamine.

Gasser is also facing a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Following the arrest, Gasser was held in the Stoddard County Jail on no bond.

THREE ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES IN WAYNE COUNTY

Three people have been taken into custody on drug charges in Wayne County.

According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, on Monday, authorities executed a search warrant at the residence of Heather Thompson.

During the search, officials located narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Three people were taken into custody, Heather Thompson, Brian Hill and Jason Stewart.

Officials say that charges are being sought for endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and delivery of a controlled substance into a correctional facility.