Monday, March 16, 2026
DAY OF REMEMBRANCE HELD ON ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF FATAL POPLAR BLUFF TORNADO
The Poplar Bluff community came together on Saturday to mark one year since a deadly tornado struck the city.
Numerous people gathered at 11:27 am on Saturday for the special event at New Covenant Fellowship Church in Poplar Bluff.
On March 14th, 2025, the church was in the direct path of an EF-3 tornado that caused significant damage to multiple buildings, including the church. The tornado also resulted in the death of Ronald Ezell, who had a sign dedicated to him after the service on Saturday.
New Covenant Fellowship Church also served as the location of a Disaster Action Team Volunteer training session on Saturday, to help prepare community members for future disasters.
THREE RIVERS COLLEGE LADY RAIDERS WIN REGION 16 CHAMPIONSHIP
The Three Rivers College Lady Raiders are packing their bags for Louisiana.
The Lady Raiders defeated State Fair 74-62 Friday night to win the NJCAA Region 16 Championship.
Following the game, Kiera Neal, Da’Naya Ross, and Samyh Jordan were all named First Team All-Region, with Jordan also selected as the Region 16 Freshman of the Year.
With the win, the Lady Raiders secured a place in the NJCAA Division 1 Basketball Championship Tournament beginning March 24th in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
The Lady Raiders will find out their seed and first opponent during the NJCAA Selection Show this afternoon.
DONIPHAN AND SIKESTON BASKETBALL EARN SPOTS IN STATE SEMIFINALS, HAYTI FALLS IN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Two southeast Missouri basketball teams have booked their spots in the state final four, while another fell just short of a state championship.
The Doniphan Donettes have earned a spot in the Girls Class 4 State Semifinals thanks to a 55-45 win over St. Francis Borgia Friday night. The Donettes will take on Benton at 10 am on Wednesday in Columbia.
For the boys, the Sikeston Bulldogs are also returning to Columbia after defeating Vianney 62-60 Saturday in the State Quarterfinals. The Bulldogs Class 5 semifinal matchup against Raytown South is scheduled for 6 pm on Friday.
In Class 2, Hayti is the state runner up, falling to Eugene 71-56 Saturday in the Class 2 State Championship game.
Dexter has also been eliminated from state play, losing 77-54 to Clayton in the Class 4 State Quarterfinals.
STORM SYSTEM CROSSES AREA BRINGING DAMAGING WINDS AND A TORNADO
A severe storm system crossed Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas Sunday afternoon and evening, bringing with it multiple tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings.
According to the National Weather Service, a tornado was confirmed on the ground in the Hoxie and Walnut Ridge area of Northeast Arkansas. No information was available on how much damage it caused.
Trees were also reported down in multiple areas. Poplar Bluff Police Chief JR Keirsey tells KWOC News that a tree fell on a vehicle on North G Street in Poplar Bluff.
The storms also caused power outages for numerous people throughout Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.
BRIDGE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEKEND IN STODDARD COUNTY
Route J in Stoddard County will be closed for the early part of this week as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform bridge maintenance.
The section of roadway being closed is located from County Road 249 to County Road 410 near Bloomfield.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both today and tomorrow.
ROUTE 162 IN NEW MADRID COUNTY TO BE REDUCED THIS WEEK
Route 162 in New Madrid County will be reduced to one lane beginning today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can perform edge rut repairs.
The work zone will be located from Route 153 to Route B near Gideon.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Thursday.