Wednesday, April 22, 2026

WOMAN COLLIDES WITH DEPUTY’S VEHICLE IN CLAY COUNTY

A woman was taken into custody following a pursuit late Monday night in Clay County.

Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole tells KWOC News that at around 11 pm, two deputies were conducting a traffic stop when they saw a vehicle go through a red light at a high rate of speed in Corning.

The deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but it did not yield.

The vehicle jumped a ditch and later swerved and came into contact with a deputy’s vehicle before going into a ditch.

The driver, identified as 29 year old Angel Blakeley, of Jonesboro, was removed from the vehicle at gun point and placed into custody.

She was booked in the Clay County Detention Center on charges including felony fleeing, DWI-drugs, possession of meth or cocaine, reckless driving, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

PBHS DRAMA CLUB PRODUCTION OF 12 INCOMPETENT JURORS TO PREMIER ON APRIL 24TH

The Poplar Bluff High School Drama Club is gearing up for their 2026 Spring Production.

The Drama Club will be performing 12 Incompetent Jurors, a parody of the classic "12 Angry Men.” The show features a zany collection of characters on the jury as they deliberate the fate of a man accused of abducting half a dozen cats.

Performances of “12 Incompetent Jurors" have been scheduled for 7 pm on April 24th and 25th at the Kay M. Porter Theater in Poplar Bluff. A final matinee performance will follow at 2 pm on April 26th. Tickets are $5.

EVENT PLANNED FOR ARBOR DAY WEEKEND IN POPLAR BLUFF

Arbor Day is this Friday and the city of Poplar Bluff will be hosting an event to celebrate this weekend.

Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation will be hosting the City of Poplar Bluff's Tree City U.S.A. Proclamation on Saturday, April 25th. The event will begin at 11 am at Pavilion 2 of Kiwanis Bacon Park.

Attendees will receive seedlings and plant seeds provided by the Poplar Bluff Garden Club as well as plant flowers to take home provided by Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation.

POPLAR BLUFF MULES BASEBALL TEAM HOSTING SHOE DRIVE THIS MONTH

Poplar Bluff Baseball players are collecting shoes this month to help students and developing countries.

The Mules Baseball program is hosting a shoe drive through April 30th to raise money for students through Funds2Orgs.

Gently used shoes, including boots and flip flops, are being accepted during the school day near the front entrance at the Junior High. Shoes may also be dropped off during Mules Baseball games, as well as at partnering business sites.

The goal is to collect between 2,500 and 5,000 pounds, according to organizer Allison Bell, Junior High social studies teacher. The shoes donated will be shipped to developing countries.

MISSOURIANS URGED TO LEAVE WILDLIFE IN THE WILD

With spring underway many people are heading outside to enjoy the outdoors.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is encouraging anyone experiencing the wilderness to remember to leave wildlife alone. While it may appear young creatures are abandoned, that’s usually not the case.

MDC State Wildlife Veterinarian Sherri Russell says that the parent will usually return. They are normally out searching for food and cannot constantly attend to their offspring.

Russell added that most newborn animals do not survive in captivity.

The care and rehabilitation of wildlife requires special training, facilities, and permits. Without such proper care, wild animals will remain in poor health and could eventually die.

Russell also cautioned that wildlife can become dangerous as they mature, and can also carry parasites, disease, and have the potential to damage property.

For more information, visit mdc.mo.gov.

MISSOURI MOTORISTS ASKED TO MAKE SAFE DRIVING DECISIONS WHEN NEAR HIGHWAY WORKERS

Missouri motorists are being asked to make safe driving a priority this year during construction season.

This week, the Missouri Department of Transportation is hosting National Work Zone Awareness Week, urging motorists to “Work with Us” by making smart, safe driving choices behind the wheel to protect themselves and those they share the road with, including highway workers.

Missouri will have over 1,000 active work zones during this year’s construction season, so motorists can expect to encounter a significant amount of ongoing maintenance operations during their travels.

In 2025, 24 people were killed in Missouri work zone crashes. Distracted driving contributed to at least 11 of those fatalities as well as more than 400 work zone crashes overall. Distracted driving and driving too fast for the conditions remain the top contributors to work zone crashes.

Officials say that it's not just a courtesy to slow down and move over for these work zones, it's the law. Drivers should be aware of changing traffic conditions, observe warning signs and merge before reaching lane closures.