Tuesday, July 14, 2026
IDENTITY RELEASED OF POPLAR BLUFF SHOOTING VICTIM, TWO MEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC News that an area man has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting Sunday evening in Poplar Bluff.
According to Poplar Bluff Police Chief J.R. Keirsey, a man and a woman were walking across the Pine Street bridge over Black River shortly before 6 pm Sunday, when they noticed two individuals following them in a black pickup truck.
As the couple continued across the bridge, one of the suspects allegedly ran up behind them and fatally shot the man before fleeing on foot. The pickup truck then left the area in the same direction.
Akers says that the shooting victim has been identified as 37 year old Jesse Schaeding, of Poplar Bluff.
Chief Keirsey added that investigators identified the alleged shooter as 46 year old Ralph Sullivan, of Poplar Bluff. The driver of the truck was identified as 30 year old Devon Raddad, also of Poplar Bluff. Both men were later taken into custody without incident.
Investigators have submitted probable cause statements to the Butler County Prosecuting Attorney's Office requesting first degree murder charges.
BERNIE MAN DROWNS AFTER FALLING INTO POOL AT OTTER SLOUGH
A Stoddard County man drowned after falling into an area body of water.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, an 86 year old Bernie man fell into a pool at Otter Slough shortly after 10 am on Monday.
The man was transported to a Dexter hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
POPLAR BLUFF STUDENT WINS NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
A recent Poplar Bluff High School graduate has been selected to receive a National Merit Scholarship.
Poplar Bluff’s Claire Funke was chosen for the National Merit University Of Alabama Scholarship. Her probable career field is currently in science or research.
Funke was chosen as a scholarship finalist after earning a perfect ACT superscore on her college admissions test last school year and also helped secure the championship in the Senior Quiz Bowl at the National Beta Convention last summer in Orlando.
At PBHS, Funke served as president of the Beta, Literary and Math clubs. Additionally, she was selected to attend the Missouri Scholars Academy through the University of Missouri Honors College.
She is the second straight National Merit Scholarship Program finalist from Poplar Bluff High School, following her brother Jack Funke.
HEAVILY TRAVELLED BUTLER COUNTY ROAD TO BE CLOSED OVERNIGHT BEGINNING TODAY
Route W in Butler County will be closed overnight beginning today as contractor crews perform overnight pavement repairs.
According to MoDOT, the section of roadway that will be closed is located from the East Outer Road to Business 60 in Poplar Bluff.
Weather permitting, work will take place today through Friday, July 17 from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly.
FRIENDS OF WAPPAPELLO LAKE TO HOST MONTHLY MEETING TONIGHT
The Friends of Wappapello Lake will be hosting their monthly meeting tonight in Wappapello.
The meeting will begin at 6 pm at the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center.
The Friends of Wappapello Lake puts on many events in the Wappapello Lake area, including, the annual fireworks show, Movie in the Park, and the Festival of Lights Auto Tour.
PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY A VEHICLE OVER THE WEEKEND IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle over the weekend in Southeast Missouri.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 64 year old man, from Plano, Texas, was hit by a vehicle on Pemiscot County Highway 55, just north of Hayti.
The incident occurred at around 9 pm Saturday night.
The man was transported to a Hayti hospital with serious injuries.