EVENT TO BE HELD IN BUTLER COUNTY TO COMMEMORATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF AN UNSOLVED MURDER
A special event has been scheduled for today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of an unsolved homicide case in Butler County.
18 year old Geneva Hastings was last seen leaving a party at Wolf Creek on June 27, 1975. Her body was discovered a few days later.
NEW MADRID COUNTY DEATH INVESTIGATION LEADS TO MAN’S ARREST ON MURDER CHARGE
Updating a story we have been following for you this week, a New Madrid County death investigation has led to the arrest of a Portageville man on a 1st degree murder charge.
According to the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office, early Sunday morning, officers with the Portageville Police Department responded to the intersection of 5th Street and Warren Avenue for a subject lying in the roadway.
When the first officer arrived on scene he found an unresponsive male with multiple gunshot wounds, later identified as David Chamberlain, of Portageville. Chamberlain was pronounced dead at the scene.
FUGITIVE OUT OF KENTUCKY ARRESTED IN POPLAR BLUFF
A fugitive out of Kentucky was arrested Monday in Poplar Bluff.
According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, on Monday officials received information that a fugitive who was wanted in connection to felony charges in McCracken County, Kentucky, was possibly in the Poplar Bluff area.
POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE APPOINTED TO UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY
A Poplar Bluff High School graduate will be attending the United States Naval Academy.
United States Representative from Missouri Jason Smith tells KWOC News that Michaley Krizman, of Poplar Bluff, earned the appointment to the Academy. She was one of only three students in the Congressional District to be nominated by Smith and then receive an appointment.
Krizman was a member of the PBHS Academic Team. Smith says that she built character and sharpened her leadership skills at Girls State and as a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadet.
She also helped raise her little sister after their mother tragically passed away from cancer.
UNITED STATES BOMBS THREE SITES IN IRAN
The U.S. military has struck three sites in Iran, inserting itself into Israel’s effort to destroy Iran's nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe.
The decision to directly involve the U.S. comes after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran that have moved to systematically eradicate the country’s air defenses and offensive missile capabilities, while damaging its nuclear enrichment facilities.
But U.S. and Israeli officials have said that American stealth bombers and a 30,000-pound bunker buster bomb they alone can carry offered the best chance of destroying heavily fortified sites connected to the Iranian nuclear program buried deep underground.
DANGEROUS HEAT CONDITIONS TO BEGIN THIS WEEKEND IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Excessive heat conditions could pose danger to many residents in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a dangerous, prolonged heatwave will begin on Saturday and continue through at least the middle of next week.
In Poplar Bluff temperatures are expected to top out in the mid 90’s, with heat index values reaching up to 105 degrees during this time period.
WATER MAIN BREAK CAUSES LOSS OF WATER IN DOWNTOWN DONIPHAN
Parts of Doniphan were without water yesterday.
According to the city of Doniphan Facebook page, the downtown area was without water for a period of time Wednesday morning due to a water main break.
Officials say that a precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Grand Avenue between approximately Pine Street and Franklin Street. A portion of State Street is also included in the notice.
CHANCE OF SEVERE WEATHER, INCLUDING LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS, THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING
Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas are looking at a risk of severe weather this afternoon and evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there are risks for numerous severe thunderstorms, including winds up to around 70 miles per hour as well as one to 1.5 inch hail.
Officials say that a few tornadoes are also possible, however the tornado risk is low.
PB BUDDY BALL TO WRAP UP 2025 SEASON TONIGHT
The Poplar Bluff Buddy Ball season will finish up tonight.
There are three games scheduled for tonight at Poplar Bluff High School. The first game featuring younger league players will start at 5:30 pm and will be followed by two older leagues games at 6:30 pm.
End of year awards will also be handed out following each game.
CONTRASTING POLITICAL RALLIES HELD IN POPLAR BLUFF OVER FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND
Rain showers could not stop Poplar Bluff and surrounding area residents from making their voices heard on both sides of the political spectrum this past Saturday.
On the north side of Poplar Bluff, Missouri State Representative Hardy Billington organized the “Trump Train” for President Donald Trump’s birthday to show support and appreciation for all that the President is doing.
The parade included an estimated over 100 vehicles.
MISSOURI NATIONAL GUARD ACTIVATED AHEAD OF PLANNED PROTESTS
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has activated the Missouri National Guard.
In a statement on Thursday, Governor Kehoe stated that the activation is in response to immigration enforcement protests planned across the state.
An executive order issued as a part of the activation declared that a State of Emergency exists in Missouri due to civil unrest.
SKELETAL REMAINS FOUND IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Skeletal remains were found Tuesday afternoon in Northeast Arkansas.
According to Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder, a detective and civilian search party member were searching an area southwest of Lake Ashbaugh at approximately 1:45 pm when they located skeletal remains in a very advanced state of decomposition.
Snyder says that identification will have to be determined by the Arkansas State Crime Lab due to the state of the remains.
MOTORCYCLE CRASH LEAVES ONE INJURED IN BUTLER COUNTY
One man was injured in a crash Monday night outside of Poplar Bluff.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when a truck failed to yield to a motorcycle on Route B and was hit by the motorcycle.
The driver of the motorcycle, a 23 year old man from the Fisk area, was flown to a St. Louis hospital with serious injuries. No injuries were reported for the driver of the truck.
MINNESOTA WOMAN ARRESTED IN STODDARD COUNTY FOR ALLEGEDLY ABANDONING TODDLER
A Minnesota woman was taken into custody over the weekend in Stoddard County for allegedly abandoning a young child.
According to a probable cause affidavit, an officer responded Saturday morning to a one year old child being abandoned in a motel parking lot.
A subject stated that a woman, later identified as 39 year old Elizabeth Mcarthur, of White Bearlake, Minnesota, told them that she needed to grab a diaper from her vehicle. The subject then noticed Mcarthur get in her vehicle and leave the parking lot, abandoning the child.
DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER OPENS IN POPLAR BLUFF
A Disaster Recovery Center is now available in Poplar Bluff.
The center is located at the MPC World Impact Center Conference Center at 727 Ridge Avenue. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Missourians who sustained damage to their primary residence, personal property, or have emergency needs due to the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and wildfires that occurred March 14 and 15th can visit the center for one-on-one help.
FEMA HOUSING INSPECTORS CONTACTING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES WHO APPLIED FOR ASSISTANCE FOLLOWING MID MARCH STORMS
FEMA damage inspectors will be in contact with Southeast Missouri residents who were affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and wildfires that occurred on March 14th and 15th.
Those who sustained disaster-related damage in 18 counties, including Butler, Carter, Ripley, and Wayne, may be eligible for assistance by registering with FEMA.
Following registration, FEMA usually schedules an inspection within 7 to 10 days. Housing inspections are triggered when someone registers with FEMA for disaster assistance and indicates their residence was damaged and/or they lost personal property because of the disaster, and their losses or needs are not covered by insurance.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STUDENT ELIMINATED IN THIRD ROUND OF SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE
A southeast Missouri student tied for 100th place at the Scipps National Spelling Bee.
14 year old Scott Tingle from Senath-Hornersville Middle School was eliminated in the third round of the competition.
In the preliminaries on Tuesday, Tingle correctly spelled the word “Katana” in round One. Tingle advanced past round two after correctly answering the question “What does it mean to Trounce?”
FORMER NEW MADRID COUNTY SHERIFF BUD COOPER PASSES AWAY
The former Sheriff of New Madrid County has passed away.
New Madrid County Sheriff Joey Higgerson has announced that W.T. Bud Cooper passed away over the weekend.
Cooper served as Sheriff from August of 2020 until his retirement last June.
In addition to his work as Sheriff, Cooper was also a retired Master Sergeant for the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION APPROVED FOR THE STATE OF MISSOURI
The federal government has approved a federal disaster declaration for numerous Missouri counties that were affected by a storm system that swept over the area earlier this year.
According to Congressman Jason Smith, President Trump has authorized the declaration that was requested by Governor Mike Kehoe to assist in cleaning up after the storms that impacted Missouri on March 14th and 15th, as well as from March 30th through April 8th.
The first storm system resulted in multiple deaths, including one in Poplar Bluff, as well as heavy property damage across Southeast Missouri.
CEREMONY FOR FALLEN SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN TO BE HELD AT VETERANS MEMORIAL WALL
A special program will be held on Memorial Day in Poplar Bluff.
According to Larry Kimbrow, the 2025 Memorial Day Ceremony is scheduled for 11 am on Monday at the Butler County Veterans Memorial Wall in front of the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff.
The event is free and open to the public. The ceremony will pay tribute to the nation's servicemen and women who have fallen in service to their country.
