Friday, August 22, 2025

Friday, August 22, 2025

NO FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED AFTER BODY FOUND NEAR BLOOMFIELD

Officials in Stoddard County say that no foul play is suspected in connection to a body that was found earlier this week.

According to Stoddard County Chief Deputy Andrew Holden, the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office responded to the scene of a deceased individual Monday evening near State Highway AB, north of Bloomfield.

The individual has since been identified as 46 year old Michael Curry, of Matthews.

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Thursday, August 21, 2025

FIVE SCHOOLS SET TO START TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

School opening week in Southeast Missouri will be wrapping up today with at least five more schools welcoming back students.

Naylor, Ripley County R-3, Ripley County R-4, Zalma, and Marquand Zion R-6 are all beginning their school years today.

With most schools having started, motorists are again reminded to be mindful of increased traffic on roadways as well as an increase in student drivers.

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

DAMAGE REPORTED IN MULTIPLE AREAS FOLLOWING TUESDAY STORMS

Severe thunderstorms crossed Butler County and most of Southeast Missouri on Tuesday, causing multiple reports of damage.

Damage was reported in the Legacy Estates area of Poplar Bluff where fences were blown down, playground equipment was demolished, and some roof shingles were blown off.

There was also a report of a garage door being blown in near Home Depot.

Heavy rains in northern Butler County also caused a flood advisory to be in effect for a period of time Tuesday afternoon due to flooded roads.

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

MAN DROWNS WHILE SWIMMING OVER THE WEEKEND IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

A man drowned while swimming over the weekend in Southeast Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 30 year old man from St. Louis was swimming in a private lake near Patton Saturday afternoon when he submerged and did not resurface.

The man’s body was recovered and he was pronounced dead at the scene by Bollinger County Coroner Calvin Troxell.

Monday, August 18, 2025

Monday, August 18, 2025

MANY SOUTHEAST MISSOURI SCHOOLS TO RETURN TO CLASS TODAY

Numerous schools around Southeast Missouri are set to return to classes today.

At least 15 area school districts will hold their first day of school today, including Sacred Heart, Shady Grove State School, Westwood Baptist Academy, Greenville, New Madrid County, and Portageville.

Three Rivers College, Southeast Missouri State University, and Mineral Area College will also be having the first day of classes for the Fall Semester today.

Friday, August 15, 2025

Friday, August 15, 2025

POPLAR BLUFF MULES FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE SET FOR THIS WEEKEND

The Poplar Bluff Mules football team will be kicking off the fall season this week.

The Maroon/White Scrimmage game will be held Saturday at 7 pm at Poplar Bluff High School. Poplar Bluff Athletics Director Joe Brown tells KWOC News that they will be taking sports drink donations at the door for admission.

Today’s Talk KWOC 93.3 FM and 930 AM will be covering the scrimmage live Saturday beginning at 6:45 pm on the KWOC Facebook and River Radio Youtube pages.

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Thursday, August 14, 2025

OPEN HOUSE AND ORIENTATIONS IN THE POPLAR BLUFF R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT TO START TODAY

Parents in Poplar Bluff will have the opportunity to learn more about the schools their children will be attending this fall during a series of open houses scheduled to begin today.

The Poplar Bluff High School Open House is set for today and will be followed by Freshman Orientation on the 15th.

Early Childhood Meet the teacher visits are scheduled for August 15th, 18th, and 19th.

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

CROWLEY RIDGE SCHOOL IN DEXTER TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE BY THE END OF THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR

State officials have made the decision to permanently close a Dexter school.

Crowley Ridge School was one of 12 Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education operated Schools for the Severely Disabled that the state Board of Education has approved to permanently close by next year.

According to a news release, Crowley Ridge will close by the conclusion of the 2025-26 school year.

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

CRASH INVOLVING ELECTRIC BICYCLE LEAVES ONE DEAD IN NEW MADRID COUNTY

A Marston man was killed in a weekend crash on US Highway 61.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the man was riding on an electric bicycle Sunday afternoon when he failed to yield and pulled into the path of another vehicle.

The man, identified as 65 year old Randy Phillips, was pronounced dead at the scene by New Madrid County Coroner, George Delisle.

Monday, August 11, 2025

Monday, August 11, 2025

ONE NEW MEMBER ELECTED TO OZARK BORDER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Ozark Border Electric Cooperative held its annual meeting on Friday.

Voting was conducted all throughout the week leading up to the meeting to decide who would take the seats on the Ozark Border Board of Directors.

For District 2, Incumbent Judy Lunsford was reelected, defeating two challengers for the seat.

Bill Hager also won his reelection bid in District 3.

Friday, August 8, 2025

Friday, August 8, 2025

OZARK BORDER ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TODAY

The annual membership meeting of the Ozark Border Electric Cooperative will be conducted today.

The meeting will be held at 2:30 pm at the Ozark Border Headquarters on South Westwood Boulevard in Poplar Bluff.

Members will be voting for the Board of Directors, with three seats being contested. The first will see incumbent Judy Lunsford taking on Gary Melton and Tod Spradley for the District 2 seat. Incumbent Bill Hager will be facing Derek Boyers for the District 3 seat.

The other race is in District 4, where incumbent Greg Lintz is being challenged by Chad Payne. Each race is for a three year term.

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Thursday, August 7, 2025

IDENTITY RELEASED OF VICTIM IN FATAL RIPLEY COUNTY INCIDENT

Authorities have released the name of a woman killed in an incident early Monday morning in Ripley County.

Ripley County Coroner Mike Jackson tells KWOC News that 57 year old Tammy Summers, of Naylor, was found dead on Route H, near County Road H-7.

According to Missouri Case Net, 57 year old James Dempsey, of Naylor, has been charged with felony 1st degree involuntary manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident - accident resulting in a death, and operating a vehicle on a highway without valid license.

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

NAYLOR MAN FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER

A Naylor man is in custody in connection to the death of a subject Monday morning in Ripley County.

According to Missouri Case Net, 57 year old James Dempsey has been charged with felony 1st degree involuntary manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident - accident resulting in a death, and operating a vehicle on a highway without valid license.

According to a Probable Cause Affidavit, shortly after 3 am Monday morning, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper was notified of a deceased person on a bike on Route H, near County Road H-7.

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

BUTLER COUNTY EMA LOOKING FOR NAMES OF VOLUNTEERS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO HELPED POPLAR BLUFF RECOVER FROM SPRING STORMS

The Butler County EMA Director is looking for the names of people who helped the area recover following the storms that occurred in March.

According to Robbie Myers, they are looking for the name of any group, agency, church, business, or individual that helped the community during the storm recovery.

The list will be shared online, with legislators, and Governor Mike Kehoe.

Monday, August 4, 2025

Monday, August 4, 2025

OZARK BORDER ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY

The annual membership meeting of the Ozark Border Electric Cooperative will be conducted this week.

The meeting will be held at 2:30 pm on Friday at the Ozark Border Headquarters on South Westwood Boulevard in Poplar Bluff.

Members will be voting for the Board of Directors, with three seats being contested. The first will see incumbent Judy Lunsford taking on Gary Melton and Tod Spradley for the District 2 seat. Incumbent Bill Hager will be facing Derek Boyers for the District 3 seat.

The other race is in District 4, where incumbent Greg Lintz is being challenged by Chad Payne. Each race is for a three year term.

Friday, August 1, 2025

Friday, August 1, 2025

MISSING HAYTI MAN FOUND DEAD

A man who was reported missing earlier this week out of Hayti has been found dead.

Few details are available, but officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol say that 69 year old Andrew Page was found deceased.

An Endangered Silver Advisory was issued earlier this week after Page went missing.

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Thursday, July 31, 2025

PATTERSON MAN CHARGED WITH CHILD MOLESTATION AND STATUTORY SODOMY

Wayne County authorities have arrested an area man on multiple charges, including child molestation.

Officials with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department tell KWOC News that James Penrod, of Patterson, was arrested on Monday following an investigation.

According to a Probable Cause Statement, Penrod is accused of inappropriate contact with multiple underage victims over a long span of time.

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

RIPLEY COUNTY FAIR BEGINS TODAY

The 50th Annual Ripley County Fair will kick off today. 

Officials say that the fair will be held today through Saturday at the Ripley County Fairgrounds, south of Doniphan.

Multiple activities are planned for the four day event, including a beauty pageant, carnival, truck and tractor pull, bake sale, and more.

You can find more information on the Ripley County Missouri Fair Facebook page.

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

POPLAR BLUFF WOMAN KILLED IN COLLISION NEAR GREENVILLE

Authorities have released information concerning a fatal weekend crash in Wayne County.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that a 61 year old Poplar Bluff woman pulled into the path of an oncoming vehicle on US Highway 67 at Greenville Saturday afternoon.

Wayne County Coroner Mark Smith tells KWOC News that the woman has been identified as 61 year old Mildred Richardson. She was pronounced dead at the scene by a Wayne County assistant coroner.

Monday, July 28, 2025

Monday, July 28, 2025

EXCESSIVELY HOT TEMPERATURES FORECAST FOR THE EARLY PART OF THIS WEEK

Excessively hot temperatures are once again forecast for the early part of this week.

According to the National Weather Service, highs on Monday are expected to be in the upper 90’s, with Tuesday high’s approaching or possibly hitting triple digits.

Heat indices are also forecast to be near 110 degrees both days.