SOUTHEAST MISSOURI WOMAN FACING CHARGE OF ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD

A Southeast Missouri woman was taken into custody over the weekend on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, 44 year old Costalina Gray, of Glenallen, was arrested in connection to an infant being found abandoned outside of a residence on West Davis Street in Poplar Bluff.

A neighbor said the infant lived with its parents at the residence, but no one was home at the time the child was found. The infant was transported to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for care.  During the investigation it was determined the child had been left in the care of their grandparent, Gray.

THREE RIVERS COLLEGE BASKETBALL BUS INVOLVED IN CRASH

The bus carrying the Three Rivers College men’s basketball team was involved in a traffic collision Thursday night.

Three Rivers College Director of Public Safety and Safety Projects Chuck Stratton tells KWOC news that at approximately 9:45 pm Thursday night, witnesses say that a tractor trailer ran a red light and struck the bus on the driver side in Marion, Illinois.

There were around 25 individuals on the bus at the time of the wreck, and one of the student athletes suffered a minor injury to his hand. The player was transported to an area hospital for treatment and was later released.

BUNKER MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

A Bunker man has been sentenced to multiple years in prison in connection to a 2018 death.

According to Missouri Case net, Rickey Holt pled guilty on Wednesday to a felony charge of 1st degree involuntary manslaughter.

Holt was arrested in June of 2018 following the death of 41 year old Joe Girard, of Oak Ridge, at Brick’s Off Road Park.

FUNERAL TO BE HELD TODAY FOR BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE LIEUTENANT

Funeral services will be held today for a member of the Butler County Sheriff’s Department.

Lieutenant Brian Evans passed away early Saturday morning after a long battle with cancer.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that everyone who knew Brian loved him and he was the kind of person to always bring joy to every room he entered. Dobbs added that Evans was a wonderful person and faithful friend.

MAN ACCUSED OF SHOOTING AT TROOPER IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI FOUND DEAD

A subject who was accused of shooting at a Missouri State Trooper in Southeast Missouri has been found dead.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, on December 18th, 47 year old Christopher Storlie fired at a state trooper during a pursuit in Carter County. The Trooper's patrol car was struck several times, but the Trooper remained uninjured.

The suspect vehicle then fled the scene.

STODDARD COUNTY COMMISSIONER REMOVED FROM OFFICE

A Stoddard County Commissioner has been removed from office.

Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver tells KWOC News that on Friday, a Court found that Commissioner Steve Jordan had committed the offense of nepotism in violation of the Missouri Constitutional ban on such conduct.

POPLAR BLUFF RESIDENTS TO DECIDE ON WARD FIVE CITY COUNCIL SEAT IN APRIL

Filing has been completed for the municipal elections that will be conducted early next year.

In Poplar Bluff, there will be a competitive race for councilman of Ward Five.

Incumbent Robert Smith is being challenged by Spencer Jones. Smith was first elected to the Poplar Bluff City Council in 2002.

RUNAWAY TEENAGER FROM SOUTHEAST MISSOURI ARRESTED IN TENNESSEE

A runaway teenager from Southeast Missouri has been taken into custody in Tennessee.

According to the Dyersburg Police Department, on December 23rd officers responded to a residence in reference to a suspicious person wearing all black attempting to enter a garage at a home.

When officers arrived, they observed a young male run from the scene. The subject was apprehended following a foot pursuit and was found to be a 14 year old runaway from Sikeston.

POPLAR BLUFF SHOWDOWN TO BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY

We are just one day away from the 35th Annual Poplar Bluff Showdown.

The three day tournament will begin on Wednesday at Poplar Bluff High School.

The first round will see Little Rock Christian take on Haywood at 4 pm, followed by Blytheville vs. Hillcrest at 5:30 pm, Poplar Bluff against Douglass at 7 pm, and the day will finish with Springdale vs. Germantown at 8:30 pm.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY AND WIND CHILL WARNING TO GO INTO EFFECT TODAY

Weather officials are warning of chances of snow and dangerously low wind chills today in Southeast Missouri.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect through late this evening due to expected snow accumulations across the area. Poplar Bluff could see up to two inches of snow today.

High winds and low temperatures will cause a wind chill warning to go into effect this evening. Officials say that wind chills as low as around 20 degrees below zero are expected.

TEENAGER KILLED IN BUTLER COUNTY CRASH

An area teenager was killed in a wreck Tuesday morning in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the wreck was located off of Route PP, six miles west of Poplar Bluff.

A 16 year old girl from Ellsinore was driving a vehicle that ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree.

MAN FLOWN FROM THE SCENE OF AN EARLY MONDAY MORNING WRECK NEAR DONIPHAN

A man was flown from the scene of an early Monday morning wreck in Ripley County.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the wreck occurred at around 2:20 am Monday on Highway 160, five miles west of Doniphan.

38 year old Jimmie Cora, of Doniphan, was driving an ATV when the vehicle traveled off the roadway and overturned.

ALMOST ALL TOP SEEDS ADVANCE IN FIRST ROUND OF LADY ROYALS CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

The first round is done at the 25th Annual Lady Royals Christmas Classic basketball tournament.

Top seed Doniphan easily dispatched Hayti in the opening game of the tournament on Saturday 59-18.

Host Twin Rivers was sent to the consolation bracket after their 44-38 loss to Kennett.

Holcomb was the only underdog to pick up a win on Saturday, knocking off six seed Cape Central 75-50 in Overtime.

SUSPECT IN CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO THE DEATH OF A BABY IN POPLAR BLUFF

Authorities in Poplar Bluff have a suspect in custody in connection to the death of a young child.

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Mike McClain tells KWOC News that at approximately 10 am on Thursday, officers responded to a residence on Kinzer Street regarding a possible infant death.

At the scene, officers learned that a 7-week-old infant had already been transported to an area hospital. Investigators responded to the hospital and were informed that the infant had passed away.

MAN CONVICTED ON STATUTORY SODOMY AND STATUTORY RAPE CHARGES IN STODDARD COUNTY

A man has been convicted to multiple sex related charges in Stoddard County.

Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver tells KWOC news that Billy Stitz was found guilty Tuesday by a Stoddard County jury of 3 counts of Statutory Sodomy in the First Degree and 1 count of Statutory Rape in the First Degree.

FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS SET FOR 35TH ANNUAL POPLAR BLUFF SHOWDOWN

The first round matchups have been set for the 35th Annual Poplar Bluff Showdown.

The three day basketball tournament will start on Wednesday, December 28th at Poplar Bluff High School.

The first round will see Little Rock Christian take on Haywood at 4 pm, followed by Blytheville vs. Hillcrest at 5:30 pm, Poplar Bluff against Douglass at 7 pm, and the day will finish with Springdale vs. Germantown at 8:30 pm.

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE INVESTIGATING WOMAN’S DEATH

Authorities in Poplar Bluff are investigating a recent death.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, a woman was recently found deceased in the backyard of a residence on West Victor Street.

The woman has been identified as 51 year old Shonda Martin, of Poplar Bluff.

PBHS REPEATS AS STATE CHEERLEADING CHAMPIONS

Poplar Bluff cheerleaders are celebrating back to back state championships.

The Poplar Bluff High School Competitive Cheerleading team won the 2022 Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association Class 4 Small Squad State Championship over the weekend.

Poplar Bluff’s Lanie Robertson, Emma Hicks, Miles Coleman, Kenzie Cassie, Audrie Caudel, and Kelsey Kramer were selected as All-State.

FATAL SHOOTING UNDER INVESTIGATION IN BUTLER COUNTY

Officials are investigating an officer involved fatal shooting involving three people in Butler County.

The incident occurred midday Thursday at a location on AA Highway near the intersection of B Highway. Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs says that deputies responded to the residence following a report of numerous shots being fired.

At the scene, deputies were confronted by an armed subject. The deputies engaged the subject, killing him. Two additional deceased subjects were located inside the residence. The subjects were victims of apparent gunshots.

FOUR POPLAR BLUFF STUDENTS CHOSEN FOR ALL-STATE CHOIR

Four Poplar Bluff students will be traveling to Osage Beach next month to perform with the Missouri All-State Choir.

School officials tell KWOC News that Emma Tinsley will perform in the alto section; while Gabriel Burke and Bralin Duckett will perform with the tenors. Dawson Vaughan will serve as first alternate bass. Alyssa Roy received an honorable mention.

The students auditioned during the All-District Concert held last month at Cape Central High School.