POPLAR BLUFF COMPETITIVE CHEERLEADERS COMPETE IN NATIONAL COMPETITION
The Poplar Bluff High School Competitive Cheerleading team was in Texas this past weekend to compete with the top High School cheer teams from across the United States.
The Mules Cheerleaders took part in the National Cheerleaders Association High School Nationals in Dallas, Texas in the Intermediate Small Varsity Crowd Performance division.
Poplar Bluff finished day one of the competition in 17th place out of 28 teams.
SCHOOL BUS INVOLVED IN CRASH IN POPLAR BLUFF
A school bus was involved in a motor vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Poplar Bluff.
According to authorities, a Poplar Bluff school bus and a passenger vehicle collided on West Pine Street in the area of the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce.
One person in the passenger vehicle was injured and transported from the scene by ambulance.
POPLAR BLUFF VOTERS TO DECIDE ON USE TAX IN APRIL
Poplar Bluff voters will decide on whether a use tax will be enacted this April.
During their meeting Tuesday night, the Poplar Bluff City Council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing and directing the submission of a ballot proposition to Poplar Bluff voters at the upcoming general municipal election.
The ordinance will ask voters if they want to impose a local use tax at the same rate as the total sales tax rate. In the event the local sales tax rate is reduced or raised by voter approval, the local use tax rate will also be reduced or raised.
STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
There is a possibility of severe storms crossing Southeast Missouri this afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service, a warm front, followed by a quick moving cold front, will lead to strong to possibly severe storms this afternoon and evening.
Most of Southeast Missouri has a marginal risk for severe weather today, however there is a slightly higher risk in the bootheel and along the Mississippi River.
Weather officials say that damaging winds and heavy rainfall are the main threats for today. Some minor flooding may also develop.
ONE FOUND DEAD FOLLOWING FIRE IN BUTLER COUNTY
A fatal structure fire is under investigation in Butler County.
According to officials, the fire happened Friday morning at a structure located on T Highway near route KK.
Crews found one person dead inside the garage. Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC News the person has been identified as 76 year old Darrell Robirtson, of Poplar Bluff.
TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY TO REGISTER FOR SPRING CLASSES AT THREE RIVERS COLLEGE
The deadline to sign up for spring classes at Three Rivers College is almost here.
Today is the final day to register for classes for the Spring Semester at Three Rivers College.
You can find out more information about classes offered at Three Rivers by going online to trcc.edu, calling 573-840-9605, or stopping by the Three Rivers College Welcome Center.
Spring semester classes are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 17th.
MAN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY RELATED CHARGES
Authorities have arrested an area man in connection to alleged child pornography.
Randolph County Sheriff Kevin Bell tells KWOC News that earlier this month Sheriff’s Deputies were able to identify a suspect that was downloading child sexual abuse material.
A search warrant was served this week which resulted in the arrest of 48 year old Gary Hayes, of Pocahontas, for five counts of pandering or possessing visual or print medium depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, and five counts of distributing, possessing, or viewing of matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child.
Hayes' bond was set at $250,000, cash only.
Sheriff Bell says that this is an ongoing investigation with the Arkansas State Police Criminal Division and the FBI Jonesboro Field Office.
17th ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF SET FOR FEBRUARY 25TH
A date has been set for the Mason-Dixon Chili Society’s 17th annual Chili Cook-Off.
The event will be held from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday, February 25th at the Black River Coliseum and admission is free. A cook’s party will be held the day before the event.
The participation fee is $100 per booth if you register by February 13th. Proceeds from the Cook-Off go to benefit the United Gospel Rescue Mission.
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.
