MAJOR LAKE WAPPAPELLO CAMPGROUND TO BE CLOSED DURING THE 2023 RECREATION SEASON

A major campground at Lake Wappapello will be closed for the 2023 Recreation Season.

According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Redman Creek East Campground will remain closed during the 2023 Recreation Season due to ongoing construction and major rehabilitation.

The work in the campground includes replacement of utilities on many sites, 50-amp RV electrical service, water and sewer RV hookups at the campsite, and new concrete campsite impact pads, among other improvements.

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 24TH IN CARTER COUNTY

The voluntary residential flood buyout project will be the topic of a public meeting held later this month in Carter County.

According to officials, the meeting will be held at 9:30 am on Friday, February 24th at the Carter County Courthouse in Van Buren.

The county’s ongoing residential voluntary buyout project includes assistance like relocation expenses and down payment assistance for those who qualify.

BARRICADED SUBJECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN POPLAR BLUFF

A barricaded subject has been taken into custody in Poplar Bluff.

Poplar Bluff Deputy Police Chief Keith Hefner tells KWOC News that just before noon on Wednesday, officers were dispatched to a location on North Main Street following a report of a possible gunshot and a female heard screaming.

Upon arrival, officers learned there was a suicidal male subject barricaded inside the residence with a firearm and it was reported that he had already fired a shot prior to the officer’s arrival.

CRASH IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI CLAIMS LIVES OF TWO PEOPLE

Crews were on the scene of a multiple fatality wreck Tuesday in Southeast Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash was located three miles west of Senath on Highway 412.

Officials say that two commercial vehicles collided head on. The drivers of the vehicles, 63 year old Steven Wagoner, of Salem, Illinois, and 60 year old Steven Billingsley, of Memphis, Tennessee, were both pronounced dead at the scene.

WINDS UP TO 60 MILES PER HOUR POSSIBLE TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Some areas of Southeast Missouri could see wind speeds of up to around 60 miles per hour today.

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for Butler, Stoddard, New Madrid, Bollinger, Mississippi, and Cape Girardeau Counties for 10 am through 8 pm today.

Weather officials say that south wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible in these areas. Some trees may be uprooted, and numerous large tree limbs will likely be knocked down. A few power lines may also be knocked down, but damage to power lines is more likely through trees and limbs falling.

LAST SECOND THREE POINT SHOT HELPS GREENVILLE TO OFC CHAMPIONSHIP

The 2023 Ozark Foothills Conference Championship Friday was a night for the bears. 

The Greenville Bears took home the boys Varsity championship Friday night at the Libla Family Sports Complex in Poplar Bluff thanks to an Easton Evans game tying three point basket with two seconds remaining in regulation to send the championship game to overtime. 

ONE CHARGED IN CONNECTION TO DEATH OF CHILD IN CARTER COUNTY

The death of a child in Southeast Missouri has resulted in the arrest of an area woman.

Carter County Sheriff Dustin Boyer tells KWOC News that a report was made by medical personnel of possible child neglect on February 3rd. An investigation was launched with the assistance of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Investigation unit.

During the investigation, it was reported that the child had passed away.

TWIN RIVERS SUPERINTENDENT ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO SPEAK TO LEGISLATORS ABOUT FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEK

An area superintendent is encouraging parents to reach out to legislators and voice their feelings on the four day school week.

In a letter to parents, Twin Rivers R-X Superintendent Rob Brown says that an amendment to Senate Bill 4 that has been introduced in the Missouri Senate would eliminate the four day school week.

BOYS SEMIFINALS TO START TODAY AT 2023 OZARK FOOTHILLS CONFERENCE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Boys’ semifinal matchups are scheduled for today at the 2023 Ozark Foothills Conference Basketball Tournament in Greenville.

The day will start with the second semifinal of the Boys’ Junior Varsity bracket, as Greenville takes on Neelyville at 4:30 pm.

The first boys varsity semifinal between Greenville and Twin Rivers will begin at 6 pm. The second semifinal will see Doniphan face Clearwater at 7:30 pm.  

SEMIFINALS TO START TODAY AT 2023 OZARK FOOTHILLS CONFERENCE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Semifinal matchups are scheduled to begin today at the 2023 Ozark Foothills Conference Basketball Tournament. 

The top seed of the Junior Varsity bracket, Twin Rivers will begin their tournament today at 4:30 pm. 

Both girls varsity semifinals are also scheduled for today, with the first game starting at 6:00 pm. The boys varsity semifinal games will be played on Tuesday. 

MULTIPLE EVENTS PLANNED FOR 2023 THREE RIVERS COLLEGE ALUMNI REUNION

Multiple events have been scheduled for the 2023 Three Rivers College Alumni Reunion this weekend.

The celebration will begin at 6 pm tonight with the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet at the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff.

There is a full day of festivities planned for Saturday on the TRC campus in Poplar Bluff, starting with the pancake breakfast at 7 am.

MULTIPLE CRASHES CAUSE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF US HIGHWAY 60 IN BUTLER COUNTY

A portion of US Highway 60 in Butler County was closed Wednesday morning following a multi vehicle wreck due to icy roads.

Officials say that three tractor trailers were involved in the crash along with several other vehicles, which caused the eastbound lanes of Highway 60 to be closed for several hours from the Highway W exit to the Highway T exit.

One Highway Patrol vehicle and three Barker’s Towing trucks were struck while responding to the area.

CHANCES OF ANOTHER ROUND OF WINTER WEATHER TONIGHT

Another round of winter weather spread across Southeast Missouri on Tuesday, further worsening road conditions across the area.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, sleet and freezing rain rapidly spread across Southeast Missouri Tuesday afternoon and evening, causing roads that had previously been cleared to ice over again.

SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS POSSIBLE THIS MORNING

Weather officials are warning of possible icy road conditions in Southeast Missouri.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a Winter Storm Warning was in effect overnight due to possibilities of snow, sleet, and ice accumulations.

Weather officials say that motorists should prepare for possible slippery road conditions this morning. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

LIGHT ICING POSSIBLE THIS WEEK

Southeast Missouri could see some light icing this week which might result in dangerous traveling conditions.

According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service, light wintry weather will produce potential travel impacts this week.

Portions of Southeast Missouri already experienced freezing drizzle last night into this morning.

MULTIPLE EVENTS PLANNED FOR 2023 THREE RIVERS COLLEGE ALUMNI REUNION

Multiple events have been scheduled for the 2023 Three Rivers College Alumni Reunion.

The celebration will begin at 6 pm on February 3rd with the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet at the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff.

There is a full day of festivities planned for February 4th on the campus of Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, starting with the pancake breakfast at 7 am.

POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED FOR 2ND DEGREE MURDER

A Poplar Bluff man has been arrested on a murder charge.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that his agency and the Missouri State Highway Patrol have arrested 43 year old Willie Eddie Sipes, of Poplar Bluff, and charges have been requested for 2nd degree murder and possession of a controlled substance.

The charges are in connection to a deceased female that was found at her home in Wayne County. Sheriff Dobbs says it is believed that she died as a result of injuries she sustained while at Sipes residence, located in Northern Butler County.