OPEN ENROLMENT SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK FOR POPLAR BLUFF KINDERGARTEN CENTER

Open Enrolment is scheduled for this week at the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center.

If you have a child who will be five years old by July 31st, you can get them enrolled for the next school year.

According to officials, open enrollment is set to take place from 9 am to 2 pm today through Thursday at the 1200 Camp Road campus. There will also be a session available from 4:30 to 7 pm on Thursday.

BLACK RIVER AT POPLAR BLUFF CRESTS AT 17.4 FEET, OTHER AREAS OF BLACK RIVER STILL AT FLOOD STAGE

While the Black River at Poplar Bluff crested over the weekend, certain areas of the river remain above the flood stage.

According to the National Weather Service, Black River was measured at 17.4 feet shortly before noon on Saturday and has been falling since. The river was above the flood stage in Poplar Bluff from approximately 6 pm Friday night through Midnight Saturday night.

POPLAR BLUFF POM SQUAD TO PERFORM IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TODAY

The Poplar Bluff Pom Squad is gearing up to compete for a national title.

The Pom Squad will be performing today in the National Dance Alliance National Championship in Orlando, Florida.

According to school officials, Poplar Bluff is scheduled to take the stage at 3:51 PM.

More information is available at nda.varsity.com.

FLOOD WATCH TO BE IN EFFECT LATE TODAY AND EARLY TOMORROW

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch that will be in effect beginning late this evening for much of Southeast Missouri.

According to weather officials, moderate to heavy rain will overspread the region from this evening through Friday morning.

Rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches are forecast and localized higher amounts in excess of 4 inches are possible. This amount of rain may cause flooding of low water crossings, creeks, and streams.

EAST CARTER LADY REDBIRDS EARN TRIP TO STATE QUARTERFINAL

The East Carter Lady Redbirds are moving on to the State Quarterfinal.

East Carter pulled out the victory over the Neelyville Lady Tigers 46-38 in their Class 2 State Sectional matchup Tuesday night.

The win puts the Lady Redbirds one win away from the Class 2 Final Four. Their state quarterfinal opponent will be the New Haven Shamrocks.

NEELYVILLE AND EAST CARTER TO FACE OFF TONIGHT WITH A TRIP TO THE STATE QUARTERFINAL ON THE LINE

Two area girls basketball teams will be facing off tonight with a trip to the state quarterfinals on the line.

The State Sectional matchup between the Class 2, District 1 champion Neelyville Lady Tigers and the Class 2, District 2 champion East Carter Lady Redbirds will tip off tonight at 6 pm in Sikeston.

The winner of tonight's game will advance to the Class 2 State Quarterfinal on Saturday, where they will play the winner of the game between St. Vincent and New Haven.

WATER TO BE SHUT DOWN FOR BUTLER COUNTY PWSD #3 FOR 4-5 HOURS TODAY

Some Butler County residents will be without water for several hours today.

Superintendent Brian Williams with Butler County Water District #3 tells KWOC News that crews will be replacing the main feed line from the water plant today.

During the replacement, the water to the entire district will be shut down at 9 am and will be off for approximately four to five hours if everything goes well.

17th ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF SET FOR SATURDAY

Chili lovers from across Southeast Missouri will be gathering in Poplar Bluff 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 at the Black River Coliseum. Event organizers say that admission to the cook-off is free.

All proceeds from the event will go to benefit the United Gospel Rescue Mission.

OVER 600 PEOPLE LOST POWER DURING WEDNESDAY STORMS

Wednesday’s severe storm system resulted in power outages for numerous people across Southeast Missouri.

At one point Wednesday afternoon, the Ozark Border Electric Cooperative outage map showed over 500 customers without power in Stoddard County, while at least 170 customers did not have power in Dunklin County.

Power outages were also reported in Ellsinore.

MISSING COLORADO MAN FOUND DEAD IN CLAY COUNTY

A missing Colorado man has been found dead in Northeast Arkansas.

Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole tells KWOC News that shortly before 8 am Tuesday, his department received a report of a deceased person by the river levee close to the bridge off Highway 90.

The person was identified as 83 year old Randolph Rodewald, of Denver, Colorado, who was reported missing Tuesday morning by the Denver Police Department.

PURSUIT LEADS TO DRUG AND GUN BUST IN CLAY COUNTY

Two people are in custody following a pursuit on Sunday morning. 

Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole tells KWOC News that at approximately 9:40 AM Sunday, a deputy was traveling westbound on Highway 328 when he observed a red vehicle on his side of the roadway headed toward him, almost hitting him. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and as he approached the vehicle, the vehicle took off. 

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.