MANY NORTHEAST ARKANSAS SCHOOLS TO RETURN TO CLASS TODAY

Summer is winding down, which means it’s time for students in Northeast Arkansas to return to class.

Many schools in Northeast Arkansas will be holding their first day of classes today, including Corning, Greene County Tech, Paragould, and Rector.

Hoxie is one of the few Northeast Arkansas schools in our listening area that will be starting their fall semester tomorrow.

POPLAR BLUFF MULES FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE SET FOR THIS WEEKEND

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

The Maroon/White Scrimmage game will be held on Saturday at 7 pm at the Poplar Bluff High School. Poplar Bluff Athletics Director Kent Keith tells KWOC News that admission is free, but they will be taking donations to help the Animal Welfare Alliance.

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

SUSPECT SOUGHT IN CONNECTION TO SHOOTING IN POPLAR BLUFF

Updating a story we brought to you earlier this week, Poplar Bluff Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a shooting suspect.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, shortly before 3 am on August 7th, officers responded to a residence on East Harper Street regarding a subject that had been shot.

At the residence, officers found 25 year old Khalid Williams, of Poplar Bluff, suffering from gunshot wounds to his abdomen, arms, and legs. Williams was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital and then flown to a regional hospital for treatment.

ONE DEAD IN CONNECTION TO OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN POPLAR BLUFF

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating an officer involved shooting in Poplar Bluff from Monday evening.

Sergeant Clark Parrott with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tells KWOC News, that at approximately 9 pm, officers were dispatched to the intersection of South 11th Street and Park Avenue regarding a male subject lying in the road.

The officers were advised the subject had an active warrant for assault. The subject then entered a vehicle, refused verbal commands to roll down the window, locked the doors and began revving the engine.

OVER 600 PEOPLE TO LOSE THEIR JOBS DUE TO TYSON PLANT IN DEXTER SHUTTING DOWN

The closure of a major business in Dexter is going to cause over 600 people to lose their jobs.

Tyson Foods Incorporated announced Monday that the Dexter plant is one of four chicken processing plants being closed as the company looks to lower costs.

The factory is expected to shut its doors by October 13th, 2023, and the closure is expected to impact 683 employees.

POPLAR BLUFF CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS VACANCY DURING MEETING TONIGHT

The Poplar Bluff City Council will be meeting tonight, with one of the things up for discussion being the ongoing vacancy on the council.

During a special session held last week, the council deadlocked on a motion made to appoint Billy DePew to fill the vacancy of an at-large seat caused by the resignation of Robert Duckett, who stepped down in June due to moving outside the city.

The motion failed with a tie vote of 3-3, with Councilmembers Horton, Smith, and Fox voting in approval. Councilmembers Parson, Massingham, and Cornman voted against the motion.

FOUR MEMBERS OF THE POPLAR BLUFF JUNIOR HIGH POM SQUAD NAMED TO THE ALL AMERICAN TEAM

Four members of the Poplar Bluff Junior High Pom Squad have been named All-Americans.

Poplar Bluff Athletics Director Kent Keith tells KWOC News that the squad recently participated in the National Dance Alliance Dance Camp and had seven dancers nominated to the All-American Team.

After auditions, Poplar Bluff’s Laynie Riggins, Aleigha Williams, Audrey Smith, and Charlie McCollough were selected for the All-American Team.

DONIPHAN MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT AND KIDNAPPING FOLLOWING INCIDENT ON MONDAY

A Doniphan man appeared in court Wednesday morning on numerous charges in connection to an incident on Monday.

According to Missouri Case Net, 35 year old Kevin King, has been charged with assault 1st degree, kidnapping 1st degree, assault 4th degree, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting or interfering with an arrest for a felony, two counts of armed criminal action, and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

According to a probable cause affidavit, on Monday, the Doniphan Police Department received information about a shooting that occurred at an area residence.

RAIN FORECAST CAUSES DELAY IN ROXIE ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Forecasted rain for this morning is causing a delay in planned repairs in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff Street Department, crews were scheduled to overlay Roxie Road today from the West side of Shelby Road to the City Limits.

Officials say that the weather forecast has caused them to push the project back a day.

On Thursday, Roxie Road will be closed to through traffic, however residents that live in the affected area will be able to get out with an escort.

MAN DROWNS WHILE KAYAKING ON CURRENT RIVER

An area man drowned last week in Southeast Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 48 year old Jason Bollinger, of Birch Tree, was kayaking on Current River when he fell into the water and failed to resurface. The incident occurred Friday afternoon at Martin Hole, ten miles east of Eminence

Bollinger was later pronounced dead at the scene by the Shannon County Deputy Coroner.

ONE DEAD, THREE INJURED, IN POPLAR BLUFF CRASH

One person is dead following a three vehicle crash in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred Friday evening on East Pine Street when a vehicle driven by 34 year old Zea Hawley, of Poplar Bluff, crossed the center line and struck two other vehicles.

Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC News that Hawley was pronounced dead at the scene.

RETIREMENT CEREMONY TO BE HELD TODAY FOR LONGTIME POPLAR BLUFF FIREFIGHTER ROY LANE

The Poplar Bluff community will be gathering today to celebrate a long time Poplar Bluff Firefighter.

Roy Lane is retiring after 21 years of service. Lane graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1988 and also served in the United States Navy from 1988 to 1992.

Lane started with the Poplar Bluff Fire Department as a firefighter in 2002, eventually moving his way up the ladder to the rank of Battalion Chief.

HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT, TEMPERATURES COULD REACH AROUND TO 100 DEGREES

A heat advisory is in effect for most of the area due to excessively high temperatures.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, temperatures of around 100 degrees and heat index values of up to 110 degrees are possible for portions of Southeast Missouri. The heat advisory will be in effect until 7 pm on Saturday.

You should remember to take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening and also drink plenty of fluids.

ONE DEAD FOLLOWING SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH IN STODDARD COUNTY

One person has died following a single vehicle crash in Stoddard County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 23 year old Lydia Derossett, of Matthews, was driving on Route Y near Aquilla Monday afternoon, when her vehicle ran off the roadway, struck a utility pole, and overturned.

Derossett, who was reportedly not wearing a safety device, was transported to a Sikeston hospital where she was pronounced dead.

STATE FIRE MARSHAL INVESTIGATING POPLAR BLUFF STRUCTURE FIRE

A Missouri State Fire Marshal is investigating a structure fire from over the weekend in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff Fire Department, crews responded to a building fire late Saturday night on Iron Bridge Road. At the scene, crews found a structure mostly involved in fire.

EIGHT YEAR OLD CHILD DROWNS IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

A young child died while swimming over the weekend in Northeast Arkansas.

According to Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole, an eight year old boy was swimming with friends in the St. Francis River at Cottonwood Point on Saturday when he went underwater and did not come back up.

His body was found around four hours later.

The Clay County Sheriff's Department, Dunklin County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas Game and Fish Officers, Missouri Department of Conservation Officers, Arkansas State Police, Clay County Emergency Task Force, and Clay County Coroner all responded to the area to provide assistance.

SUSPECT IN CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO QULIN BANK ROBBERY

A suspect is in custody following a bank robbery Thursday morning in Butler County.

Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that the Southern Bank in Qulin was robbed at gunpoint at approximately 9:10 am Thursday.

The suspect was taken into custody later Thursday without incident.