ONE KILLED IN SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH NEAR ESSEX
One person is dead in connection to a single vehicle crash late Monday night in Stoddard County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 30 year old Caleb Cockrell, of Puxico, was driving on Route KK when his vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and struck a tree.
Cockrell was pronounced dead at the scene by Stoddard County Coroner Brent Stidham.
Officials say the crash occurred at around 10 pm, three miles south of Essex.
AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING FATAL SHOOTING, SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
One person is dead following a shooting on Monday.
Jason Elms with the Paragould Police Department tells KWOC News that shortly before 11 am Monday morning, Paragould Emergency Services received a 911 call of a male subject waving down motorists and attempting to get into any vehicle that would stop.
The subject was detained by police for possible impairment or mental health concerns. The subject indicated to police that his father may be experiencing health issues at their residence.
RIVER RADIO LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE IS THIS FRIDAY
Christmas lights will be shining bright this Friday night in Downtown Poplar Bluff.
The 2023 River Radio Lighted Christmas Parade is scheduled to begin at 6 pm on Friday. The line up will begin at 4:30 pm at the Sky High Indoor Park parking lot.
The parade route this year will run from Highway 53 at McDonalds, north along Ditch Road into Downtown Poplar Bluff, then east on Vine Street, before circling back on Main Street. Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.
MOTORISTS ENCOURAGED TO DRIVE SAFELY DURING THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY PERIOD
Many Missouri residents are getting ready to get on the road to see their family for Thanksgiving, but officials are urging motorists to keep safety in mind.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, nine people were killed and another 482 were injured during the 2022 Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Officials are urging motorists to be vigilant, always buckle up, obey posted speed limits, and never drive impaired or distracted.
THANKSGIVING COOKING SAFETY TIPS
Thanksgiving is almost here, and the American Red Cross is reminding you to stay safe while you prepare the holiday dinner.
The Red Cross advises that cooks should avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while preparing the holiday meal.
You should also never leave the stove unattended – if the cook has to leave the kitchen even for a short time, they should turn off the stove.
Remember to clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup and keep anything that can catch fire, including pot holders, oven mitts, and food packaging, away from the stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.
NEW PROSECUTOR AND CIRCUIT JUDGE SWORN IN FOR BUTLER COUNTY
A new judge and prosecutor have been sworn in for Butler County.
Former County Prosecutor Kacey Proctor was sworn in Friday as the Presiding Circuit Judge of the 36th Judicial Circuit. He was appointed to the position earlier this month by Governor Mike Parson to take over for the retiring Michael Pritchett.
With Proctor’s appointment, that created a opening for the Butler County Prosecutor position, which was filled Friday morning when Paul Oesterreicher was sworn in.
LINE UP LOCATION CHANGED FOR RIVER RADIO LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE
The line up location has been changed for the upcoming River Radio Lighted Christmas Parade.
Line up will begin at 4:30 pm on Friday, December 1st at the Sky High Indoor Park parking lot, which used to be the location of Hydro Adventures.
The parade will begin at 6 pm and run from Highway 53, north along Ditch Road, then east on Vine Street, before circling back on Main Street.
AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE THREATS MADE IN CONNECTION TO POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL
Authorities are investigating a threat made on social media concerning Poplar Bluff High School.
Poplar Bluff R-1 Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman tells KWOC News that the school district has been made aware of a Snapchat posting that shared an image of an A.R. style rifle resting on the tailgate of a truck with comments indicating possible threats to the High School.
School officials acted immediately to investigate and maintain the safety of all Poplar Bluff students, staff, and families. Law enforcement officials have made contact with the students involved in the incident.
COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING TO BE HELD IN DOWNTOWN POPLAR BLUFF ON DECEMBER 1ST
Downtown Poplar Bluff will be filled with the spirit of Christmas this December.
The lighting of the Community Christmas Tree, brought to you by Missouri Highlands Health Care, has been scheduled for 6 pm, on Friday, December 1st.
The Christmas Tree will be located in front of the Black River Coliseum and the lighting of the tree will be broadcast on the Today’s Talk KWOC, Clear 94, Z95 the Bone, and Hot 92.9 Facebook pages, as well as the River Radio Youtube page.
OVER 90 THOUSAND DEER HARVESTED DURING OPENING WEEKEND OF FIREARM DEER SEASON
Hunters across Missouri took to the woods over the weekend for the opening of the November potion of firearms deer season.
According to preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation, hunters harvested 90,334 deer during opening weekend. Of the deer harvested, 53,159 were antlered bucks, 7,163 were button bucks, and 30,012 were does.
POPLAR BLUFF SWIMMER FINISHES IN 15TH PLACE DURING STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
A Poplar Bluff swimmer placed in the top 15 at the state swimming championships.
Poplar Bluff’s Carson Todd finished in 15th place Friday in the 50 Freestyle during the MSHSAA Class 1 State Swimming Championship at St. Peters.
Todd also set new school records in the 50 and 100 freestyle. New school records were also set by the Mules in the 200 medley relay as well as by Poplar Bluff’s Owen McDaniel in the 100 breaststroke.
DEER SEASON BEGINS ON SATURDAY
Hunters from across Missouri will be heading to the woods this weekend for the beginning of deer season.
Officials with the Missouri Department of Conservation say that the November portion of the firearms deer season runs from November 11th through the 21st and the opening weekend is the most popular two days for most deer hunters in Missouri.
Hunters who harvest a deer from certain counties in the CWD Management Zone during the opening weekend must take their deer to a designated CWD sampling station.
PIEDMONT MAN ADMITS TO RECORDING SEXUAL ACTS WITH MINORS
A Piedmont man faces at least 15 years behind bars after admitting to making recordings of sex acts with minors.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 46 year old Tony Waites, of Piedmont, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor.
A court-approved search of Waites’ home discovered electronic devices that contained videos of Waites abusing a victim. There were also videos depicting numerous other children. Some were abused by Waites, others were filmed naked.
POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOLS ANNUAL COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY
Poplar Bluff Schools and Chartwells will be holding their annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner this week.
According to officials, the meal will be free for families from 5 to 8 pm on Friday.
The event will be held at the Poplar Bluff High School Cafeteria.
RESIDENCE REPORTEDLY STRUCK BY GUNFIRE IN POPLAR BLUFF
A residence was reportedly struck by gunfire last week in Poplar Bluff.
According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, shortly after 5 pm Friday evening, officers responded to the area of Barron Road at Morrison for a report of shots fired in the area.
Witnesses say that a white male fired several rounds and left the area in a red Nissan Altima.
KACEY PROCTOR APPOINTED TO BUTLER COUNTY JUDGE POSITION
A Butler County official has been appointed to an area judgeship.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced Friday that Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor will be taking on the role of Presiding Circuit Judge of the 36th Judicial Circuit.
Current Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett will be retiring on November 16th.
MULES FOOTBALL TEAM HOSTS FARMINGTON TONIGHT FOR DISTRICT SEMIFINALS
The Poplar Bluff Mules football team is preparing to host the district semifinals tonight.
The Mules earned the top seed in the Class 5, District 1 football tournament and will be welcoming the five seed Farmington Knights.
Farmington advanced to the district semifinals with a 22-16 overtime win at Webster Groves last week. The winner of tonight’s game will face the winner of the other semi-final between Cape Central and St. Mary’s in next week’s district final.
TWO INJURED IN ATTEMPTED HOME INVASION IN POPLAR BLUFF
Two people were injured following an attempted home invasion in Poplar Bluff.
Captain Dave Sutton with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC News that at around 4 am early Wednesday morning, officers responded to a report of an attempted home invasion robbery at a residence in the 100 Block of West Lexington Avenue.
Victims at the scene told police that two or three people dressed in dark clothing tried to force entry through the front door of the residence and fired several shots through the door before fleeing the scene.
LADY RAIDERS TIP OFF BASKETBALL SEASON TONIGHT
The nationally ranked Three Rivers College Lady Raiders will be starting their campaign for another trip to the NJCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament tonight.
The Lady Raiders will be traveling to Tennessee to take on Dyersburg State Community College in the first game of the season for both teams.
Tip off is scheduled for 6 pm.
MAN FACING CHARGES AFTER TWO JUVENILES WERE FOUND WALKING ALONE ON A STODDARD COUNTY STREET
A Dexter man is facing multiple charges, including abandonment of a child.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on October 27th, a patrol officer was dispatched after a report of two juveniles walking unattended in a roadway.
At the scene, the officer made contact with a witness, who told the officer that they had found the two young male juveniles
