PLUNGING TEMPERATURES TO FOLLOW WINTER WEATHER TO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

A winter weather system could potentially drop multiple inches of snow on Southeast Missouri this weekend.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there is a forecast for accumulating snow beginning during the day on Sunday and continuing throughout the night and into Monday. Snowfall totals could reach around four inches.

This will be accompanied by rapidly falling temperatures, with overnight lows getting close to zero early next week and wind chill values falling below zero.

TWO ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO FATAL SHOOTING IN POPLAR BLUFF

Two people are in custody following two fatal shootings in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, shortly after 3 pm on Tuesday, officers of the Poplar Bluff Police Department were notified of a shooting victim being brought to an area Emergency Room. At the hospital, officers learned that a 34 year old Poplar Bluff resident had succumbed to his injuries and been pronounced dead.

The preliminary investigation indicated that the shooting occurred at a residence in the 600 block of North Main Street. At the scene, officers located a second victim who was also deceased. The second victim was a 23-year-old Poplar Bluff resident.

AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING SHOOTING IN POPLAR BLUFF

An investigation is underway into a shooting in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, shortly after 3 pm on Tuesday, officers were dispatched to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for a gunshot victim.

During the investigation, it was learned that the shooting occurred at a residence on North Main Street.

PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY A VEHICLE NEAR MALDEN, DRIVER IN CUSTODY

A woman was hit and killed by a vehicle early Monday morning in Dunklin County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 18 year old Rylan Trout, of Malden, was driving on Route J shortly after 2:30 am when he ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a pedestrian, identified as 49 year old Deborah Moore, also of Malden.

Moore was pronounced dead a short time later by Dunklin County Coroner James Powell.

Trout was taken into custody shortly before 8 am on felony charges of driving while intoxicated - drugs and leaving the scene of an accident.

WINTERFEST KICK OFF SET FOR THIS WEEKEND

A kick off to Winterfest event has been set for this weekend in Poplar Bluff.

The Winterfest Kick-Off will begin at 10 am on Saturday at Hendrickson Park. There will be sledding, snowball fights, food trucks, a hot chocolate stand, and more.

The event will continue until 2 pm and then move to the Black River Coliseum beginning at 4 pm for a pool party.

SNOW POSSIBLE WITH UPCOMING WEATHER SYSTEM

We could be seeing our first snow of the new year this weekend.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there is a tiny chance of some accumulating snow tonight northwest of a line extending from Poplar Bluff to Cape Girardeau. Officials say that it looks like this storm system will bring mostly rain.

POPLAR BLUFF MAN KILLED IN CRASH ON US HIGHWAY 60

One man is dead in connection to a crash involving a tractor trailer on US Highway 60 in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 49 year old James Ray, of Poplar Bluff, was driving on Highway 60 when he struck a tractor trailer in the rear and then traveled off the roadway.

The crash occurred at around noon, two miles east of Poplar Bluff.

AREA OFFICER RECOGNIZED FOR SAVING MAN’S LIFE

An area police officer has been recognized for saving a man’s life.

According to the Paragould Police Department, Sergeant Jeff Shirley was awarded the Life Saving Award for saving a male who was inside a garage with his foot stuck on his vehicle’s accelerator.

Officials say the car was up against the wall with the tires spinning. Smoke and fire were emerging from the wheels causing the garage and house to be filled with smoke.

NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL TAKES HOME PB SHOWDOWN CROWN

New Madrid County Central are the new champions of the Poplar Bluff Showdown.

The Eagles defeated Vilonia 88-67 Saturday night to win the 36th Annual Poplar Bluff Showdown.

In the 3rd Place Game, Christian Brothers beat Memphis East 53-49. McCracken County took home the Consolation Championship with a 53-48 win over Urbana.

The Poplar Bluff Mules won the 7th Place Game over Germantown 76-74.

POLICE ASKING FOR HELP IN LOCATING MAN WANTED FOR ARMED ROBBERY AND BURGLARY

Authorities in a Missouri Bootheel town are asking for the public’s help in finding a wanted man.

According to the Malden Department of Public Safety, they are trying to locate Orlandis Farr, of Malden for charges of robbery and burglary in connection to an incident from earlier this month.

Officials are warning the public to not approach Farr if they do see him. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Malden Department of Public Safety at 573-276-2211.

36TH ANNUAL POPLAR BLUFF SHOWDOWN TIPS OFF TODAY

The 36th Annual Poplar Bluff Showdown will tip off this afternoon at Poplar Bluff High School.

The first round will see McCracken County take on Vilonia at 4 pm, followed by New Madrid County Central vs. Germantown at 5:30 pm, Poplar Bluff against Memphis East at 7 pm, and the day will finish with Christian Brothers vs. Urbana at 8:30 pm.

Poplar Bluff Athletics Director Kent Keith tells KWOC News that tickets are on sale for eight dollars per day.

POCAHONTAS MAYOR KEITH SUTTON PASSES AWAY

The city of Pocahontas is mourning the passing of their mayor.

The city announced on Tuesday that Pocahontas Mayor Keith Sutton passed away on December 24th.

Sutton was in his second term as mayor. He was first elected to the office in 2019.

36TH ANNUAL POPLAR BLUFF SHOWDOWN TIPS OFF THIS WEEK

The 36th Annual Poplar Bluff Showdown will tip off this week.

The three day tournament will start on Thursday at Poplar Bluff High School.

The first round will see McCracken County take on Vilonia at 4 pm, followed by New Madrid County Central vs. Germantown at 5:30 pm, Poplar Bluff against Memphis East at 7 pm, and the day will finish with Christian Brothers vs. Urbana at 8:30 pm.

POPLAR BLUFF MAN SENTENCED TO 35 YEARS FOR MALDEN MURDER

A Poplar Bluff man has been sentenced to over three decades in prison for the shooting death of a man in Malden.

Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain tells KWOC News that 35 year old David Anderson was convicted of 2nd degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon in October for the March 2018 shooting death of 46 year old Geoffrey Wright, of Malden.

An eyewitness told police that Anderson approached Wright and after their brief conversation became heated, Anderson shot Wright multiple times. Anderson fled the scene and was arrested in Hayti Heights the following day.

POPLAR BLUFF TEACHER NAMED 2023 MCDONALD’S OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR

A Poplar Bluff teacher has been named a 2023 McDonald’s Outstanding Educator.

According to school officials, Poplar Bluff native Crystal Huddleston, a PBHS business instructor since 2012, was selected earlier this month, as a finalist among 1,750 submissions in a multi-state service area.

Huddleston, who also serves as the Future Business Leaders of America adviser, received a $100 Visa gift card, coffee mug that reads “best teacher ever,” and 25 McDonald's 'Teach it Forward' free menu item vouchers to be distributed to students of her choosing.

POPLAR BLUFF MAN ACCUSED OF TAKING A WOMAN HOSTAGE FOR MULTIPLE DAYS

A Poplar Bluff man is facing multiple charges after being accused of taking a woman hostage.

According to a Probable Cause Affidavit, a Poplar Bluff Police Officer was dispatched to an area business on Saturday in reference to an assault.

At the scene, the victim told the officer that her boyfriend had held her hostage for two days at her home and assaulted her, including hitting her with a sledgehammer.

ALL TOP SEEDS ADVANCE IN FIRST ROUND OF LADY ROYALS CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

The first round is over at the 26th Annual Lady Royals Christmas Classic basketball tournament.

Top seed Doniphan easily dispatched Senath-Hornersville in the opening game of the tournament on Saturday 74-18.

Poplar Bluff, Neelyville, and host Twin Rivers also picked up wins.

Naylor forfeited their first round matchup against East Carter after classes were canceled for most of last week due to illness.

ANOTHER SCHOOL TO MISS CLASSES DUE TO SICKNESS

Sickness is affecting another school in Southeast Missouri.

Doniphan School officials have announced that the Doniphan R-1 School District will be closed on Friday. Classes will resume on Monday, December 18th.

Officials say that student attendance is low, but the faculty has also been hit hard, making it difficult to provide coverage for all classes.

PUXICO MAN ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING HOSPITAL PERSONNEL

A Puxico man is in custody following an alleged assault at an area hospital.

According to a probable cause affidavit, on Monday, Dexter Police officers learned of a combative patient at an area emergency room.

It was reported that the subject, identified as 25 year old Ryan Miller, had been transported to the emergency room for an unrelated assault earlier in the evening.

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER CHARGE

A Williamsville man will be sentenced early next year in connection to a 2018 murder case.

According to Missouri Case Net, Drew Atchison has entered a guilty plea to three counts of 1st degree murder and armed criminal action, two counts of child kidnapping, and a single count of 1st degree tampering with a motor vehicle.

The charges stem from the deaths of Harley Million, Samara Kits, and the couple's 18 month old child in January of 2018.