TWO FLOWN TO AREA HOSPITALS FOLLOWING CRASH NEAR POPLAR BLUFF

Two people were flown to area hospitals Wednesday night following a crash near Poplar Bluff.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 20 year old Bryanna James, of Piedmont, was driving on US Highway 67 when her vehicle struck a vehicle that was disabled in the roadway.

James suffered serious injuries in the crash. A young passenger in her vehicle received moderate injuries. Both were flown to area hospitals.

There was nobody in the disabled vehicle when the crash occurred.

POPLAR BLUFF ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT SELLING ART FROM LOCAL ARTIST TO RAISE MONEY

The work of a local artist is being highlighted to help raise money for the Poplar Bluff R-1 Athletic Department.

According to R-I Athletic Director Kent Keith, the Athletic Department is selling 11x14 prints of an acrylic painting of a Mules helmet commissioned to the Poplar Bluff school system and painted by Mike Shane.

Shane is the creator of the series housed at the Poplar Bluff Museum depicting Mules Football players through the ages.

CORNING MAN KILLED IN CRASH ON HIGHWAY 67

A Corning man is dead, and two other people are injured, following a crash Monday night on Highway 67 in Clay County.

According to the Arkansas State Police, 76 year old Loyal Moore was on the northbound shoulder of the highway when he attempted a u-turn and crossed into the path of an oncoming freightliner. After the impact, the freightliner overturned.

JUVENILE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO BOMB THREAT AT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI SCHOOL

A juvenile has been taken into custody in connection to a bomb threat at a Southeast Missouri school.

According to the Malden Department of Public Safety, on January 4th, authorities were alerted to a bomb threat to the Malden School Campus.

An investigation into the threat was conducted by Malden DPS with assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Dexter Police Department.

WOMAN ARRESTED ON CHARGE OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF A CHILD IN POPLAR BLUFF

A woman was arrested Thursday after a small child was located in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, on Thursday, officers were dispatched to a residence on Midland Street in Poplar Bluff in reference to a toddler knocking on doors.

Officers located the child, only wearing sweatpants and began looking for their parents or guardians.

The officers found a residence with a door wide open and announced themselves several times with no answer.

MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN BUTLER COUNTY CRASH

One man was seriously injured in a single vehicle crash Thursday morning in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 31 year old Dylan Bridgers, of High Ridge, was driving on US Highway 60 when his vehicle ran off the roadway and struck a tree.

Bridgers suffered serious injuries and was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital.

ONE CHARGED IN CONNECTION TO SHOOTING AT DEXTER WALMART

At least one person has been charged in connection to a shooting incident on Tuesday at a Dexter business.

Dexter Chief of Police Hank Trout tells KWOC News that shortly after 9 am on Tuesday, officers were dispatched to the Wal-Mart regarding a report of shots being fired.

A preliminary investigation uncovered that individuals from one vehicle had approached another vehicle in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The individuals then returned to their vehicle and attempted to drive away. At that time, the driver of the parked vehicle exited his vehicle, pulled a handgun, and fired at the other vehicle.

Both vehicles then left the area.

TWO IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING SHOOTING IN DEXTER

Multiple people are in custody after shots were fired in Dexter.

Dexter Chief of Police Hank Trout tells KWOC News that shortly after 9 am on Tuesday, officers were dispatched to the Wal-Mart regarding a report of shots being fired.

A preliminary investigation uncovered that individuals from one vehicle had approached another vehicle in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The individuals then returned to their vehicle and attempted to drive away. At that time, the driver of the parked vehicle exited his vehicle, pulled a handgun, and fired at the other vehicle.

MAN FLOWN FROM THE SCENE OF A WAYNE COUNTY CRASH

An Ironton man was flown from the scene of a crash Monday afternoon near Piedmont.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 73 year old Lawrence Youngman, of Ironton, was driving on Route HH when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck another vehicle.

Youngman suffered serious injuries in the crash and was flown to a St. Louis hospital. No injuries were listed for the driver of the second vehicle.

DEBBIE SLIGER NAMED CITIZEN OF THE YEAR BY POPLAR BLUFF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

A familiar face in Poplar Bluff has been honored as the 2023 Citizen of the Year.

Debbie Sliger was presented the award during the annual Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce Banquet that was held on Saturday at the Black River Coliseum.

Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce President Steve Halter tells KWOC News, that Sliger is the owner of Myrtles Place and embodies the spirit of success, has unwavering determination, and a heart that beats for the betterment of downtown Poplar Bluff. Her business stands not just as a testament to her hard work but also as a symbol of her commitment to the community.

THREE ARRESTED FOLLOWING STEALING REPORT IN STODDARD COUNTY

Three people have been taken into custody in connection to a report of stealing in Stoddard County.

According to Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner, on Wednesday, his office received a call in reference to stealing on State Highway 153 near Essex.

At the location, a deputy located a white pickup truck and trailer loaded with scrap metal. During the investigation it was determined the scrap metal items on the truck and trailer had been stolen from the property.

ALUMINUM SMELTER IN NEW MADRID COUNTY TO NO LONGER REQUIRE MOST EMPLOYEES AFTER JANUARY 28TH

Employees at an aluminum smelter in New Madrid County could be without jobs before the end of the month.

Magnitude 7 Metals told their employees on Wednesday that most employees will not be required after January 28th.

Operations at the plant will be curtailed over the next few days due to the abnormally cold weather that have impaired operations.

POPLAR BLUFF STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN SPECIAL OLYMPICS COMPETITION

Poplar Bluff students recently took part in a Special Olympics competition in Wentzville.

The Winter Special Olympics Basketball Tournament was held on Sunday Wabash Elementary and saw Poplar Bluff place 2nd in the 5v5 tournament.

Poplar Bluff’s Caden Hubbard also placed first in his individual skills competition.

COUNTERFEIT 100 DOLLAR BILLS FOUND IN CIRCULATION IN POPLAR BLUFF

Counterfeit 100 dollar bills are reportedly in circulation in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce, the bills all have the same serial number of B71 555 538D.

Anyone who suspects they have received fake money is asked to contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department as soon as possible.

MAN IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING STODDARD COUNTY PURSUIT

A man was taken into custody following a pursuit in Stoddard County.

According to the Dexter Police Department, a patrolman attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle Friday afternoon on Highway 25 when the driver attempted to flee.

A pursuit was initiated which finally came to an end when the driver drove into a ditch on State Highway BB.

The driver, 37 year old Joseph Fowler, of Arnold, was found to have multiple outstanding felony warrants and was taken into custody.

WIND CHILL ADVISORY TO BE IN EFFECT TONIGHT FOR MOST OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Wind chill temperatures are expected to dip back below zero degrees tonight.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a wind chill advisory will be in effect from 9 pm tonight to 9 am tomorrow morning for most of Southeast Missouri.

Very cold wind chills are anticipated with wind chill values as low as 10 to 14 degrees below zero.

Residents are advised to use caution while traveling outside, including wearing appropriate clothing as well as a hat and gloves.

NEELYVILLE TO TRIAL FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEK NEXT YEAR

Neelyville will be the latest area school to move to a four day school week.

The Neelyville R-4 School Board voted Tuesday night 5-1 to move to a four day school week beginning with the 2024-25 school year.

Officials say that next year will be a trial period to assess the shortened week, which will see students no longer having classes on Monday.

MAN WHO WAS SHOT DURING ALLEGED BURGLARY ATTEMPT IN BUTLER COUNTY HAS DIED

Updating a story we brought to you earlier this week, a man was shot during an alleged burglary attempt early Saturday morning in Butler County has died.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that at around 3 am Saturday morning, deputies responded to a residence on Strawberry Lane in Qulin in reference to someone being shot.

At the scene, deputies were told that an intruder had tried to break into the residence and the homeowner had shot the suspect five times.

ONE IN CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO RIPLEY COUNTY HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION

Updating a story we have been following for you, one person is in custody in connection to a Ripley County homicide investigation.

According to Ripley County Sheriff Mike Barton, a white male is being held in the Ripley County Jail after a couple was found dead inside their rural Ripley County home on Saturday.

The victims have been identified as Eric and Kathryn Pudivitir.

WITH SNOWFALL MOSTLY DONE, AREA PREPARES FOR EXTENDED COLD TEMPERATURES

Snowy weather on Sunday will give way to colder temperatures this week.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, most of Southeast Missouri saw snow accumulation of one to two inches Sunday afternoon and evening, with higher amounts reported in Northeast Arkansas and the Missouri Bootheel.

Now that the snow is mostly done, very cold temperatures will engulf the area and continue through the early part of this week.