POSSIBLE SEVERE WEATHER FORECAST FOR TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas are under a higher risk for severe storms today.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, showers and thunderstorms are forecast to move across the region this afternoon and tonight.
BLACK BEAR STRUCK AND KILLED BY A VEHICLE NEAR CARTER AND SHANNON COUNTY LINE
A black bear was struck and killed by a vehicle Friday in Southeast Missouri.
According to Carter County Conservation Agent Avery Crisp, the bear was struck on US Highway 60 near the Carter and Shannon County line.
The vehicle suffered minor damage, and neither of the occupants were injured.
DEXTER K9 DEATH INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
An investigation into the death of a K9 officer in Stoddard County is ongoing.
According to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith, his office is broadening and continuing the criminal investigation regarding alleged animal abuse and neglect of Dexter PD K9 Apollo and K9 Knox.
Last week, criminal charges were filed against Derrick Durall, who had been the K9 handler for the Dexter Police Department since December 2020. Durall faces two counts of felony animal abuse and two counts of misdemeanor animal neglect.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY RELATED CHARGES
A Poplar Bluff man was recently taken into custody on multiple child pornography related felony charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 46 year old Joshua McKnight was arrested Tuesday afternoon on a charge of promoting child pornography and three counts of possession of child pornography.
11 MONTH OLD CHILD FOUND DEAD FOLLOWING FIRE IN MALDEN
A young child was found dead following a fire Monday in Dunklin County.
Malden Department of Public Safety Chief Jeff Mitchell tells KWOC News that shortly after 4 pm Monday, DPS was dispatched to a structure fire on North Decatur Street.
While firefighters were working to extinguish the fire, one fatality was discovered in the residence.
THOUSANDS OF ECLIPSE VIEWERS FLOCK TO POPLAR BLUFF
Residents from across the United States as well as around the world descended on Poplar Bluff Monday to view the eclipse.
A total solar eclipse was observed in Poplar Bluff beginning at 1:56 pm. It was the first total solar eclipse in the country since 2017.
Poplar Bluff City Manager Matt Winters tells KWOC News that there were visitors in Poplar Bluff from more than 35 states and more than half a dozen foreign countries.
POPLAR BLUFF GETS READY FOR SOLAR ECLIPSE
After over a year of preparation, the eclipse is almost here.
A solar eclipse will begin in the Poplar Bluff area today at 12:39 pm, with the sun being completely covered by the moon from 1:56 to 2 pm. The eclipse will come to an end at 3:15 pm.
If you are planning to watch the eclipse, remember to wear appropriate glasses. Ensure that the solar eclipse viewing glasses you have are authentic and properly rated.
The main viewing station in Poplar Bluff will be at the Poplar Bluff High School Football Stadium. The gates will open at 9 am and entry is $5.
NUMEROUS LOCATIONS SET UP TO ALLOW FOR VIEWING OF THE ECLIPSE
Numerous locations have been set up in the Poplar Bluff area to allow for easy viewing of the Solar Eclipse today.
In addition to the main viewing location at the Poplar Bluff High School Football Field, visitors can also see the eclipse at Ray Clinton Park, the Poplar Bluff Airport, Wiseman Park, Three Rivers College, the Black River Coliseum Parking Lot, Wappapello Lake Visitors Center, Mansion Mall, and Valley Plaza.
ONE DEAD IN CONNECTION TO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI CRASH
One person has died from injuries he received in a crash earlier this week.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred Wednesday afternoon when a vehicle driven by 40 year old Heder Gonzalez, of Senath, pulled into the path of another vehicle on US Highway 412 in Dunklin County.
Gonzalez suffered serious injuries in the crash, while the driver of the second vehicle received minor injuries. Both were transported to a Paragould hospital.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO TWO CHARGES IN CONNECTION TO JANUARY 6TH CAPITOL BREACH
A Southeast Missouri man will be sentenced later this year for his actions during the breach of the United States Capitol on January 6th, 2021.
43 year old Nicholas L. Kennedy, of Sikeston, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in the District of Columbia to two felony offenses of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and tampering with records, documents, or other objects.
MARIJUANA TAX PASSES IN POPLAR BLUFF AND BOYER IS ELECTED TO CITY COUNCIL
Poplar Bluff voters have chosen to approve a new tax for marijuana sales in the city.
On Tuesday, voters approved a new city-wide sales tax of three percent for retail sales of adult-use marijuana in the city by a vote of 339-138. Similar proposals were also approved in Kennett, Senath, and Piedmont, as well as Dunklin and New Madrid Counties.
In the race to fill the Ward 2 seat on the Poplar Bluff City Council, David Boyer received over 71 percent of the vote to claim victory.
SEAT ON POPLAR BLUFF CITY COUNCIL AND MULTIPLE AREA SCHOOL BOARDS TO BE DECIDED TODAY
Voters from across Southeast Missouri will be going to the ballot box today for municipal elections.
In Poplar Bluff, voters will determine who will represent Ward Two on the City Council, David Boyer, Mack Campbell, or Marty Paskel.
Voters in numerous communities will also be voting on marijuana taxes today, including Poplar Bluff, Kennett, and Piedmont.
Multiple school districts will also be holding Board of Education elections today, including Poplar Bluff, Neelyville and Twin Rivers.
CHANCE OF SEVERE WEATHER TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
There is a chance of severe weather across Southeast Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, the main severe weather event is expected to move into the area late this evening and progress eastward across the area overnight.
Many of our more northern and western communities are under an enhanced risk of severe weather as a part of this system.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPTING TO ROB A STORE WITH A GOLF CLUB
A New Madrid man has been taken into custody after an attempted robbery that included an unusual weapon.
According to New Madrid Chief of Police, Joey Higgerson, early Tuesday morning an attempted robbery occurred at a local business.
The victim, a store clerk, reported a black male entered the store armed with a golf club and demanded money. The suspect fled the store after the victim refused to provide the money.
LADY RAIDERS ADVANCE TO SECOND ROUND OF NJCAA TOURNAMENT
The Three Rivers College Lady Raiders used a strong start to power their way to the 2nd round of the NJCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Championship in Casper, Wyoming.
Three Rivers College jumped out to a 39-23 halftime lead over Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College before holding off a late surge from the Bulldogs to claim a 73-64 victory in their first round matchup.
With the win, Three Rivers now advances to the second round where they will face the six seed Shelton State tonight at 7:45 pm.
LADY RAIDERS KICK OFF NJCAA TOURNAMENT CAMPAIGN TODAY
It will be an early afternoon start for the Lady Raiders today in the NJCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Championship in Casper, Wyoming.
Three Rivers College earned the 11 seed for the tournament and will take on the 22 seed Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at 1:15 pm this afternoon in the opening round of the tournament.
If Three Rivers picks up the win, they will then advance to face the 6 seed Shelton State at 7:45 pm on March 28th.
PUXICO MAN KILLED IN MONDAY MORNING CRASH
A Puxico man has died following a crash Monday morning in Stoddard County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 41 year old Vaden Woolard was driving on Highway J when his vehicle traveled off the roadway, struck a culvert, and overturned.
Woolard, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and later pronounced dead at the scene by Stoddard County Coroner Brent Stidham.
THREE KILLED IN CRASH NEAR NEELYVILLE
Three people were killed in a two vehicle crash Friday evening in Butler County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when a vehicle driven by 36 year old Andrea Brewer, of Ellington, crossed the centerline of US Highway 67 and struck another vehicle head on.
Brewer and the driver of the second vehicle, 61 year old Randall Tittsworth, of Camp Point, Illinois, were pronounced dead at the scene.
