SCHOOL BUS INSPECTION RESULTS RELEASED

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced the results of the Driver and Vehicle Safety Division's 2024 annual school bus inspection program.

As a part of the program, buses found to have no defective items are rated as "approved.” Buses having one or more defective items which do not constitute an immediate danger are rated as "defective.” Buses with any defective items which constitute an immediate danger are rated as "out-of-service.”

In Butler County, Poplar Bluff R-1 had 42 of the district’s 51 buses listed as approved. Seven were listed as defective and two were placed out of service.

NEELYVILLE JUNIOR HIGH STUDENT PLACES SECOND AT NATIONAL JUNIOR BETA CONVENTION

A Neelyville Junior High student has placed second in a national science competition.

Neelyville’s Annabella Anderson came in 2nd place during the National Junior Beta 7th Grade Science Competition.

Anderson qualified for Nationals after placing 3rd at the Missouri State Beta Convention earlier this year.

ONE DEAD FOLLOWING MOTORCYCLE CRASH IN BUTLER COUNTY

One person is dead in connection to a motorcycle crash Monday afternoon in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 77 year old Dwight Sanders, of Poplar Bluff, was driving on Route PP when his vehicle ran off the side of the roadway, overturned and ejected him.

Sanders was pronounced dead at the scene by Butler County Coroner Jim Akers.

MULTI AGENCY RESOURCE CENTERS TO BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEK FOR TORNADO VICTIMS

Events will be held this week to assist families that were affected by the tornados last month.

According to the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, Multi-Agency Resource Centers are being coordinated with volunteer partners, faith-based organizations, and other state and local agencies. MARCs are one-stop shops that pull together recovery resources in communities impacted by disasters.

The event will be held from 10 am to 6 pm today at the Sikeston YMCA.

ONE DEAD, TWO INJURED, IN WAYNE COUNTY CRASH

A Thursday morning crash resulted in the death of one person in Wayne County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 43 year old Brian Garrett, of Bloomfield, was driving on Highway P in the McGee area, when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck another vehicle.

Both Garrett and the driver of the other vehicle, 54 year old Cheryl Sander, of Lowndes, as well as Sander’s passenger, 61 year old Kelly Rogers, also of Lowndes, were transported to a Cape Girardeau hospital with serious injuries.

MULTI AGENCY RESOURCE CENTERS TO BE AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK FOR TORNADO VICTIMS

Events will be held next week to assist families that were affected by the tornados last month.

According to the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, Multi-Agency Resource Centers are being coordinated with volunteer partners, faith-based organizations, and other state and local agencies. MARCs are one-stop shops that pull together recovery resources in communities impacted by disasters.

The events will be held from 1 to 7 pm on June 9th and from 10 am to 6 pm on June 10th at the Sikeston YMCA.

TEENAGER FLOWN TO ST. LOUIS HOSPITAL FOLLOWING FOUR WHEELER WRECK IN BUTLER COUNTY

Two teenagers were badly injured in a four wheeler crash Tuesday afternoon in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, two 16 year old Qulin residents were riding the four wheeler on County Road 661 in the Broseley area when the vehicle traveled off the side of the roadway and struck a tree.

One of the teens was ejected during the crash.

MOTORCYCLE INVOLVED IN WAYNE COUNTY CRASH, TWO PEOPLE SERIOUSLY INJURED

Two people were seriously injured in a crash involving a motorcycle over the weekend in Wayne County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at around 4 pm Sunday when a motorcycle, driven by 58 year old Joseph Murgo, of Williamsville, crossed the center of Highway 49 and struck an oncoming vehicle head on.

Both Murgo, and a passenger on his motorcycle, 41 year old Lisa Stetson, of Poplar Bluff, were flown to a St. Louis hospital with serious injuries.

JOINT DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS SOUGHT IN CONNECTION TO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STORMS

Missouri Acting and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency participate in joint preliminary damage assessments in multiple Missouri counties following severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes that occurred from May 19th through the 27th.

Southeast Missouri Counties that are a part of the request include Butler, Carter, New Madrid, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, and Stoddard Counties.

TRAIN STRIKES PEDESTRIAN IN STODDARD COUNTY, ONE DEAD

One person was struck and killed by a train Thursday in Stoddard County.

According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, dispatch received a call about the incident from Union Pacific Railroad at around 7 am Thursday.

Officials say that a male was struck and killed by a train in Bell City. The name of the male has not been released.

TORNADO CONFIRMED TO HAVE TOUCHED DOWN IN SIKESTON AREA

A tornado is confirmed to have touched down Sunday in the Sikeston area.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, the EF-3 tornado had peak winds of 140 miles per hour and traveled from east of Morehouse to Diehlstadt.

An EF-2 Tornado was also confirmed in Ripley and Butler County, traveling from the Fourche Creek Conservation Area to the western edge of Poplar Bluff.

LEVEE BREAKS IN BUTLER COUNTY

Crews are monitoring a levee break in Butler County.

Presiding Commissioner Vince Lampe tells KWOC News that the break is located along Black River in an area near Butler County Road 202, south of Highway 53.

Lampe says that it appears that no homes will be affected, however crews will not be able to work to fix the breach until the river levels go down.

CLEAN UP EFFORTS CONTINUE FOLLOWING WEEKEND STORM SYSTEM

Clean up efforts are continuing following a weekend storm system that caused damage across Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there were several reports of possible tornadoes on Sunday, however it will take several days to survey all the damage from the storms.

One storm related fatality was reported in the Sikeston area.

Damage to homes was reported in multiple communities, including Naylor, Harviell, Neelyville, Dexter, and Sikeston. Numerous trees and power poles were also knocked over throughout the area.

THREATS OF SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Severe weather has a chance of putting on a damper over the holiday weekend.

Station Chief Meteorologist Dan Holiday tells us more.

"We have a couple of days that we are watching both today and Sunday for the threat of severe weather, and with all that’s going on for the Memorial Day weekend, we’re really keeping an eye on Sunday, which looks a little bit more on the higher end of severe weather. For today we have a complex of storms ongoing and cloud cover that spills in may limit the severe weather potential but by this afternoon and tonight, we will watch for some storms that are capable of large hail and damaging winds.

MULES GOLF TEAM INVITED TO PLAY IN NATIONAL TOURNAMENT

The Poplar Bluff Mules will be participating in a National Tournament this summer.

The Class 4 State Champion Mules Golf team has been invited to play in the 2024 High School Golf National Invitational.

The 54-hole event showcases 312 of the best High School golfers in the country.

CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE STORMS TODAY

Weather officials are warning of the possibility of severe weather today.

According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service, thunderstorms are forecast for today. If enough

instability can develop severe storms are possible with damaging

winds the main threat along with large hail. Locally heavy rainfall may also cause flash flooding. An isolated tornado is also possible.

11 YEAR OLD BOY KILLED IN ATV CRASH

An 11 year old child was killed in a weekend ATV crash.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the child was driving the ATV on private property in Reynolds County when the vehicle overturned and landed on the driver.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

DATE ANNOUNCED FOR 9TH ANNUAL ST. JUDE VIP BANQUET

The date has been announced for the 9th Annual St. Jude VIP Banquet in Poplar Bluff.

The event, put on annually by Poplar Bluff Heroes, is scheduled for Friday, August 9th at the Black River Coliseum.

Officials say that doors will open at 5 pm for social hour, with dinner beginning at 6:30 pm.

PLANE MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS FIELD

A plane had to make an emergency landing Thursday morning in a Northeast Arkansas field.

According to Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder, deputies responded to the scene of a landing west of Highway 168 North near Highway 412. Preliminary reports indicate that a small passenger plane experienced an engine failure, which forced the landing.

The pilot was the only person onboard, and no injuries were reported.

POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION SET FOR TONIGHT

The Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2024 will be receiving their diplomas today.

The PBHS Graduation Ceremony will be held tonight beginning at 7 pm at the Black River Coliseum. Doors will open at 6 pm and only people with tickets will be admitted.

Officials say that no admittance will be permitted after 7 pm.