HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR EARLY THIS WEEK
A Heat Advisory is in effect for the early part of this week.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, the advisory is for most of Southeast Missouri through Tuesday night.
Hot temperatures and high humidity will cause heat index values to rise to approximately 100 to 110 degrees.
NEW ANNUAL REGISTRATION PROCESS ANNOUNCED FOR POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOLS
It is now easier for parents in Poplar Bluff to complete their children’s annual registration for Poplar Bluff Schools.
School officials have announced that most of the back-to-school verification paperwork can now be completed online through the new Campus Parent Portal.
All existing Poplar Bluff School District families must complete the Annual Verification process each year to ensure that school records are up to date.
POPLAR BLUFF BUS DRIVER NAMED MOAPT DRIVER OF THE YEAR
A Poplar Bluff school bus driver has been named the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation Driver of the Year.
Jason Davis was recently given the award during the MOAPT 59th Annual Conference and Trade Show.
Davis has been a bus driver since 2017 and is also a certified trainer and bus inspector, on top of running daily routes for the High School and Kindergarten Center.
RESIDENTS URGED TO BE CAUTIOUS OF SUSPICIOUS EMAILS FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL SOURCES
Area residents are being urged to be cautious about suspicious emails from what appears to be local government officials.
Lieutenant Josh Stewart with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC News that the emails started going out this week saying that they contain statements from Butler County or the City of Poplar Bluff or similar nomenclature.
If you receive an email like this and are not expecting it, do not open any attachments or click on any links in the email. It could contain malware or other malicious software that could affect your computer.
REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM BERYL CAUSING FLOODING CHANCES IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
The remnants of Tropical System Beryl are crossing Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas today, increasing the risk of flooding throughout the area.
According to the National Weather Service, tropical downpours will lead to multiple inches of rain possibly falling across the area this week, with totals potentially getting up to as high as six inches in parts of Wayne, Carter, Ripley, and Butler Counties.
The storm system is also bringing with it chances of severe thunderstorms, heavy winds, and possible tornadoes this afternoon and evening.
ANNUAL DEXTER GRILLE IT UP SET FOR THIS WEEKEND
Multiple attractions are scheduled for the 8th Annual Dexter Grille It Up this weekend.
The two day event will begin at 5 pm on July 12th and at 8 am on July 13th at East Park in Dexter.
There will be a car show, mud volleyball tournament, cornhole tournament, and cook off contest, along with numerous vendors and live music, among other attractions.
For more information, visit the Dexter Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
HEAT INDICES EXPECTED TO GET WELL ABOVE 100 DEGREES TODAY
Hot weather will be covering the area today and area residents are encouraged to take precautions.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, heat index values are expected to reach 105 to 110 degrees today, depending on the timing of possible thunderstorms. A heat advisory or excessive heat warning will also be in effect today for some areas.
Most of Southeast Missouri has a slight risk of severe weather, including isolated to scattered thunderstorms today into tonight.
RIVER RADIO BLOOD DRIVE SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK
Reservations are now being accepted for the next River Radio Blood Drive in Poplar Bluff.
The Blood Drive has been scheduled for noon to 5 pm on Friday, July 5th, at Larry Hillis Dodge on North Westwood Boulevard.
Anyone wanting to donate can call 1-800 Red Cross or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the code CARDS to schedule an appointment.
MULES GOLF TEAM TO PLAY IN NATIONAL TOURNAMENT THIS WEEK
The Poplar Bluff Mules will be participating in a National Tournament this week.
The Class 4 State Champion Mules Golf team is playing in the 2024 High School Golf National Invitational.
The 54-hole event showcases 312 of the best High School golfers in the country.
Poplar Bluff Athletics Director Kent Keith tells KWOC News that the tournament will be held today through Wednesday at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort in Frisco, Texas.
LONGTIME RIVER RADIO GENERAL MANAGER JOHN RICE RETIRES
Friday will be the final day at work for a fixture in the Poplar Bluff community.
River Radio General Manager John Rice is retiring after over 30 years with the company. Rice started as a marketing consultant in 1991, before being promoted to sales manager and eventually General Manager.
Rice has helped entertain and inform Poplar Bluff and the surrounding communities through good times, bad times, natural disasters and more, he has been here for it all.
POPLAR BLUFF FIRE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS WATER RESCUE
The Poplar Bluff Fire Department conducted a water rescue Wednesday morning.
The rescue was needed due to the high water on Ida Street and multiple people and pets were able to be evacuated.
Officials say that Poplar Bluff received 4.14 inches of rainfall Wednesday, which broke the city record for the most rainfall in a single day in June.
ABSENTEE VOTING OPENS FOR UPCOMING PRIMARY ELECTION
The Missouri Primary Election is underway.
Absentee voting began Tuesday for the Missouri Primary, which is scheduled for August 6th.
An absentee ballot can be requested from your local election authority. There are a number of reasons someone can request an absentee ballot, including incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability or if you expect to be absent on Election Day.
HEAT ADVISORY TO BE IN EFFECT BEGINNING AT NOON TODAY
A Heat Advisory will go into effect beginning this afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, the advisory is for all of Southeast Missouri from noon through 8 pm tonight.
Hot temperatures and high humidity will cause heat index values to rise to around 105 degrees.
THIS WEEK IS LIGHTNING SAFETY WEEK
This week is Lightning Safety Awareness week and weather officials are wanting residents to be prepared.
According to the National Weather Service, National Lightning Safety Awareness Week started in 2001 in order to call attention to lightning being an underrated killer. Since then, U.S. lightning fatalities have dropped from about 55 per year to less than 30.
During a thunderstorm or lightning storm, go to a basement if available. If not, go to the lowest level of the building and move to a small interior room or hallway. Stay away from doors and windows.
APPLICATION PERIOD FOR MANAGED DEER HUNTS BEGINS IN JULY
The application period for managed deer hunts in Missouri will begin next month.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, beginning July 1st, deer hunters can apply online through the MDC website for a shot at more than 150 managed deer hunts throughout the state this fall and winter.
The deer hunts will be for archery, muzzleloading, shotgun, and modern firearms from mid-September through mid-January. Some of the hunts will be held specifically for youth or for people with disabilities.
CHARLES HARRIS TO TAKE OVER ROLE OF PBPD PATROL COMMANDER FOLLOWING RETIREMENT OF DAVID SUTTON
A new patrol commander is coming to the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
Poplar Bluff Police Chief Mike McClain announced Wednesday morning that Charles Harris has been promoted to Captain and will be assuming the role of Patrol Commander.
Harris is a 21 year veteran of the Poplar Bluff Police Department and is succeeding Captain David Sutton, who is retiring next month after an almost three decade tenure with the PBPD.
POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL GOLF TEAM RECOGNIZED BY CITY COUNCIL
The Poplar Bluff High School Golf team was recently recognized by the Poplar Bluff City Council.
Mayor Shane Cornman read a proclamation honoring the golf team for their SEMO Conference Championship, District Championship, State Championship and invitation to play in the PGA High School Golf National Invitational this summer.
The proclamation was read during the City Council meeting on Monday.
GATEWOOD MAN FLOWN FROM THE SCENE OF A CRASH NEAR POPLAR BLUFF
A Gatewood man was flown from the scene of a weekend crash near Poplar Bluff.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 64 year old Carmen Yarbrough was driving on US 160 in Butler County when his vehicle began skidding and overturned.
The crash occurred shortly after 2 am Sunday morning.
ONE DEAD FOLLOWING CROP DUSTER CRASH IN BUTLER COUNTY
A pilot is dead following a plane crash Friday in Butler County.
A crop duster crashed Friday morning in the Broseley area near County Roads 648 and 653, north of Route CC.
Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC news that the pilot, 28 year old Ryan McCallister, of Broseley, has died and an autopsy is scheduled for this morning in Farmington.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN KILLED IN SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH
A Poplar Bluff man has died following a single vehicle crash Wednesday evening in Wayne County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 72 year old Larry Randl was driving on US Highway 67, south of Greenville, when his vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway, struck multiple trees, and overturned.
Randl was pronounced dead at the scene by Wayne County Coroner Mark Smith.
