IDENTITY RELEASED OF BODY FOUND IN BUTLER COUNTY OVER THE WEEKEND, TWO IN CUSTODY

The investigation is continuing into a body that was found over the weekend in Butler County.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News, authorities responded to the area of County Road 611 Saturday evening for the discovery of a body.

Dobbs says the case is being investigated as a homicide.

Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells us that the victim has been identified as 32 year old Johnathan Esparza, of Poplar Bluff. Akers added that Esparza's cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.

FIRE CLAIMS THE LIFE OF A JUVENILE IN POPLAR BLUFF

A juvenile was found dead while firefighters were battling a fire Sunday evening in Poplar Bluff.

Chief Mike Moffitt with the Poplar Bluff Fire Department tells KWOC News that his department was notified of a structure fire shortly after 10 pm on Sunday.

While firefighters were working to extinguish the fire, one fatality was discovered in the residence.

ARCHERY DEER AND TURKEY SEASONS BEGIN THIS WEEKEND IN MISSOURI

The Archery portion of both deer and turkey seasons begin this weekend in Missouri and the Missouri Department of Conservation is encouraging hunters to be safe.

The initial archery season will run from September 15th through November 15th for both deer and turkey.

Hunters are reminded that only one antlered deer may be taken before the November Firearms Portion of deer season and only two antlered deer may be taken during the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons combined.

DONIPHAN DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER TO BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED

The state and federal Disaster Recovery Center in Doniphan will be temporarily closed beginning tomorrow.

According to officials at FEMA, the DRC at the Ripley County Caring Community Partnership building, will temporarily close on Saturday at 4 p.m. The center will then reopen at that location from September 16th through the 20th.

DRCs are one-stop shops for disaster survivors who have applied for FEMA assistance and need to provide additional documentation or have questions about the status of their cases.

CLASSES CANCELED AT NORTHEAST ARKANSAS SCHOOL DUE TO LANDMINE THREAT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Classes were not held yesterday at a Northeast Arkansas school due to a threat on social media.

According to a post on the Maynard School District Facebook page from Tuesday night, a threat was made on social media regarding a landmine on the school campus.

School officials say that out of an abundance of caution due to the threat, there would be no school on Wednesday.

ALMOST 16 INCHES OF RAIN RECORDED IN POPLAR BLUFF DURING SUMMER MONTHS

Rainfall totals were above normal this summer in several southeast Missouri communities, including Poplar Bluff.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, the three highest totals of precipitation in Southeast Missouri during the summer season were 18.6 inches in southeastern Wayne County, 15.95 inches in Poplar Bluff, and 15.57 inches in Northern Ripley County.

FIRE DESTROYS BUSINESS IN POPLAR BLUFF

Crews responded to a Poplar Bluff business on Monday for a fire.

According to officials, a structure fire was reported at Croy’s Perfect Press early Monday morning.

Fire crews quickly responded to the scene and found the structure fully involved.

MULES FOOTBALL KICKS OFF REGULAR SEASON TONIGHT AGAINST PARK HILLS

The Poplar Bluff Mules Football team is looking to get the 2024 football season off to a great start tonight against Valley View High School, from Jonesboro, Arkansas.

The Mules will host the Blazers tonight at Poplar Bluff High School, with kickoff set for 7 pm. It will be the first game for each team this season. The teams also met last year with Valley View picking up a 26-14 win in Jonesboro.

The Mules went 5-4 in the regular season last year before falling to Farmington in the Class 5, District 1 Semi-Finals. Valley View finished the 2023 campaign with a 10-2 record, with their season coming to an end in the Arkansas Class 5A State Quarterfinals.

MAN SHOT WEDNESDAY MORNING IN POPLAR BLUFF

A man was shot in the leg early Wednesday morning in Poplar Bluff.

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Mike McClain tells KWOC news that at approximately 1:15 am Wednesday, officers responded to a residence on Mangold Street in reference to a shooting.

At the scene, the homeowner directed them to a male in the backyard of the residence, who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg.

JUVENILE INJURED DURING FIRE IN POPLAR BLUFF

A juvenile was injured on Tuesday during a residence fire in Poplar Bluff.

According to officials, at around 2:30 pm Tuesday, crews were dispatched to 1503 Grand Avenue for a structure fire.

KWOC News has confirmed that a juvenile was flown to a St. Louis hospital following the fire.

The home had significant damage and the Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office has been notified for the investigation.

AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING SHOOTING IN POPLAR BLUFF

Authorities in Poplar Bluff are investigating a shooting report.

Few details have been released, however Poplar Bluff Police Chief Mike McClane has confirmed that an individual suffered a single gunshot wound to the leg and the injury appears to not be life threatening.

The victim was discovered in the 1600 block of Missouri Avenue and transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital.

McClane says that the investigation is open and ongoing.

POPLAR BLUFF CITY CLERK LORI PHELPS APPOINTED INTERIM CITY MANAGER

A new city manager has been appointed for the City of Poplar Bluff.

According to city officials, on Thursday the city council unanimously appointed City Clerk and Treasurer Lori Phelps to be the interim City Manager, effective September 20th.

Phelps began her career with the City of Poplar Bluff in March of 2008 as a secretary to the City Manager and City Clerk. She was then appointed Deputy City Clerk in May of 2012 and was appointed City Clerk and Treasurer in July of 2022.

WELLS RETAINS PRIMARY WIN FOLLOWING RECOUNT

Larry Wells has secured the Republican nomination for Butler County Western District Commissioner.

Butler County Clerk Donna Hill tells KWOC News that a recount was held Thursday for the race after Wells won the primary earlier this month by only two votes over his nearest challenger, Kenny Barker.

The results stayed exactly the same following the recount with Wells winning with 666 votes cast in his favor.

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER OPENS IN DONIPHAN

A joint Disaster Recovery Center is now available in Doniphan.

The center is located in the Ripley County Caring Community Partnership building at 209 West Highway Street. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until further notice.

Homeowners, renters and self-employed business owners in 10 Missouri counties who were impacted by the May 19th through 27th severe storms, tornadoes and flooding can visit any of the three centers in Southeast Missouri for one-on-one help, regardless of where they live. Services at the centers are free.

ARMED STANDOFF ENDS PEACEFULLY AT NORTHEAST ARKANSAS GAS STATION

A confrontation with an armed man ended peacefully Monday at a Northeast Arkansas business.

According to Randolph County Sheriff Kevin Bell, the incident began at around 1:30 am Monday morning. Deputies were called to assist Pocahontas Police with an armed suspect who had allegedly fired one round at a gas station in Pocahontas.

A standoff ensued and officers were eventually able to talk the suspect into surrendering.

AT LEAST 24 MORE SCHOOLS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI TO BEGIN SCHOOL YEAR TODAY

School opening week in Southeast Missouri continues today with at least 24 more schools welcoming back students.

The school year will begin today for kids in the Twin Rivers, Neelyville, Malden, Sikeston, Holcomb, East Carter, and Clearwater school districts, among others.

At least 11 more schools will start on Wednesday, including Doniphan, Dexter, Advance, and Bloomfield.