RICHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ONE OF EIGHT IN MISSOURI NAMED AS NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS

An elementary school in Southeast Missouri was one of eight schools across the state to be named as a National Blue Ribbon School.

According to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Richland Elementary School was chosen for the program, which recognizes schools that perform at high academic levels or that perform at high levels while serving a significant proportion of disadvantaged students.

Richland previously received the National Blue Ribbon in 2018.

BUTLER COUNTY FAIR BEGINS THURSDAY IN POPLAR BLUFF

The Butler County Fair is kicking off this week in Poplar Bluff.

The three day fair is set for Thursday through Saturday at the Black River Coliseum and Poplar Bluff Motorsports Park.

Multiple events are scheduled for the fair this year, including the Beauty Pageant and the Tractor and Truck Pull.

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS IN DONIPHAN AND SIKESTON TO CLOSE TODAY

The Joint Disaster Recovery Centers in Doniphan and Sikeston are set to close today.

According to FEMA officials, the centers will be open through 6 pm.

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 either of the centers in Southeast Missouri for one-on-one help, regardless of where they live. Services at the centers are free.

TWO DETAINED IN CONNECTION TO THREATS AT AREA SCHOOLS, INCLUDING POPLAR BLUFF

Two people have been detained in connection to the recent threats at area schools.

Sierra Elliott, Chief Juvenile Officer of the 36th Judicial Circuit, tells KWOC News that the Juvenile Office is actively collaborating with local schools and law enforcement to address recent social media threats impacting area school districts.

Over the past week, schools and law enforcement have been conducting ongoing investigations across multiple school districts.

ROCKY’S FAN FEST SET FOR THIS WEEKEND AT TRC IN POPLAR BLUFF

Fans of Three Rivers College Athletics will have a fun event this weekend to get ready for the upcoming season.

Rocky’s Fan Fest has been scheduled for 2 to 5 pm on Sunday, September 22 at the Libla Family Sports Complex.

There will be free food and activities, including photos with Rocky Raider, bounce houses, face painting, "steer" roping, and more.

STODDARD COUNTY FAIR BEGINS TODAY

The 97th Stoddard County Fair kicks off tonight in Dexter.

The fair will begin with the parade in downtown Dexter this evening at 5:30 pm.

There will be multiple nights of entertainment and events through Saturday including performances by The Assembly Youth Workshop and Saturn Cowboys along with exhibitions by the Robinson Chainsaw Carvers and Magic Mike the Magician.

ASHTON MAYS ELECTED 2024 HOMECOMING QUEEN FOR POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL

A little bit of rain couldn’t stop the coronation of a new Poplar Bluff Homecoming Queen.

Ashton Mays was announced as the 2024 Poplar Bluff Homecoming Queen Friday night before the Mules football team took the field to challenge the Farmington Knights.

Ashton has been a committed member of the Volleyball team throughout all four years at Poplar Bluff, playing on varsity her sophomore, junior, and senior years.

She participated in Student Council her freshman year and has stayed an active member of Mule Barn and BETA all four years. Her sophomore year she was awarded Academic All-State.

HOMECOMING IS TONIGHT FOR POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL

Homecoming is tonight in Poplar Bluff.

The Mules will welcome the Farmington Knights for the annual homecoming football game at Poplar Bluff High School, with kickoff scheduled for 7 pm.

Before the game, the homecoming court will be presented and the homecoming queen will be crowned.

OVER 80 YEAR OLD STEAM TRAIN TO BE MAKING STOP IN POPLAR BLUFF TONIGHT

An over 80 year old Union Pacific steam train will be making a stop tonight in Poplar Bluff.

The train, named Big Boy Number 4014, will be arriving in Poplar Bluff tonight and departing at 9 am on Friday morning.

Residents will have the opportunity to view the train tonight from 5 to 7 pm at the Poplar Bluff Historic Train Depot.

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.