ROAD DIET PLAN IN POPLAR BLUFF CHANGED TO ONLY BE EAST OF THE BLACK RIVER

A proposed change to a major road in Poplar Bluff has been scaled back.

KWOC News spoke with MoDOT Southeast District Project Manager Curt Woolsey who told us that the proposed “Road Diet” for Business 60/Pine Street will now only include the area east of the Black River.

The original plan would have reconfigured Business 60 in Poplar Bluff from an undivided 4 lane to a 3 lane with one eastbound lane, a center turn lane and one westbound lane from 10th Street to Route B.

WARMING CENTERS OPEN IN BUTLER COUNTY TO PROVIDE SHELTER FROM THE COLD

An arctic chill is crossing our area this week dropping temperatures below freezing and wind chills into the single digits.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, an extended period of sub-freezing conditions is expected through at least Thursday. The most impactful conditions are expected Tuesday night, when wind chill values will be in the single digits for many in our listening area.

In Butler County, the Bread Shed will be acting as an overnight warming center from 7 pm to 7 am this week when the temperatures get below 20 degrees.

MOTORISTS ASKED TO WATCH OUT FOR ICY AND SLICK ROAD CONDITIONS THIS MORNING

A winter storm crossed the region yesterday and motorists, especially in our northern areas, are asked to be extra careful on the roads this morning.

Snow and icy conditions will be possible on many area roadways.

Motorists should consider delaying travel if possible. If you do have to get on the road this morning, slow down and give yourself plenty of extra time to reach your destination.

FIRST WINTER STORM OF 2025 POSSIBLE THIS WEEKEND

Southeast Missouri is bracing for our first look at winter weather this year during the upcoming weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm with mixed precipitation types is likely late Saturday night into early Monday morning.

Senior Forecaster Keith Cooley with the National Weather Service tells us more.

“The wintry mix will include freezing rain, sleet, and snow, while some locations may end up seeing most of the precipitation fall as rain. The best chance of that happening will be closer to the Tennessee border in western Kentucky and the Arkansas border in Southeast Missouri.

BUTLER COUNTY SCRATCHERS PLAYER WINS $50,000

A scratchers player in Poplar Bluff won a grand prize of a ticket, although she didn’t initially realize it.

According to the Missouri Lottery, the woman purchased a “Crossword Plus” scratchers ticket at a business on Highway 53 and after scratching it, she returned to the store to have the clerk scan it.

The clerk returned the ticket to her and said that they couldn’t cash it. That’s when the woman said she realized that she had won $50,000.

Officials with the Missouri Lottery say that players in Butler County won more than 8.1 million dollars in prizes during the 2024 fiscal year.

OFFICIALS ENCOURAGING MOTORISTS TO BE SAFE WHILE CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR

The New Year is almost here and officials are reminding everyone who is planning to get out and celebrate tonight to drive safely.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, during the 2024 New Year’s counting period, nine people were killed and 293 were injured in 821 traffic crashes in Missouri.

If you are driving to a New Year’s gathering, remember to buckle up and obey all traffic laws. If your plans include alcohol, remember to designate a sober driver or take a ride service to get home safely.

DONIPHAN WINS 4TH STRAIGHT LADY ROYALS CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

The Doniphan girls’ basketball team has continued their Christmas dynasty in Southeast Missouri.

The Donettes defeated Portageville 60-33 Saturday night to win the 27th Annual Lady Royals Christmas Classic. This is the fourth straight Christmas Classic Championship for Doniphan.

Also at the Christmas Classic on Saturday, Neelyville beat Poplar Bluff in the 3rd place game, Twin Rivers defeated Kennett in the 5th place game, and Malden was victorious over Holcomb for the consolation bracket championship.

LADY ROYALS CHRISTMAS CLASSIC RESUMES TODAY

The Lady Royals Christmas Classic in Broseley will resume today with the semi-finals.

Five seed Poplar Bluff will take on top seed Doniphan in the first semifinal this evening at 6 pm. The second semi-final between Neelyville and Portageville will tip off at 7:30 pm.

The fifth place bracket semifinals will begin at 3 pm with Kennett facing East Carter, followed by Dexter taking on Twin Rivers at 4:30 pm.

37TH ANNUAL POPLAR BLUFF SHOWDOWN TIPS OFF TODAY

The 37th Annual Poplar Bluff Showdown will tip off this afternoon at Poplar Bluff High School.

The first round will see McCracken County take on Izard County at 4 pm, followed by Vashon vs. Trinity Christian at 5:30 pm, Poplar Bluff against Urbana at 7 pm, and the day will finish with Maumelle vs. Staley at 8:30 pm.

Poplar Bluff Athletics Director Kent Keith tells KWOC News that tickets are on sale for eight dollars per day.

LADY ROYALS CHRISTMAS CLASSIC TO BEGIN ON SATURDAY

14 women’s basketball teams will be descending on Broseley starting this weekend for the Annual Lady Royals Christmas Classic.

The tournament is scheduled to run from December 21st through the 28th at Twin Rivers High School and will feature numerous area schools.

There are six first round matchups set for Saturday including Portageville taking on Naylor to start the tournament at noon, Poplar Bluff facing Holcomb at 2:30 pm, and host Twin Rivers battling Malden at 3:45 pm.

Today’s Talk KWOC will be live streaming video coverage of every game from the tournament on the KWOC Facebook Page and the River Radio PB Youtube page.

FOUR PEOPLE KILLED IN TWO VEHICLE CRASH

Four people were killed in a crash Tuesday afternoon in Southeast Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred shortly after 4:30 pm Tuesday on Route U near New Madrid, when a 41 year old driver lost control of his vehicle, crossed the centerline, and struck another vehicle.

The driver of the first vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, as were two young passengers in his vehicle. The 17 year old driver of the second vehicle was also killed in the crash.

PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY A VEHICLE NEAR POPLAR BLUFF

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle Monday night in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the man was hit on the east outer road, two miles north of Poplar Bluff, at around 8:20 pm.

The pedestrian, a 54 year old man from Poplar Bluff, was transported to an area hospital with moderate injuries.

ROBERT KNODELL APPOINTED AS POPLAR BLUFF CITY MANAGER

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

Robert Knodell was appointed to the position Monday night by a unanimous vote of the Poplar Bluff City Council.

Knodell will take over for City Clerk and Treasurer Lori Phelps, who has served as interim city manager following the resignation of Matt Winters, who announced his resignation in August to take the City Administrator position in Jackson.

LADY ROYALS CHRISTMAS CLASSIC TO BEGIN ON SATURDAY

14 women’s basketball teams will be descending on Broseley starting this weekend for the Annual Lady Royals Christmas Classic. 

The tournament is scheduled to run from December 21st through the 28th at Twin Rivers High School and will feature numerous area schools.

There are six first round matchups set for Saturday including Portageville taking on Naylor to start the tournament at noon, Poplar Bluff facing Holcomb at 2:30 pm, and host Twin Rivers battling Malden at 3:45 pm.

POPLAR BLUFF FAMILY TO BE INDUCTED INTO MISSOURI SPORTS HALL OF FAME

A Poplar Bluff family will be honored early next year.

According to Poplar Bluff Athletics Director Kent Keith, the Godwin Golf Family will be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on February 2nd.

Buddy Godwin won more than 100 amateur tournaments and was also an eight-time winner of the Ozark Open. He also won the Missouri Amateur in 1973 and later competed in several PGA Senior Tour events.

BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL GAME OFFICIATED BY ALL FEMALE REFEREE CREW FOR FIRST TIME IN MISSOURI HISTORY

Three area women made Missouri history Tuesday night.

Tierra Johnson, Laura Hagood, and Stefanie Tinsley became the 1st all female officiating crew to oversee a boys varsity basketball game in the state of Missouri when they officiated the matchup between Scott County Central and Zalma.

Johnson played at Three Rivers College and Southeast Missouri State University, Hagood played for TRC and was two time All-Region before going on to play at Murray State, and Tinsley was a stand out player at TRC.

WOMAN FLOWN TO ST. LOUIS HOSPITAL FOLLOWING CRASH NEAR POPLAR BLUFF

A Bloomfield woman was flown from the scene of a crash Monday afternoon in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred shortly before 5 pm on US Highway 67, two miles north of Poplar Bluff, when a vehicle pulled into the path of another vehicle.

The driver of the second vehicle, a 78 year old woman from Bloomfield, was flown to a St. Louis hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the first vehicle received moderate injuries and was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital.

ESSEX MAN ARRESTED ON SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY WARRANT

An Essex man is in custody after his arrest on a sexual misconduct and child pornography warrant.

According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 21 year old Damon Austin was recently arrested on a two count warrant for sexual misconduct involving a child under 15 and possession of child pornography.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Austin was having inappropriate contact with a juvenile over text messages.

He was held in the Stoddard County Jail on a $20,000, cash only, bond.

NUMEROUS FLOATS LIGHT UP POPLAR BLUFF DURING THE RIVER RADIO LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE

Numerous spectators and over one hundred vehicles lit up downtown Poplar Bluff this past weekend.

Everyone was out Friday night for the latest edition of the River Radio Lighted Christmas Parade. In addition to the parade, spectators also took in the lighting of the Downtown Poplar Bluff Community Christmas Tree in front of the Black River Coliseum.

If you could not attend this year’s parade, we have the full video of the festivities, including the Community Christmas Tree lighting, available on the River Radio Youtube page.

RIVER RADIO LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE IS TONIGHT

Christmas lights will be shining bright tonight in Downtown Poplar Bluff.

The 2024 River Radio Lighted Christmas Parade is scheduled to begin at 6 pm with line up starting at 4:30 pm at the Sky High Fun Zone parking lot.

The parade route this year will run from Highway 53 at McDonalds, north along Ditch Road into Downtown Poplar Bluff, then east on Vine Street, before circling back on Main Street.