ALMOST 700 JOBS TO BE LOST WITH CLOSURE OF NORTHEAST ARKANSAS PLANT

Almost 700 people will be impacted with the closure of a Northeast Arkansas plant.

Allison Hestand with the Paragould Chamber of Commerce has confirmed to KWOC News that they received notice Tuesday that the Tenneco Plant in Paragould would be closing and that 687 individuals would ultimately be affected.

Hestand says that a Greene County Employers Job Fair has been scheduled for 1 to 4 pm on March 11th at the Paragould Community Center to assist in job relocation efforts for these employees.

MAN DUE IN COURT IN CONNECTION TO ALLEGED STABBING

A Harviell man is scheduled to be in court on Thursday in connection to a stabbing incident from over the weekend.

According to Missouri Case Net, 38 year old Joshua Scowden has been charged with assault 1st degree, domestic assault 1st degree, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Scowden is accused of stabbing a victim several times following a verbal confrontation on Saturday. The victim was flown to an area hospital for treatment of the injuries.

TRAIN STRIKES CAR IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS, ONE PERSON DEAD

One man is dead after a train struck a vehicle Sunday afternoon in Northeast Arkansas.

According to the Arkansas State Police, 82 year old David Smith, of Paragould, was driving on Greene County Road 434 when he failed to yield to an oncoming train and was struck on the passenger side of his vehicle.

Officials say that Smith was killed in the collision, which occurred near the county road’s intersection with US Highway 49.

KENNETT MAN SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN COURT THIS WEEK ON CHILD MOLESTATION CHARGES

An area man is scheduled to appear in court this week on multiple child molestation charges.

According to authorities, 41 year old Ryan Cuff, of Kennett, was arrested earlier this month on several charges, including two counts of child molestation - 1st degree, along with single counts of statutory sodomy and furnishing pornographic material to a minor.

Cuff was arrested by the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Department and held on a $150,000 cash only bond.

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING

A winter storm warning will continue for most of our listening area through this evening.

According to the National Weather Service, at least an inch or two of snow has fallen over a majority of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas this morning.

SNOW LIKELY TO START LATE TONIGHT, REGION COULD SEE UP TO FIVE INCHES

An early January snowfall is expected to blanket the region late tonight.

According to the National Weather Service, accumulating snowfall is likely across the entire region with impacts to travel expected. Snowfall totals could range from one to five inches, with higher totals expected in our southern regions.

The snow is forecast to start sometime between midnight and 6 am tomorrow morning. A winter storm warning will be in effect for most of the region beginning at midnight tonight.

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.