POPLAR BLUFF TEACHER HONORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

A Poplar Bluff teacher is being recognized for her advocacy in helping students with disabilities transition to life after graduation.

The University of Missouri has named Anita Cates the Pre-Employment Transition Services Teacher of the Year for the Southeast Region.

Cates, who has served as Poplar Bluff High School's individualized education program facilitator for six years, was chosen from over 1,000 eligible special education teachers representing more than 100 secondary schools across the region.

PBHS PRINCIPAL NAMED MoASSP REGIONAL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

The principal of Poplar Bluff High School has been named the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals regional Principal of the Year.

According to school officials, Southeast Region officers surprised Dr. Valerie Ivy with the award alongside the superintendent cabinet and members of the principal’s family during a schoolwide assembly for spring sports in the gymnasium.

Ivy will be recognized again in September during the organization's conference in Columbia.

KWOC’S FRANKIE AND CHANCE CASTEEL HONORED FOR THEIR WORK KEEPING THE AREA SAFE DURING STORMS

KWOC’S own Frankie Casteel has been honored by the state of Missouri for his weather coverage.

Both Frankie, and his son Chance, were presented a resolution Wednesday by Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe and Missouri State Representative Hardy Billington, honoring them for their efforts informing the public during the recent severe weather and tornadoes that affected the area.

Frankie and Chance both were in Jefferson City Wednesday to accept the resolution and talk with the Governor.

MEASLES CASE CONFIRMED IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

State officials have confirmed a case of measles located in Southeast Missouri.

Officials with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services have confirmed that a case of measles has been located in an adult resident of New Madrid County.

Exposure is believed to be limited, and known contacts are being identified and contacted. There is no indication of widespread public exposure.

MAN STRUCK BY A VEHICLE WHILE RIDING LAWN MOWER NEAR POPLAR BLUFF

A man riding a lawn mower was struck by a vehicle over the weekend near Poplar Bluff.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 46 year old man from St. Louis was riding the mower on Highway T shortly after 11 pm Saturday night when he was struck by a vehicle from behind.

The mower then ran off the side of the road and struck a tree.

OVER $164,000 RAISED DURING THE 2025 RIVER RADIO ST. JUDE RADIOTHON

Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas have come together to help the kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The final total for the 2025 River Radio St. Jude Radithon on May 1st and 2nd was $164,589.

The total includes individual donations, collections from businesses and local events and the 246 people who decided to become partners in hope.

FIVE INJURED, ONE SERIOUSLY, IN CRASH ON US HIGHWAY 60

Five people were injured in a two vehicle crash Tuesday morning in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on US Highway 60, seven miles east of Poplar Bluff, when a vehicle struck another vehicle, causing the second vehicle to run off the roadway and overturn.

The driver of the first vehicle, a 40 year old male from Charleston, suffered serious injuries in the crash and was flown to a Cape Girardeau hospital.

NEW MADRID AUTHORITIES SEARCHING FOR MISSING/POSSIBLY ENDANGERED PERSON

Authorities in New Madrid are searching for a missing person who may be endangered.

According to the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office, deputies are assisting the New Madrid Police Department with a missing person investigation involving Caleb Powell, of New Madrid.

Powell is a white male who was last seen wearing a dark-colored t-shirt and dark pants. He was last seen driving a gray Chevrolet Silverado with a Missouri license of 9CF C81.

OFC SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT TO BE BROADCAST ON KWOC FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE PAGES

The Ozark Foothills Conference softball tournament is scheduled to begin today.

The tournament, featuring seven area schools, will begin today on the campus of Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff.

Today’s lineup will include 3 seed Twin Rivers battling 6 seed Puxico at 1:30 pm, followed by 4 seed Doniphan taking on 5 seed East Carter at 3:30 pm, and finishing with a matchup between 2 seed Clearwater and 7 seed Naylor at 5:30 pm.

POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOL DISTRICT AWARDED GRANT FOR SCHOOL BASED THERAPIST

The Poplar Bluff School District school-based therapist will be able to get additional certification thanks to a grant.

According to school officials, the District has been awarded an $8,000 competitive grant to certify its school-based therapist in play therapy, a research-developed intervention designed for young students.

A total of a dozen schools and organizations in rural communities throughout central and southern Missouri recently received a quarter-million dollars through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, in partnership with the Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation.

POPLAR BLUFF MAN TO APPEAR IN COURT TODAY ON CHILD MOLESTATION CHARGES

A Poplar Bluff man is scheduled to appear in court today following his arrest on child molestation charges.

According to a probable cause affidavit, 42 year old Joshua Hensley is accused of having inappropriate contact with a victim who was less than fourteen years of age.

Hensley has been charged with three counts of 1st degree child molestation and a warrant was served for his arrest on Tuesday.

DONIPHAN MAN SENTENCED TO OVER TWO DECADES IN PRISON FOR RECORDING UNDERAGE VICTIM IN BATHROOM

A Doniphan man will spend over two decades in prison for recording an underage victim who was in the bathroom.

52 year old Rayford Evans was convicted of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor after a one-day bench trial in January.

Evidence and testimony showed that Evans used his cell phone to record the victim by holding it up to a window above the bathroom door while the victim was bathing and using the bathroom.

ONE DEAD FOLLOWING CRASH IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

An Arkansas man has died from injuries he received Sunday night in a single vehicle crash in Southeast Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 34 year old man from Blytheville, was driving on Route DD in Pemiscot County when his vehicle ran off the roadway and struck a utility pole.

The man, who was not wearing a safety device, was ejected during the crash and pronounced dead at the scene by the Pemiscot County Coroner.

SPRING TURKEY SEASON BEGINS TODAY IN MISSOURI

The regular spring turkey season is underway in Missouri.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Turkey Season will run through May 11th.

Conservation officials say that two male turkeys or turkeys with visible beards may be taken during the season. Hunters are allowed to take only one turkey during the first week and if you do not take one during the first week, then you may take two turkeys during the second and third week.

CHANCES OF SEVERE WEATHER INCLUDING HEAVY RAIN FOR THIS WEEKEND

Another round of possible severe weather will be entering the area beginning tonight.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, an active weather pattern will return to the area today through Sunday, bringing with it a daily risk of severe thunderstorms.

Large hail and damaging winds will threaten the area all weekend, with Sunday also seeing the risk of tornados increase.

RIPLEY AND BUTLER COUNTY TORNADO ON MARCH 14TH PART OF LONGER TRACT THAT SPANNED OVER 117 MILES

Weather officials say that one of the tornadoes that struck Ripley and Butler Counties on March 14th was the tail end of an EF-4 tornado that stretched over 117 miles.

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado started in western Stone County, Arkansas, before crossing through Izard, Sharp, Randolph, and Ripley Counties, finally ending in western Butler County. It injured four people in total and caused widespread damage to homes and trees.

FIRE DESTROYS BUILDING NEAR DOWNTOWN POPLAR BLUFF

An abandoned commercial building was destroyed by a fire early Tuesday morning in Poplar Bluff.

The fire was located at a building on Bartlett Street between South B Street and South Riverview drive.

Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Mike Moffitt tells KWOC News that crews responded at around 3 am and the fire was advanced when the crews arrived on scene.

A cause for the fire is undetermined and no injuries have been reported.

MID CONTINENT STEEL AND WIRE DONATES SUPPLIES AND FUNDS TO HELP AREA TORNADO VICTIMS

A Poplar Bluff area business is donating supplies and funds to help victims of the recent tornados and severe weather.

Dave Creg with Mid Continent Steel and Wire tells KWOC News that the company is donating two truckloads of supplies, including 360 rolls of various fencing items and 1600 boxes of nails.

Creg added that Mid Continent Steel and Wire employees also contributed to a go fund me account which the company matched, resulting in $10,750 going to tornado victims.

FORMER RIPLEY COUNTY CHIEF DEPUTY ARRESTED FOR STEALING FIREARMS

A former Ripley County law enforcement office has been taken into custody and charged with multiple counts of stealing.

On April 3rd, the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Crime Control investigative unit was requested to investigate the alleged possession of stolen property by a former Ripley County Sheriff’s Office employee.

QULIN MAN SENTENCED ON MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES

A Qulin man will be spending two decades behind bars for his part in a fatal motorcycle crash from 2023.

According to Missouri Case Net, Travis Vincent, of Qulin, pleaded guilty in February to two counts of 1st degree involuntary manslaughter as well as single counts of driving while intoxicated resulting in the death of two or more people and operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner involving an accident.