FEMA HOUSING INSPECTORS CONTACTING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES WHO APPLIED FOR ASSISTANCE FOLLOWING MID MARCH STORMS

FEMA damage inspectors will be in contact with Southeast Missouri residents who were affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and wildfires that occurred on March 14th and 15th.

Those who sustained disaster-related damage in 18 counties, including Butler, Carter, Ripley, and Wayne, may be eligible for assistance by registering with FEMA.

Following registration, FEMA usually schedules an inspection within 7 to 10 days. Housing inspections are triggered when someone registers with FEMA for disaster assistance and indicates their residence was damaged and/or they lost personal property because of the disaster, and their losses or needs are not covered by insurance.

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STUDENT ELIMINATED IN THIRD ROUND OF SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE

A southeast Missouri student tied for 100th place at the Scipps National Spelling Bee.

14 year old Scott Tingle from Senath-Hornersville Middle School was eliminated in the third round of the competition.

In the preliminaries on Tuesday, Tingle correctly spelled the word “Katana” in round One. Tingle advanced past round two after correctly answering the question “What does it mean to Trounce?”

FORMER NEW MADRID COUNTY SHERIFF BUD COOPER PASSES AWAY

The former Sheriff of New Madrid County has passed away.

New Madrid County Sheriff Joey Higgerson has announced that W.T. Bud Cooper passed away over the weekend.

Cooper served as Sheriff from August of 2020 until his retirement last June.

In addition to his work as Sheriff, Cooper was also a retired Master Sergeant for the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION APPROVED FOR THE STATE OF MISSOURI

The federal government has approved a federal disaster declaration for numerous Missouri counties that were affected by a storm system that swept over the area earlier this year.

According to Congressman Jason Smith, President Trump has authorized the declaration that was requested by Governor Mike Kehoe to assist in cleaning up after the storms that impacted Missouri on March 14th and 15th, as well as from March 30th through April 8th.

The first storm system resulted in multiple deaths, including one in Poplar Bluff, as well as heavy property damage across Southeast Missouri.

CEREMONY FOR FALLEN SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN TO BE HELD AT VETERANS MEMORIAL WALL

A special program will be held on Memorial Day in Poplar Bluff.

According to Larry Kimbrow, the 2025 Memorial Day Ceremony is scheduled for 11 am on Monday at the Butler County Veterans Memorial Wall in front of the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff.

The event is free and open to the public. The ceremony will pay tribute to the nation's servicemen and women who have fallen in service to their country.

MAN FLOWN TO ST. LOUIS HOSPITAL AFTER HITTING DEER ON BUTLER COUNTY ROADWAY

A man was flown to a regional hospital Wednesday morning after hitting an animal in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 61 year old man, from Poplar Bluff, was driving on Highway O in northern Butler County when he struck a deer on the roadway.

The man suffered moderate injuries in the crash and was flown to a St. Louis hospital.

DANNY WHITELEY RETURNS AS POPLAR BLUFF POLICE CHIEF

A familiar face will be taking the reins at the Poplar Bluff Police Department.

Poplar Bluff City Manager Robert Knodell has confirmed with KWOC News that Danny Whiteley will be rejoining the department as the new Poplar Bluff Police Chief.

Whiteley retired from the position in 2022 ending an over two decade tenure at the seat. His successor, Mike McClain, announced his own retirement in March.

Knodell says that the search took longer than initially expected because of the tornado. Knodell added that acting Chief JR Keirsey did an amazing job leading the Department through challenging times, and will remain a key leader in the PBPD command staff.

SEVERE WEATHER CHANCES CONTINUE TODAY ACROSS SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Chances of severe weather will continue today throughout Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, the region will be under a slight to enhanced risk of severe storms through this evening.

Chances of severe weather will be greater for the more eastern portion of our listening area.

STORM SYSTEM WHICH INCLUDED EF-3 TORNADO CAUSES TWO DEATHS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Two people died Friday evening in Southeast Missouri during a storm system that crossed the area bringing with it winds of over 150 miles per hour.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a preliminary survey found that an EF-3 tornado tracked along a 16 mile path in eastern Stoddard and Scott Counties.

The tornado had peak winds of 152 miles per hour.

CHANCES OF SEVERE WEATHER RETURN TO THE AREA TODAY

We are once again looking at chances of severe weather today in Southeast Missouri.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a risk for severe thunderstorms exists this afternoon into this evening.

Supercells with a large hail and tornado risk may then form into a large complex of storms with a significant damaging wind threat.

POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION SET FOR TONIGHT

The Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2025 will be receiving their diplomas tonight.

The PBHS Graduation Ceremony will be held tonight beginning at 7 pm at the Black River Coliseum. Doors will open at 6 pm and only people with tickets will be admitted.

Officials say that no admittance will be permitted after 7 pm.

FORMER MISSOURI GOVERNOR AND UNITED STATES SENATOR CHRISTOPHER “KIT” BOND PASSES AWAY AT THE AGE OF 86

A former Missouri Governor and United States Senator has passed away.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has announced that Christopher “Kit” Bond died Tuesday in St. Louis at the age of 86.

Bond served as Missouri Governor for two terms, from 1973 to 1977 and then from 1981 to 1985.

JUVENILE TRANSPORTED TO AREA HOSPITAL AFTER ACCIDENTALLY SHOOTING HIMSELF IN THE FOOT

A juvenile was injured in an accidental shooting over the weekend.

According to the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, on Saturday deputies responded to an area residence for a report of an accidental shooting.

A juvenile male had reportedly shot himself in the foot while handling a pistol which he thought was inoperable.

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.