FEMA DEADLINE APPROACHING TO APPLY FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE FROM MARCH STORMS

Homeowners in several Southeast Missouri counties are running out of time to apply for assistance from FEMA for damage they received in the storms this past March.

According to FEMA officials, homeowners and renters who were affected by the March 14th and 15th disaster in 18 counties, including Butler, Carter, Ripley, and Wayne, may be eligible.

The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance from that storm system is July 22nd.

RIVER RADIO BLOOD DRIVE SCHEDULED FOR TODAY

Give the gift of life today at the River Radio Blood Drive in Poplar Bluff.

The Blood Drive has been scheduled for noon to 5 pm at Larry Hillis Dodge on North Westwood Boulevard.

Anyone wanting to donate can call 1-800 Red Cross or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the code RiverRadio to schedule an appointment.

SEVEN PEOPLE INJURED, INCLUDING SIX CHILDREN, IN POPLAR BLUFF AREA CRASH

Seven people were injured, including multiple children, in connection to a two vehicle crash Wednesday morning in the Poplar Bluff area.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at around 8 am when a Chevrolet Equinox struck a stationary vehicle on Marble Hill Road, north of White Oak Drive.

The driver of the Equinox, identified as a 46 year old Poplar Bluff man, along with six children, ages 4 to 9, all suffered serious injuries in the crash and were taken by ambulance to a Poplar Bluff hospital.

PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY A VEHICLE EARLY TUESDAY MORNING IN POPLAR BLUFF

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle early Tuesday in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 29 year old man, from Poplar Bluff, was walking in the roadway in the area of Westwood Boulevard and West Pine Street when he was hit by the vehicle.

The incident occurred at around 5:20 am Tuesday morning.

PUXICO WOMAN INJURED IN EARLY MORNING SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH

A Puxico woman was injured early Monday morning in a single vehicle crash.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 48 year old woman was driving on Missouri Highway 51, shortly after midnight Monday morning, when her vehicle ran off the side of the roadway and struck a tree.

The woman suffered serious injuries in the crash and was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital.

RIVER RADIO BLOOD DRIVE SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK

Reservations are now being accepted for the next River Radio Blood Drive in Poplar Bluff.

The Blood Drive has been scheduled for noon to 5 pm on Friday at Larry Hillis Dodge on North Westwood Boulevard.

Anyone wanting to donate can call 1-800 Red Cross or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the code RiverRadio to schedule an appointment.

HIGHWAY PATROL PREPARING FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY TRAFFIC

With the Fourth of July coming up, troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol are preparing for an increase in travelers on Missouri’s roadways.

Officials tell KWOC News that the Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. over the July Fourth holiday weekend. All available troopers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways enforcing Missouri’s traffic laws in addition to being available to assist motorists.

During the 2024 counting period, 14 people were killed and 560 injured in Missouri in 1,366 traffic crashes. Troopers also arrested 149 people for driving while intoxicated.

ONE DEAD FOLLOWING CAR FIRE IN SOUTHERN WAYNE COUNTY

Emergency crews responded to the scene of a fatal car fire Tuesday in Southern Wayne County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a vehicle travelled off the right side of Northbound US Highway 67, nine miles south of Greenville.

The vehicle then struck a ditch, overturned, and caught fire.

POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOL OFFICIALS RELEASE BACK TO SCHOOL CHECKLIST FOR AREA PARENTS

July has started which means kids will be returning to school before you know it.

To help parents get ready for when the school year starts, Poplar Bluff School officials have released a new “Back to School Checklist.”

Officials say the checklist provides a step-by-step guide to help parents navigate all the essential tasks for a successful start to the new school year.

NEW SERVICE ALLOWS USERS TO RECEIVE KWOC NEWS AND WEATHER ALERTS VIA TEXT

A new service is available for users in the Poplar Bluff area to receive breaking news and weather alerts via their phone.

Today’s Talk KWOC is providing the service via your text message service.

To sign up to receive breaking news and weather alerts for Poplar Bluff and the surrounding area, text the word News to 573-785-3838.

EVENT TO BE HELD IN BUTLER COUNTY TO COMMEMORATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF AN UNSOLVED MURDER

A special event has been scheduled for today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of an unsolved homicide case in Butler County.

18 year old Geneva Hastings was last seen leaving a party at Wolf Creek on June 27, 1975. Her body was discovered a few days later.

NEW MADRID COUNTY DEATH INVESTIGATION LEADS TO MAN’S ARREST ON MURDER CHARGE

Updating a story we have been following for you this week, a New Madrid County death investigation has led to the arrest of a Portageville man on a 1st degree murder charge.

According to the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office, early Sunday morning, officers with the Portageville Police Department responded to the intersection of 5th Street and Warren Avenue for a subject lying in the roadway.

When the first officer arrived on scene he found an unresponsive male with multiple gunshot wounds, later identified as David Chamberlain, of Portageville. Chamberlain was pronounced dead at the scene.

FUGITIVE OUT OF KENTUCKY ARRESTED IN POPLAR BLUFF

A fugitive out of Kentucky was arrested Monday in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, on Monday officials received information that a fugitive who was wanted in connection to felony charges in McCracken County, Kentucky, was possibly in the Poplar Bluff area.

POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE APPOINTED TO UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY

A Poplar Bluff High School graduate will be attending the United States Naval Academy.

United States Representative from Missouri Jason Smith tells KWOC News that Michaley Krizman, of Poplar Bluff, earned the appointment to the Academy. She was one of only three students in the Congressional District to be nominated by Smith and then receive an appointment.

Krizman was a member of the PBHS Academic Team. Smith says that she built character and sharpened her leadership skills at Girls State and as a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadet.

She also helped raise her little sister after their mother tragically passed away from cancer.

UNITED STATES BOMBS THREE SITES IN IRAN

The U.S. military has struck three sites in Iran, inserting itself into Israel’s effort to destroy Iran's nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe.

The decision to directly involve the U.S. comes after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran that have moved to systematically eradicate the country’s air defenses and offensive missile capabilities, while damaging its nuclear enrichment facilities.

But U.S. and Israeli officials have said that American stealth bombers and a 30,000-pound bunker buster bomb they alone can carry offered the best chance of destroying heavily fortified sites connected to the Iranian nuclear program buried deep underground.

DANGEROUS HEAT CONDITIONS TO BEGIN THIS WEEKEND IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

Excessive heat conditions could pose danger to many residents in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a dangerous, prolonged heatwave will begin on Saturday and continue through at least the middle of next week.

In Poplar Bluff temperatures are expected to top out in the mid 90’s, with heat index values reaching up to 105 degrees during this time period.

WATER MAIN BREAK CAUSES LOSS OF WATER IN DOWNTOWN DONIPHAN

Parts of Doniphan were without water yesterday.

According to the city of Doniphan Facebook page, the downtown area was without water for a period of time Wednesday morning due to a water main break.

Officials say that a precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Grand Avenue between approximately Pine Street and Franklin Street. A portion of State Street is also included in the notice.