OPEN HOUSE AND ORIENTATIONS IN THE POPLAR BLUFF R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT TO START TODAY
Parents in Poplar Bluff will have the opportunity to learn more about the schools their children will be attending this fall during a series of open houses scheduled to begin today.
The Poplar Bluff High School Open House is set for today and will be followed by Freshman Orientation on the 15th.
Early Childhood Meet the teacher visits are scheduled for August 15th, 18th, and 19th.
CROWLEY RIDGE SCHOOL IN DEXTER TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE BY THE END OF THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR
State officials have made the decision to permanently close a Dexter school.
Crowley Ridge School was one of 12 Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education operated Schools for the Severely Disabled that the state Board of Education has approved to permanently close by next year.
According to a news release, Crowley Ridge will close by the conclusion of the 2025-26 school year.
CRASH INVOLVING ELECTRIC BICYCLE LEAVES ONE DEAD IN NEW MADRID COUNTY
A Marston man was killed in a weekend crash on US Highway 61.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the man was riding on an electric bicycle Sunday afternoon when he failed to yield and pulled into the path of another vehicle.
The man, identified as 65 year old Randy Phillips, was pronounced dead at the scene by New Madrid County Coroner, George Delisle.
ONE NEW MEMBER ELECTED TO OZARK BORDER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Ozark Border Electric Cooperative held its annual meeting on Friday.
Voting was conducted all throughout the week leading up to the meeting to decide who would take the seats on the Ozark Border Board of Directors.
For District 2, Incumbent Judy Lunsford was reelected, defeating two challengers for the seat.
Bill Hager also won his reelection bid in District 3.
OZARK BORDER ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TODAY
The annual membership meeting of the Ozark Border Electric Cooperative will be conducted today.
The meeting will be held at 2:30 pm at the Ozark Border Headquarters on South Westwood Boulevard in Poplar Bluff.
Members will be voting for the Board of Directors, with three seats being contested. The first will see incumbent Judy Lunsford taking on Gary Melton and Tod Spradley for the District 2 seat. Incumbent Bill Hager will be facing Derek Boyers for the District 3 seat.
The other race is in District 4, where incumbent Greg Lintz is being challenged by Chad Payne. Each race is for a three year term.
IDENTITY RELEASED OF VICTIM IN FATAL RIPLEY COUNTY INCIDENT
Authorities have released the name of a woman killed in an incident early Monday morning in Ripley County.
Ripley County Coroner Mike Jackson tells KWOC News that 57 year old Tammy Summers, of Naylor, was found dead on Route H, near County Road H-7.
According to Missouri Case Net, 57 year old James Dempsey, of Naylor, has been charged with felony 1st degree involuntary manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident - accident resulting in a death, and operating a vehicle on a highway without valid license.
NAYLOR MAN FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER
A Naylor man is in custody in connection to the death of a subject Monday morning in Ripley County.
According to Missouri Case Net, 57 year old James Dempsey has been charged with felony 1st degree involuntary manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident - accident resulting in a death, and operating a vehicle on a highway without valid license.
According to a Probable Cause Affidavit, shortly after 3 am Monday morning, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper was notified of a deceased person on a bike on Route H, near County Road H-7.
BUTLER COUNTY EMA LOOKING FOR NAMES OF VOLUNTEERS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO HELPED POPLAR BLUFF RECOVER FROM SPRING STORMS
The Butler County EMA Director is looking for the names of people who helped the area recover following the storms that occurred in March.
According to Robbie Myers, they are looking for the name of any group, agency, church, business, or individual that helped the community during the storm recovery.
The list will be shared online, with legislators, and Governor Mike Kehoe.
OZARK BORDER ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY
The annual membership meeting of the Ozark Border Electric Cooperative will be conducted this week.
The meeting will be held at 2:30 pm on Friday at the Ozark Border Headquarters on South Westwood Boulevard in Poplar Bluff.
Members will be voting for the Board of Directors, with three seats being contested. The first will see incumbent Judy Lunsford taking on Gary Melton and Tod Spradley for the District 2 seat. Incumbent Bill Hager will be facing Derek Boyers for the District 3 seat.
The other race is in District 4, where incumbent Greg Lintz is being challenged by Chad Payne. Each race is for a three year term.
MISSING HAYTI MAN FOUND DEAD
A man who was reported missing earlier this week out of Hayti has been found dead.
Few details are available, but officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol say that 69 year old Andrew Page was found deceased.
An Endangered Silver Advisory was issued earlier this week after Page went missing.
PATTERSON MAN CHARGED WITH CHILD MOLESTATION AND STATUTORY SODOMY
Wayne County authorities have arrested an area man on multiple charges, including child molestation.
Officials with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department tell KWOC News that James Penrod, of Patterson, was arrested on Monday following an investigation.
According to a Probable Cause Statement, Penrod is accused of inappropriate contact with multiple underage victims over a long span of time.
RIPLEY COUNTY FAIR BEGINS TODAY
The 50th Annual Ripley County Fair will kick off today.
Officials say that the fair will be held today through Saturday at the Ripley County Fairgrounds, south of Doniphan.
Multiple activities are planned for the four day event, including a beauty pageant, carnival, truck and tractor pull, bake sale, and more.
You can find more information on the Ripley County Missouri Fair Facebook page.
POPLAR BLUFF WOMAN KILLED IN COLLISION NEAR GREENVILLE
Authorities have released information concerning a fatal weekend crash in Wayne County.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that a 61 year old Poplar Bluff woman pulled into the path of an oncoming vehicle on US Highway 67 at Greenville Saturday afternoon.
Wayne County Coroner Mark Smith tells KWOC News that the woman has been identified as 61 year old Mildred Richardson. She was pronounced dead at the scene by a Wayne County assistant coroner.
EXCESSIVELY HOT TEMPERATURES FORECAST FOR THE EARLY PART OF THIS WEEK
Excessively hot temperatures are once again forecast for the early part of this week.
According to the National Weather Service, highs on Monday are expected to be in the upper 90’s, with Tuesday high’s approaching or possibly hitting triple digits.
Heat indices are also forecast to be near 110 degrees both days.
WOMAN FLOWN FROM THE SCENE OF A SOUTHEAST MISSOURI CRASH
A Hayti woman was flown from the scene of a single vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Southeast Missouri.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 47 year old woman was driving on Route K in Pemiscot County when her vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected, and then overturned.
The woman, who was not wearing a safety device, suffered serious injuries in the crash and was flown to a Memphis hospital.
DATES SET FOR OPEN HOUSE AND ORIENTATIONS IN THE POPLAR BLUFF R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT
Parents in Poplar Bluff will have the opportunity to learn more about the schools their children will be attending this fall during a series of open houses scheduled for next month.
The Poplar Bluff High School Open House is set for Thursday, August 14th, followed by Freshman Orientation on the 15th.
Early Childhood Meet the teacher visits are scheduled for August 15th, 18th, and 19th.
ELLSINORE WOMAN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE COUNTS OF CHILD ENDANGERMENT
A woman has been arrested in Carter County on multiple counts of child endangerment.
According to Carter County Sheriff Alonzo Bradwell, on Monday, investigators conducted a well-being check on a residence that contained very small children.
During the check, deputies discovered conditions that were deemed hazardous. Bradwell says that the environment was determined to be severely unsanitary and unfit for habitation.
FEMA DEADLINE IS TODAY 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 today.
HOT AND HUMID TEMPERATURES EXPECTED THIS WEEK IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Excessive heat and humidity is expected to cause dangerous conditions this week in Southeast Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service, heat index values could reach as high as 110 degrees, for several days in a row for portions of our listening area.
The heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
Everyone is reminded to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Take extra precautions if you have to work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening hours.
APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR NEW HIGHWAY PATROL RECRUIT CLASS
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is seeking applicants for its 126th Recruit Class.
Highway Patrol officials tell KWOC News that the selection process is a multi-phase testing procedure which includes a written examination, a physical fitness for duty assessment, polygraph examination, background investigation, and oral interview board.
To be eligible, candidates must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent and be 21 years of age upon graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy.
The 126th Recruit Class is scheduled to begin training on April 20, 2026. For more information, go online to www.joinmshp.us.
