IDENTITY RELEASED OF BODY FOUND OVER THE WEEKEND IN THE QULIN AREA

Officials have released the identity of a body that was found over the weekend in Butler County.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that the body was discovered Saturday afternoon on County Road 659 in Qulin.

According to Butler County Coroner Jim Akers, the body has been identified as Tevon Youngblood-Miller.

Akers added that an autopsy was performed on Monday and the results are still pending.

LEGENDARY THREE RIVERS COACH GENE BESS PASSES AWAY  

A Hall of Fame Basketball Coach has passed away. 

Bess died Friday morning at his residence in Poplar Bluff at the age of 91. 

Bess built a Hall of Fame career during his 50 years as head basketball coach at Three Rivers College, becoming one of the most successful coaches in the history of the sport. He won more games than any college basketball coach at any level, finishing his career with an overall record of 1,300 wins and 416 losses. 

Bess led the Three Rivers Raiders to two national championships, winning titles in 1979 and 1992. He also became the first college basketball coach to reach 1,000 career wins. In 2023, Bess was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. 

Under Bess, Three Rivers won 23 region championships, recorded 20 or more wins in 42 seasons, and won 30 or more games 16 times. 

The Raiders also made 17 appearances in the NJCAA National Tournament, reaching the national championship game four times and the semifinals four additional times. 

In addition to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Bess is also a member of the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, and the NJCAA Hall of Fame.

WATERFEST SET FOR SATURDAY AT WAPPAPELLO LAKE  

The Redman Creek Beach at Wappapello Lake will be the site for a free day of activities this weekend. 

The Wappapello Lake US Army Corps of Engineers will be hosting Ranger Willie’s Waterfest from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday. 

Park Rangers will be on hand to play games, teach visitors how to stay safe around the water, and give away prizes to participating beachgoers. 

For more information, contact the Wappapello Lake Management Office at 573-222-7500.

WIDESPREAD THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED TODAY WHICH COULD INCLUDE SEVERE WEATHER  

Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected for today, which brings with it a chance of severe weather. 

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there is a marginal risk for most of the area to get severe storms today, mainly this afternoon. 

Locally heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding will also be a concern.

BODY RECOVERED FROM CLEARWATER LAKE

The body of a 32-year-old Piedmont man was recovered Tuesday afternoon following a three-day search on Clearwater Lake. 

Public Information Officer Sgt. Thomas Young with the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop G tells KWOC News, the recovery took place shortly after 1 pm in the Webb Creek Marina area. The victim's family has been notified. 

Authorities say the search began Sunday afternoon after reports that a man had fallen from a pontoon boat in the area between Clearwater Lake Marina and Webb Creek. 

Initial reports indicated the man was wearing a life jacket. However, investigators later determined that he was not wearing one at the time he entered the water. 

Sgt. Young added, out of respect for the family, Troop G will not releasing the victim’s name. 

KWOC News extends its thoughts and prayers to the family and friends affected by this tragic incident.

BURLARY SUSPECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN DUNKLIN COUNTY  

A Burglary investigation in rural Kennett led to a two-hour standoff Sunday evening before a suspect was taken into custody. 

According to Dunklin County Sheriff Nick Darter, deputies responded to a residence around 6:15 pm Sunday evening, after receiving a report of a burglary in progress with the suspect allegedly still inside the residence. 

Deputies made brief contact with the suspect, who then barricaded himself in a bedroom. After approximately two hours of negotiations, officers forced entry into the bedroom and took the suspect into custody without further incident. 

The suspect, whose name is not being released pending the filing of formal charges, was transported to the Dunklin County Jail.

ROYAL REGISTRATION DATES ANNOUNCED FOR TWIN RIVERS SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Twin Rivers School District has announced that it will be holding a two day registration event for students in August.

Royal Registration is scheduled for noon to 6 pm on Tuesday, August 11th for students whose parent or guardian’s last name begins with A-K and Thursday, August 13th for students whose parent or guardian’s last name begins with L-Z. Both will be held at Twin Rivers High School in Broseley.