BOND SET AT 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS FOR PARAGOULD MAN ARRESTED ON RAPE CHARGE

A Northeast Arkansas man is in custody on multiple counts of rape.

According to warrant affidavit, a juvenile disclosed to a forensic interviewer ongoing sexual abuse that had occurred over the course of several years.

The juvenile named 61 year old Russell Hawkins Sr., of Paragould, as the offender.

Hawkins was booked into the Greene County jail on Monday on three counts of rape. His bond was set at 1.5 million dollars.

PRESIDING CIRCUIT JUDGE KACEY PROCTOR SELECTED FOR MCCA DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

An area judge is being honored by the Missouri Community College Association.

The MCCA has selected Kacey Proctor, the Presiding Circuit Judge of the 36th Judicial Circuit, as the 2026 MCCA Distinguished Alumni Award winner.

Last year, Proctor was chosen as the Distinguished Alumni Award recipient for Three Rivers College.

Former Missouri Governor Mike Parson appointed Proctor as Presiding Circuit Judge in 2023 following the retirement of Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett.

BILLY COBB NAMED POPLAR BLUFF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

A Poplar Bluff man is being recognized for his lifelong efforts in bettering the city.

Billy Cobb was announced as the 2025 Citizen of the Year during the 88th Annual Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce Banquet Saturday night at the Black River Coliseum.

According to Chamber President Steve Halter, Cobb had a hand in developments throughout Poplar Bluff, including the Industrial Park Bypass, Eight Points, and Three Rivers College. He was also involved in planning and site design for many of the industries that call Poplar Bluff home.

In addition, Cobb served as Butler County's floodplain manager and helped secure funding and design for the trails in the city and county, including the Wolf Creek Trail and its connection to the city.

ARCTIC COLD FRONT TO BRING DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILLS TO THE AREA THIS WEEKEND

Another arctic cold front is moving through the region this weekend bringing dangerously cold wind chills to the area again.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, wind chills will bottom out in the low to mid single digits this morning.

Wind chills will be even worse from Friday night through Saturday morning, with wind chill values getting down to around negative six degrees in Poplar Bluff.

A cold weather advisory will be in effect from midnight tonight to noon on Saturday for most of Southeast Missouri.