IDENTITY RELEASED OF POPLAR BLUFF SHOOTING VICTIM, TWO MEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC News that an area man has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting Sunday evening in Poplar Bluff.

According to Poplar Bluff Police Chief J.R. Keirsey, a man and a woman were walking across the Pine Street bridge over Black River shortly before 6 pm Sunday, when they noticed two individuals following them in a black pickup truck.

As the couple continued across the bridge, one of the suspects allegedly ran up behind them and fatally shot the man before fleeing on foot. The pickup truck then left the area in the same direction.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE RESCUED FROM FLOOD WATERS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Multiple crews were involved in rescuing residents from flooding on Friday in Southeast Missouri.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency Friday and activated a search and rescue team to assist. He said late Friday that hundreds of people were saved from floodwaters, trees, rooftops and stranded vehicles.

In Reynolds County, two rescue boats capsized in the flooding, but other emergency personnel safely recovered the responders, the sheriff's office said.

BATTLE OF THE BADGES BLOOD DRIVE SCHEDULED FOR TODAY

Reservations are now being accepted for the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive in Poplar Bluff.

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

This will also be a friendly competition between local police, fire, and EMS teams, as you will choose which team gets credit when you donate.

ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING HELD WEDNESDAY AT TRC IN POPLAR BLUFF

The Three Rivers College campus in Poplar Bluff was the site of a multi-agency training event on Wednesday

According to officials, TRC hosted an active shooter training in cooperation with local law enforcement, emergency medical services, the Poplar Bluff Fire Department, and Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Three Rivers Chief of Staff Chuck Stratton says that multi-agency training is the best way to prepare the College and community for high-risk situations.

GRANT AWARDED FOR PROJECT CONNECTING ROUTE 53 WITH ROUTE AA IN SOUTHERN BUTLER COUNTY

Grant money will be coming to Butler County as a part of a plan to connect two roadways in the southern part of the county.

United States Senator Eric Schmitt tells KWOC News that 1.2 million dollars for the Poplar Bluff South Connector in Butler County was included in the Department of Transportation’s 2026 Build Awards. 

According to the Department of Transportation, the project will complete a traffic study, preliminary engineering, and environmental permitting for a new roadway connecting Route 53 with Route AA in Southern Butler County.

RIPLEY COUNTY DROWNING VICTIM IDENTIFIED AS POPLAR BLUFF MAN

The identity has been released of a man who died while swimming over the weekend in Current River.

Ripley County Sheriff Rad Talburt tells KWOC News that emergency crews were dispatched to an area near Float Camp at approximately 7 pm on Sunday after receiving a report of a missing person.

SUSPECT IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING 14 HOUR MANHUNT IN CARTER COUNTY

A shooting suspect is in custody following an extensive manhunt in Carter County.

According to the Carter County Sheriff Alonzo Bradwell, at approximately 7:20 pm on Saturday, law enforcement personnel responded to a report of gunfire at a residence located on County Road 330. Upon arrival, officers discovered three victims who had sustained injuries at the scene.