COVID-19 CASES IN MISSOURI CONTINUE TO INCREASE

The number of coronavirus cases in the state have continued to rise.

According to the Butler County Health Department, another case was reported on Tuesday, bringing the County’s total to 270. The patient has been put in self-isolation, and the department will be working with the CDC to contact anyone who may have been exposed to the virus while the patient was active and healthy.

In Missouri, as of Tuesday, there are a total of 60,935 cases across Missouri, and 1,312 deaths in the state have been directly linked to the disease.

If you are showing any symptoms of the virus, including fever, shortness of breath, or persistent coughing, you are advised to contact your primary healthcare provider before visiting any hospital or emergency room.

WAYNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE RETURNING TO PRECAUTIONS DUE TO COVID-19 CASES

The Wayne County Courthouse has returned to a more precautious take in operations due to the increase of coronavirus cases in the state.

According to officials with the Courthouse, the building will be returning to Phase 2 of their three phase plan of operation, which involves halting all jury trials for the remainder of the month, and limiting courtroom capacity to 25 individuals.

The decision was made after 50 cases were reported in the County in the past two weeks, with 31 cases being reported in the last week. The County’s Health Department reported that the County has seen a 67% increase in coronavirus cases over all.

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE SEARCHING FOR SUSPECTS IN THEFT INVESTIGATION

The Poplar Bluff Police Department is currently searching for two suspects in a theft investigation.

According to the Department, two individuals are currently wanted on felony charges on stealing, fleeing, and assault on a law enforcement officer. The suspects fled on foot after being pursued north of Poplar Bluff on Highway 67. Pictures of the subjects are available on the Poplar Bluff Police Department’s Facebook page.

If you have seen either of the suspects, or have information on their whereabouts, you are asked to contact the Department by calling 573-785-5776.

25 NEW CASES OF COVID-19 REPORTED IN BUTLER COUNTY; MISSOURI TOTAL CONTINUES TO RISE

25 additional cases of the coronavirus were reported in Butler County on Thursday, while the Missouri total has continued to increase.

According to the Butler County Health Department, there are now a total of 253 cases of the virus in the County. Of them, 215 have recovered, 4 are hospitalized, and 31 are still in self isolation. The department will be working with the CDC to contact anyone who may have been exposed to the virus while the patients were active and infectious.

In Missouri, as of Thursday, there are a total of 56,383 cases of the virus in the state, while 1,280 deaths have been directly linked to the disease.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of the virus, including persistent coughing, shortness of breath, or fever, you are advised to contact your primary healthcare provider before visiting any hospital or emergency room.

SHOOTING INVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS IN DUNKLIN COUNTY

A shooting investigation is currently ongoing by the Kennett Police Department.

According to the Department, authorities responded to a call on Tuesday evening about a woman who was shot on the 700 block of Vandeventer Street. There, a 50 year old woman was found wounded in her home.

As of now, an unnamed 67 year old man was taken into custody at the house, and is pending charges.

RESULTS ANNOUNCED FOR BUTLER COUNTY PRIMARY ELECTION

The results are in from the Missouri Primary Elections for several positions in Butler County.

Voting for the Republican Nomination for Butler County Eastern District Commissioner saw Don ‘Butch’ Anderson win the nomination with 60 percent of the votes cast.

For the Republican nomination for Butler County Public Administrator, Jeff Darnell won with 31 percent of votes cast. He was followed by Charyl Baker with 26 percent, Sharron Payne with 26 percent, and Margie Shipman with 17 percent.

One of the closest races for the night was for the Republication nomination for Butler County Coroner, where Jim Akers beat Andy Moore for the position by just 30 votes out of the over seven thousand votes cast.

A Law Enforcement Sales Tax for Butler County was also voted on during the races, which passed with over 68% of votes in favor for the tax.

VOTING UNDERWAY IN MISSOURI’S PRIMARY ELECTION

Polls opened this morning at 6 am for the Missouri Primary Elections.

Multiple local and state nominations are up for grabs, including Governor and one of Missouri’s States Senate seats on the state side, along with numerous races in Butler County. State officials estimate that 31 percent of Missouri’s registered voters will participate in today’s primary elections.

You can find your voting location online at www.GoVoteMissouri.com. Polls will close at 7 pm, and anyone in line to vote at that time will still get to cast a ballot. Anyone who arrives after polling places close will not be allowed to vote.

We will be following the results live from the Butler County Courthouse beginning at 6 pm tonight on Today’s Talk 93.3 FM and 930 AM KWOC as well as streaming online at KWOC.com and facebook.com/TodaysTalkKWOC. Our live coverage is presented by Barker’s Towing and Auto Repair.

POPLAR BLUFF MAN KILLED IN VEHICLE CRASH IN BUTLER COUNTY

A Poplar Bluff man was killed in a vehicle crash in Butler County on Saturday.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the incident took place on US 67, north of Poplar Bluff, where a man driving a scooter was struck by another oncoming vehicle while traveling the wrong way on the roadway.

The scooter overturned as a result, and ejected the driver, who was then run over by the oncoming vehicle.

The driver, 53 year old Gary Arbuckle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

CLEARWATER R-1 ANNOUNCES POTENTIAL COVID-19 EXPOSURE

The Clearwater R-1 school district in Wayne County has announced a possible exposure to the coronavirus.

According to the district, one of the students, who was attending summer classes without being symptomatic of the disease, tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

Summer school for the District will be canceled on Saturday, and will undergo an extensive sanitization of the building.

FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

A flash flood watch has been put in effect for Southeast Missouri until tomorrow.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a flash flood watch will be in effect in Butler, Carter, New Madrid, Ripley, Stoddard, and Wayne Counties, until midnight on Friday.

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected throughout today into the evening, and may produce up to 2 and a half inches of rain in multiple areas. Some locations experiencing heavy rainfall may see anywhere from 3 to 5 inches of rain.

MISSOURI SUPREME COURT PASSES ORDER MANDATING FACE MASKS AT ALL COURTS

An order has been passed by the Missouri Supreme Court, which will mandate that all courts require face masks.

The order was announced last week, and states that all participants in Missouri court proceedings and public court areas will be required to wear a face mask or covering. It also states that courthouses may be placed under extended safety precautions if an employee tests positive for the coronavirus.

These changes will go into effect on Saturday, and will continue until otherwise stated.

BUTLER COUNTY CANDIDATE FORUM SCHEDULED FOR TONIGHT IN POPLAR BLUFF

Many area candidates who will be competing in the upcoming primary election will be speaking tonight in Poplar Bluff.

The 2020 Butler County Candidate Forum hosted by Today’s Talk KWOC, is scheduled at the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce. 15 candidates are running for five positions on the ballot in Butler County. Each candidate will be allowed five minutes to introduce themselves, and tell why they think they are the best person for that position.

The event is by invitation only. KWOC will also be broadcasting the event beginning at 6 pm over the radio at 93.3 FM and 930 AM as well as on the KWOC Facebook page. Live coverage for this event is presented by Barker’s Towing.

The Missouri Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, August 4th.

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION ON LOCAL HOME INVASIONS

The Poplar Bluff Police Department is searching for information on two home invasions.

According to the department, the first incident was on a home in the 300 block of Meadow View Drive on July 17th, with the second occurring a few hours later in a house on the 1000 block of Clyde Avenue.

Both incidents report suspects leaving the scene of the incident in a white SUV. Two of the suspects, 17 year old Isaiah Rose and 20 year old Marcus Caruso, of Cape Girardeau, were booked and taken into custody in Butler County on suspicion of stealing, 1st degree robbery, armed criminal action, and 1st degree burglary. A third, unnamed suspect has been identified.

The residents of the home on Meadow View report that three or four black men entered the residence and robbed them. Two of the occupants were struck by the suspects with firearms, and were treated for lacerations to their heads.

If you have any information that could help the investigation into the break-ins, you are asked to call the Poplar Bluff Police Department at 573-785-5776, or the Butler County Sheriff’s Department at 573-785-8444.

POPLAR BLUFF R-1 RELEASES LEARNING PLAN FOR NEW SCHOOL YEAR

The Poplar Bluff R-1 School District has released their learning plan for the new school year.

The plan includes three choices for returning students, including the option to have at home classes in a remote learning program, and a blended learning plan.

There will be extra cleaning and safety protocols throughout the district, and the plan includes organizing classes into cohorts, as well as potentially providing devices to students for online learning, if the building needs to be completely closed off.

Parents are being asked to screen their children if they are feeling sick, or if they are experiencing a sore throat, nausea, headaches, shortness of breath, or any other symptom involving the COVID-19 virus.

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT SEARCHING FOR SUSPECT IN HIT AND RUN INCIDENT

The Poplar Bluff Police Department is searching for the suspect in a hit-and-run incident that took place earlier this month.

According to the department, the incident took place on July 2nd at the intersection of Cole Avenue and Cliff Street, where 50 year old Donald Warbritton was struck by an oncoming vehicle, seemingly on purpose. He suffered a broken hand, leg, and hip from the collision.

Authorities are currently searching for what seems to be a dark colored vehicle caught on video surveillance, potentially a Mercury Grand Marquis or a Ford Crown Victoria.

If you have any information on the incident, you are asked to contact the department by calling 573-785-5776.

TWIN RIVERS ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR NEW SCHOOL YEAR

Plans have been announced by the Twin Rivers R-X School board for the new school year.

According to officials with the Board, the school will be placing new protocols for in-person schooling, as well as remote learning and a blended learning plan.

The plans for the new year include additional sanitization for buses and tables, organizing classes into cohorts, as well as potentially providing devices to students for online learning, if the building needs to be completely closed off.

Recent survey results stated that 97% of parents support returning to school, and have little concern. A detailed summary of current plans will be put up for parents on the school’s social media and website.

POPLAR BLUFF CITY MANAGER PRESENTS BUDGET CUTS TO SAVE CITY $300,000

Poplar Bluff City Manager Matt Winters announced on Monday decisions have been made that will save the city more than $300,000 in budget cuts.

These include a hiring freeze that will have multiple jobs, including the city planner position, four street department positions, a police officer position, and a part time position at the Black River Coliseum unfilled for the rest of the year.

More cuts include reducing the hours for the Black River Coliseum pool and fitness center, as well as the art museum. Schedules reflecting the new hours will be announced in the future.

DROWNED BODY OF PUXICO MAN FOUND NEAR WAPPAPELLO LAKE

A Puxico man was found drowned near Wappapello Lake on Sunday.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 55 year old Jerry Pennington was swimming to an anchored vessel in Lake Wappapello, before he began to struggle, and did not resurface after submerging.

His body was found two miles west of the Wappapello Dam, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

HEAT AND HUMIDITY EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Heat and humidity are expected over the weekend across Southeast Missouri.

We spoke with Rick Shanklin, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Paducah, about the heat and humidity.

“The heat and humidity will create heat in the seas between 100 and 105 for the next several days. The heat only ramp up this weekend as high temperatures increase to the mid 90’s. The impacts of heat are accumulative, so this extended period of soaring temperatures and elevated humidity, increases the dangers of heat, which is one of the leading weather related killers in the United States including our region. 51 young children died in hot cars in 2019, so remember to look before you lock. And if you’re outside working be sure to drink plenty of nonalcoholic and decaffeinated beverages and take plenty of breaks in a cooler location. Wear loose fitting lightweight light colored clothing to reflect heat.”

Shanklin would go on to add that the heat and humidity will last into early next week.

RESULTS ANNOUNCED FROM COVID-19 TESTING IN BUTLER COUNTY

The results have been announced from the coronavirus testing site in Butler County.

Butler County EMA Director Robbie Myers tells KWOC News that from the recent mass testing, 634 tests were administered. Of them, 608 were negative, and 26 came back positive. 12 of the positive tests were from Butler County residents.

The testing was performed from June 7th through 9th, at the Libla Family Sports Complex at the Three Rivers College Campus.