TWO SERIOUSLY INJURED IN WRECK ON INTERSTATE 55
Two people were seriously injured in a wreck Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 55.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 21 year old Andrew Collins, of Fletcher, Mo, was driving north on Interstate 55 at the 44.8 mile marker when his vehicle rear ended a stationary Kenworth tractor.
THREE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO KIDNAPPING INVESTIGATION
Three people have been taken into custody in connection to a kidnapping investigation.
According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, on March 24th, officers responded to a local bank after a patron told a bank teller that they had been held against their will.
The victim told officers that they had been physically assaulted at a residence in Poplar Bluff for several hours, before they were taken to the bank to withdraw an undisclosed amount of money. The suspects fled the bank prior to the officers’ arrival.
MISSOURI STATE OF EMERGENCY EXTENDED THROUGH AUGUST
Missouri Governor Mike Parson has extended the State of Emergency that was in effect to assist continued Covid-19 recovery.
On Friday, Governor Parson signed Executive Order 21-07 extending the state of emergency through August 31st.
Parson says that the extension will allow the state continued flexibility in providing resources and easing regulatory burdens to further assist Missouri’s COVID-19 recovery efforts.
It also allows for continued utilization of the Missouri National Guard and federal funding for COVID-19 response efforts.
ONE TEENAGER DEAD, TWO OTHERS INJURED IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI WRECK
A 15 year old Southeast Missouri girl has died following a UTV wreck.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the wreck occurred Wednesday evening, eight miles east of Winona, when a UTV began to skid on a County Road and overturned, ejecting all three occupants.
The driver, a 15 year old girl from Winona, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two passengers received moderate injuries and were transported to an area hospital.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Severe weather is possible today in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.
According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by the National Weather Service, isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected today. Severe storms will be possible throughout the region mainly in the afternoon and early evening hours, but the threat will be greatest in extreme southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.
Officials say that damaging winds, large hail, locally heavy rainfall, and tornadoes will all be possible.
TWO IN CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO SHOOTING IN KENNETT
Two men have been arrested in connection to a fatal shooting in Kennett.
On February 21st, officers responded to the American Legion building in reference to someone shooting a firearm. A total of five people were shot and one later died from his injuries.
According to authorities, 26 year old Darrion Carter and 20 year old Tyrese Tate, both of Charleston, have been taken into custody and are facing charges of second degree murder, armed criminal action, and four counts of unlawful use of a weapon.
Carter is also facing a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
OVER 100 POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINATION
Numerous employees of the Poplar Bluff School District were vaccinated for Covid-19 last week.
According to school officials, over 100 school employees were vaccinated during a Covid-19 immunization clinic held on Thursday.
They received the first round of the Pfizer shot. For staff members who were unable to make it to the on-site clinic due to after-school duties, the school nursing staff is collaborating with Key Drugs to offer a Moderna or Johnson and Johnson vaccine option.
SEVEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO WAYNE COUNTY NARCOTICS INVESTIGATIONS
Authorities in Wayne County say that multiple people were taken into custody last week as a part of narcotics investigations.
According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, deputies executed search warrants last week at the residences of Dennis Hanks Jr, Charles David Webb Jr, and Logan Hicks.
As a result of the searches, approximately 18 grams of methamphetamine was seized from the three residences.
The sheriff’s Department says that a total of seven subjects were taken into custody for various drug related charges.
MISSOURI GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES ACTIVATION DATES FOR NEXT PHASES OF COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN
Missouri Governor Mike Parson has set out a timeline for the activation of the state’s Covid-19 Vaccination Plan.
Parson announced Thursday that Missouri will activate Phase 2 of the state's COVID-19 Vaccination Plan on Monday, March 29th, and Phase 3 on Friday, April 9th.
Activation of Phase 2 is estimated to extend vaccine eligibility to approximately 880,000 Missourians, including those employed in construction, critical manufacturing, higher education, and remaining food and agriculture sectors.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN SENTENCED FOR ASSAULT IN DUNKLIN COUNTY JAIL
A Poplar Bluff man has been sentenced in connection to an assault at the Dunklin County Jail.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 46 year old Shederic Anderson was sentenced yesterday to 36 years in prison for two counts of aggravated sexual abuse.
Officials say that in July of 2018, Anderson escaped from the Cydkam Center in Neelyville by signing out of the facility to go to work and never returning. Anderson was later arrested and detained in the Dunklin County Jail. While in the Dunklin County Jail he sexually assaulted another inmate.
A jury found Anderson guilty of the charges in November 2019.
ENHANCED CHANCE OF SEVERE WEATHER TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Residents in much of Southeast Missouri are looking at an enhanced chance of Severe Weather today.
KWOC News spoke with Rick Shanklin, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Paducah, about today’s storm system.
“There is an increased chance of severe thunderstorms from about midday through early evening for Southeast Missouri.
Certainly the chances increase the further south you go, but even for our region, especially areas closer to the Arkansas/Missouri border, there is the potential for damaging thunderstorm winds, large hail, and even tornados.
Everyone should stay alert to the weather and be prepared to take shelter if a warning is issued or if severe weather is observed.
Our thunderstorm chances will diminish tonight as a cold front pushes east across the area.”
With the recent heavy rainfall we have experienced over the past few weeks, isolated flooding is also a concern.
MISSING OREGON COUNTY TEENAGER LOCATED IN RIPLEY COUNTY
Updating a story we brought to you yesterday, a missing Southeast Missouri teenager has been found.
Officials with the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, tell KWOC News that 17 year old John Scott was located unharmed on Monday.
He was found at approximately 12:45 pm on Highway 160 near Route C in Ripley County.
Officials say that Scott was returned to Oregon County. No further details were released. KWOC News will continue to follow this story for you and bring you more details as they become available.
MISSING TEENAGER LAST SEEN ON THURSDAY IN RIPLEY COUNTY
A missing teenager was reportedly seen last week in Ripley County.
According to the Oregon County Sheriff’s Office, 17 year old John Scott was last seen on Thursday afternoon on Highway 160 in the area of Route V walking towards Doniphan.
Scott is described as a white male, five foot, three inches tall, weighing 120 pounds with brown hair.
We have a picture of Scott available on the KWOC Facebook page.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Oregon County Sheriff’s Office at 417-778-7888 or your local law enforcement agency.
PUXICO MAN DROWNS AT WAPPAPELLO SPILLWAY
One person is dead following an incident Thursday at the Wappapello Spillway.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that authorities received an emergency call at around 4:30 pm with a report of an adult male drowning.
The body of 29 year old Lucas Cope, of Puxico, was found in the area of the spillway boat ramp. Officials say that Cope was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident is under investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Water Division, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department.
PRESALE UNDERWAY FOR MULES STATE QUARTERFINAL GAME
The presale is underway for the Poplar Bluff Mules State playoff game on Friday.
The Mules will be hosting Chaminade at 6 pm Friday night for the Class 6 state quarterfinal in a game you can hear live on Today’s Talk 93.3 FM and 930 AM KWOC and watch online at MSHSAA.tv.
According to Poplar Bluff Athletics Director Kent Keith, anyone who wants to purchase tickets should go to mshsaa.org and use the presale code 98854Q. The presale will end at noon today, at which point the tickets will open up for general admission and the code will not be needed.
Keith says that tickets will not be sold at the door and masks are required for all fans that attend.
POPLAR BLUFF TO HOST STATE BASKETBALL QUARTERFINAL ON FRIDAY
The Poplar Bluff Mules boys basketball team will host their state quarterfinal matchup this Friday.
The Mules defeated Oakville last night 63-47 in the Class 6 State Sectional to advance to the quarterfinals. With Chaminade College Prep’s 57 to 40 victory over Marquette, the Red Devils will travel to Poplar Bluff for the quarterfinal, which is scheduled to begin at 6 pm on Friday.
You can listen to the game live on Today’s Talk KWOC 93.3 FM and 930 AM as well as watch it at MSHSAA.tv.
MASS VACCINE CLINIC TO BE HELD IN POPLAR BLUFF TODAY
A Mass Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic will be held today in Poplar Bluff.
According to the Butler County Health Department, they are teaming with the National Guard for the clinic, which is scheduled for 8 am to 4 pm at the Black River Coliseum.
Participants are required to have registered at CovidVaccine.mo.gov/navigator for the event.
The Dunklin County Health Center has also announced a first dose only mass vaccination clinic will be held on March 15th at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Kennett.
To register call 573-757-8068.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON WRECK LEAVES ONE DEAD
A Hiram, Missouri man has died following a single vehicle wreck on Sunday in Wayne County.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that 56 year old Randy Tipton, was driving on Route V near Piedmont when his vehicle ran off the side of the roadway and struck a concrete bridge support.
Tipton was flown to a Farmington hospital where he was pronounced dead.
POPLAR BLUFF PULLS OUT OVERTIME WIN TO CLAIM DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP
The Poplar Bluff Mules are once again District Champions.
The boys basketball team claimed the Class 6, District 1 Championship Thursday night with a 49-42 overtime win over Jackson in Cedar Hill.
The Mules will take on Oakville on Tuesday in the Class 6 State Sectional.
TWIN RIVERS LADY ROYALS ADVANCE TO STATE QUARTERFINALS
The Twin Rivers Lady Royals will be hosting a state quarterfinal match-up this weekend.
The Lady Royals defeated Woodland 57-41 Wednesday night in the Class 3 State Sectional. They will now host Lift for Life Academy on Saturday at 1 pm in a game you can listen to live on Today’s Talk KWOC 93.3 FM and 930 AM. You can also watch the game at MSHSAA.tv.
