SOUTHEAST MISSOURI SCHOOL PLACED UNDER LOCKDOWN MONDAY FOLLOWING REPORT OF SHOTS FIRED IN THE AREA
A Southeast Missouri school was placed under a lockdown Monday morning following a report of shots being fired in the area.
According to the Bollinger County Sheriff’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of shots being fired near the Woodland School District’s property at approximately 9:40 am Monday.
MANY SOUTHEAST MISSOURI SCHOOLS TO RETURN TO CLASS TODAY
Numerous schools around Southeast Missouri are set to return to classes today.
At least 15 school districts will hold their first day of school today, including Poplar Bluff, Bernie, Campbell, Clarkton, Doniphan, East Carter County, Holcomb, Kennett, Malden, Naylor, Neelyville, Richland, Senath-Hornersville, and Twin Rivers.
DEXTER ARSONIST FAILS IN ATTEMPT TO GET PRISON SENTENCE THROWN OUT
A Dexter arsonist’s attempt to get his prison sentence thrown out has failed.
Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver tells KWOC News that the 120 year sentence imposed against Edward Lusk was upheld by the court after a lengthy legal battle on the Defendant’s post-conviction appeal.
Lusk was charged in August of 2016 with 25 felony counts following multiple business burglaries over the summer of 2016 in the city of Dexter. At least one of the businesses was also set on fire. Lusk was sentenced in August of 2017 to 120 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
WARRANT ARREST LEADS TO DRUG BUST IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
A simple warrant arrest led to a large drug bust this week in Northeast Arkansas.
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, at approximately 3 pm on Monday, Clay County deputies, working in conjunction with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department, located Joseph March at a residence in Datto.
Deputies arrested March, who was wanted for warrants out of Randolph County, in the front yard of the residence.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR VETERANS REACTING TO WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN
The US Department of Veterans Affairs have released multiple resources for veterans who are reacting to the US Forces withdrawal from Afghanistan and the takeover of the country by the Taliban.
Veterans are being reminded that they are not alone and they should talk with friends and families, reach out to battle buddies, connect with a peer-to-peer network, or sign up for mental health services.
POPLAR BLUFF BRIDGE TO BE REPLACED NEXT YEAR
Officials with the Missouri Department of Transportation have announced that a major Poplar Bluff bridge is scheduled to be replaced starting next year.
According to MoDOT, plans have been released to replace the westbound Business 60 bridge that crosses over Black River and the Union Pacific railroad.
The project is expected to be let in February of next year, with construction beginning as early as spring 2022. Completion is anticipated by summer 2023.
GRANDFATHER WHO SAVED FAMILY FROM HOUSE FIRE PASSES AWAY
A Poplar Bluff man who saved his family from a house fire last week has died.
64 year old Alex Clinton passed away Friday afternoon at a St. Louis hospital. Clinton was transported to the hospital after saving his wife, daughter, and grandchild from a fire at his residence early Wednesday morning.
A spokesman with the Poplar Bluff Fire Department tells KWOC News, “Mr. Clinton’s heroic actions allowed his three family members to still be with us, our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
NEWLY RELEASED CENSUS DATA SHOWS POPULATION DECLINES IN MOST SOUTHEAST MISSOURI COUNTIES
Data from the 2020 United States Census was released Thursday which shows population declines in most Southeast Missouri counties.
According to the Census, Butler County lost 664 residents over the past 10 years, for a 1.6 percent drop. Stoddard County was down 4.3 percent, while Scott County's population dropped 2.9 percent.
Other population losses were more severe, with drops of 11.5 percent in Dunklin County, 13.3 percent in New Madrid County, 14.4 percent in Pemiscot County, 14.5 percent in Bollinger County, 17 percent in Carter County, and 18.8 percent in Wayne County.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN SAVES WIFE AND GRANDCHILDREN FROM HOUSE FIRE
A Poplar Bluff man is in a St. Louis hospital after saving his family members from a house fire.
The man has been identified as 64 year old Alex Clinton, of Poplar Bluff. He was transported to a St. Louis hospital and his condition was not available at this time.
11th ANNUAL ST. JUDE ARCHERY SHOOT TO BE HELD THIS WEEKEND
Archers will be taking up their bows this weekend to raise money for the kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The 11th Annual St. Jude Archery Shoot will begin this Saturday morning at 8 am at the Missouri Department of Conservation Archery Range on NN Highway near Poplar Bluff.
NO INJURIES REPORTED AFTER BUILDING COLLAPSES IN NEW MADRID
A building collapsed Monday morning in New Madrid.
According to the New Madrid Police Department, the building was located on Main Street between Mill and Mott Streets.
Officials say that no injuries have been reported in connection to the collapse.
STORM DAMAGES HOME IN BROSELEY AREA
A storm system crossed Southeast Missouri yesterday bringing heavy rains and high winds to the area.
According to the National Weather Service, a tornado warning was in effect for a portion of Sunday evening in east central Butler County, Southwestern Stoddard County and Northern Dunklin County.
A trained spotter reported a funnel cloud dipping up and down approximately one mile north of Qulin at 7:30 pm.
EXCLUSIVE: POPLAR BLUFF POLICE CHIEF SPEAKS ON PANHANDLING IN POPLAR BLUFF
Many Poplar Bluff residents have noticed an increase in panhandling recently in the city.
In an exclusive interview, Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley spoke with KWOC News about the legality of panhandling and his thoughts on the matter.
DEXTER HOSPITAL REOPENS FOLLOWING TORNADO DAMAGE REPAIRS
A Stoddard County hospital has reopened after receiving damage from a tornado last month.
According to officials, Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County has reopened its Emergency Services, Behavioral Health, and Inpatient units.
The hospital’s Imaging Department, Lab, and Respiratory Therapy are fully functional for inpatient or Emergency Services use.
RETIREMENT CELEBRATION TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH FOR COACH GENE BESS
A retirement celebration will be held next month for former Three Rivers College men’s basketball coach Gene Bess.
Bess retired last year after 50 seasons with the Raiders, where he amassed 1,300 career wins and two national championships.
The celebration for Bess will be held at 5 pm on Saturday, September 11th at Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church in Poplar Bluff.
MOFFITT SWORN IN AS POPLAR BLUFF FIRE CHIEF
The city of Poplar Bluff has a new fire chief.
Mike Moffitt was officially sworn in last night as the chief of the Poplar Bluff Fire Department during a meeting of the Poplar Bluff City Council.
A pinning ceremony was conducted during the meeting by outgoing Chief Stucker and the family of Chief Moffitt.
VEHICLE PURSUIT LEADS TO DRUG BUST IN POPLAR BLUFF
A vehicle pursuit over the weekend led to a drug bust in Poplar Bluff.
Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley tells KWOC News that an officer stopped a vehicle Saturday for an improper tag. During the stop, the vehicle fled.
The pursuit continued with the vehicle reaching speeds of around 80 miles per hour until officers lost sight of the vehicle on South Westwood Boulevard. A short time later, a report came in of a vehicle in the ditch on Linwood Drive.
SWELTERING HEAT BLANKETS SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Sweltering heat and humidity blanketed Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas on Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service, peak heat index readings were recorded Thursday at 113 degrees in Northern Carter County, 111 degrees in Piedmont, and 108 degrees in both Poplar Bluff and Doniphan.
Weather officials say that a heat advisory will also be in effect today for much of Southeast Missouri and all of Northeast Arkansas.
HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT TODAY FOR SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Weather officials have announced that a heat advisory will be in effect today for southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.
According to the National Weather Service, the heat advisory will be in effect from 10 am to 8 pm. Heat index values are expected to top out between 105 and 110 degrees across the region.
Residents are being reminded to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN SENTENCED TO PROBATION AND WILL HAVE TO PAY OVER 87 THOUSAND DOLLARS IN CONNECTION TO PURCHASE AND SALE OF GINSENG
A Poplar Bluff man will have to pay over $80,000 dollars and spend multiple years on probation for a violation of the federal Lacey Act.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 57 year old Thomas Ridenhower admitted to failing to properly record a purchase of ginseng from another person on a quarterly reporting form and that he intended to export the purchased ginseng in interstate and foreign commerce.
