WEEKEND WINTER STORM EXPECTED TO BEGIN TONIGHT
A winter storm system will be moving into our area beginning tonight.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a wintry mix of rain and snow Friday night should transition to mainly snow Saturday, with the chance of snow continuing Saturday night into Sunday.
Weather officials say that there is still a fair amount of uncertainty with respect to snow accumulations across the region as a result of this system.
BUTLER COUNTY SCHOOL TO MISS CLASSES FOR THE REST OF THIS WEEK DUE TO ILLNESS
A Butler County school will be closed for the rest of this week.
School officials say that the Twin Rivers R-10 School District will be closed today and tomorrow due to a large amount of staff and students being absent this week because of illness.
Meal service will be provided from 11 am to noon today and tomorrow at each campus. Families can pick up a sack meal which contains breakfast, lunch and dinner.
CONVICTION VACATED IN 2013 WAYNE COUNTY SHOOTING DEATH
The Missouri Supreme Court has vacated the 2018 manslaughter and armed criminal action convictions for a southeast Missouri man and sent the case back to circuit court.
Samuel Whitaker was convicted in the 2013 shooting death of his stepson-in-law, Carl Streeval, in Wayne County.
Whitaker was sentenced to 10 years in prison for manslaughter and 13 years for armed criminal action.
THREE SOUTHEAST MISSOURI RESIDENTS KILLED IN INDIANA WRECK
Indiana State Police say three travelers from Southeast Missouri are dead after a single-vehicle crash in western Indiana.
A preliminary investigation shows the vehicle crashed on Interstate 70 westbound near the 24 mile marker on Saturday afternoon.
The car traveled off the interstate and rolled several times before hitting a tree. Authorities say icy road conditions caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
58 year old Glen Jackson, 57 year old Rose Jackson and 35 year old Amber Johnson, all from New Madrid, were pronounced dead following the wreck.
A juvenile was hospitalized for injuries that weren't believed to be life-threatening.
DEXTER MAN IN CUSTODY ON SEXUAL ABUSE CHARGE
A Dexter man has been taken into custody on a sex crime related warrant.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 19 year old Brian Smith was recently arrested on a Stoddard County warrant for sexual abuse – 1st degree and sexual misconduct involving a child under the age of 15.
BITTERLY COLD TEMPERATURES AND POSSIBLE SLICK ROADS FOR THIS MORNING
While the snow is past us for now, we are looking at very cold temperatures to start off Friday morning.
Temperatures across Southeast Missouri dropped to around 10 degrees overnight. Wind chill values have gotten below ten degrees, even approaching zero degrees in some areas.
According to the National Weather Service, snowfall totals reached up to four inches in some Southeast Missouri locations on Thursday.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
Our first significant snow of the season is expected today.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for much of Southeast Missouri which will be in effect through this afternoon.
The advisory says that total snow accumulations of around one to two inches are possible today.
Officials say that wind chill temperatures tonight into tomorrow morning will be in the single digits to just below zero across most of the area.
INVESTIGATION ONGOING INTO FATAL SOUTHEAST MISSOURI SHOOTING
Authorities in Southeast Missouri are investigating a fatal shooting from last week.
According to the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office, on December 29th, Deputies were dispatched to a residence in Southern Reynolds County for a burglary in progress.
Deputies were informed before they arrived that shots had been fired. At the scene, deputies found a person deceased inside the residence.
BUTLER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WANTS TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS
If you have, or know someone, with special healthcare needs, the Butler County Health Department would like to hear from you.
The Health Department is working with the Butler County Emergency Management Agency to develop a registry of individuals with Special Healthcare Needs who may require special assistance in the event of a disaster such as a tornado, severe storm, chemical spill, or earthquake.
WOMAN DIES FROM GUNSHOT WOUND IN STODDARD COUNTY, ONE IN CUSTODY
A Bloomfield man is facing a second degree murder charges following a shooting death last week.
According Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver, John Clary has been charged with the crimes of 2nd degree murder, felony murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a stolen firearm.
HEAVY RAIN POSSIBLE FOR NEW YEARS EVE
There are chances of severe weather coming up as we celebrate the New Year.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there is concern for a heavy rain and flooding threat on Friday night.
Widespread rainfall amounts from anywhere to a half an inch to four inches are forecast. The chances of heavier rain increase as you get closer to the Missouri Bootheel.
ARSON INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY AT ROUND SPRING CAMPGROUND
An arson investigation is underway following an incident at the Round Spring Campground.
According to Ozark National Scenic Riverways, at approximately 11:13 pm on December 26th, park rangers responded to the scene of a structural fire at the Round Spring Visitor Contact Station, which consisted of a small visitor contact center and ranger offices.
Local area volunteer fire departments from Timber and Eminence suppressed the fire and no one was injured, however the building was a total loss.
BUTLER COUNTY CLERK ANNOUNCES THAT SHE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION
The Butler County Clerk has announced that she is retiring at the end of next year.
Tonyi Deffendall posted on Facebook that she will not seek re-election to the Clerk’s office.
Deffendall has served the people of Butler County for over thirty years. Her term ends on December 31st, 2022.
POPLAR BLUFF SHOWDOWN TO BEGIN ON MONDAY
We are less than one week away from the 34th Annual Poplar Bluff Showdown.
The three day tournament will begin on Monday, December 27th at Poplar Bluff High School.
The first round will see Fayetteville take on Haywood at 4 pm, followed by South Side vs. Overton at 5:30 pm, Poplar Bluff against Forrest City at 7 pm, and the day will finish with Raytown South vs. Memphis Central at 8:30 pm.
KENNETT MAN SENTENCED FOR ASSAULTING ONE YEAR OLD CHILD
A Dunklin County man is set to spend three decades in prison for assaulting a one year old child.
Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain tells KWOC News that 33 year old Matthew Estes, Jr., of Kennett, was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in the Department of Corrections on the charge of assault in the first degree and 16 years on the charge of abuse of a child causing serious physical injury.
The sentences are to be served concurrently.
ONE DEAD FOLLOWING SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
One person is dead and another has been transported to an area hospital following a single vehicle wreck in Northeast Arkansas.
According to the Arkansas State Police, 54 year old Robert Collier, of Maynard, was driving on Shelby Road in Maynard early Sunday morning when the vehicle ran off the side of the road and struck a tree.
Collier was pronounced dead at the scene by the Randolph County coroner.
HIGHWAY PATROL INVESTIGATING OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN BUTLER COUNTY
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating an officer involved shooting in rural Butler County.
Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that shortly before 3 pm Sunday, officers responded to a residence on Highway N in reference to an alleged sexual assault.
During the investigation, one of the individuals in the residence began firing a handgun. At the time, one deputy and four EMS workers were inside the residence.
The deputy fired his weapon, resulting in the subject’s death.
Sheriff Dobbs says that the Sheriff’s Department has requested an independent investigation by the Highway Patrol, which is ongoing.
The name of the officer and the subject are not being released at this time.
We will keep following this story for you and bring you updates as they become available.
NEW 21 MILLION DOLLAR FACILITY TO BRING 175 JOBS TO POPLAR BLUFF
A Missouri based commercial refrigeration manufacturer is coming to Poplar Bluff, bringing over 150 new jobs to the area.
Poplar Bluff City Manager Matt Winters tells KWOC News that Missouri-based True Manufacturing has announced it will build a new facility in Poplar Bluff, investing $21 million and creating 175 new jobs.
Construction on the new 400,000 square foot facility is planned to begin in spring of 2022.
POPLAR BLUFF SHOWDOWN TO BE STREAMED LIVE ON TODAY’S TALK KWOC
We are less than two weeks away from the 34th Annual Poplar Bluff Showdown.
This year’s Showdown will be a little different with fans now getting the opportunity to watch from home.
Today’s Talk KWOC will have live video coverage, with commentary, for all 12 games, along with the 3 Point and Slam Dunk Contest, on our Facebook and Youtube pages during the Showdown.
RECOVERY EFFORTS CONTINUE IN KENTUCKY, PRESIDENT BIDEN TO SURVEY DAMAGE TODAY
Kentucky's governor says at least 74 people were killed in the state during a devastating cluster of tornadoes.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear told reporters that it could take days to tally a final death toll because of the sheer devastation from Friday's twisters. President Joe Biden has said he will be in Kentucky today to survey the tornado damage.
At least 14 people are dead in four other states: Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Illinois.
