ONE DEAD AFTER WRECK ON INTERSTATE 55
An early Saturday morning wreck in New Madrid County has left one person dead.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the wreck occurred when a vehicle, driven by 64 year old Gregory Davies, of Knox, Indiana, pulled into the path of another vehicle on Interstate 55.
Davies was pronounced dead at the scene by New Madrid county Coroner George DeLisle.
FORMER POPLAR BLUFF MAYOR ED DEGARIS PASSES AWAY
A former mayor of Poplar Bluff has died.
According to Poplar Bluff city officials, Ed DeGaris passed away Wednesday night.
DeGaris served as Poplar Bluff mayor from 2011 to 2017 and sat on the Poplar Bluff City Council from 2009 to 2020.
Prior to his work on the City Council, DeGaris reached the rank of Lieutenant in the 33 years that he served in the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
ONE DEAD FOLLOWING TRACTOR TRAILER WRECK IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
One person has died following a tractor trailer wreck in Northeast Arkansas.
According to authorities, the crash occurred Wednesday morning on State Highway 90 between Pocahontas and Ravenden Springs.
37 year old Wilbur Wheeler, of Ravenden, Arkansas was going through a curve when he crossed the centerline and struck the front of an oncoming tractor trailer.
BUTLER COUNTY ROAD TO BE CLOSED FOR FOUR MONTHS STARTING TODAY
The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced that a Butler County road will be closed for approximately four months beginning today.
Route W in Butler County will be closed as contractor crews replace a bridge over Black River. The bridge is located between County Road 525 and Ravenwood Lane near Poplar Bluff.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI BASEBALL TEAM TO PLAY FOR STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TODAY
A Southeast Missouri High School will be playing today for a state championship.
Portageville will be playing Russellville at 1 pm this afternoon in Ozark in the Class 2 State Baseball Finals.
Portageville advanced to the championship game with a 6-0 win over Gainesville in the state Semifinal on Monday.
HIGHWAY PATROL ENCOURAGES DRIVERS AND BOATERS TO HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Memorial Day weekend is upon us and the Missouri State Highway Patrol wants the public to make safety a priority.
Officials tell KWOC News that every available trooper will be on the road enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists during the long holiday weekend.
Troopers will focus their attention on hazardous moving violations, speed violations, and impaired drivers.
Over the 2021 Memorial Day holiday weekend, 10 people died and 442 were injured in over 1,017 traffic crashes.
Motorists or boaters in need of assistance or who want to report a crime can use the Highway Patrol's Emergency Assistance number at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone.
POPLAR BLUFF CLASS OF 2022 TO GRADUATE TONIGHT
The Commencement Ceremony for the Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2022 will be held tonight.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7 pm this evening at the Black River Coliseum.
School officials say that approximately 300 students will be graduating tonight.
Anyone who cannot attend the ceremony can watch it online on the Mules Media YouTube channel.
MULTI COUNTY PURSUIT ON US HIGHWAY 60 LEADS TO AN ARREST OF NEVADA MAN
A Nevada man has been arrested following a pursuit that began in Poplar Bluff and ended in Dexter.
Lieutenant Josh Stewart with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC News, that the incident started following a report of a stolen vehicle.
JOSH STEWART:
“On Tuesday at approximately 7 am, officers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department responded to Eugene Boulevard regarding a stolen vehicle. At approximately 8:45 am, officers learned that the victim had spotted the vehicle at O’Reilly Auto Parts. Officers responded to that area and located the vehicle southbound on Business 67. The vehicle then turned onto Park Avenue where officers attempted to make a traffic stop, at that point the suspect failed to yield and a pursuit ensued.”
“During the pursuit speeds reached approximately 115 mph, just east of Poplar Bluff. The suspect continued eastbound on Highway 60 through Dudley and then onto Dexter Missouri. Speeds during that portion of the pursuit reached 70 to 80 mph. Spike stripes were deployed at Dexter Missouri which had the desired effect and the vehicle came to a stop. The suspect was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody. He was identified as 28 year old Kory Paul. Paul is facing charges of stealing a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, and failed to yield to an emergency vehicle.”
“The Poplar Bluff Police Department would like to thank the Dexter Police Department, Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol for assisting in the investigation.”
AREA WOMAN AND TWO FIREFIGHTERS INJURED FOLLOWING A HOUSE FIRE IN POPLAR BLUFF
An area woman along with two firefighters were injured following a house fire in Poplar Bluff.
Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Mike Moffitt tells KWOC News, early Monday morning, authorities responded to a structure fire in the 900 block of Cedar Street.
Two firefighters were able to make entry and rescue a woman inside the burning home. The victim was severely burned from the waist down and was flown to a St. Louis hospital for treatment.
Chief Moffitt says the two firefighters who rescued the victim were also injured. They were treated for minor burns at a Poplar Bluff hospital and have since been released.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate the fire.
TWO AREA SOFTBALL TEAMS TO PLAY IN STATE SEMIFINALS TODAY
Both Kennett and Holcomb High School Softball teams will be playing in the State Semi-finals today in Springfield.
Kennett, who has a 21 and seven record this season, will be taking on 27 and three Diamond High School beginning at 11 am. The winner will advance to the State Championship game on Tuesday against the winner of the second semi-final between Park Hills Central and Skyline.
Holcomb, who has a 26 and six record, will be taking on Jasper High School starting at 1:15 pm. Jasper is 15-9 this year. The winner will advance to the State Championship game also on Tuesday against the winner of the second semi-final between Plato and Wellington-Napoleon.
The finals will begin at 11 am Tuesday at Killian Sports Complex in Springfield.
Coming up today, Today’s Talk KWOC will be covering the Class 2 State Sectional baseball game between East Carter and Portageville live from East Carter at 4:30 pm.
MAN WANTED ON CHILD MOLESTATION AND STAUTORY RAPE CHARGES TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
Authorities in Scott County have taken a man who is wanted on multiple charges into custody.
According to authorities, Raymond Stovall, of Sikeston, is wanted on charges of child molestation, statutory rape, and statutory sodomy.
The Scott County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook Thursday morning asking for the public’s help in finding Stovall, who had not been seen since May 5th.
SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
With thunderstorms possible today, weather officials are warning of a risk of severe storms.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, most of Southeast Missouri is under a slight risk for severe thunderstorms from late this morning into the afternoon.
Any of the storms that become severe may contain large hail and damaging winds, although an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
POPLAR BLUFF CHOIR STUDENTS EARN HIGH RATINGS AT STATE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Ten Poplar Bluff High School choir students were recognized following their recent performance at the Missouri State Music Festival in Columbia.
According to school officials, Brent Hanley, Emma Harris, Christian Redding, Isaac Reid, Lexy Rowland, Ella Skillman, Emma Tinsley and Dawson Vaughan received a gold rating in double quartet; Hanley, Reid and Vaughan also received gold in trio; while both Harris and Redding received gold in solo performance.
Reid, Kerrigan Conley-Halliburton, and Bralin Duckett earned silver rating in the solo category.
NEW SUPERINTENDENT SELECTED FOR TWIN RIVERS SCHOOL DISTRICT
A new superintendent has been selected for the Twin Rivers R-10 School District.
Rob Brown will be taking over for the resigning Ben Johnson starting July 1st.
Brown has spent 22 years in public education, serving the past six as the Principal at Aurora High School in Aurora, Missouri.
NEW PRINCIPAL CHOSEN FOR POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL
High school students and staff in Poplar Bluff will have a new leader for the next school year.
The Poplar Bluff school board selected Valerie Ivy to be the new High School Principal starting July 1st during a meeting earlier this week. Ivy is a Poplar Bluff native and PBHS graduate who has worked for the school district for almost two decades.
She is currently serving as an assistant principal.
RECORD HIGH SET IN POPLAR BLUFF ON TUESDAY
Poplar Bluff saw a new record high temperature set yesterday.
Temperatures reached 91 degrees in Poplar Bluff on Tuesday, overtaking the city’s previous record high for May 10th of 90 degrees, which was set back in 1986.
The mid May heatwave is expected to continue today.
EARLY VOTING IS UNDERWAY FOR ARKANSAS PRIMARY
Early voting began Monday for Arkansas' primary election, which features crowded races for a Senate seat and some of the state's top offices.
Voters can begin casting ballots early for the May 24th election, which will also include nonpartisan races for the state Supreme Court and other judicial seats.
The top races include Republican Senator John Boozman's reelection bid. He faces a challenge from former NFL player Jake Bequette, conservative activist Jan Morgan and pastor Heath Loftis. Natalie James, Dan Whitfield and Jack Foster are seeking the Democratic nomination.
THREE CHILDREN INJURED, ONE SERIOUSLY, IN BUTLER COUNTY WRECK
Three children were among a total of five people injured in a wreck Saturday afternoon on US Highway 60 in Butler County.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the wreck occurred six miles east of Ellsinore when a vehicle failed to yield and pulled into the path of another vehicle.
