MULTIPLE EVENTS PLANNED FOR 2023 THREE RIVERS COLLEGE ALUMNI REUNION

Multiple events have been scheduled for the 2023 Three Rivers College Alumni Reunion.

The celebration will begin at 6 pm on February 3rd with the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet at the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff.

There is a full day of festivities planned for February 4th on the campus of Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, starting with the pancake breakfast at 7 am.

POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED FOR 2ND DEGREE MURDER

A Poplar Bluff man has been arrested on a murder charge.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that his agency and the Missouri State Highway Patrol have arrested 43 year old Willie Eddie Sipes, of Poplar Bluff, and charges have been requested for 2nd degree murder and possession of a controlled substance.

The charges are in connection to a deceased female that was found at her home in Wayne County. Sheriff Dobbs says it is believed that she died as a result of injuries she sustained while at Sipes residence, located in Northern Butler County.

POPLAR BLUFF COMPETITIVE CHEERLEADERS COMPETE IN NATIONAL COMPETITION

The Poplar Bluff High School Competitive Cheerleading team was in Texas this past weekend to compete with the top High School cheer teams from across the United States.

The Mules Cheerleaders took part in the National Cheerleaders Association High School Nationals in Dallas, Texas in the Intermediate Small Varsity Crowd Performance division. 

Poplar Bluff finished day one of the competition in 17th place out of 28 teams.

SCHOOL BUS INVOLVED IN CRASH IN POPLAR BLUFF

A school bus was involved in a motor vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Poplar Bluff.

According to authorities, a Poplar Bluff school bus and a passenger vehicle collided on West Pine Street in the area of the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce.

One person in the passenger vehicle was injured and transported from the scene by ambulance.  

POPLAR BLUFF VOTERS TO DECIDE ON USE TAX IN APRIL

Poplar Bluff voters will decide on whether a use tax will be enacted this April.

During their meeting Tuesday night, the Poplar Bluff City Council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing and directing the submission of a ballot proposition to Poplar Bluff voters at the upcoming general municipal election.

The ordinance will ask voters if they want to impose a local use tax at the same rate as the total sales tax rate. In the event the local sales tax rate is reduced or raised by voter approval, the local use tax rate will also be reduced or raised.

ONE FLOWN FROM THE SCENE OF A CRASH IN POPLAR BLUFF

One subject was flown from the scene of a two vehicle wreck in Poplar Bluff.

The wreck occurred Monday afternoon on Ashcroft Road near Ditch Road.

ONE FOUND DEAD FOLLOWING FIRE IN BUTLER COUNTY

A fatal structure fire is under investigation in Butler County.

According to officials, the fire happened Friday morning at a structure located on T Highway near route KK.

Crews found one person dead inside the garage. Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC News the person has been identified as 76 year old Darrell Robirtson, of Poplar Bluff.

17th ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF SET FOR FEBRUARY 25TH

A date has been set for the Mason-Dixon Chili Society’s 17th annual Chili Cook-Off.

The event will be held from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday, February 25th at the Black River Coliseum and admission is free. A cook’s party will be held the day before the event.

The participation fee is $100 per booth if you register by February 13th. Proceeds from the Cook-Off go to benefit the United Gospel Rescue Mission.

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI WOMAN FACING CHARGE OF ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD

A Southeast Missouri woman was taken into custody over the weekend on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, 44 year old Costalina Gray, of Glenallen, was arrested in connection to an infant being found abandoned outside of a residence on West Davis Street in Poplar Bluff.

A neighbor said the infant lived with its parents at the residence, but no one was home at the time the child was found. The infant was transported to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for care.  During the investigation it was determined the child had been left in the care of their grandparent, Gray.

THREE RIVERS COLLEGE BASKETBALL BUS INVOLVED IN CRASH

The bus carrying the Three Rivers College men’s basketball team was involved in a traffic collision Thursday night.

Three Rivers College Director of Public Safety and Safety Projects Chuck Stratton tells KWOC news that at approximately 9:45 pm Thursday night, witnesses say that a tractor trailer ran a red light and struck the bus on the driver side in Marion, Illinois.

There were around 25 individuals on the bus at the time of the wreck, and one of the student athletes suffered a minor injury to his hand. The player was transported to an area hospital for treatment and was later released.

BUNKER MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

A Bunker man has been sentenced to multiple years in prison in connection to a 2018 death.

According to Missouri Case net, Rickey Holt pled guilty on Wednesday to a felony charge of 1st degree involuntary manslaughter.

Holt was arrested in June of 2018 following the death of 41 year old Joe Girard, of Oak Ridge, at Brick’s Off Road Park.

FUNERAL TO BE HELD TODAY FOR BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE LIEUTENANT

Funeral services will be held today for a member of the Butler County Sheriff’s Department.

Lieutenant Brian Evans passed away early Saturday morning after a long battle with cancer.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that everyone who knew Brian loved him and he was the kind of person to always bring joy to every room he entered. Dobbs added that Evans was a wonderful person and faithful friend.

MAN ACCUSED OF SHOOTING AT TROOPER IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI FOUND DEAD

A subject who was accused of shooting at a Missouri State Trooper in Southeast Missouri has been found dead.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, on December 18th, 47 year old Christopher Storlie fired at a state trooper during a pursuit in Carter County. The Trooper's patrol car was struck several times, but the Trooper remained uninjured.

The suspect vehicle then fled the scene.

STODDARD COUNTY COMMISSIONER REMOVED FROM OFFICE

A Stoddard County Commissioner has been removed from office.

Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver tells KWOC News that on Friday, a Court found that Commissioner Steve Jordan had committed the offense of nepotism in violation of the Missouri Constitutional ban on such conduct.

POPLAR BLUFF RESIDENTS TO DECIDE ON WARD FIVE CITY COUNCIL SEAT IN APRIL

Filing has been completed for the municipal elections that will be conducted early next year.

In Poplar Bluff, there will be a competitive race for councilman of Ward Five.

Incumbent Robert Smith is being challenged by Spencer Jones. Smith was first elected to the Poplar Bluff City Council in 2002.