17th ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF SET FOR SATURDAY
Chili lovers from across Southeast Missouri will be gathering in Poplar Bluff 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 at the Black River Coliseum. Event organizers say that admission to the cook-off is free.
All proceeds from the event will go to benefit the United Gospel Rescue Mission.
OVER 600 PEOPLE LOST POWER DURING WEDNESDAY STORMS
Wednesday’s severe storm system resulted in power outages for numerous people across Southeast Missouri.
At one point Wednesday afternoon, the Ozark Border Electric Cooperative outage map showed over 500 customers without power in Stoddard County, while at least 170 customers did not have power in Dunklin County.
Power outages were also reported in Ellsinore.
MISSING COLORADO MAN FOUND DEAD IN CLAY COUNTY
A missing Colorado man has been found dead in Northeast Arkansas.
Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole tells KWOC News that shortly before 8 am Tuesday, his department received a report of a deceased person by the river levee close to the bridge off Highway 90.
The person was identified as 83 year old Randolph Rodewald, of Denver, Colorado, who was reported missing Tuesday morning by the Denver Police Department.
PURSUIT LEADS TO DRUG AND GUN BUST IN CLAY COUNTY
Two people are in custody following a pursuit on Sunday morning.
Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole tells KWOC News that at approximately 9:40 AM Sunday, a deputy was traveling westbound on Highway 328 when he observed a red vehicle on his side of the roadway headed toward him, almost hitting him. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and as he approached the vehicle, the vehicle took off.
MAJOR LAKE WAPPAPELLO CAMPGROUND TO BE CLOSED DURING THE 2023 RECREATION SEASON
A major campground at Lake Wappapello will be closed for the 2023 Recreation Season.
According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Redman Creek East Campground will remain closed during the 2023 Recreation Season due to ongoing construction and major rehabilitation.
The work in the campground includes replacement of utilities on many sites, 50-amp RV electrical service, water and sewer RV hookups at the campsite, and new concrete campsite impact pads, among other improvements.
PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 24TH IN CARTER COUNTY
The voluntary residential flood buyout project will be the topic of a public meeting held later this month in Carter County.
According to officials, the meeting will be held at 9:30 am on Friday, February 24th at the Carter County Courthouse in Van Buren.
The county’s ongoing residential voluntary buyout project includes assistance like relocation expenses and down payment assistance for those who qualify.
BARRICADED SUBJECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN POPLAR BLUFF
A barricaded subject has been taken into custody in Poplar Bluff.
Poplar Bluff Deputy Police Chief Keith Hefner tells KWOC News that just before noon on Wednesday, officers were dispatched to a location on North Main Street following a report of a possible gunshot and a female heard screaming.
Upon arrival, officers learned there was a suicidal male subject barricaded inside the residence with a firearm and it was reported that he had already fired a shot prior to the officer’s arrival.
CRASH IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI CLAIMS LIVES OF TWO PEOPLE
Crews were on the scene of a multiple fatality wreck Tuesday in Southeast Missouri.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash was located three miles west of Senath on Highway 412.
Officials say that two commercial vehicles collided head on. The drivers of the vehicles, 63 year old Steven Wagoner, of Salem, Illinois, and 60 year old Steven Billingsley, of Memphis, Tennessee, were both pronounced dead at the scene.
WINDS UP TO 60 MILES PER HOUR POSSIBLE TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Some areas of Southeast Missouri could see wind speeds of up to around 60 miles per hour today.
The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for Butler, Stoddard, New Madrid, Bollinger, Mississippi, and Cape Girardeau Counties for 10 am through 8 pm today.
Weather officials say that south wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible in these areas. Some trees may be uprooted, and numerous large tree limbs will likely be knocked down. A few power lines may also be knocked down, but damage to power lines is more likely through trees and limbs falling.
LAST SECOND THREE POINT SHOT HELPS GREENVILLE TO OFC CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2023 Ozark Foothills Conference Championship Friday was a night for the bears.
The Greenville Bears took home the boys Varsity championship Friday night at the Libla Family Sports Complex in Poplar Bluff thanks to an Easton Evans game tying three point basket with two seconds remaining in regulation to send the championship game to overtime.
ONE CHARGED IN CONNECTION TO DEATH OF CHILD IN CARTER COUNTY
The death of a child in Southeast Missouri has resulted in the arrest of an area woman.
Carter County Sheriff Dustin Boyer tells KWOC News that a report was made by medical personnel of possible child neglect on February 3rd. An investigation was launched with the assistance of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Investigation unit.
During the investigation, it was reported that the child had passed away.
TWIN RIVERS SUPERINTENDENT ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO SPEAK TO LEGISLATORS ABOUT FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEK
An area superintendent is encouraging parents to reach out to legislators and voice their feelings on the four day school week.
In a letter to parents, Twin Rivers R-X Superintendent Rob Brown says that an amendment to Senate Bill 4 that has been introduced in the Missouri Senate would eliminate the four day school week.
ONE DEAD IN CONNECTION TO OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN POPLAR BLUFF
Authorities in Poplar Bluff are investigating an officer involved shooting from Tuesday morning.
According to Lieutenant Josh Stewart with the Poplar Bluff Police Department, at approximately 8 am, officers were dispatched to the 700 block of North 11th Street regarding a male subject walking in the area.
Officers located the man walking on North 12th Street. The subject was covered in blood and appeared to have a knife in his hand. Stewart says that when officers contacted the subject, he began inflicting bodily harm to himself with the suspected knife.
The subject then charged at the officers, who fired their weapons, striking the man. He was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital where he was pronounced dead. No officers were injured during the incident and all three have been placed on administrative leave.
Butler County Coroner Jim Akers says that his office is working with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for the investigation.
We will keep following this story for you and bring you updates as they become available.
BOYS SEMIFINALS TO START TODAY AT 2023 OZARK FOOTHILLS CONFERENCE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Boys’ semifinal matchups are scheduled for today at the 2023 Ozark Foothills Conference Basketball Tournament in Greenville.
The day will start with the second semifinal of the Boys’ Junior Varsity bracket, as Greenville takes on Neelyville at 4:30 pm.
The first boys varsity semifinal between Greenville and Twin Rivers will begin at 6 pm. The second semifinal will see Doniphan face Clearwater at 7:30 pm.
SEMIFINALS TO START TODAY AT 2023 OZARK FOOTHILLS CONFERENCE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Semifinal matchups are scheduled to begin today at the 2023 Ozark Foothills Conference Basketball Tournament.
The top seed of the Junior Varsity bracket, Twin Rivers will begin their tournament today at 4:30 pm.
Both girls varsity semifinals are also scheduled for today, with the first game starting at 6:00 pm. The boys varsity semifinal games will be played on Tuesday.
MULTIPLE EVENTS PLANNED FOR 2023 THREE RIVERS COLLEGE ALUMNI REUNION
Multiple events have been scheduled for the 2023 Three Rivers College Alumni Reunion this weekend.
The celebration will begin at 6 pm tonight with the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet at the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff.
There is a full day of festivities planned for Saturday on the TRC campus in Poplar Bluff, starting with the pancake breakfast at 7 am.
MULTIPLE CRASHES CAUSE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF US HIGHWAY 60 IN BUTLER COUNTY
A portion of US Highway 60 in Butler County was closed Wednesday morning following a multi vehicle wreck due to icy roads.
Officials say that three tractor trailers were involved in the crash along with several other vehicles, which caused the eastbound lanes of Highway 60 to be closed for several hours from the Highway W exit to the Highway T exit.
One Highway Patrol vehicle and three Barker’s Towing trucks were struck while responding to the area.
CHANCES OF ANOTHER ROUND OF WINTER WEATHER TONIGHT
Another round of winter weather spread across Southeast Missouri on Tuesday, further worsening road conditions across the area.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, sleet and freezing rain rapidly spread across Southeast Missouri Tuesday afternoon and evening, causing roads that had previously been cleared to ice over again.
SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS POSSIBLE THIS MORNING
Weather officials are warning of possible icy road conditions in Southeast Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a Winter Storm Warning was in effect overnight due to possibilities of snow, sleet, and ice accumulations.
Weather officials say that motorists should prepare for possible slippery road conditions this morning. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
LIGHT ICING POSSIBLE THIS WEEK
Southeast Missouri could see some light icing this week which might result in dangerous traveling conditions.
According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service, light wintry weather will produce potential travel impacts this week.
Portions of Southeast Missouri already experienced freezing drizzle last night into this morning.
