19 ARRESTED DURING STREET GANG ROUND UP IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Almost 20 people were arrested Thursday during a roundup in Southeast Missouri.

Sergeant Tyler Rowe tells KWOC News that officers with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, with the help of numerous area law enforcement agencies, served several criminal arrest warrants Thursday following a lengthy criminal investigation.

A Scott County Grand Jury, empaneled late last year, returned indictments on 25 individuals for knowingly participating in criminal street gang activities.

COUNTRYSIDE CHEVROLET CHAMPIONSHIP RODEO RETURNS TO BLACK RIVER COLISEUM

Rodeo action is returning next month to Poplar Bluff.

The Countryside Chevrolet Championship Rodeo will start at 7 pm on both March 1st and 2nd at the Black River Coliseum.

There will be multiple PRCA Pro Rodeo events including bronc busting, bull riding, and barrel racing.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. each night and children two years old and under get in for free.

KENNETT MAN ARRESTED ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGE

A Kennett man has been taken into custody on a child pornography charge.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, 31 year old Matthew Hammond was arrested last week for promoting child pornography.

On February 8th, investigators contacted Hammond after they had developed information indicating he had distributed child pornography files on-line.

POST SEASON BASKETBALL FOR THE NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL EAGLES TO BE BROADCAST ON SHUFFLE 929

We are excited to announce that our sister station Shuffle 929 will be your post season basketball home for the New Madrid County Central Eagles.

First up is the Class 3, District 1 Tournament from February 20th through the 24th. The Eagles are looking to win a 4th consecutive district championship and every game will be broadcast on Shuffle 929 and live streamed on MSHSAA.tv.

POPLAR BLUFF WRESTLER WINS SECOND DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP

A Poplar Bluff wrestler is celebrating her second district championship.

Poplar Bluff’s Zoe Freeman won the Class 2, District 1, championship on Saturday in the 190-pound weight class.

With her win, Freeman now advances to the State Championship Tournament, which is scheduled to begin on February 23rd in Columbia.

TWO FLOWN TO AREA HOSPITALS FOLLOWING CRASH NEAR POPLAR BLUFF

Two people were flown to area hospitals Wednesday night following a crash near Poplar Bluff.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 20 year old Bryanna James, of Piedmont, was driving on US Highway 67 when her vehicle struck a vehicle that was disabled in the roadway.

James suffered serious injuries in the crash. A young passenger in her vehicle received moderate injuries. Both were flown to area hospitals.

There was nobody in the disabled vehicle when the crash occurred.

POPLAR BLUFF ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT SELLING ART FROM LOCAL ARTIST TO RAISE MONEY

The work of a local artist is being highlighted to help raise money for the Poplar Bluff R-1 Athletic Department.

According to R-I Athletic Director Kent Keith, the Athletic Department is selling 11x14 prints of an acrylic painting of a Mules helmet commissioned to the Poplar Bluff school system and painted by Mike Shane.

Shane is the creator of the series housed at the Poplar Bluff Museum depicting Mules Football players through the ages.

CORNING MAN KILLED IN CRASH ON HIGHWAY 67

A Corning man is dead, and two other people are injured, following a crash Monday night on Highway 67 in Clay County.

According to the Arkansas State Police, 76 year old Loyal Moore was on the northbound shoulder of the highway when he attempted a u-turn and crossed into the path of an oncoming freightliner. After the impact, the freightliner overturned.

JUVENILE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO BOMB THREAT AT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI SCHOOL

A juvenile has been taken into custody in connection to a bomb threat at a Southeast Missouri school.

According to the Malden Department of Public Safety, on January 4th, authorities were alerted to a bomb threat to the Malden School Campus.

An investigation into the threat was conducted by Malden DPS with assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Dexter Police Department.

WOMAN ARRESTED ON CHARGE OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF A CHILD IN POPLAR BLUFF

A woman was arrested Thursday after a small child was located in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, on Thursday, officers were dispatched to a residence on Midland Street in Poplar Bluff in reference to a toddler knocking on doors.

Officers located the child, only wearing sweatpants and began looking for their parents or guardians.

The officers found a residence with a door wide open and announced themselves several times with no answer.

MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN BUTLER COUNTY CRASH

One man was seriously injured in a single vehicle crash Thursday morning in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 31 year old Dylan Bridgers, of High Ridge, was driving on US Highway 60 when his vehicle ran off the roadway and struck a tree.

Bridgers suffered serious injuries and was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital.

ONE CHARGED IN CONNECTION TO SHOOTING AT DEXTER WALMART

At least one person has been charged in connection to a shooting incident on Tuesday at a Dexter business.

Dexter Chief of Police Hank Trout tells KWOC News that shortly after 9 am on Tuesday, officers were dispatched to the Wal-Mart regarding a report of shots being fired.

A preliminary investigation uncovered that individuals from one vehicle had approached another vehicle in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The individuals then returned to their vehicle and attempted to drive away. At that time, the driver of the parked vehicle exited his vehicle, pulled a handgun, and fired at the other vehicle.

Both vehicles then left the area.

TWO IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING SHOOTING IN DEXTER

Multiple people are in custody after shots were fired in Dexter.

Dexter Chief of Police Hank Trout tells KWOC News that shortly after 9 am on Tuesday, officers were dispatched to the Wal-Mart regarding a report of shots being fired.

A preliminary investigation uncovered that individuals from one vehicle had approached another vehicle in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The individuals then returned to their vehicle and attempted to drive away. At that time, the driver of the parked vehicle exited his vehicle, pulled a handgun, and fired at the other vehicle.

MAN FLOWN FROM THE SCENE OF A WAYNE COUNTY CRASH

An Ironton man was flown from the scene of a crash Monday afternoon near Piedmont.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 73 year old Lawrence Youngman, of Ironton, was driving on Route HH when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck another vehicle.

Youngman suffered serious injuries in the crash and was flown to a St. Louis hospital. No injuries were listed for the driver of the second vehicle.

DEBBIE SLIGER NAMED CITIZEN OF THE YEAR BY POPLAR BLUFF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

A familiar face in Poplar Bluff has been honored as the 2023 Citizen of the Year.

Debbie Sliger was presented the award during the annual Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce Banquet that was held on Saturday at the Black River Coliseum.

Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce President Steve Halter tells KWOC News, that Sliger is the owner of Myrtles Place and embodies the spirit of success, has unwavering determination, and a heart that beats for the betterment of downtown Poplar Bluff. Her business stands not just as a testament to her hard work but also as a symbol of her commitment to the community.

THREE ARRESTED FOLLOWING STEALING REPORT IN STODDARD COUNTY

Three people have been taken into custody in connection to a report of stealing in Stoddard County.

According to Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner, on Wednesday, his office received a call in reference to stealing on State Highway 153 near Essex.

At the location, a deputy located a white pickup truck and trailer loaded with scrap metal. During the investigation it was determined the scrap metal items on the truck and trailer had been stolen from the property.

ALUMINUM SMELTER IN NEW MADRID COUNTY TO NO LONGER REQUIRE MOST EMPLOYEES AFTER JANUARY 28TH

Employees at an aluminum smelter in New Madrid County could be without jobs before the end of the month.

Magnitude 7 Metals told their employees on Wednesday that most employees will not be required after January 28th.

Operations at the plant will be curtailed over the next few days due to the abnormally cold weather that have impaired operations.

POPLAR BLUFF STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN SPECIAL OLYMPICS COMPETITION

Poplar Bluff students recently took part in a Special Olympics competition in Wentzville.

The Winter Special Olympics Basketball Tournament was held on Sunday Wabash Elementary and saw Poplar Bluff place 2nd in the 5v5 tournament.

Poplar Bluff’s Caden Hubbard also placed first in his individual skills competition.

COUNTERFEIT 100 DOLLAR BILLS FOUND IN CIRCULATION IN POPLAR BLUFF

Counterfeit 100 dollar bills are reportedly in circulation in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce, the bills all have the same serial number of B71 555 538D.

Anyone who suspects they have received fake money is asked to contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department as soon as possible.

MAN IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING STODDARD COUNTY PURSUIT

A man was taken into custody following a pursuit in Stoddard County.

According to the Dexter Police Department, a patrolman attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle Friday afternoon on Highway 25 when the driver attempted to flee.

A pursuit was initiated which finally came to an end when the driver drove into a ditch on State Highway BB.

The driver, 37 year old Joseph Fowler, of Arnold, was found to have multiple outstanding felony warrants and was taken into custody.