HEAT INDICES EXPECTED TO GET WELL ABOVE 100 DEGREES TODAY

Hot weather will be covering the area today and area residents are encouraged to take precautions.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, heat index values are expected to reach 105 to 110 degrees today, depending on the timing of possible thunderstorms. A heat advisory or excessive heat warning will also be in effect today for some areas.

Most of Southeast Missouri has a slight risk of severe weather, including isolated to scattered thunderstorms today into tonight.

RIVER RADIO BLOOD DRIVE SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK

Reservations are now being accepted for the next River Radio Blood Drive in Poplar Bluff.

The Blood Drive has been scheduled for noon to 5 pm on Friday, July 5th, at Larry Hillis Dodge on North Westwood Boulevard.

Anyone wanting to donate can call 1-800 Red Cross or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the code CARDS to schedule an appointment.

MULES GOLF TEAM TO PLAY IN NATIONAL TOURNAMENT THIS WEEK

The Poplar Bluff Mules will be participating in a National Tournament this week.

The Class 4 State Champion Mules Golf team is playing in the 2024 High School Golf National Invitational.

The 54-hole event showcases 312 of the best High School golfers in the country.

Poplar Bluff Athletics Director Kent Keith tells KWOC News that the tournament will be held today through Wednesday at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort in Frisco, Texas.

LONGTIME RIVER RADIO GENERAL MANAGER JOHN RICE RETIRES

Friday will be the final day at work for a fixture in the Poplar Bluff community.

River Radio General Manager John Rice is retiring after over 30 years with the company. Rice started as a marketing consultant in 1991, before being promoted to sales manager and eventually General Manager.

Rice has helped entertain and inform Poplar Bluff and the surrounding communities through good times, bad times, natural disasters and more, he has been here for it all.

POPLAR BLUFF FIRE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS WATER RESCUE

The Poplar Bluff Fire Department conducted a water rescue Wednesday morning.

The rescue was needed due to the high water on Ida Street and multiple people and pets were able to be evacuated.

Officials say that Poplar Bluff received 4.14 inches of rainfall Wednesday, which broke the city record for the most rainfall in a single day in June.

ABSENTEE VOTING OPENS FOR UPCOMING PRIMARY ELECTION

The Missouri Primary Election is underway.

Absentee voting began Tuesday for the Missouri Primary, which is scheduled for August 6th.

An absentee ballot can be requested from your local election authority. There are a number of reasons someone can request an absentee ballot, including incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability or if you expect to be absent on Election Day.

HEAT ADVISORY TO BE IN EFFECT BEGINNING AT NOON TODAY

A Heat Advisory will go into effect beginning this afternoon.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, the advisory is for all of Southeast Missouri from noon through 8 pm tonight.

Hot temperatures and high humidity will cause heat index values to rise to around 105 degrees.

THIS WEEK IS LIGHTNING SAFETY WEEK

This week is Lightning Safety Awareness week and weather officials are wanting residents to be prepared.

According to the National Weather Service, National Lightning Safety Awareness Week started in 2001 in order to call attention to lightning being an underrated killer. Since then, U.S. lightning fatalities have dropped from about 55 per year to less than 30.

During a thunderstorm or lightning storm, go to a basement if available. If not, go to the lowest level of the building and move to a small interior room or hallway. Stay away from doors and windows.

APPLICATION PERIOD FOR MANAGED DEER HUNTS BEGINS IN JULY

The application period for managed deer hunts in Missouri will begin next month.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, beginning July 1st, deer hunters can apply online through the MDC website for a shot at more than 150 managed deer hunts throughout the state this fall and winter.

The deer hunts will be for archery, muzzleloading, shotgun, and modern firearms from mid-September through mid-January. Some of the hunts will be held specifically for youth or for people with disabilities.

CHARLES HARRIS TO TAKE OVER ROLE OF PBPD PATROL COMMANDER FOLLOWING RETIREMENT OF DAVID SUTTON

A new patrol commander is coming to the Poplar Bluff Police Department.

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Mike McClain announced Wednesday morning that Charles Harris has been promoted to Captain and will be assuming the role of Patrol Commander.

Harris is a 21 year veteran of the Poplar Bluff Police Department and is succeeding Captain David Sutton, who is retiring next month after an almost three decade tenure with the PBPD.

POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL GOLF TEAM RECOGNIZED BY CITY COUNCIL

The Poplar Bluff High School Golf team was recently recognized by the Poplar Bluff City Council.

Mayor Shane Cornman read a proclamation honoring the golf team for their SEMO Conference Championship, District Championship, State Championship and invitation to play in the PGA High School Golf National Invitational this summer.

The proclamation was read during the City Council meeting on Monday.

GATEWOOD MAN FLOWN FROM THE SCENE OF A CRASH NEAR POPLAR BLUFF

A Gatewood man was flown from the scene of a weekend crash near Poplar Bluff.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 64 year old Carmen Yarbrough was driving on US 160 in Butler County when his vehicle began skidding and overturned.

The crash occurred shortly after 2 am Sunday morning.

ONE DEAD FOLLOWING CROP DUSTER CRASH IN BUTLER COUNTY

A pilot is dead following a plane crash Friday in Butler County.

A crop duster crashed Friday morning in the Broseley area near County Roads 648 and 653, north of Route CC.

Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC news that the pilot, 28 year old Ryan McCallister, of Broseley, has died and an autopsy is scheduled for this morning in Farmington.

POPLAR BLUFF MAN KILLED IN SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH

A Poplar Bluff man has died following a single vehicle crash Wednesday evening in Wayne County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 72 year old Larry Randl was driving on US Highway 67, south of Greenville, when his vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway, struck multiple trees, and overturned.

Randl was pronounced dead at the scene by Wayne County Coroner Mark Smith.

SCHOOL BUS INSPECTION RESULTS RELEASED

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced the results of the Driver and Vehicle Safety Division's 2024 annual school bus inspection program.

As a part of the program, buses found to have no defective items are rated as "approved.” Buses having one or more defective items which do not constitute an immediate danger are rated as "defective.” Buses with any defective items which constitute an immediate danger are rated as "out-of-service.”

In Butler County, Poplar Bluff R-1 had 42 of the district’s 51 buses listed as approved. Seven were listed as defective and two were placed out of service.

NEELYVILLE JUNIOR HIGH STUDENT PLACES SECOND AT NATIONAL JUNIOR BETA CONVENTION

A Neelyville Junior High student has placed second in a national science competition.

Neelyville’s Annabella Anderson came in 2nd place during the National Junior Beta 7th Grade Science Competition.

Anderson qualified for Nationals after placing 3rd at the Missouri State Beta Convention earlier this year.

ONE DEAD FOLLOWING MOTORCYCLE CRASH IN BUTLER COUNTY

One person is dead in connection to a motorcycle crash Monday afternoon in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 77 year old Dwight Sanders, of Poplar Bluff, was driving on Route PP when his vehicle ran off the side of the roadway, overturned and ejected him.

Sanders was pronounced dead at the scene by Butler County Coroner Jim Akers.

MULTI AGENCY RESOURCE CENTERS TO BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEK FOR TORNADO VICTIMS

Events will be held this week to assist families that were affected by the tornados last month.

According to the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, Multi-Agency Resource Centers are being coordinated with volunteer partners, faith-based organizations, and other state and local agencies. MARCs are one-stop shops that pull together recovery resources in communities impacted by disasters.

The event will be held from 10 am to 6 pm today at the Sikeston YMCA.

ONE DEAD, TWO INJURED, IN WAYNE COUNTY CRASH

A Thursday morning crash resulted in the death of one person in Wayne County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 43 year old Brian Garrett, of Bloomfield, was driving on Highway P in the McGee area, when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck another vehicle.

Both Garrett and the driver of the other vehicle, 54 year old Cheryl Sander, of Lowndes, as well as Sander’s passenger, 61 year old Kelly Rogers, also of Lowndes, were transported to a Cape Girardeau hospital with serious injuries.

MULTI AGENCY RESOURCE CENTERS TO BE AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK FOR TORNADO VICTIMS

Events will be held next week to assist families that were affected by the tornados last month.

According to the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, Multi-Agency Resource Centers are being coordinated with volunteer partners, faith-based organizations, and other state and local agencies. MARCs are one-stop shops that pull together recovery resources in communities impacted by disasters.

The events will be held from 1 to 7 pm on June 9th and from 10 am to 6 pm on June 10th at the Sikeston YMCA.