PROPOSAL TO REDUCE PINE STREET IN POPLAR BLUFF TO TWO LANES WITH A TURN LANE RUNS INTO OPPOSITION FROM LOCAL LEADERS

A proposal to reduce Pine Street in Poplar Bluff is being met with opposition from city leaders.

The proposal from the Missouri Department of Transportation calls for changing Pine Street from a four lane road to a three lane road including a center turning lane.

Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Mike Moffitt tells KWOC News that he is not in favor of the change. He believes if MoDOT forces this change that traffic will be grid locked during peak times. Fire, Police, and EMS responses during these times will also be delayed due to the traffic. He feels like it would create a safety issue for motorists traveling on Business 60 as well as emergency responders.

ENTRIES NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR 2024 RIVER RADIO LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE

Parade lights will be shining bright in Downtown Poplar Bluff this December for the 2024 River Radio Lighted Christmas Parade.

Entries are now being accepted for the parade, which is scheduled for 6 pm on Friday, December 6th. Entry forms are available on our Facebook page and website. The deadline for entries is November 30th.

The parade route this year will run from Highway 142 at McDonalds through downtown Poplar Bluff before looping back and ending at the Black River Coliseum.

POPLAR BLUFF GIRLS TENNIS TEAM TO PLAY TODAY IN STATE TOURNAMENT

The Poplar Bluff High School girls tennis team has claimed a district championship and are now turning their sights towards a state championship.

The girls won the Class 2, District 1 Team Tennis Tournament last week, defeating Notre Dame 5-2 in the championship game. It is the first tennis district championship for the Lady Mules since 2003.

The Lady Mules will travel to MICDS today to take on the Lady Rams in the MSHSAA Class 2 State Quarterfinals.

KENNETT MAN KILLED IN THURSDAY MORNING CRASH

A Kennett man has died from injuries he received in an early Thursday morning crash.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 21 year old Tyler Hightower was driving on Highway 84, one mile west of Hayti, when his vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway, struck an embankment, and overturned.

Hightower, who was not wearing a safety device, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Pemiscot County Coroner.

POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT NAMED CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

A Poplar Bluff High School student has been named as a semifinalist for the National Merit Scholarship.

School officials say that senior Jack Funke is one of more than 16,000 semifinalists of the 70th annual NMS program based on his Preliminary SAT score from last year.

Funke has also been accepted into the Missouri Scholars Academy at the University of Missouri.

WARRANT ISSUED FOR MAN IN CONNECTION TO A HIT AND RUN IN MALDEN

A warrant has been issued for a subject in connection to an alleged hit and run over the weekend.

Malden Director of Public Safety Jeff Mitchell tells KWOC News that at approximately 1:30 am on Sunday, dispatch received a call in reference to a leaving the scene accident in the 900 block of North Kimball Street.

The caller said that a female was hit by a car. At the scene, officers found the female to have extensive injuries and she was transported to an area hospital. At last update, the victim was listed as stable.

GROUNDBREAKING HELD FOR NEW BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE HEARTLAND FACILITY

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday for a new facility to help area teens prepare for their future careers.

The Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland Regional Workforce Development Teen Center is a 33,250 square foot facility that will allow easy access for students from more than 20 area high schools in Missouri and Northeast Arkansas participating in the organization’s Workforce Development Initiative.

The program allows for the development of critical employment skills and training and experiential learning, plus an opportunity to earn college credits.

MAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO SHOOTING INCIDENT IN POPLAR BLUFF

A man is in custody in connection to a shooting over the weekend in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, shortly before 6 am Saturday morning, officers responded to a residence on Victor Street in reference to a shooting.

At the home, the resident indicated that she had shot at a male subject as he entered her bedroom window.

24 year old Rondriguez Hopkins, of Poplar Bluff, was located approximately one block away and had a gunshot wound to his shoulder and hand. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

FANS TO PINK OUT MULES FOOTBALL STADIUM TONIGHT

Poplar Bluff Mules Football Fans are being encouraged to wear their pinkest clothing for tonight’s game.

The Mules will be hosting the West Plains Zizzers tonight for the annual Pink Out Game.

Today’s Talk KWOC will be streaming the game tonight on both the Today’s Talk KWOC Facebook Page and the River Radio Youtube page.

HAWLEY RALLY IN POPLAR BLUFF TO BE CARRIED LIVE BY TODAY’S TALK KWOC

The rally in Poplar Bluff today featuring United States Senator Josh Hawley and Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, will be carried live online by Today’s Talk KWOC.

The rally will be held at 5 pm on Thursday at the Poplar Bluff High School Football stadium.

The rally will be free and open to the public and concessions will be available for purchase.

TODAY IS THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN MISSOURI FOR UPCOMING GENERAL ELECTION

The deadline is here to make sure you’re registered to vote in Missouri for the upcoming election.

According to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office, the last day to register to vote in Missouri for the general election is today.

The general election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5th.

LOCATION ANNOUNCED FOR RALLY FEATURING SENATOR JOSH HAWLEY AND KANSAS CITY CHIEFS KICKER HARRISON BUTKER

The location has been announced for a political rally this week in Poplar Bluff featuring United States Senator Josh Hawley and Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker.

The rally will be held at 5 pm on Thursday at the Poplar Bluff High School Football stadium.

The rally will be free and open to the public and concessions will be available for purchase.

IDENTITIES RELEASED OF VICTIMS IN BUTLER COUNTY HOUSE EXPLOSION

Two people were killed in a large explosion in rural Butler County on Friday.

The explosion occurred shortly before 9 am at a home near Highway 53 and Butler County Road 605.

While working the scene, emergency crews found two people deceased among the debris.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS TEAM UP TO HELP PROTECT MULES FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Players for the Poplar Bluff Mules Football team now have additional ways to stay safe during practices and games thanks to the help of local community members.

According to Poplar Bluff School Officials, several local medical practitioners, lawyers, and realtors teamed up over the summer to supply 150 Guardian Caps, a value of more than $8,000, to be dispersed between Poplar Bluff High School and Junior High.

Guardian Caps add a padded, soft-shell layer to the exterior of football helmets with energy-absorbing properties designed to reduce the initial severity of impact to the head.

SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR SUBJECT IN CONNECTION TO  WAYNE COUNTY SHOOTING

A search is underway for a subject in connection to an assault in Wayne County.

Sheriff Dean Finch tells KWOC News that on Wednesday afternoon, at around 1 pm, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office received a call of an assault involving firearms in the area of County Roads 524 and 509 near Lowndes. 

An investigation resulted in Eric “Quinn” Moore being identified as a person of interest. 

TWO INJURED IN WAYNE COUNTY SHOOTING, SUSPECT IN CUSTODY

A suspect is in custody following a shooting Tuesday evening in Wayne County.

Wayne County Sheriff Dean Finch tells KWOC News that officers were called to the scene of a shooting at approximately 5:45 pm.

Two people were injured as a result of the shooting and one suspect has been taken into custody.

SUSPECT IN CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO NON FATAL SHOOTING IN POPLAR BLUFF

A suspect is in custody in connection to a non-fatal shooting in Poplar Bluff.

According to Poplar Bluff Chief of Police Mike McClain, shortly after 4 am on September 28th, officers responded to a location on South Broadway for a shooting.

At the scene, officers located a male subject who had suffered a gunshot wound to the back. The victim was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital and then moved to a Cape Girardeau hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE INVESTIGATING A NON FATAL SHOOTING

A suspect is being sought in connection to a non-fatal shooting in Poplar Bluff.

According to Poplar Bluff Chief of Police Mike McClain, shortly after 4 am on September 28th, officers responded to a location on South Broadway for a shooting.

At the scene, officers located a male subject who had suffered a gunshot wound to the back.