POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TO BE HELD NEXT THURSDAY 

The Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2024 will be receiving their diplomas one week from today. 

The PBHS Graduation Ceremony will be held Thursday May 16, at 7 pm at the Black River Coliseum. Doors will open at 6 pm and only people with tickets will be admitted. 

Officials say that no admittance will be permitted after 7 pm. 

For those who cannot attend, a live stream of the graduation ceremony will be available on the Mules Media youtube page.

INCOMING WEATHER SYSTEM BRINGS HIGHER CHANCES OF SEVERE WEATHER TODAY 

A weather system that is crossing Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas will give us higher chances of severe weather today. 

Station Meteorologist Dan Holiday tells KWOC News what weather officials are expecting for today. 

Dan Holiday 

The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded our entire listening area in a moderate risk of severe weather that is a level 4 out of 5, something we don’t see very often. We know this is the time of year when severe weather occurs and what we have here in this situation is a low pressure system over Missouri, a warm front extending to our north, and a dry line approaching from the west, a lot of moisture coming in from the Gulf of Mexico. Some morning storms certainly will be ongoing then will likely get a break for a while with afternoon and evening storms, any of which could produce some widespread damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. 

In the event that a warning is issued, you will hear it on Today’s Talk KWOC.

SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 

With thunderstorms possible today, weather officials are warning of a risk of severe storms. 

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, most of Southeast Missouri is under a slight risk for severe thunderstorms from this afternoon into the evening hours. 

Any of the storms that become severe may contain large hail and damaging winds, although an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. 

An even better chance of severe weather for the entire area will arrive on Wednesday. All modes of severe weather are possible.

18th ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF THIS WEEKEND AT BLACK RIVER COLISEUM 

The Mason-Dixon Chili Society’s 18th annual Chili Cook-Off is this weekend. 

The event will be held from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday at the Black River Coliseum. Admission is free for the public and a cook’s party will be held today. 

Proceeds from the Cook-Off go to benefit the United Gospel Rescue Mission. 

More information is available on the 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off Facebook page.

NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL EAGLES TO START DISTRICT BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT TODAY 

The New Madrid County Central Eagles’ quest for a 4th consecutive district championship begins tonight. 

The Class 3, District 1 Tournament semifinal between the Eagles and Portageville Bulldogs, will tip off tonight at 6 pm in Portageville. 

The winner of tonight’s game will face the winner of Malden Green Wave and the East Prairie Eagles on Saturday at 7 pm. 

Audio coverage will be available over the radio at Shuffle 929 and Shuffle929.com. Live video coverage will be available for a fee at MSHSAA.tv.

CLASS 2, DISTRICT 2 GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS TO BE CARRIED LIVE TONIGHT ON KWOC 

Today’s Talk KWOC will be carrying girls basketball action live tonight. 

The Class 2, District 2 Tournament semifinals between Thayer and Neelyville, will tip off tonight at 6 pm in Van Buren. 

The other semifinal will feature East Carter taking on Alton at 7:30 pm. 

Audio coverage of both games will be available over the radio at Today’s Talk KWOC 930 AM and 93.3 FM, as well as at KWOC.com. Live video coverage will be available for a fee at MSHSAA.tv.

ROAD WORK SCHEDULED FOR ROUTE BB IN RIPLEY COUNTY 

Road work is scheduled for over a month on Route BB in Ripley County. 

According to county officials, Pace Construction Company will be performing asphalt paving, striping, milling, and other related work from 7 am to 7 pm daily through April 30th. 

During the project, traffic will be reduced to one lane through the work zone. Traffic may also be stopped for up to 10 minutes at a time.

HEAVY RAINFALL POSSIBLE THIS WEEKEND IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 

We could see some heavy rain this weekend in Southeast Missouri. 

According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service, locally moderate to heavy rainfall is expected Saturday, which may lead to isolated flooding of poor drainage and flood-prone areas. 

Most of Southeast Missouri is expected to receive one half of an inch to two inches of rainfall. Most of Dunklin, New Madrid, and Pemiscot Counties could see up to three inches of rain. 

Weather officials say that any thunderstorms that develop today are expected to remain below severe limits.

ONE DEAD FOLLOWING FATAL WRECK IN PEMISCOT COUNTY 

One person is dead following a two vehicle crash in Pemiscot County. 

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred Tuesday evening, when a vehicle driven by 76 year old Steve Alderman, of Winston Salem, North Carolina, was struck in the rear by another vehicle, causing his vehicle to travel off the roadway and overturn. 

Pemiscot County Coroner Brian Irons tells KWOC News that Alderman was pronounced dead at the scene. 

No injuries were listed for the driver of the first vehicle.

VETERAN WREATH PLACEMENT CEREMONY SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEKEND 

Wreaths will be placed on the graves of veterans next weekend. 

On December 16th the Poplar Bluff Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in cooperation with Wreaths across America, will hold a ceremony at the Poplar Bluff Memorial Gardens Cemetery to honor veterans buried there. 

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 am. 

Everyone is invited to attend the ceremony, which will be followed by placing wreaths on veteran’s graves. 

For more information, contact Jane Worley at 573-429-8245 or Brenda Yarbro at 573-718-2604.

FUNERAL TO BE HELD THURSDAY FOR DUNKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHIEF DEPUTY 

Funeral services will be held this Thursday for a member of the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Department. 

Chief Deputy Wallace Poyner passed away December 1st, after 30 years of service to the community. In addition to law enforcement, Poyner served as a sergeant major for the United States Marine Corps from 1961 to 1991. 

Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder tells KWOC News that everyone who knew Wallace loved him and he was the kind of person to always bring joy to every room he entered. Holder added that Poyner was a wonderful person and faithful friend. 

Visitation services will be held Wednesday from 5 pm to 7 pm at Roller-Swift Funeral Home in Osceola, Arkansas. Funeral service will be Thursday at 11 am at Memorial Gardens in Mississippi County Arkansas.

THREE PERSONS OF INTEREST SOUGHT IN CONNECTION TO SHOOTING IN KENNETT 

The Kennett Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating three persons of interest in connection with a shooting investigation. 

According to police officials, the shooting occurred on Thursday at “The Store” on Independence Avenue. 

Officers are trying to locate Tanya Summers, Eric Thomas, and Jamison Taylor in connection to the investigation. 

Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder says that the three suspects were reportedly at a convenience store in Marmaduke on Friday. However they were unable to be found during a search. 

Anyone who has information on their whereabouts is asked to contact the Kennett Police Department at 573-888-4622 or your local law enforcement agency.

ONE DEAD, TWO OTHERS INJURED FOLLOWING A COLLISION IN RIPLEY COUNTY 

A crash Sunday morning west of Doniphan, has resulted in the death of a Doniphan man. 

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 78 year old Robert Collett, of Doniphan, was driving on Missouri Highway 142, two miles west of Doniphan, when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck another vehicle. 

The wreck occurred Sunday morning shortly before 9 am. Collett was pronounced dead at the scene by Ripley County Coroner Mike Jackson. 

The driver of the other vehicle along with the passenger, both are from Poplar Bluff and received serious injuries. The driver was air lifted to a Memphis hospital, and the passenger was taken by ambulance to a Poplar Bluff hospital.

BRAGG CITY MAN KILLED IN DUNKLIN COUNTY WRECK 

A crash in Dunklin County has left one person dead. 

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 43 year old Brian James, of Bragg City, was driving on Missouri Highway 25, when his vehicle struck another vehicle in the rear. 

The wreck occurred Thursday evening, shortly before 9 pm. 

James was transported to Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti, where he was pronounced dead.

CLAY COUNTY AUTHORITIES SEARCHING FOR TWO MISSING TEEN GIRLS

Authorities in Clay County Arkansas, are searching for two missing teen girls. 

According to the Piggott Police Department, a search is underway for 17 year old Elizabeth Luter and 14 year old Erica Luter, who was last seen at a residence on 16th Avenue in Piggott, at around 6 pm on August 7th. 

Officials say that both Elizabeth and Erica Luter, left the residence together, but their destination is unknown. 

Anyone who has information on their whereabouts is asked to contact the Piggott Police Department at 870-598-2295.

FRESHMAN ORIENTATION COMING UP TODAY AT POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL 

Freshman orientation is set to be held today at Poplar Bluff High School. 

Officials say that orientation will begin at 8 this morning. 

Students will get to learn more about life at the High School, get their class schedule, pick up their school laptop, learn the layout of the campus, and meet their advisory class. 

Students should also bring a backpack. 

If you have any questions, contact the Poplar Bluff High School at 573-785-6471.

DEXTER POLICE SEEKING WHEREABOUTS OF WANTED MAN 

Police in Dexter are seeking the whereabouts of a wanted man. 

According to the Dexter Police Department, Chris Smith is wanted for an incident that occurred over the weekend. 

Smith is described as a black male, six feet tall, weighing 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. 

Officials say he has an active arrest warrant and should be considered dangerous. We have a picture of Smith available on our Facebook page. 

Anyone who has information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Dexter Police Department at 573-624-5512.

MOCK CAR CRASH TO BE HELD TODAY AT GREENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 

Greenville residents are being reminded to not be alarmed if you see emergency vehicles today at Greenville High School. 

Greenville R-II School Resource Officer and Wayne County Deputy Donnie Robinson tells KWOC News, the High School will be hosting a mock car crash today at 10 am in the parking lot. 

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, East Wayne County Ambulance District, and Greenville Fire District have all taken part in planning this demonstration. Students will be watching the "crash" and aftermath in hopes that it helps them think carefully about choices. 

During the event, there will be emergency vehicles, with lights and sounds directly around the school, and a "mock" drunk driving arrest.

OFC SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT TO BEGIN TODAY 

The Ozark Foothills Conference softball tournament is scheduled to begin today. 

The tournament, featuring seven area schools, will start today with three games at McLane Park in Poplar Bluff. 

Today’s action will start with Twin Rivers taking on Naylor, and Neelyville facing East Carter, both at 4:30 pm. The final game of the quarterfinals will be a matchup between Clearwater and Greenville at 6 pm. 

Top seeded Doniphan received a bye to the Semi-finals where they will play the Clearwater-Greenville winner on Wednesday. 

The OFC Softball Tournament will be broadcasted live on the Today’s Talk KWOC Facebook page at facebook.com/TodaysTalkKWOC and the River Radio Youtube page at youtube.com/RiverRadioPB.

POPLAR BLUFF WOMAN INDICTED ON MURDER CHARGE 

A Poplar Bluff woman was indicted on a murder charge. 

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News, officers with the Butler County Sheriff Department and SEMO Drug Task Force took 31 year old Ruthie Johnson of Poplar Bluff, into custody on a warrant for felony murder and possession of a controlled substance. 

The charges stem from an incident which occurred in April 2022, in which Johnson caused the death of another by giving the victim illegal narcotics. 

It is believed that Johnson provided the victim with what she thought was prescription pain medication, however it was a counterfeit fentanyl pill. 

Johnson was transported to the Butler County Justice Center where she is being held on $150,000 cash bond.