CENSUS DATA SHOWS POPULATION DECLINE IN MOST SOUTHEAST MISSOURI COUNTIES

The census was conducted last year and data released shows that population totals are down in most Southeast Missouri counties.

According to a report released by Dr. Mark White and the University of Missouri Extension, the US Census Bureau released population estimates from the 2020 census last month.

In Southeast Missouri, Butler County lost 1.4 percent of residents from 2010, which comes out to around 600 people. Ripley and Wayne Counties were down 5.7 percent and 5.3 percent respectively.

HIGH WATER LEVELS CAUSE CLOSURE OF PORTION OF CURRENT RIVER

Officials have closed a portion of Current River due to elevated river levels.

According to Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the lower current river is closed to all non-motorized vessels from Logyard to Gooseneck.

Updates about the river’s status will be posted on the Ozark National Scenic Riverways Facebook page.

COVID 19 VACCINE CLINIC SCHEDULED FOR TODAY AT BESS ACTIVITY CENTER

Two vaccine clinics are scheduled for this week in Butler County.

Officials with the Butler County Health Department tell KWOC News that the first clinic will be held today from 9 am to 1 pm at the Bess Activity Center on the campus of Three Rivers College. No appointment will be necessary for today’s clinic and walk-ins are welcome.

DISTURBANCE COMPLAINT LEADS TO DRUG BUST IN POPLAR BLUFF

A Poplar Bluff man is behind bars following a drug bust on Monday.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, Monday morning officers responded to a residence on Illinois Avenue for a disturbance complaint.

At the scene, they made contact with 36 year old Joffery Johnson who was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant.

ONE INJURED AFTER BOATS COLLIDE ON CURRENT RIVER

One person was injured Monday after two boats collided in Ripley County.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the vessels struck head on in a sharp bend of Current River near the Doniphan Boat Ramp.

THREE RIVERS COLLEGE ELIMINATED FROM NJCAA SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

The Three Rivers College Lady Raiders have been eliminated from the NJCAA Division 1 Softball Championship.

The Lady Raiders fell behind Seminole State College 6-0 in the first three innings of their lower bracket third round matchup on Thursday.

HARVIELL MAN DIES FROM INJURIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A VEHICLE IN BUTLER COUNTY

A Harviell man has died after being struck by a vehicle Wednesday morning in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 62 year old Dennis Tubbs, was struck by a 2019 International Harvester vehicle on US Highway 67, one mile north of Harviell. The incident occurred shortly before 6:30 am.

DONIPHAN MAN KILLED IN WRECK SOUTH OF POPLAR BLUFF

A Doniphan man has died from injuries he received in a wreck Monday night.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 69 year old Barry Johnson was driving the wrong direction on US 67, south of Poplar Bluff, when he struck a vehicle head on.

The incident occurred at around 9:30 pm Monday night.

RESTAURANT EVACUATED IN SIKESTON FOLLOWING BOMB THREAT

A Southeast Missouri restaurant was evacuated yesterday after a report of a bomb threat.

According to the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, they were contacted at around 5 pm Monday in reference to a bomb threat at a restaurant in a strip mall at 231 North Main Street.

ATV WRECK KILLS FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD IN RIPLEY COUNTY

A child has died from injuries she received in an ATV wreck early Saturday morning in Ripley County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the four year old child, from Doniphan, was riding on an ATV with an adult at around 2:30 am Saturday when the vehicle overturned.

THREE RIVERS EARNS TEN SEED IN NJCAA DIVISION ONE SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Three Rivers College’s road to a national championship in softball will begin on Tuesday in Yuma, Arizona.

The Lady Raiders have earned a 10 seed in the NJCAA Division 1 Softball Championship and will face 7 seed Yavapai College, out of Prescott, Arizona.

First pitch is scheduled for 8 pm on Tuesday.

SEARCH CONDUCTED FOR MISSING MAN IN THE PORTAGEVILLE AREA

Personnel from multiple area agencies participated in a search Wednesday for man who has been missing since November.

According to the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department, 33 year old Butch Wayne Swofford was last seen on November 25th, 2020.

The New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department, along with personnel from Sikeston, Cape Girardeau, and Jackson, conducted a search in the Portageville area, but were unable to locate him.

COVID 19 VACCINE CLINIC TO BE HELD TODAY IN MALDEN

Multiple area agencies are teaming up for a vaccine clinic today in Malden.

The Dunklin County Health Department, in conjunction with the Butler County Health Department and the Missouri National Guard, is hosting a Covid-19 vaccine clinic from 8 am to 2 pm at the Malden Airport.

PEDESTRIAN KILLED IN KENNETT ACCIDENT

A pedestrian has died following an incident in Kennett.

Kennett Chief of Police Kenny Wilson tells KWOC News, that at around 9:15 Monday morning, Kennett Police and the Kennett Fire Department responded to Kennett Square to investigate an accident involving a pedestrian.

Wilson says the pedestrian, identified as Keith Mitchell, of Kennett, died from injuries he received in the accident.

LADY RAIDERS SOFTBALL TEAM SWEEP THEIR WAY TO NJCAA TOURNAMENT

The Three Rivers College Lady Raiders softball team will soon be on their way to Arizona.

The Lady Raiders swept Indian Hills Community College in a double header Sunday to secure their place in the NJCAA Division 1 Championship Tournament.

Three Rivers defeated Indian Hills 5-4 and 5-1 to sweep the best of three series. The 16 team Division 1 NJCAA Softball Championship will be held from May 25th to May 29th at Yuma, Arizona.

THREE RIVERS COLLEGE TO PLAY FOR SPOT IN NJCAA WORLD SERIES

The Three Rivers College Lady Raiders softball team is only two wins away from a trip to the NJCAA World Series.

As the Champions of Region 16, the Lady Raiders will play the winner of Region 11, Indian Hills Community College, in a three game series.

GAS TAX LEGISLATION PASSED BY MISSOURI LEGISLATURE

Missouri's gas tax could soon rise for the first time in 25 years.

State lawmakers have given final approval to a bill that would gradually add 12 and a half cents to Missouri's current 17-cent-a-gallon tax. The first 2.5 cent increase would take effect in October.

On Wednesday, Governor Mike Parson praised lawmakers for passing it and said the tax increase would provide “much needed funding for road and bridge repairs.”

THREE INJURED IN POPLAR BLUFF SHOOTING

Three people have been injured following a shooting in Poplar Bluff.

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley tells KWOC News that the shooting occurred at approximately 6:30 pm Tuesday night, on the north end of the Mini Park near Alice and Garfield Street.

The victims were transported to an area hospital with at least one in serious condition. The other two victims sustained non-life threatening injuries. No information was available on any possible suspects.

MAN FLOWN FROM SCENE OF DUNKLIN COUNTY WRECK

A Senath man was flown from the scene of a wreck Sunday night in Dunklin County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 44 year old Michael Weldon was driving on Highway P, east of Senath, when his vehicle travelled off the side of the roadway and struck a pole.

Weldon suffered moderate injuries and was flown to a Memphis hospital.