NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL WINS STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

New Madrid County Central is celebrating its second straight state basketball championship.

The Eagles defeated Summit Christian Academy 86-65 Saturday in the boys Class 3 basketball championship game. New Madrid got to the championship game with a 57-44 win over Thayer Friday night in the state semifinals.

The Eagles have finished in the top 3 of the state for the past 3 years.

To be eligible, children must be four years old before July 31st, 2024.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 573-996-3667.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS THIS WEEKEND

It is once again time for your clocks to spring forward.

Daylight Saving Time will begin at 2 am Sunday morning. Remember to set your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.

KWOC News spoke with Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Mike Moffitt who wants to remind everyone to change the batteries in their smoke detectors this weekend.

MULES CAFE TO OPEN FOR FINAL TIME AT ITS HOME FOR THE LAST 45 YEARS

Poplar Bluff students will be opening the original location of the Mules Café this week for the final time.

The Mules Café, located in the R-1 Administrative Building on North Westwood Boulevard, is open to the public from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. both today and tomorrow.

This will be the end of the Café’s approximately 45 year run in its current location.

HUMAN REMAINS LOCATED IN BUTLER COUNTY LAST SUMMER IDENTIFIED AS MISSING WOMAN

Human remains found last summer in Butler County have been identified as a missing woman.

Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC News that in June of 2023, human remains were located by a farmer in rural Butler County.

After an 8 month investigation, the remains were identified as Amiee Rose Ross, who had been reported missing from Poplar Bluff in May of 2023.

HUMAN REMAINS LOCATED IN BUTLER COUNTY LAST SUMMER IDENTIFIED AS MISSING WOMAN

Human remains found last summer in Butler County have been identified as a missing woman.

Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC News that in June of 2023, human remains were located by a farmer in rural Butler County.

ARKANSAS PRIMARY SET FOR TODAY

Voters in Arkansas will be heading to the polls today in the Arkansas Primary.

In addition to the nominations for President and the US House of Representatives, voters could also decide who will be sitting on the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Three of the court's sitting justices — Karen Baker, Barbara Webb and Rhonda Wood — are running against former state Rep. Jay Martin for chief justice. The four are running to succeed current Chief Justice Dan Kemp, who is not seeking reelection. If none of the four win a majority of votes, the top two advance to a runoff in the November election.

DONALD TRUMP WINS MISSOURI REPUBLICAN CAUCUS

Donald Trump continued his path towards the Republican presidential nomination with a win in Missouri on Saturday.

Trump won the Missouri Republican Caucus easily, carrying most counties in the state.

In Southeast Missouri, Trump was by far the favorite of caucus goers, carrying every county in the area.

TWO IN CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO CHILD’S DEATH

Two people are in custody in connection to a child’s death in the Missouri Bootheel.

Dunkin County Sheriff Bob Holder tells KWOC News that on January 4th, deputies were dispatched to a residence in Gibson in reference to a six month old child not breathing.

Medical personnel at the scene informed the deputies that the child was deceased. During an investigation into the death a toxicology report showed that the child had tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine.

TWO KILLED IN DUNKLIN COUNTY CRASH

Two people are dead following a multi vehicle crash near Cardwell.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred Monday night on US Highway 412 when a vehicle driven by 68 year old Janice Orr, of Jonesboro, traveled into the path of another vehicle.

Orr was pronounced dead at the scene by Dunklin County Coroner James Towell.

A passenger in the second vehicle, 23 year old Harley Jones, of Steele, was transported to a Paragould hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

POPLAR BLUFF BOYS TO START DISTRICT TOURNAMENT TONIGHT IN BONNE TERRE

The postseason will begin tonight for fans of the Poplar Bluff Mules.

The 4th seed Poplar Bluff will be traveling to Bonne Terre to face the 5th seed Hillsboro Hawks in the Class 5, District 1 Quarterfinal.

Poplar Bluff enters the postseason having won four of their last five games and are looking for their first district championship since 2021.

The winner of tonight’s game will advance to the District semifinals where they will meet the winner of the Sikeston-North County contest.

MISSOURI REPUBLICANS TO HOLD CAUCUS THIS WEEKEND

Missouri Republicans will be coming together in each County this weekend to help select the party’s nominee for President of the United States.

Butler County Republican Committee Chairman Joe Leahy tells KWOC News that the Missouri GOP Caucus will be held at 10 am on March 2nd.

In Butler County, the event will be located at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on the campus of Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff.

BLOOMFIELD MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN WOMAN’S DEATH

A Bloomfield man is facing a murder charge in connection to the death of a woman in Stoddard County.

According to Stoddard County Coroner Brent Stidham, on November 13th, Stoddard County 911 received an emergency call regarding an unresponsive female.

At the scene, deputies found 83 year old Nadine Teeters deceased.

Further investigation was conducted by the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State Highway Patrol which resulted in the arrest of 59 year old Jerry Teeters, of Bloomfield.

SIX PEOPLE CHARGED IN CONNECTION TO ONGOING DRUG INVESTIGATION

Six people have been charged in connection to a drug investigation in Carter County.

Carter County Sheriff Dustin Boyer tells KWOC News that on February 1st, three search warrants were served in Ellsinore as a part of the investigation.

During the searches, law enforcement located a crystal-like substance which was a presumptive positive for methamphetamine, measuring scales, drug paraphernalia, and other items that were seized for evidence.

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.