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.

TEENAGER FLOWN TO ST. LOUIS HOSPITAL FOLLOWING FOUR WHEELER WRECK IN BUTLER COUNTY

Two teenagers were badly injured in a four wheeler crash Tuesday afternoon in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, two 16 year old Qulin residents were riding the four wheeler on County Road 661 in the Broseley area when the vehicle traveled off the side of the roadway and struck a tree.

One of the teens was ejected during the crash.

MOTORCYCLE INVOLVED IN WAYNE COUNTY CRASH, TWO PEOPLE SERIOUSLY INJURED

Two people were seriously injured in a crash involving a motorcycle over the weekend in Wayne County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at around 4 pm Sunday when a motorcycle, driven by 58 year old Joseph Murgo, of Williamsville, crossed the center of Highway 49 and struck an oncoming vehicle head on.

Both Murgo, and a passenger on his motorcycle, 41 year old Lisa Stetson, of Poplar Bluff, were flown to a St. Louis hospital with serious injuries.

JOINT DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS SOUGHT IN CONNECTION TO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STORMS

Missouri Acting and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency participate in joint preliminary damage assessments in multiple Missouri counties following severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes that occurred from May 19th through the 27th.

Southeast Missouri Counties that are a part of the request include Butler, Carter, New Madrid, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, and Stoddard Counties.

TRAIN STRIKES PEDESTRIAN IN STODDARD COUNTY, ONE DEAD

One person was struck and killed by a train Thursday in Stoddard County.

According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, dispatch received a call about the incident from Union Pacific Railroad at around 7 am Thursday.

Officials say that a male was struck and killed by a train in Bell City. The name of the male has not been released.

TORNADO CONFIRMED TO HAVE TOUCHED DOWN IN SIKESTON AREA

A tornado is confirmed to have touched down Sunday in the Sikeston area.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, the EF-3 tornado had peak winds of 140 miles per hour and traveled from east of Morehouse to Diehlstadt.

An EF-2 Tornado was also confirmed in Ripley and Butler County, traveling from the Fourche Creek Conservation Area to the western edge of Poplar Bluff.

LEVEE BREAKS IN BUTLER COUNTY

Crews are monitoring a levee break in Butler County.

Presiding Commissioner Vince Lampe tells KWOC News that the break is located along Black River in an area near Butler County Road 202, south of Highway 53.

Lampe says that it appears that no homes will be affected, however crews will not be able to work to fix the breach until the river levels go down.

CLEAN UP EFFORTS CONTINUE FOLLOWING WEEKEND STORM SYSTEM

Clean up efforts are continuing following a weekend storm system that caused damage across Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there were several reports of possible tornadoes on Sunday, however it will take several days to survey all the damage from the storms.

One storm related fatality was reported in the Sikeston area.

Damage to homes was reported in multiple communities, including Naylor, Harviell, Neelyville, Dexter, and Sikeston. Numerous trees and power poles were also knocked over throughout the area.