American Indian Center of Springfield celebrates culture and community

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., (KBSI) — The American Indian Center of Springfield (AICS) hosted its annual powwow in March, drawing a large crowd to the Springfield Dream Center. The event featured traditional Indigenous dancers in regalia, Native handcrafts, and frybread. A gourd dance honoring Indigenous veterans and warriors kicked off the celebration. AICS Chair Kay Gibson noted the organization’s growth, citing key…

Charleston police make arrests in pair of firearm incidents

CHARLESTON, Mo., (KBSI) – Charleston Department of Public Safety officials investigated three separate firearm incidents last weekend, resulting in arrests and formal charges in two of the cases. Laterence Caldwell, 35, of Charleston, was arrested for allegedly shooting at another vehicle while driving on Highway 105. One person was injured by gunfire in the incident. Decarlos Clemons, 31, of Charleston,…

My Daddy’s Cheesecake reopens after weathering storm

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) – UPDATE: My Daddy’s Cheesecake is back open to regular hours of operation again. — My Daddy’s Cheesecake in Cape Girardeau, will open late today due to power outages caused by Wednesday’s storms. Although the store sustained no physical damage, it was without power for over 24 hours, requiring staff to relocate perishable items to off-site…

Vacant residence destroyed in early morning fire

HERRIN, Ill., (KBSI) – A fire ravaged a vacant residential structure early today after firefighters responded to a 3:41 a.m. alarm. Engines and ladder crews from the HFD, along with Marion Fire Department, arrived on scene to find the structure heavily engulfed in flames. Crews launched an aggressive attack and search of the residence before being ordered to evacuate due…

EF2 tornado confirmed in McCracken County, Ky., leaving destruction and injuries

MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky., (KBSI) — The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF2 tornado touched down near the Gage community, causing significant damage and injuring four people. The tornado moved northeast through McCracken County, damaging multiple homes and structures. Three of the injured suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while one remains in critical condition at an out-of-state hospital. First responders and linemen…

Firefighter rescued after being trapped in burning building

CHRISTOPHER, Ill., (KBSI) — A firefighter was rescued quickly after becoming trapped by a collapsing porch during a house fire Wednesday morning. The dramatic rescue was captured on body camera video by the Christopher Police Department, which showed officers rushing to free the trapped firefighter. The firefighter suffered only minor injuries in the incident. (Source: WFCN- Swinford Media Group) Categories:…

Power outage update: Crews work to restore electricity to 300 homes

PADUCAH, Ky., (KBSI) – A significant number of power outages caused by wind damage have been resolved, but approximately 300 customers remain without electricity. The outages are attributed to a downed transmission line on Legey Lane, broken poles near County Park Road and Concord Avenue, and damaged poles behind Planet Fitness. Crews are working to repair the issues, but repairs…

UPDATE: AMBER Alert CANCELED; Child found safe, suspect in custody

WISCONSIN, ARKANSAS, MISSOURI — UPDATE: After a week’s long investigation Sophia Franklin has been found safe according to Missouri State Highway Patrol. MSHP says the suspect has been taken into custody. — An AMBER Alert remains in effect for Sophia Franklin, a child believed to be in imminent danger. Law enforcement has released new images of the child and suspect….

GCMS students get hands-on experience at MSU Broadcasting Studios

MURRAY, Ky., (KBSI) — Students from Graves County Middle School’s Talon News program visited Murray State University’s MSU News Broadcasting Studios on March 28. The students toured the studios, home to MSU TV-11, the university’s student cable station, and participated in a mock news production, assembling a version of “MSU 2Nite.” The trip aimed to introduce students to the world…

Fire chief killed while trying to help stranded citizens during storms

DELTA, Mo., (KBSI) — A Southeastern Missouri fire chief was killed in severe weather Wednesday night, authorities said. Cape Girardeau County Coroner Craig Williams identified the victim as Whitewater Fire Protection District Chief Garry Moore, 68. Moore died between Advance and Delta, but details surrounding his death were not confirmed. Coroner Williams said Moore may have been stopping to assist…

Illinois man arrested after high-speed chase in Williamson County

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill., (KBSI) — Clarence H. Smock was taken into custody on March 30, 2025, after a high-speed chase with Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies. Deputies patrolling Creal Springs observed Smock’s vehicle commit multiple traffic violations around 10:39 p.m. As they attempted to stop him, Smock accelerated and fled, heading eastbound on Route 166. A second patrol unit spotted the…

Education Express kickoff tour rolls into Mayfield, Graves County

GRAVES COUNTY, Ky., (KBSI) – The Education Express Kickoff tour made its first stop in Mayfield and Graves County, marking the beginning of a regional initiative to support workforce development, businesses, and educational needs. The event drew a large crowd, including community leaders, educators, scholarship-winning students, and industry partners, all celebrating the impact of education and West Kentucky Community and…

Jackson weather sirens now fully functional; Tornado safety tips provided

JACKSON, Mo., (KBSI) — The outdoor weather warning sirens in the City of Jackson are now fully functional after repairs were completed this morning. The city’s power and light crew worked with a repair company to restore the Litz Park siren to operational status. As a reminder, the warning sirens are designed to alert individuals outdoors to seek shelter. A…

Paducah men arrested on drug, gun charges after apartment search

PADUCAH, Ky., (KBSI) — Two Paducah men were arrested Tuesday afternoon on drug and gun charges after a search warrant was executed at their apartment. Bobby S. Staples III, 29, and Michael R. Lightfoot, 29, both of Parkside Drive, were taken into custody by McCracken County Sheriff’s Office detectives. The search warrant, part of a drug investigation, was executed at…

MidAmerica Hotels celebrates grand opening of Tru by Hilton

JACKSON, Mo., (KBSI) – Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce and MidAmerica Hotels held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of the new Tru by Hilton hotel. The event featured a tour of the hotel’s facilities, showcasing its modern amenities and hospitality. Categories: News Tags: Jackson, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, MidAmerica Hotels, Missouri

Paducah police arrest three in methamphetamine trafficking investigation

PADUCAH, Ky., (KBSI) — A months-long investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in Paducah led to the arrest of three individuals on Friday, March 28, 2025. The Paducah Police Department’s Drug Unit launched the investigation after receiving tips about suspected drug activity. Detectives identified Jerome McGee, 40, as a suspect, alleging he was selling methamphetamine from his apartment. A search warrant executed…

Three arrested in crystal methamphetamine trafficking sting in Graves County, Ky.

GRAVES COUNTY, Ky., (KBSI) — An investigation into crystal methamphetamine trafficking led to the arrest of three men early Tuesday morning. The arrests took place at the Graves and Hickman County Line on Ky Hwy 1748, just after midnight. Sheriff’s detectives had been surveilling a vehicle, which had traveled to the Louisville area to pick up crystal methamphetamine. The vehicle…

Mayfield man arrested on multiple charges after brief manhunt

MAYFIELD, Ky., (KBSI) — Graves County deputies arrested a Mayfield man on multiple charges after he fled from a residence where he was being sought. Zachary D. Cross, 33, was taken into custody around 10 p.m. March 31 after deputies returned to a South 5th Street residence where he had been hiding. Cross had active warrants for strangulation, assault, unlawful…

Franklin-Williamson Child Advocacy Center observes National Child Abuse Awareness Month

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill., (KBSI) – The Franklin-Williamson Child Advocacy Center is recognizing National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, observed every April since its designation by Congress in 1983. The center is part of a multi-disciplinary team that partners with law enforcement to investigate allegations of child abuse. Last year, 39 local businesses and community members supported the center’s Blue…

Cape Girardeau celebrates new road improvements, future repairs planned

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) – The community is celebrating the newly opened roads, made possible by the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF). The recent infrastructure improvements have enhanced the city’s road network, providing a smoother and safer driving experience for residents and visitors alike. Take a drive to test out the recent repairs on Lexington, one of the first roads to…

Saxon Lutheran Memorial visitor center completely destroyed by fire

FROHNA, Mo., (KBSI) – A fire ravaged the visitor center on March 30. First responders swiftly contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to other structures. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and officials urge the public to avoid the area until further notice. Categories: News Tags: Frohna, Missouri, Saxon Lutheran Memorial

Williamson County deputies foil narcotics suspects’ flight

WILLIAMSON Co., Ill., (KBSI) – A traffic stop in Williamson County, Illinois, turned into a lengthy pursuit on March 26, 2025, when deputies attempted to pull over a vehicle leaving a residence suspected of narcotics sales. Deputies observed the vehicle commit a traffic violation and saw an object thrown from the passenger window. The vehicle failed to yield, and the…

Deputies initiate traffic stop, leading to methamphetamine arrest

MARSHALL Co., Ky., (KBSI) – Marshall County sheriff’s deputies initiated a traffic stop on North 12th Street at Octane Drive around 10 p.m. on March 29, 2025. A K-9 unit assisted in conducting an open-air sniff of the vehicle, which indicated the presence of illegal drugs. A search of the vehicle yielded a small quantity of drugs, and passenger Chad…

Community rides out severe storms; 166 people seek shelter

CAMPBELL, Mo., (KBSI) – A line of storms swept through the area, prompting 166 people to seek shelter. Despite the severe weather, no serious damage or injuries were reported. Emergency responders did battle a house fire sparked by a lightning strike during the storm. Crews were able to extinguish the blaze. Officials expressed gratitude for the community’s response and assistance…