Our network

4-year-old donates 10 inches of hair

4-year-old donates 10 inches of hair

POPLAR BLUFF, MO (KFVS) - A Three Rivers student says her four-year-old daughter Madison Brainard of Naylor, Mo. told her earlier this summer she wanted to cut her hair and donate it to "Lots of Love."

Amanda Brainard, who will be entering the new Physical Therapist Assistant program said she had to correct her daughter, "You mean Locks of Love, sweetheart?"

"She loved her long blonde hair," said Brainard. "She wanted to grow it out long like the Rapunzel character from the movie "Tangled." It was down past her waist."

A few weeks ago, the little girl changed her mind and decided she wanted to cut her hair and give it to those who had none.

When asked why, Madison said, "So they can send it to little kids who don't have hair because they're sick."

“Cancer runs in my family,” said Brainard.  “My aunt had lung cancer and never smoked a day in her life.  One of Madison’s grandfathers has skin cancer, and now her great-aun

Neelyville school officials look at extending school days

Neelyville school officials look at extending school days

NEELYVILLE, MO (KFVS) - Neelyville School officials are looking at the possibility of extending their school days in the district.

According to Superintendent Brad Hagood, adding 15 minutes on to each school day would trim the school year by a total of 10 days.

Hagood says state law requires students to attend class for 1,044 hours each school year. The new proposal would put the district at 1,115 hours.

He says trimming up the school year by 10 days will also help on the cost of transportation and utilities.

The current plan has the district attending school form August 17-May 18.

Tin turkey sculptures

Tin turkey sculptures

BUTLER COUNTY, MO (KFVS) - Heartland News photog Rochelle Steffen took this picture of giant metal turkeys on Tuesday,

The turkeys were on Highway 160 near Poplar Bluff and Doniphan.

They are made of bales of barbed wire and tin used on barns.

Viewer Whitney Allstun also sent us a picture of her uncle, Cletus Brown, the creator of these turkeys.

Send up pictures from your community to cNews and we'll feature them on your county site.

Copyright 2011 KFVS. All rights reserved.

Poplar Bluff police investigate shooting

Poplar Bluff police are searching for a man they say is responsible for shooting another man Tuesday afternoon.

Police said the shooting happened around 1:40 p.m.

Investigators say one man shot the other man in the arm then took off.

Police are searching for the suspect, 25-year-old Dwayne Winters of Poplar Bluff.

Winters is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department at 573.785.5776.

The victim was taken to Poplar Bluff Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Heartland News is following this story and we'll update you as soon as we get more information.

Copyright 2011 KFVS. All rights reserved.

Blood drives in Poplar Bluff

Blood drives in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, MO (KFVS) - The American Red Cross will host several blood drives during the end of July in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Red Cross, the following blood drives will be open:

  • July 19 - Amedisys Home Health Care, 2955 Kanell Boulevard (8 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
  • July 20 - First Baptist Church, 551 North Westwood Boulevard (1 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • July 25 - John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, 1500 North Westwood, Hwy. 67 North (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.)

The American Red Cross encourages potential donors to "beat the heat," drink plenty of fluids, eat a well-balanced meal and donate blood at an air-conditioned blood drive or center.

“Patients need blood regardless of the summer heat,” said Scott L. Caswell, CEO, Red Cross Biomedical Services, Missouri-Illinois Region.

New app gives you more information on Mo. state parks

New app gives you more information on Mo. state parks

BUTLER COUNTY, MO (KFVS) - A new, free app for smartphones is designed to give visitors convenient access to detailed state park information.

The app is currently available for the Apple iPhone and is coming soon to Android.

"Our amazing state parks are timeless in what they offer and these new mobile applications will make sure today's visitors have the latest technology to easily access information about them," said Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director.

The free lite version of the "Pocket Ranger Mobile Tour Guide" helps you find a state park by location or activity. It features things like a Trails menu in each park page that makes it easier for hikers and biker to see a list of available trails. The trail's description can help you find a trail to match your ability.

Additional features are available by upgrading to the Pro version.

PBRMC now focused on original location for new hospital

Plans change again to bring a new hospital to Poplar Bluff. Officials with Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center are now back on their original location plan to build a new facility.

"It's long overdue," said Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center CEO Greg Carda says they need more room.

"We have three patients in the ER right now waiting for beds," said Carda. 

The plan is to build a new 250 bed, $170 million hospital. Initially, they wanted to build in the northwest corner of Poplar Bluff known as "Eight Points".

That proved expensive. "At that point we looked at alternatives," said Carda. 

So they heavily considered land off of PP Highway. On that stretch of land is an old grave yard called Shadle Cemetery. That drew opposition from family members hoping to preserve graves.