HIGHWAY PATROL ENCOURAGES DRIVERS AND BOATERS TO HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Memorial Day weekend is almost upon us and the Missouri State Highway Patrol wants the public to make safety a priority.
Colonel Eric Olson, superintendent of the Highway Patrol, tells KWOC News that every available trooper will be on the road enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists during the long holiday weekend.
SEVERE WEATHER CROSSES THE AREA OVERNIGHT, MORE POSSIBLE TODAY
We had severe weather cross the area overnight and weather officials say we could be seeing more today. The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning shortly after 3 am this morning for parts of Butler, Stoddard, and Wayne Counties.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON NUMEROUS ITEMS DURING POPLAR BLUFF CITY COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT
Numerous items are on the agenda for tonight at the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting.
During the meeting, the Council will review a recommendation from the Municipal Utilities Advisory Board regarding bids received for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project.
CORNING POLICE SEARCHING FOR MISSING TEEN
Authorities in Northeast Arkansas are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing teenager.
According to the Corning Police Department, 16 year old Illeanna Rae Leonard was last seen leaving her home in Corning and getting into the backseat of a black jeep at 4:30 pm on Monday.
ONE DEAD FOLLOWING STABBING INCIDENT IN KENNETT
An investigation is underway following a fatal stabbing in the bootheel.
According to authorities, early Tuesday morning officers in Kennett found 37 year old John Ward, of Kennett, lying outside of a home.
Ward had a stab wound to the chest and later died at an area hospital.
Authorities say that a 35 year old man who allegedly stabbed Ward has cooperated with the investigation.
The man has not been arrested and no charges have been filed.
ENDANGERED SILVER ADVISORY ISSUED FOR MISSING MAN
An Endangered Silver Advisory has been issued for a missing Southeast Missouri man.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 66 year old Kerry Wayne Thomas left a location on South Everett Street in Kennett yesterday on foot.
Thomas is on several medications that he does not have with him and officials say he has been diagnosed with dementia.
Thomas is described as a white male, 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds with gray hair and blue eyes. He may be wearing a t-shirt, blue jeans, and gray tennis shoes with "Kerry" on the side.
We have a picture of Thomas available on the KWOC Facebook page.
Anyone with information on Thomas’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Kennett Police Department at 573-888-4622.
SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING SHOOTING IN PARAGOULD
Updating a story we brought to you yesterday, two suspects are in custody in connection to a shooting in Northeast Arkansas.
According to the Paragould Police Department, officers located one victim at the scene of a shooting Friday night. The victim was treated for a non-life threatening injury.
The Paragould Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division, Street Crimes Unit, and patrol worked through the weekend leading to two individuals being taken into custody. Probable cause hearings were scheduled yesterday for both individuals.
Officials say that the investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
PIEDMONT WOMAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES
A southeast Missouri woman was taken into custody over the weekend on multiple felony charges.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that 40 year old Leslie Hampton, of Piedmont, was arrested Sunday morning in Butler County on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance, delivery of an imitation controlled substance, and resisting arrest.
Hampton is also facing a charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and had several warrants.
Following the arrest, she was transported to the Butler County Jail.
STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE TONIGHT
There is the possibility that severe weather could be crossing our area tonight.
According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service, there is a chance of thunderstorms late today through this evening, followed by a better chance for later tonight.
THREE ARRESTED FOLLOWING STANDOFF IN POPLAR BLUFF
A shooting investigation led to a standoff in Poplar Bluff.
According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, on May 5th, officers responded to Plum Street in reference to a shooting. The victim said that 37 year old Joseph Gracia, of Poplar Bluff, fired several rounds at the victim before fleeing the area, accompanied by 43 year old April Dodge, of Poplar Bluff.
Officials say the incident appeared to stem from an ongoing feud.
A search warrant was obtained leading officers to a residence on Township Line Road. At the scene, investigators issued verbal commands for the occupants to exit the home. After a time of no response, gas was deployed into the home. A short time later Dodge, and 20 year old Jordion Bell, of Poplar Bluff, exited the residence and were both taken into custody.
Investigators breached the residence approximately 20 minutes later and took Gracia into custody. The firearm believed to have been used in the shooting, along with suspected controlled substances and drug paraphernalia, were seized.
Gracia is being held pending the filing of formal charges of assault 1st degree, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Dodge is being held pending the filing of the formal charges of assault 1st degree, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
DUDLEY MAN ARRESTED FOR HITTING PEDESTRIAN WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE
A weekend auto accident involving a pedestrian has resulted in the arrest of a Dudley man.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a vehicle struck 44 year old Thomas Ray, of Poplar Bluff, on US Highway 60, 1 mile east of Poplar Bluff, shortly after midnight Sunday morning.
An investigation revealed Ray was struck by a vehicle driven by 19 year old Jimmy Moore. Police arrested Moore and charged him with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated resulting in serious injury.
Ray suffered serious injuries and was taken to a Poplar Bluff hospital.
HEAVY RAINFALLS CAUSE DANGER FOR DRIVERS
Chances of thunderstorms are in the forecast for today and drivers are being urged to watch for flooded roadways.
Officials with the Missouri Department of Transportation say that several roads in Southeast Missouri are covered with water this morning, including in Ripley, Stoddard, Carter, Wayne, and New Madrid Counties.
Motorists are being reminded to never attempt to cross water that is over the roadway or attempt to go around any barricades. Also remember to be careful when driving in the rain.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported at least three vehicles either hydroplaning or sliding off the roadway Thursday in Stoddard County alone.
You can find highway conditions online 24 hours a day at traveler.modot.org.
The US Army Corps of Engineers says that Wappapello Lake is predicted to crest at less than 373.5 feet by Sunday. At 4 pm on Thursday the lake level was at 370.8 feet.
DONIPHAN MAN SENTENCED ON MURDER CHARGES
A Doniphan man has been sentenced on four counts of 1st degree murder.
In February, 26 year old Keith Boyles, of Doniphan, was found guilty on four counts each of 1st degree murder and armed criminal action.
The charges stem from the deaths of Edgar Atkinson, Bonnie Chase, Gladys Piatt, and Loyd Piatt in 2010.
According to Missouri Case Net, Boyles was given life without parole on each of the four murder charges and 30 years’ incarceration on each of the four armed criminal action charges.
DEXTER MAN ARRESTED ON DRUG RELATED WARRANTS
A Dexter man has been taken into custody on drug related warrants.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 24 year old Jordan Wright, of Dexter, was recently arrested on a warrant for possession of a controlled substance as well as delivery of 35 grams or less of marijuana or a synthetic cannabinoid.
Officials say that Wright remained in custody as of this morning and his bond has been set at $12,500, cash only.
ONE KILLED, ANOTHER INJURED, IN WAYNE COUNTY WRECK
Authorities in Wayne County say that an area man has died following a single vehicle wreck over the weekend.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that 43 year old Anthony Portzelt, of McGee, was driving a vehicle on Route P Sunday evening when the vehicle ran off the roadway and overturned.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED ON TRAFFICKING CHARGE, 53 GRAMS OF METH SEIZED
Law enforcement officials seized over 50 grams of methamphetamine during a drug arrest on Friday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 31 year old Brandon Hart, of Poplar Bluff, was taken into custody Friday morning on a felony 1st degree trafficking charge. Officials reportedly seized 53 grams of meth.
Hart is also facing felony charges of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of alprazolam.
Following the arrest, he was held at the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.
OVER TWO MILLION DOLLAR LOTTERY TICKET SOLD IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Someone in Southeast Missouri may be over two million dollars richer and not even know it.
According to the Missouri Lottery, a ticket sold in Piedmont for Wednesday night’s Missouri Lotto drawing matched all six numbers to win the 2.1 million dollar prize.
Officials say that the winning Lotto ticket was purchased at Piedmont Gas Mart with the number combination of 6, 20, 26, 30, 40, and 42.
UNITED STATES SENATOR TO VISIT POPLAR BLUFF BUSINESS
A United States Senator will be visiting a Poplar Bluff business later this week.
Senator Roy Blunt will be holding a press conference on Friday beginning at 12:15 pm at Mid-Continent Steel and Wire.
Mid-Continent Steel and Wire is the nation’s largest nail manufacturer and was recently granted tariff exclusions by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
