MISSOURI SENATOR DISCUSSES OPIOID EPIDEMIC DURING STOP IN POPLAR BLUFF
Missouri Senator Roy Blunt was in Poplar Bluff Tuesday to discuss efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
Senator Blunt was a part of a roundtable discussion at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center to discuss the epidemic with medical professionals, law enforcement, and community leaders.
Blunt recently announced that Missouri will receive $31.5 million in opioid grant funding from the Department of Health and Human Services. That includes $18.36 million in state opioid response grant funding, in addition to the $10 million grant Missouri received earlier this year.
MAN IN CUSTODY AFTER WOMAN CRITICALLY WOUNDED IN STEELE
A Steele man has been taken into custody on multiple charges, including assault.
Steele Chief of Police Billy Joe Stanfield tells KWOC News that early Tuesday morning, officers responded to a house on Smith Street in reference to a domestic assault.
At the scene, officers found a 25 year old woman critically wounded. The woman was flown to a Memphis hospital.
During the course of the investigation, 56 year old Cornelius Minor, of Steele, was arrested and held at the Pemiscot County Jail.
Stanfield says that an arrest warrant has been issued for Minor, charging him with assault 1st degree, armed criminal action, and tampering with physical evidence. Stanfield added that there was no bond on the warrant.
ABOUT $3,000 ROSE FOR AREA MOTHER FIGHTING BREAST CANCER
A special Pink-Out game was held last week by the Poplar Bluff High School Volleyball team.
During a surprise intermission, about $3,000 was presented to Vicky Slaughter, an employee of the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, who was diagnosed with breast cancer over the summer.
R-I administrative assistant Bree Savat says that Vicky, who is the mother of junior Haley Slaughter, will use the money for medical expenses as she continues to travel to the Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis.
The proceeds were generated from pink T-shirts donated by Print Works, a 50/50 raffle, a cookie sale, and face painting provided by the Mule Barn. Students also decorated the gymnasium with balloons and banners and pink roses were presented to Vicky between the JV and varsity games.
Retired volleyball coach Carol Davis, a cancer survivor of 18 years, also spoke words of encouragement.
MAN SENTENCED FOR ROBBERY AT AREA RESTAURANT
A Southeast Missouri man has been sentenced for a robbery at a fast food restaurant in Sikeston earlier this year.
Officials with the United States Attorney’s Office tell KWOC News that in January, 20 year old Byron Jones, of Sikeston, entered an area Burger King and pointed a handgun at store employees.
Jones then instructed the store manager to give him the money from a cash register and the office safe. Over $2,000 was reportedly taken during the robbery.
Officers later interviewed Jones, who admitted that he was the person who robbed the restaurant.
Officials say that Jones has been sentenced to 94 months imprisonment on one felony count of interference with commerce by robbery and one felony count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
POPLAR BLUFF MAYOR TO HOST PRAYER BREAKFAST THIS MORNING
A city leader will be holding a prayer breakfast this morning in Poplar Bluff.
Mayor Susan McVey will be hosting the breakfast beginning at 7 am at the United Gospel Rescue Mission on South Broadway. Admission to the event is free.
With today also being Missouri day, they are encouraging people to bring Missouri-made and Missouri-grown food items for the Mission’s food pantry.
THREE RIVERS COLLEGE PASSES ACCREDITATION REVIEW
Three Rivers College has completed its decennial accreditation review with the Higher Learning Commission, earning a perfect score for the first time in the school’s history.
College officials say the regional accreditation helps ensure that Three Rivers students will be able to transfer to other regionally-accredited colleges, universities, and professional schools.
Multiple aspects of the college were evaluated, including its academic offerings, finances, governance, and administration.
BOOTH SPACE AVAILABLE FOR 2019 AG EXPO
Booth space is available for the 2019 Ag Expo in Poplar Bluff.
According to the Butler County University of Missouri Extension, The 2019 Heartland Agriculture and Natural Resource Expo will be held on January 18th and 19th at the Black River Coliseum.
The cost of booths will be $200 for the first 10 by 10 booth and an additional $175 for each additional booth if the fee is received by December 31st. After December 31st, the cost will be $250 for the first booth and $200 for each additional booth.
The fee must be paid at the time the booth is reserved and booth space is on a first come, first paid basis.
For more information, contact the University of Missouri Extension at 573-686-8064.
