Thursday, December 27, 2018

INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY FOLLOWING OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

An investigation has been started after an officer involved shooting in Northeast Arkansas.

Officials with the Arkansas State Police tell KWOC News that 21 year old Gary Warbritton, of Rector, was shot and killed by local police Wednesday outside of a convenience store.

At 3:47 pm the Rector Police Department was notified of a man walking along Main Street brandishing a firearm. As police arrived in the area, Warbritton reportedly pointed the gun at a police officer.

The officer then fired his gun at Warbritton, who fled the area and led police to a convenience store where officers reportedly attempted to persuade him to drop the firearm.

Warbritton again pointed his gun at police, prompting one officer to fire his gun. Officials say Warbritton was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured in the incident.

Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the incident.

JASON SMITH TO SPEAK TODAY AT POPLAR BLUFF BUSINESS

Southeast Missouri’s congressman in the United States House of Representatives will holding a public forum today in Poplar Bluff.

Representative Jason Smith will be speaking to citizens about the government shutdown and border security this afternoon at Jen’s Diner on South Westwood Boulevard.

The event is scheduled to begin at 12:45 pm.

TWO INJURED, ONE SERIOUSLY, IN WRECK NEAR CARDWELL

Two people were injured, one seriously, in a wreck early Wednesday morning in Dunklin County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the wreck occurred at around 5 am Wednesday on US Highway 412, approximately two miles west of Cardwell.

A vehicle, driven by 25 year old Dylan Hicks, of Steele, allegedly crossed the center line of the highway and struck another vehicle head on.

Hicks suffered serious injuries and was transported to a Paragould hospital. The driver of the second vehicle received minor injuries.

THREE NEW STATE TROOPERS ASSIGNED TO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Three new State Troopers have been assigned to Southeast Missouri.

According to Captain Jeffrey Vitale, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troopers Garrett Hendrix, of Poplar Bluff, and Caleb Morgan, of Piedmont, have been assigned to serve the citizens of Butler and Ripley Counties, while Trooper David Beck, of Scott City, will serve the citizens of Mississippi, New Madrid, and Scott counties.

The new troopers were members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s 106th Recruit Class that graduated from the Patrol Academy on December 21st.

MISSOURI PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION APPROVES NATURAL GAS RATE REDUCTION FOR AMEREN MISSOURI CUSTOMERS

Some natural gas users in Missouri could soon be seeing a reduction on their bill.

The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved an agreement which provides an interim rate reduction for natural gas customers of Ameren Missouri.

The interim rate reduction will take effect on January 2nd and will remain in effect until the Public Service Commission decides a natural gas rate case Ameren Missouri filed with the Commission earlier this month.

The interim rate reduction reflects the impact of the change in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent under the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Officials say that for a residential customer using approximately 100 Ccf a month, natural gas rates will drop by approximately $1.58 a month.

Ameren Missouri provides natural gas service to approximately 131,000 customers in 25 Missouri counties including Butler, Stoddard, and Bollinger.

LEAF PICK UP CONTINUING THIS WEEK IN POPLAR BLUFF

The leaf pick up schedule for the city of Poplar Bluff is continuing this week.

According to city officials, leaves will be picked up in Ward 3 through January 11th.

Leaves may also be disposed of at the landfill located on the east side of the city. To reach the landfill, take Bartlett Street to “F” Street and go under the railroad crossing. Follow the graveled portion of “F” Street around the curve and the disposal is located on the left side of the road. There are signs marking the location.

The site is open for leaf disposal from 8 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday.

For more information, contact the Street Department at 573-686-8646.