POPLAR BLUFF MAN TO BE SENTENCED IN APRIL FOR SHOOTING AT AUTHORITIES
Sentencing has been set for April after a man pled guilty on Friday to the shooting of two members of law enforcement last year in Poplar Bluff.
Last July, Poplar Bluff officers, along with the United States Marshals Service, responded to an apartment located on Kinzer Street in an attempt to arrest a man on an active warrant.
Officers entered the apartment, at which point the suspect opened fire. A Poplar Bluff Police Detective received a non-life threatening wound while an officer with the US Marshals Service was struck in his body armor, but had no additional injuries.
After a short standoff, 28 year old James Johnson Jr. surrendered and was taken into custody.
On Friday, Johnson pled guilty to multiple charges and his sentencing was scheduled for April 19th.
WEEKEND WEATHER SYSTEM DROPS UP TO NINE INCHES OF SNOW IN SOME LOCATIONS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Near blizzard conditions were experienced in some areas over the weekend as a strong storm system moved into our region.
According to the National Weather Service, on Saturday a combination of high snowfall rates, strong winds up to and over 45 mph, and rapidly falling temperatures led to treacherous road conditions.
In Southeast Missouri, some areas including parts of Ripley, Carter, Wayne, and Bollinger County reported snow fall totals of six to eight inches. Some isolated areas reported up to nine inches of snow.
Snow fall totals were more modest in other areas, with reports of two and a half inches of snow in Fairdealing, three inches in Kennett, and three and a half inches in Dexter and Bernie.
Heavy rain also impacted the region prior to the snow arriving, with many areas receiving 1 to 2 inches of total rainfall.
POPLAR BLUFF COMMUNITY CELEBRATION OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. TO BE HELD THIS MORNING
An event will be held this morning in Poplar Bluff for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The 33rd Annual Community Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be held at 11 am at the Wheatley School on Garfield Street.
The theme of the event is “We Are All One Humanity,” and the speaker will be Mrs. Erin Moore.
PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY VEHICLE NEAR POPLAR BLUFF
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle last week in Butler County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 40 year old James Beckham, of Piedmont, was hit by a vehicle on Business 67, one mile south of Poplar Bluff.
Officials say the incident occurred shortly before 6 pm Friday evening.
Beckham suffered moderate injuries and was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital.
PROSECUTOR SAYS RECTOR OFFICER APPEARED TO BE JUSTIFIED IN FATAL SHOOTING
A preliminary report says a northeast Arkansas police officer was justified in fatally shooting a man last year.
Prosecutor Scott Ellington says that Rector Officer Jeffery Wolfenbarger appears justified in the shooting of 21 year old Gary Warbritton as Warbritton pointed a handgun at two other officers at a convenience store in Rector on December 26th.
Ellington says that both Wolfenbarger and Officer Michael Turner appear justified in shooting at Warbritton. Turner had encountered Warbritton on a city street and shot and missed him when Warbritton pointed the gun at him.
Ellington noted that his report is preliminary pending ballistics and autopsy reports.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR THE 2019 OPTIMIST SOCCER SPRING LEAGUE IN POPLAR BLUFF
Registration is now open for the 2019 Poplar Bluff Optimist Spring Soccer League.
Registrations for youth in first through sixth grades will be open until March 1st and the registration fee is $20. Forms are available at the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Office located at 430 North Second Street.
For more information, contact Staci Barker at 718-0959.
