Wednesday, May 5, 2021
MASS CASUALTY TRAINING EVENT TO BE HELD TODAY IN POPLAR BLUFF
Three Rivers College students will get hands on training today during the biannual mass casualty training event.
The training event, which helps prepare students in participating programs for a mass casualty emergency such as a natural disaster or terrorist attack, will be held today at the Bess Activity Center.
Students from several fields of study will participate in the training, including Nursing, EMT, and Paramedic students. The training will also receive support from area healthcare providers and area emergency services.
Officials are also keeping the type of “disaster” secret so that students have no chance to prepare beforehand.
CITY OF PARMA MAKING PROGRESS ACCORDING TO STATE OFFICIALS
A Southeast Missouri city is making progress, one year after a state audit led to criminal charges against former city officials.
Missouri state auditor Nicole Galloway tells KWOC News that an audit last year discovered more than $115,000 was misappropriated through payroll overpayments and improper payments and purchases.
The audit, which also found that meeting minutes and financial reports were falsified to conceal the misappropriations, led to criminal charges against the former mayor, former city clerk and former water supervisor.
A follow-up report released this week found that the Parma Board of Aldermen had implemented 12 of the audit's 26 recommendations. Those included ensuring that account balances are properly funded and maintained, monitoring and reducing transfers between bank accounts, and ensuring the transfers are legal.
Another 12 of the recommendations are in progress, including working with law enforcement officials on the criminal prosecution.
Galloway says that the follow-up report shows city officials are moving in the right direction to restore the trust of citizens in local government.
DONIPHAN WOMAN ARRESTED ON METH AND WEAPON CHARGES
A Doniphan woman is facing multiple felony charges following her arrest in Ripley County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 48 year old Ruby James was recently arrested on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance - methamphetamine.
James is also facing a felony charge of unlawful use of a weapon.
SECOND GRADERS IN POPLAR BLUFF WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE BOOKS
Students at a Poplar Bluff elementary school have joined together to create non-fiction books.
According to Poplar Bluff School officials, “The Amazing Things About Flowers” was written by Kinsley Huffman, and illustrated by Norah Mattison and Elizabeth Brannum, while “SOLID: Facts About Crystals” was written by Makenna Baucom, and illustrated by Amelia Rousan and Brayden Conover.
The students are all second graders at O’Neal Elementary School. Their teacher, Shannon Miller, says that some of the students shared their work with school librarian Ashley Robertson, who is reviewing options to publish the book or otherwise have it laminated to include on the shelves.
BODY ARMOR DONATED TO NORTHEAST ARKANSAS K9 OFFICER
A K-9 officer in Northeast Arkansas has been donated some new body armor.
The Paragould Police Department’s K9 Koda will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
Police officials say the vest is expected to be delivered within eight to ten weeks.
STODDARD COUNTY ROAD TO BE CLOSED TODAY FOR CULVERT REPLACEMENT
Route MM in Stoddard County will be closed today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert under the roadway.
According to MoDOT officials, the section of roadway to be closed is located between Route U and County Road 684.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 8 am to 3 pm.