ARSON SUSPECT ARRESTED IN CARTER COUNTY
Officials in Carter County have arrested a man in connection to an arson investigation.
Carter County Sheriff Alonzo Bradwell tells KWOC News that on September 26th, investigators began an investigation into a fire at a building in the Grandin area.
The investigation led to the arrest of Wesley Smith, of Grandin, who has been formally charged with arson in the 1st and 2nd degree.
He is being held in the Carter County Detention Center on no bond.
2025 CLASS OF POPLAR BLUFF SPORTS HALL OF FAME TO BE INDUCTED TONIGHT
Four Poplar Bluff record setters will be joining the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame tonight.
President of the Sports Hall of Fame Brian Rosener tells KWOC News that Justin Alford, Rena Brown, Stephanie Faith, and Slug Hefner will be inducted into the Hall tonight as the Class of 2025 at the Black River Coliseum.
Roesner added that it was a unique class this year because every person being honored holds a record in their discipline.
Alford is the first soccer player to be honored while Hefner, owner and driver of Dirty Duck Racing, becomes the first person recognized for motorsports. Brown and Faith were both multi-sport athletes that helped the Poplar Bluff girls basketball program reach a final four.
There are currently 100 individuals and 12 teams honored in the Sports Hall of Fame room located in the Poplar Bluff Museum, in the Mark Twain School on Main Street.
This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Mules becoming the mascot of Poplar Bluff High School when the students chose it to honor their coach.
POPLAR BLUFF REALTOR NAMED MISSOURI REALTORS 2025 REALTOR SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR
A Poplar Bluff based realtor was recently honored at a statewide business conference.
According to a news release, Todd Henson, of PB Realty, has been named Missouri Realtors 2025 Realtor Salesperson of the Year.
Henson was presented the award on September 24 during the Missouri Realtors Fall Business Conference.
The award is given annually based on demonstrated commitment to realtor ethics and cooperation, activity within the local, state, and National Association of Realtors, advanced education and professional designations, community service, and sales volume.
The release says that Henson has been a licensed Realtor for over seven years and has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to the real estate profession through his active involvement at both the state and local levels.
STODDARD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WARNING AREA RESIDENTS ABOUT SCAM CALLS
A local Sheriff’s Department is warning area residents to be on the lookout for scam phone calls.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office, they have been receiving reports of a male claiming to be “Sergeant Matney,” contacting citizens about a confidential legal matter involving federal court.
Officials say that this is a scam, as the Sheriff’s Office will never reach out in this manner regarding legal matters, requesting money, or confidential information.
Anyone who receives a call like this is asked to report it to your local authorities. Do not engage with the caller or provide any personal information.
MISSOURI MAN ACCUSED OF STRIKING A PERSON WITH METAL KNUCKLES
A Missouri man is in custody in Northeast Arkansas after allegedly using a prohibited weapon to attack another person.
According to the Paragould Police Department, on Tuesday, officers responded to a location on North 4th Street where they observed a number of people engaged in a physical altercation.
The defendant, identified as 32 year old Gary Miller III, of Arbyrd, Missouri, reportedly had been involved in a verbal altercation with another subject.
During the altercation, Miller retrieved a pair of metal knuckles from his pocket, chased the individual down the street, and struck the individual in the head multiple times with the metal knuckles.
The victim was transported to a local hospital with a laceration to his head.
Miller was arrested on charges of battery in the second degree and criminal use of prohibited weapons. He was held in the Greene County Jail.
MOTORISTS WARNED TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR DEER
With temperatures starting to drop, Missouri motorists are being advised to watch for deer.
Officials say that deer are more active and create hazards for Missouri motorists at this time of year.
The majority of deer strike crashes occur in October and November each year, with most happening in the 6 to 7 am and 6 to 9 pm timeframes.
Last year, drivers in Missouri experienced 2,952 traffic crashes where deer-vehicle strikes occurred. In these crashes, there were four fatalities and 420 people were injured.
Drivers are reminded that an attempt to avoid striking a deer could result in a more serious crash involving oncoming traffic. As soon as you see a deer, the best course of action is to reduce your speed gradually while watching other traffic around you.
If you do strike a deer, move your vehicle to a safe location and call 9-1-1 or *55 on a cell phone and report it.
