MAN CONVICTED OF TWO COUNTS OF SODOMY IN STODDARD COUNTY
A jury deliberated less than 90 minutes on Tuesday before returning two guilty verdicts for a man who was charged with sodomy.
Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith tells KWOC News that a Stoddard County Jury has found defendant Robert Lee Grimes guilty for two counts of sodomy first degree - child less than 12 years of age.
Grimes was accused of having inappropriate contact with a child in 2023.
A sentencing date has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 7th.
AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING AFTER BODY FOUND IN RURAL RIPLEY COUNTY
Authorities are investigating after a body was found Tuesday in rural Ripley County.
Sheriff Rad Talburt tells us that the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Ripley County Coroners Office, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control are all a part of the investigation.
No further details have been released.
We will keep following this story for you and bring you updates as they are released.
THIS WEEK IS MISSOURI WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS WEEK
With the seasons rapidly shifting from summer, to fall, to winter, now is the time to make sure you are prepared for when winter weather inevitably hits.
The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and National Weather Service are partnering for Winter Weather Preparedness Week this week.
It is suggested that you create a family emergency plan and home emergency kit. Emergency supplies should include bottled water, canned and dry foods, battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, manual can opener and a first-aid kit.
When power outages are possible, charge cell phones and other devices in advance so you are able to communicate if power is lost.
Assemble a vehicle winter emergency kit. Include extra clothes, a blanket, radio/spare batteries, snacks/water, jumper cables, flares and a shovel/sand or shingles for tire traction.
Avoid driving when conditions could deteriorate. Postpone travel if possible. If driving is absolutely necessary, keep your gas tank more than half full and your cell phone charged.
For more winter weather tips, including safe driving techniques and preparing for power outages, visit mo.gov/winter-weather-safety/.
MISSOURI COLD WEATHER RULE BACK IN EFFECT
The start of November means Missouri residents are protected by the state's "cold weather" rule, which bars cutoffs of heat in freezing weather.
The rule applies to natural gas and electric utilities regulated by the Public Service Commission. It prohibits shutoffs from November through March, whenever the temperature is predicted to fall below 32 degrees in the following 72 hours.
It also provides more lenient payment terms for residents to reconnect natural gas or electrical service.
Municipal utilities, cooperatives, and companies providing propane by truck are not subject to the rule.
TWO ROAD PROJECTS PLANNED FOR TODAY IN THE QULIN AREA
MoDOT crews will be working on two road projects today in the Qulin area.
Officials say that Route 53 in Butler County will be reduced from County Road 212 to Route 51 so crews can perform pavement repairs.
Work for that project will take place from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Crews will then be doing pavement repairs on Route HH between County Road 329 and Route 53. That project is scheduled for 11 am to 4 pm.
ROUTE AC IN STODDARD COUNTY REDUCED THIS WEEK FOR SHOULDER REPAIRS
Route AC in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane this week as MoDOT crews perform work on the shoulder.
The work zone is located from County Road 237 to Prairie Street in Bloomfield.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily through Friday.
