ONE IN CUSTODY ON SECOND DEGREE MURDER CHARGE IN DONIPHAN
A subject has been taken into custody on a second degree murder charge in Doniphan.
Doniphan Police Chief Mark Rodgers tells KWOC News, just before midnight Saturday morning, officers responded to a call reporting a potential homicide at a local residence. At the scene, authorities confirmed that one individual was deceased.
The victim has been identified as 32 year old Donald McFairen. His cause of death has not been released.
32 year old Sheena Ann McFarien has been taken into custody on charges of second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. She is being held without bond.
Rodgers added that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN KILLED IN CRASH INVOLVING SCOOTER ON HIGHWAY 67
A Poplar Bluff man has died after a scooter he was driving was struck by a vehicle in Butler County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 31 year old man was driving an eclectic scooter on US Highway 67 shortly before 11 pm Friday night when another vehicle struck the rear of the scooter.
The driver of the scooter, who was reportedly not wearing a safety device, was pronounced dead at the scene.
PEDESTRIAN KILLED AFTER BEING STRUCK BY VEHICLE IN A POPLAR BLUFF PARKING LOT
A pedestrian has died after being struck by a vehicle Saturday in Poplar Bluff.
Lieutenant Josh Stewart with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC News that a 70 year old woman was hit in the Walmart parking lot on South Westwood Boulevard.
The incident occurred when the woman was walking out of the store and was struck by a pickup truck making a left turn. Emergency crews transported the woman to a Memphis hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Officials say that it appears that the incident was an accident.
Lieutenant Josh Stewart says the driver remained at the scene and was released after speaking with officers.
SEND OFF PARADE TO BE HELD IN QULIN FOR UPCOMING VETERANS HONOR TOUR
The Veterans Honor Tour will depart for their annual Washington DC trip this week and a local community is stepping up to give the veterans the send off they deserve.
Qulin Mayor Justin Parks tells KWOC News that the city of Qulin will be hosting a celebration for the veterans beginning at 9:45 am on Wednesday at the Qulin Lion’s Club Park.
A send off parade will follow at 10 am with the route going from 5th Street, to D Street, to 2nd Street, to A Street, to 4th Street and ending on Connecticut Street.
The public is encouraged to line the streets and wave flags to celebrate our veterans.
More details are available on the City of Qulin Facebook page.
GRADE SPAN CONSOLIDATION UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOLS
Poplar Bluff school officials have announced that they are looking to possibly reduce the number of grade-level transitions for students within the school system.
According to a release by the school district, nearly twice as many patrons who completed a district-wide survey earlier this month favor consolidating grade spans, and more than half of the respondents supported adding up to two grades back to the lower elementary configuration.
The consideration, if approved by the Board of Education next month, would involve the removal of the upper elementary center concept, shifting the district’s priority back to neighborhood schools pre-1997, before the former 5th & 6th Grade Center on Oak Grove Road opened.
After test fitting over a dozen possible scenarios, a tentative path emerged that entails adding grades four and five back to the elementary configuration and sixth grade to the Junior High grade span by pruning across the district to make space for modern construction.
A demographic study slated to be released by Business Information Services in October will confirm whether student population projections have stagnated and a reduction in campus-wide square footage is in fact warranted. The district will seek further input from its larger Citizens' Advisory Council with the goal of finalizing the plan by spring.
DONIPHAN AND VAN BUREN AWARDED MULTIPLE GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Two Southeast Missouri cities have been awarded multiple grants for community improvement projects.
The city of Doniphan was selected for five grants, totalling over 5.3 million dollars for projects such as low water crossing improvements, sewer system mapping, inflow and infiltration improvements, and Quick Creek Bank Stabilization.
The City of Van Buren is getting three grants, totalling over 3.6 million dollars, for pavement and sidewalk improvements as well as creating a comprehensive plan.
Ripley County will also be getting 1.6 million dollars for the paving of a roadway.
The Department of Economic Development announced the grants as a part of its Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Program.
MDC OFFERING REPORTS ON COLORS OF FALL FOLIAGE
Fall begins today and the Missouri Department of Conservation is encouraging people to enjoy fall foliage through camping, driving tours, hiking, or even floating.
The autumn equinox is today at 1:19 pm, ushering in the official beginning of the fall season.
To help Missourians get the best view of fall, the MDC is offering weekly online fall color updates from agency foresters all over the state at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor.
The weekly reports include what kinds of trees are turning and suggestions on the best places to view them. The updates will run through November.
TWO MONTH ROAD PROJECT SET TO BEGIN TODAY IN BUTLER COUNTY
Route M in Butler County will be reduced to one lane for nearly two months as construction crews perform pavement improvements.
According to MoDOT officials, Route M will be reduced between Route 67 and County Road 456 near Poplar Bluff.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Friday, November 21.
MODOT CREWS TO BE WORKING ON ROUTE J IN STODDARD COUNTY TODAY
Route J in Stoddard County will be reduced today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
The work zone will be located from North Prairie to Tower Drive near Bloomfield.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
