Wednesday, January 28, 2026

PERSON OF INTEREST IN ST. LOUIS HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION APPREHENDED IN POPLAR BLUFF

A person of interest in a St. Louis area murder has been apprehended in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, on December 23rd, they were contacted by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Division in reference to an investigation they were working.

Officials were advised that Michael McNair was a person of interest in that case and had ties to the Poplar Bluff area. Information indicated McNair’s vehicle was in Poplar Bluff.

Officers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department located the vehicle at an abandoned home in the 1500 block of Benton Street but McNair was not found.

As a part of the continuing investigation, information was gathered leading officers to a residence on Highway B. Members with the Poplar Bluff Police Department, Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force Team converged on the location and McNair was taken into custody without incident.

He will be transported back to St. Louis for questioning.

RESIDENTS EVACUATED AFTER CARPORT COLLAPSE CAUSES GAS METER RUPTURE

Some Rector residents were evacuated early Tuesday morning.

According to the Rector Police Department, emergency crews responded to a carport collapse before 5 am on West 4th Street.

The collapse caused a gas meter to rupture and prompted an evacuation of residents from that immediate area. People were told to avoid the area from Woodland Heights to West Fifth Street to Velta Street while crews worked to repair the lines.

At around 6 am, Police reported that Black Hills Energy had a temporary shut off in place and people were allowed to return to their homes.

NAME RELEASED OF MAN KILLED AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A VEHICLE IN BUTLER COUNTY

Authorities have released the name of a Portageville man who died after being struck by a vehicle earlier this week in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the incident occurred shortly after midnight on Monday when a vehicle began backing up and struck the man.

Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC News that the man, identified as 57 year old Ryan Johnson, was outside his truck that had broken down when he got pinned temporarily between the vehicles, causing a blood clot in his leg.

He succumbed to his injuries at a Poplar Bluff hospital.

WOMAN ARRESTED ON SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

A woman has been taken into custody in Northeast Arkansas following reports of sexual assault.

According to a warrant affidavit, last week a juvenile disclosed acts that would constitute sexual assault and named 24 year old Jaden Sharp as the offender.

The victim also disclosed that Sharp had told them not to tell anyone and had possibly filmed or photographed them while in the shower.

During an interview, the defendant made an unsolicited comment about children in the home showering but denied all allegations.

Sharp has been booked into the Greene County Jail on two counts of 2nd degree sexual assault. Her bond was set at $100,000.

ANNUAL COUNT OF HOMELESS POPULATION HAS BEEN POSTPONED

An area organization is participating in a survey to determine the homeless population in Missouri.

Officials say that the Point in Time Count was going to be held tonight, but due to the weather, it has been postponed to February.

FCC Behavioral Health will be conducting a survey of homeless individuals and families in the area to help the community get a better understanding of the needs of people who are experiencing homelessness. The count could also affect federal funding available for housing programs.

FCC Behavioral Health will be leading the count for Butler, Carter, Reynolds, Wayne, and Ripley Counties.

Community volunteers are needed to help complete surveys. If you are interested in volunteering, call 573-575-4229.

FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLAR WINNING SCRATCHERS TICKET PURCHASED IN NEELYVILLE

A fortunate stop at a business in Butler County has led to a windfall for an area lottery player.

According to the Missouri Lottery, the player won $50,000 on a “Crosswords Plus” Scratchers ticket that was purchased at a truckstop in Neelyville.

Lottery officials say that players who purchased tickets in Butler County last fiscal year won more than $8 million in total Missouri Lottery prizes.