Thursday, January 29, 2026

POPLAR BLUFF MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND ENTICEMENT OF A CHILD

A Poplar Bluff man has been taken into custody on multiple charges, including possession of child pornography.

According to a probable cause statement, an investigation was started after a parent reported that their child had been exchanging nude photos and videos with an adult over snapchat and text messages.

The juvenile told authorities that they communicated frequently with a man, identified as 39 year old Austin Dailey, on snapchat.

The juvenile also stated that Dailey discussed wanting to have sex with them and asked to meet them at a nearby park.

Last week, Dailey was taken into custody after a search at his residence.

Dailey has been charged with felony possession of child pornography and enticement or attempted enticement of a child.

His bond was set at $100,000.

NEW BUTLER COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK TO BE SWORN IN ON FRIDAY

A new Circuit Clerk will be sworn in at a public event on Friday in Butler County.

Holly Lawson has been appointed as the new Butler County Circuit Clerk. She will be taking over for Cindi Bowman who is retiring at the end of the month.

Lawson will be sworn in at 1 pm on Friday in the Butler County Division One Courtroom.

POPLAR BLUFF MUSEUM COMPLETES REPLACEMENT OF 115 YEAR OLD ROOF

The Poplar Bluff History Museum is celebrating the replacement of its over a century old roof.

According to the Poplar Bluff Museum Facebook page, they replaced their 115 year old, three-layered roof earlier this month.

Officials are thanking the financial donors that made the project possible.

The museum is located in the old Mark Twain School Building on North Main Street.

It currently houses The Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame, Abington Haworth School House, Butler County Historical Society, Kanell Hall Veterans Museum and the Hall of Heroes, among other exhibits.

The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

MULTIPLE INJURIES REPORTED IN CONNECTION TO STRUCTURE FIRE

Multiple people were injured during a structure fire in Sikeston.

According to the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, crews responded to the fire late Tuesday evening on East Gladys Street.

Officers arriving on the scene reported heavy flames coming from the front of the residence, and that there were still occupants inside.

Fire Division Personnel quickly entered the residence through a window, located one of the occupants in a rear bedroom, and began working to safely extricate them. The occupant was removed from the residence and transported to an area hospital for further emergency care.

The South Scott County Ambulance District assisted with the other occupants who were able to escape from the residence.

Two of the occupants were flown from an area hospital to a specialty burn unit for further specialized treatment of injuries they sustained from the structure fire. All occupants are in stable condition.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS WOMAN ACCUSED OF EXPLOITING HER AUNT FOR MORE THAN $185,000

A Northeast Arkansas woman has been taken into custody for alleged fraud.

According to Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, 46 year old Amanda Patton, of Maynard, was arrested on January 22nd on a felony charge of exploitation of a vulnerable person.

Patton allegedly exploited her aunt, who was in a nursing home, by using the victim’s personal funds for her own use, including the purchase of multiple vehicles and an RV totaling more than $185,000.

VOTING TO ELECT MEMBERS OF THE BUTLER COUNTY EXTENSION COUNCIL UNDERWAY

It is time to make your voice heard on who you want to sit on the University of Missouri Butler County Extension Council.

Officials say that there are eight candidates running for eight vacancies.

Harvey Heard, Kelly Shearrer, Michael Miller, Anthony “Andy” Moore, and Dalene Armstrong are all running for two year terms, while Daryl Sorrell, Dan Sharp, and Amie Hays are running for one year terms.

You can vote at the Butler County Extension Office or on the Butler County Extension website.

Votes will be accepted through January 30th. For more information, call 573-686-8064.