Monday, October 26, 2026
SUSPECT GRAZED BY BULLET DURING OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING IN BUTLER COUNTY
A man was hospitalized late Friday night after being shot by a Butler County Sheriff's Deputy during an armed disturbance.
Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that deputies received a call around 11:30 pm Friday, from a homeowner in the 9000 block of State Highway 51, reporting that an intoxicated male neighbor was refusing to leave the property and was armed with a rifle.
According to Sheriff Dobbs, the homeowner reported that the man had threatened to "shoot up their residence" and made several other threats of violence.
When deputies arrived, they tracked the suspect to the rear of another residence, where he was found holding a rifle. Dobbs says one deputy fired a single shot, grazing the suspect. The man then put down his weapon.
Once the scene was secured, the suspect was transported by ambulance for treatment of what authorities described as a superficial flesh wound.
Sheriff Dobbs says the Butler County Sheriff's Office has requested an independent investigation into the shooting by the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control. No names that have been released at this time.
ONE DEAD, FOUR INJURED FOLLOWING RESIDENTIAL FIRE IN DUNKLIN COUNTY
One person is dead and four others were injured following a residential fire Thursday night in Dunklin County.
According to the Dunklin County Sheriff's Office, emergency personnel, including firefighters from Clarkton, Malden, and Campbell, responded to a house fire in Clarkton shortly after at 11 pm.
One person died as a result of the fire, while four other occupants were transported by ambulance to area hospitals for treatment of injuries sustained during the incident.
The identities of those involved have not been released, and the extent of the injuries has not been disclosed.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Dunklin County Sheriff's Office and the Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office.
MISSOURI CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THREE WOULD REPEAL ABORTION RIGHTS AMENDMENT PASSED BY VOTERS IN 2024
Beginning our preview coverage ahead of the November General Election in Missouri, we are first going to look at Missouri Constitutional Amendment 3.
If passed, Amendment 3 will repeal the 2024 voter-approved Amendment providing reproductive healthcare rights, including abortion through fetal viability.
Amendment 3 would allow abortions for rape and incest while under twelve-weeks’ gestation, as well as emergencies and fetal anomalies; and require informed and voluntary consent for an abortion, including parental or judicial consent for minors
The amendment would also prohibit gender transition procedures for minors including gender transition surgeries, cross-sex hormones or puberty-blocking drugs, with exceptions for specific medical conditions.
FORMER RIPLEY COUNTY SHERIFF PLEADS GUILTY TO TWO FELONY CHARGES
A former Ripley County sheriff has pleaded guilty to two felony charges in connection to an investigation into stolen property.
According to Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Michel, 60 year old Michael Barton, of Doniphan, pleaded guilty Friday to the class D felonies of receiving stolen property, for retaining stolen radios and tasers valued at $750, and stealing a motor vehicle, for appropriating a 2012 Chevrolet Impala, which was donated to Ripley County by the Butler County Sheriff’s Department.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, December 10 and each charge carries a range of punishment of one to seven years of imprisonment in the Missouri Department of Corrections, a term of confinement in the county jail for up to one year, a fine of up to $10,000, or a combination of both fine and imprisonment.
UPDATE: SECOND PERSON DIES IN CONNECTION TO BUTLER COUNTY CRASH
Updating a story we have been following for you, a second person has died in connection to a crash in Butler County last week.
Sergeant Clark Parrott with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tells KWOC News the crash happened at around 3 pm on October 20th on U.S. Highway 60, approximately two miles west of Fisk.
69 year old Gary Merriman, of Poplar Bluff, was driving westbound when his pickup truck traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree.
Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC News that Merriman was pronounced dead at the scene.
A passenger in the vehicle, 78 year old Sharon Thomas, also of Poplar Bluff, was flown to a St. Louis hospital with serious injuries.
Akers says that Thomas died Thursday night from injuries she sustained in the crash.
POPLAR BLUFF LIBRARY TO HOST MEMORY CAFE EVENT FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
Are you or someone you love experiencing early signs of memory loss or dementia?
Join the Poplar Bluff Library for Memory Café today at 10:00 a.m. at the Ridgel Branch.
This welcoming, relaxed gathering is an opportunity to connect with others in the community who share similar experiences, enjoy conversation, and build meaningful friendships. Caregivers are encouraged to attend, and refreshments will be provided.
For more information, contact John Dunivan at 573-206-3594.
PAVEMENT REPAIR PROJECT TO BEGIN TODAY IN BUTLER COUNTY
Route HH in Butler County will be reduced to one lane beginning today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
The section of roadway being reduced is located between Routes 53 and 142.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Thursday.
NORTHBOUND ROUTE 67 IN WAYNE COUNTY TO BE REDUCED TODAY FOR BRIDGE MAINTENANCE
Northbound Route 67 in Wayne County will be reduced to one lane today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can perform bridge maintenance.
The work zone is located from County Road 546 to County Road 543.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.