Tuesday, February 24, 2026
POPLAR BLUFF MAN FACES THREE COUNTS OF PROMOTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
A Poplar Bluff man is facing multiple child pornography related charges.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Brett Payne is accused of sending sexually explicit content involving juveniles that was created with AI over a messaging account.
Payne has been charged with two counts of promoting child pornography - 1st degree and a single count of promoting child pornography - 2nd degree.
He was held in the Butler County Justice Center on a $150,000 bond.
20TH ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF SET FOR SATURDAY
The Mason-Dixon Chili Society’s 20th annual Chili Cook-Off is coming this weekend.
The event will be held from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday at the Black River Coliseum.
Proceeds from the Cook-Off go to benefit the United Gospel Rescue Mission.
More information is available on the Mason-Dixon Chili Society Facebook page.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED ON WEAPON AND ASSAULT CHARGES
A Poplar Bluff man was arrested over the weekend on weapon and assault charges.
According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, 49 year old James Bradley was taken into custody Saturday on felony charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, domestic assault - 4th degree, and two counts of armed criminal action.
Few details about the incident have been released, but the charges stem from an incident on Saturday.
Bradley was held in the Butler County Justice Center on a $50,000 bond.
PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY VEHICLE IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle Sunday evening in Northeast Arkansas.
According to the Paragould Police Department, shortly before 7:30 pm, Paragould Emergency Services received multiple phone calls of a vehicle versus pedestrian accident on Highway 49 North.
According to witnesses, the pedestrian, whose name was not released, attempted to cross the road when he was struck by a vehicle. EMS transported the pedestrian to an area airport so he could be flown to a hospital.
No other injuries have been reported.
ROUTE W TO BE CLOSED TODAY IN BUTLER COUNTY
Missouri Department of Transportation crews will be closing Route W in Butler County today in order to replace a culvert under the roadway.
Officials say that Route W will be closed through 3 pm this afternoon for the project.
The work zone will be located between Route KK and County Road 508.
MODOT CREWS TO CLOSE ROUTE U IN STODDARD COUNTY THIS WEEK
Route U in Stoddard County will be closed beginning today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace several culverts under the roadway.
The section of roadway being closed is located from Route H to County Road 661.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily through Thursday. While work is underway, this road will be open to local traffic only.