Thursday, April 23, 2026

EARLY MORNING PURSUIT LEADS TO ARREST OF FAIRDEALING MAN ON ASSAULT WARRANT

An early morning pursuit in Northeast Arkansas has resulted in the arrest of a Southeast Missouri man.

According to Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole, at around 3 am on Wednesday, a deputy observed a vehicle driving erratically on County Road 111. The vehicle then ran a stop sign and sped up as the deputy attempted to make a traffic stop.

Cole says that the vehicle reached speeds of around 100 miles per hour.

When the vehicle slowed down at an intersection, the deputy made contact with the vehicle’s left rear fender. The vehicle then spun out of control and stalled. The driver was removed at gunpoint and taken into custody. A woman and a seven month old child, who were both unharmed, were found in the back seat of the vehicle.

The driver was identified as 44 year old John Payne of Fairdealing. He was found to have a felony warrant out of Ripley County, with a nationwide pickup for assault 3rd degree. Payne is also reportedly a registered sex offender out of compliance on his probation for registering.

Payne was transported to the Clay County Detention Center on charges of felony fleeing, endangering the welfare of a minor - 1st degree, and reckless driving, among other charges.

RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER COMING ON FRIDAY

Weather officials are warning of a chance of severe weather for the area on Friday.

According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service in Paducah, showers and thunderstorms will sweep across the region from Friday into Friday night.

The system will include the risk of severe weather with heavy

rainfall and lightning being the primary concerns.

Officials say that widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected to return to the area again on Monday.

WAYNE COUNTY MAN FACES UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR THREATENING GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

A Southeast Missouri man will be sentenced this summer after admitting to threatening employees of the federal government.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 57 year old Timothy Stevens, of Wayne County, has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to two counts of transmitting a threatening communication in interstate commerce.

Stevens made threatening comments to two separate employees of the Social Security Administration in October of last year.

Stevens said that if he did not receive payments, “I’m commin’ gunning’ for you all,” his plea agreement says. The employee told Stevens that the SSA takes all threats seriously, and he responded “No, I am going gunnin’ trust me, and I’m going to blow up every (expletive) office around here.”

Officials say that Stevens is scheduled to be sentenced on July 28th. The charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both prison and fine.

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI MAN ARRESTED FOR ENTICEMENT OF A CHILD

Authorities in Southeast Missouri have arrested an area man for alleged enticement of a child.

According to Steele Police Chief Billy Joe Stanfield, on April 19th, officers received a report of a child getting into a suspicious vehicle. A witness told police that a car pulled up to the child and that the child entered the vehicle.

An officer located the vehicle and the child.

Further investigation led to a no bond warrant being issued for the driver, identified as Terrance Vance, of Hayti, charging him with two counts of enticement or attempted enticement of a child.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located suspected methamphetamine.

Chief Stanfield says that additional charges of possession of a controlled substance will be filed with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2026 PBHS SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM

It is time for parents to get their children registered for Summer School in Poplar Bluff.

Officials say that this year’s summer school will be held Monday through Friday from May 28th through June 25th and is an opportunity for students to earn back credits lost due to low attendance and/or failing classes during the regular school year.

Free breakfast and lunch will be provided for summer school students. Driver’s Education classes and ACT Prep Courses will also be available.

More information is available on the Poplar Bluff High School Facebook page.

DONIPHAN INTERSECTION TO BE CLOSED TODAY

Crews will be closing an intersection today in Doniphan.

According to the City of Doniphan, the Public Works Department will have the intersection of Albert Street and Barton Road closed to through traffic starting this morning.

No timetable was given for when the intersection would reopen. Motorists are asked to use caution in the area and choose an alternate route if possible.