Thursday, June 25, 2026
VEHICLE CRASHES INTO BUSINESS DURING PURSUIT, DRIVER PRONOUNCED DEAD
A man has died after he crashed his vehicle during a pursuit with police on Wednesday.
New Madrid County Sheriff Joey Higgerson tells KWOC News that New Madrid Police officers responded to a report of a subject brandishing a gun at around noon Wednesday.
When officers arrived, the suspect fled in a vehicle, leading officers and New Madrid County Sheriff’s Deputies on a high speed pursuit. The pursuit was from New Madrid to Portageville where officers deployed spike strips that were hit by the vehicle.
A short time later the vehicle left the road and struck a business.
The driver of the vehicle was declared deceased at the scene by the New Madrid County Coroner. Sheriff Higgerson says that the identity of the deceased has not been released at this time and an autopsy is scheduled for Friday.
There were no injuries for people who were in the building that was struck or for officers involved.
DEXTER MAN ARRESTED ON CHILD ABUSE CHARGE
Authorities in Stoddard County have arrested a Dexter man on a child abuse charge.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 23 year old Nathaniel Thurston was taken into custody Tuesday on a Stoddard County warrant for abuse or neglect of a child - serious emotional or physical injury and endangering the welfare of a child involving drugs - 1st degree.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the charges stem from an investigation that began in March concerning an infant who had multiple injuries, including a skull fracture.
Thurston is being held in the Stoddard County Jail and officials say that no bond has been set at this time.
ONE DEAD FOLLOWING SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH NEAR HAYTI
One person has died following a single vehicle crash near Hayti.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that a 39 year old man, from Millington, Tennessee, was driving on US Highway 412 Tuesday evening when his vehicle skidded, overturned, and struck a ditch.
The driver was ejected during the wreck and later pronounced dead at the scene by the Pemiscot County Coroner.
SPECIAL EVENT SCHEDULED FOR TODAY TO HELP AREA RESIDENTS PROTECT THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION ONLINE
A special event will be held today in Poplar Bluff to teach area residents on how they can protect their personal information online.
The Butler County University of Missouri Extension will be presenting the free workshop at 2 pm today at the main branch of the Poplar Bluff Library.
The course will explain how you can recognize spam and phishing attempts, create safe passwords, shop online securely, and go over safe use of social media.
POPLAR BLUFF LIBRARY HOSTING MYSTERY MOVIE TODAY FOR TEENS
The Poplar Bluff Library will be hosting a mystery movie event today for local teens.
The “Whodunnit?” Movie Matinee and Clue Night is today from 4 to 6 pm at the Library’s Main Branch.
There will be free popcorn, vintage sodas, crafts, and board games as well as a showing of the classic movie “And Then There Were None.”
More information is available on the Poplar Bluff Library Facebook page.
JUVENILE ARRESTED ON GUN CHARGE IN SIKESTON
A juvenile was taken into custody this week on firearm and drug charges.
According to the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, on Sunday, officers responded to Lincoln Park for a report of a subject with a firearm.
Officers located a juvenile inside a vehicle and during the interaction, the juvenile resisted officers while being detained.
Multiple firearms were located on the juvenile. One of the firearms recovered had the serial numbers scratched off and was illegally modified with an auto sear device.
Officers also later located a yellow hand pressed pill, which tested positive for methamphetamine, as well as marijuana.
The juvenile has been charged through the Scott County Juvenile Courts with possession of an illegal firearm, possession of a defaced firearm, felony resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.