Tuesday, September 1, 2026
FORMER RIPLEY COUNTY CHIEF DEPUTY SHERIFF SENTENCED ON FELONY CHARGES
A former Ripley County Chief Deputy Sheriff has been sentenced for receiving stolen property.
In April of 2025, the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Crime Control investigative unit was requested to investigate the alleged possession of stolen property by former Ripley County Sheriff’s Office employees.
One employee was identified as former Chief Deputy Charles Mays.
Firearms located at Mays residence were compared against a list of missing firearms from the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office evidence locker. Ten pistols were recovered from Mays’ residence and it was determined the pistols were previously seized as evidence by the Ripley County Sheriff's Office.
KWOC News has learned that Mays pled guilty to two counts of felony receiving stolen property and on Monday was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay restitution of $17,380.
REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 11TH IN POPLAR BLUFF
A special ceremony will be held in Poplar Bluff to commemorate 25 years since the deadly terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001.
The 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9 am on Friday, September 11th at Larry Hillis Dodge in Poplar Bluff.
Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs will serve as the keynote speaker and State Representatives Hardy Billington and Cameron Parker Bunting are also expected to be in attendance.
The National Anthem will be performed by Poplar Bluff 5th and 6th Grade students. There will also be a performance by Clifton Hoffmann on bagpipes.
The public is invited to take part in the ceremony and those attending will also receive American Flags courtesy of Representative Billington.
BUTLER COUNTY ROAD TO BE CLOSED TODAY
Route FF in Butler County will be closed today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can replace a culvert under the roadway.
The closure will be located from County Road 622 to County Road 626 near Fisk.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MAN ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AT A NORTHEAST ARKANSAS PARK
A man is in custody in Northeast Arkansas on a sexual assault charge.
According to a warrant affidavit, 57 year old Robert Gatewood, of Paragould, is accused of unwanted and forced sexual contact, as well as making sexual statements towards juveniles at Labor Park.
During an interview, Gatewood admitted to inappropriately grabbing one of the juveniles.
Gatewood is being held in Greene County Jail on two counts of 2nd degree sexual assault. His bond was set at $100,000.
TWO FLOWN FROM THE SCENE OF A HEAD-ON COLLISION NEAR ELLINGTON
Two Ellington residents were flown from the scene of a head-on collision Monday afternoon.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on Highway 21, five miles south of Ellington, when one vehicle crossed the center line and struck an oncoming vehicle.
Both drivers, a 68 year old and a 86 year old female, suffered serious injuries in the crash and were flown to a St. Louis hospital.
CONSTRUCTION CREWS TO REDUCE ROUTE AD IN NEW MADRID COUNTY FOR ALMOST A MONTH
Route AD in New Madrid County will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction for most of this month as construction crews perform an asphalt overlay.
The work zone is located from Route EE to Route 61 near Marston.
Weather permitting, work will take place today through Monday, September 28th from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
As construction is underway, flaggers will be present and traffic will be guided through the work zone by a pilot car.