THREE IN CUSTODY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI ON METH DISTRIBUTION CHARGE 

Three men are facing a distribution charge after authorities discovered approximately 40 pounds of crystal methamphetamine inside the spare tire of a vehicle.  

According to authorities, Carlos Uleces Rodriges Gamboa, Carlos Oswaldo Morales Marescal, and Dario Angel Andrejol Real were all arrested following a traffic stop earlier this month in Dunklin County that lead to the discovery.  

Officials say the meth had a street value of around $320,000.  

The three men are each facing one count of distribution of methamphetamine.

MULTIPLE REPORTS OF POSSIBLE TORNADOS IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS 

The National Weather Service says that there were multiple reports of possible tornados in Northeast Arkansas during the storm system that passed over the area Monday.  

Weather officials tell KWOC News that a possible tornado was seen by a trained spotter in the Walcott area at around 5:25 pm. Shortly after 6 pm a brief possible tornado was reported by fire officials in Greene County near the intersection of Highway 34 and County road 806. 

There were also multiple damage reports out of Greene County, including a trailer home and semi-truck grain hauler getting overturned and numerous trees being blown down. A farm shop in the Marmaduke area was also damaged.

MOTORCYCLE WRECK CLAIMS LIFE OF POPLAR BLUFF MAN 

Authorities in Butler County say that an area man died Saturday following a motorcycle wreck.  

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 67 year old Charles Plemmons, of Poplar Bluff, was driving a motorcycle on Route O when his vehicle ran off the roadway and came to rest in a ditch.  

Plemmons was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead by Butler County Coroner Andy Moore.

TRAIN HITS VEHICLE IN DUNKLIN COUNTY LEAVING ONE DEAD 

One man is dead after his vehicle was hit by a train Monday morning.  

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that 59 year old Jeffery Rees, of Holcomb, was travelling on Dunklin County Road 301 when he pulled into the path of the train.  

Rees was pronounced dead at the scene by Dunklin County Coroner James Powell.

BUSY WEEK OF SCHOOL OPENINGS TO BEGIN TODAY 

Many students in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas will be returning to school this week.  

In our listening area, today will classes beginning in the Naylor, Neelyville, Rector, Piggott, and Ripley County R-4 school districts.  

More schools will be opening their doors on Wednesday, including Clearwater and Sikeston.

SCHOOL READINESS EVENT TO BE HELD TODAY IN BUTLER COUNTY 

A School Readiness event has been scheduled for today in Butler County. 

The event will be held from 9 am to 3 pm at the Black River Coliseum.  

Children registered for the event can receive free age appropriate school supplies, including backpacks, paper, folders, and pencils. Health Screenings will also be completed for attending children.  

Officials say that children must be pre-registered for the event. For more information or to register, call 573-785-4727.

STODDARD COUNTY AUTHORITIES ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE MISSING MAN 

Authorities in Stoddard County are seeking the public’s help in locating a missing man.  

44 year old Hubert Scott Burton Jr. has reportedly been missing since Friday. He was last seen at around 11 am that day in the Advance area.  

Burton may be traveling on a black or charcoal motorcycle with a Missouri registration of BUD YQK. 

Anyone who has information on Burton’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office.

MISSOURI PRIMARY ELECTION TO BE HELD TOMORROW 

Residents across the state will be heading to the polls tomorrow for the Missouri Primary Election.  

All Missouri voters will be weighing in on a Right to Work issue which will appear on the ballot under Proposition A. Voters will decide whether to repeal or uphold the policy passed by state lawmakers and signed by then Governor Eric Greitens last year.  

Voters will also be deciding on Republican and Democratic nominees for the United States Senate seat currently held by Democrat Claire McCaskill, who is seeking reelection.  

Republicans in Butler County have competitive nomination races for Division Two Associate Circuit Judge, Prosecuting Attorney, and Treasurer. The Republican nomination for Missouri House District 153 is being contested as well.   

Citizens in Poplar Bluff will also be voting on a Use Tax proposition that asks if the city should impose a local use tax at the same rate as the total local sales tax rate, currently two and one fourth percent, provided that if the local sales tax rate is reduced or raised by voter approval, the local use tax rate shall also be reduced or raised by the same action.

ELECTED OFFICIAL IN STODDARD COUNTY TAKEN INTO CUSTODY, PROSECUTOR SEEKING HER REMOVAL FROM OFFICE 

An elected official in Stoddard County has been taken into custody and the county prosecutor says he is seeking her removal from office.  

Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver tells KWOC News that on Monday, the elected board of directors and the elected clerk of Castor Township in Stoddard County presented him with financial documents which indicated misappropriation of funds by the township’s elected Trustee, ex Office Treasurer, Jacqulin Bradshaw. 

Oliver says that Bradshaw has been charged with the class D felony of stealing; alleging that she wrongfully appropriated over $16,000 of township funds. 

During an interview, Bradshaw allegedly admitted to appropriating the funds without authorization. 

A judge has issued a preliminary order enjoining Bradshaw from engaging in any activity or exercising any authority as the elected Trustee, ex Office Treasurer of Castor Township and Oliver has filed a petition seeking her removal from the office.

ARKANSAS MAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO BUTLER COUNTY WRECK 

An Arkansas man has been taken into custody in Butler County following a wreck that closed an area off ramp.  

A wreck caused the closure a Highway 60/67 off ramp in the Poplar Bluff area for a period of time on Tuesday. The ramp has since reopened. 

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 50 year old Ronald Stewart, of Dumas, Arkansas, was arrested Tuesday evening on a felony charge of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident. He was held at the Butler County Jail.

MISSOURI ATTORNEY GENERAL FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST THE OFFSETS IN MADISON COUNTY 

The Missouri Attorney General has filed a lawsuit following the deaths of two people this month.  

Attorney General Josh Hawley tells KWOC News that his office has filed a lawsuit seeking to compel a commercial enterprise in Madison County known as “The Offsets” to remedy deadly conditions at the former quarry. 

The recreational facility has been the site of at least 9 deaths, including two since July 4th this year as well as numerous other serious bodily injuries. 

Hawley says that despite their knowledge of these conditions and the resulting serious injuries, the owners of The Offsets have not posted appropriate warnings, have not taken steps to prevent dangerous activities, have not placed life-saving equipment near the bluffs, and have not retained a lifeguard.

MAN FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES IN CONNECTION TO FATAL BOAT WRECK 

A Dexter man is facing multiple counts of boating while intoxicated in connection to a fatal boat wreck in early June.  

According to Missouri Case Net, 27 year old Braden Bollinger is facing one count of boating while intoxicated – death of another, two counts of boating while intoxicated – serious physical injury, and two counts of boating while intoxicated – physical injury.  

Bollinger was involved in a boat wreck on June 3rd that resulted in the death of a Poplar Bluff teenager and injuries to four others as well as himself.  

Bollinger’s bond was set at $100,000, cash or surety.

TWO ELDERLY BUTLER COUNTY RESIDENTS FOUND DEAD 

Two elderly Butler County residents were found dead Wednesday in what is believed to be a murder/suicide.  

Butler County Coroner Andy Moore tells KWOC News that the two bodies were found Wednesday in the Oglesville area.  

ANDY MOORE: 

Last night at approximately 5:30 p.m. the Butler County Coroner's Office was dispatched to Oglesville in reference to a possible murder-suicide. Upon arrival Deputy Corner Corey Crutchfield and myself pronounced two individuals as deceased at the scene. Both died as a result of gunshot wounds and all indications are the female's life was taken first and the male took his life shortly after the initial incident. The deceased are identified as Elvin and Onedia Johnson, both 84 of Oglesville.   

We will bring you more information on this story as it becomes available.