Thursday December 15, 2016

HALF POUND OF SUSPECTED METHAMPHETAMINE FOUND IN IMPOUNDED VEHICLEA Poplar Bluff man is facing multiple charges after half of a pound of suspected methamphetamine was discovered in a vehicle he was found unconscious in.

Captain Dave Sutton with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells us more about the incident.

DAVE SUTTON:

On Tuesday night at approximately 8:20 pm Officers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of South 6th street at Park Street in reference to a vehicle blocking the roadway. Upon their arrival, they found a silver jeep parked, running, in both lanes. The driver was unconscious with his foot on the brake.

Officer Hopper parked his patrol car in front of the jeep in case the drive’s foot slipped from the brake, and he and K-9 Officer Duckett knocked on the jeep windows until the driver woke. At their request, the driver placed the jeep in park and stepped out.

The driver was identified as Titus Turner, 25 years old, of Poplar Bluff. Turner did not have a valid license, so the jeep was impounded and towed. During an inventory of the vehicle contents Officer Akers located a half pound of suspected methamphetamine and a set of digital scales. Turner was taken into custody and transported to the station. At the time of his arrest, Turner had over $1,000 on his person.

Titus Turner was booked in on a charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. He was then lodged in the Butler County Jail.

 

MAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO ROBBERY IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS An arrest has been made in connection to a robbery last week in Northeast Arkansas.

Officials with the Paragould Police Department tell KWOC News that police responded to a report of an aggravated robbery at Jordan’s Northend on Friday, December 9th.

Police have since arrested Samuel Weeams for his alleged involvement in the incident. Charges for Weeams were not available.

 

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE SAY HEROIN IS BECOMING A PROBLEM IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI Authorities in Poplar Bluff say that Heroin is becoming a serious problem in Southeast Missouri.

Detective Corey Mitchell with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells us that the number of heroin deaths was actually higher than gun deaths in 2015.

COREY MITCHELL:

According to the Washington Post, a story that was documented in the Washington Post February 8th 2016, as far as the heroin related deaths have surpassed the gun homicides for the first time in the United States. This data was pulled from the Centers for Disease Control and prevention. There's a little bit of a drop in gun violence, however in 2015 gun homicides were estimated at roughly 12,179 and were surpassed by heroin-related deaths at 12,989. On a local level we as law enforcement it's pretty much a weekly occurrence where officers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department and I'm sure the Butler County and the Highway Patrol are responding to heroin-related overdoses, but as far as the city we've got at least 30 documented overdose related calls for the year. That's not including unresponsive persons or medical assist. To me and to the city of Poplar Bluff, 30 is way too high.

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley tells us that his department is working with various agencies in order to fight the spread of the drug in Poplar Bluff.

DANNY WHITELEY:

A number of years ago we discovered that the Poplar Bluff Area 13 counties in Southeast Missouri led the entire state in the distribution of Oxycontin, hydrocodone, Xanax, Soma, and Fentanyl. We saw the dramatic increase in that and worked some cases that slowed that down some but in that we found that heroin was starting to become frequent in our area. The prescription pills had gotten so high, because it took a doctor's prescription to get them, that it allowed the heroin dealers to come to Poplar Bluff and Southeast Missouri area selling heroin cheaper than what the opioid pills were bringing. I never thought heroin would be in Poplar Bluff but it’s here now, we've got a serious problem with it. It's all over Southeast Missouri not just Poplar Bluff but over the whole state actually. It brings with it a lot of violence that you don't normally see even with methamphetamine or marijuana. It's so addictive and the withdrawal symptoms are so bad now we're getting into these deaths and we have got to put a halt on that. Detective Mitchell is assigned to the DEA in Cape, Jason Morgan is assigned to the SEMO drug task force, Steve McKane works with both of them and if we didn't have these working relationships with the state and federal partners we couldn't combat this thing because we don't have nearly the manpower to do that nor does any other agency. You have to utilize your brother and sister agencies to fight this problem and that's what we're doing daily. We've been meeting with the various medical professionals on the NARCAN which is something that would be very helpful if we come to a situation where we have an unresponsive person and the NARCAN will bring them back nine times out of ten and give you time to get them to a medical facility to hopefully revive them and get back alive again. We're working on some legal procedures and policies to put this in place anytime you're dealing with medical issues and as law enforcement that's not our normal forte but there are departments statewide that have went to this and we've looked at several different avenues for legal advice from our city attorney and Statewide Missouri Police Association model policies and stuff like that so we're trying to implement but obviously when you have a huge liability exposure like that you gotta get your ducks in a row and that's what we're doing now. I would also like to ask the citizens without the citizens help a lot of time we can’t complete investigations any time you see something suspicious you have a neighbor or a friend or relative you're concerned about, just get ahold of us and let us know about it. We will take the appropriate action from there. But to the dope dealers we know who most of you are and we're going to come and get you and we're going to put you in prison. That is a promise.

 

PUXICO MAN ARRESTED ON CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES WARRANT A Puxico man is in custody following his arrest on a controlled substance warrant.

According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 43 year old Benny Cutrell was recently arrested on a warrant for distribution of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Cutrell remained in jail as of this morning and his bond has been set at $50,000 cash.

 

PB MIDDLE SCHOOL’S ST. JUDE GIFT WRAP FUNDRAISER SCHEDULED FOR TODAY

 

Area residents who want to get their Christmas presents wrapped and also help a good cause will get a chance today in Poplar Bluff.

The Poplar Bluff Middle School's ninth annual St. Jude Gift Wrap fundraiser will have its second and final day today from 3 to 6:30 pm at the Kay Porter Theater.

Officials say there is no set price for present wrapping services, but a monetary donation to the children's research hospital is encouraged.

Tuesday December 13, 2016

POPLAR BLUFF BUDGET PROPOSAL INCLUDES CUTS OF SIX FULL TIME POSITIONSPoplar Bluff City Manager Mark Massingham presented a budget proposal at last night’s Poplar Bluff City Council meeting which includes the elimination of six full time employees.

The cuts would include one employee from the municipal courts, one in the planning department, two in the street department, and two in the Police Department.

Here is Massingham laying out his rationale for the cuts to the city council.

MARK MASSINGHAM:

The three most essential services a municipality must provide to its citizens are police protection, fire protection, and streets. Poplar Bluff is fortunate enough to offer much more than those essentials. We have an airport we’re operating that is vital for the growth of our city, we offer an art museum that has become one of Poplar Bluff’s Landmarks, and we have the Coliseum that offers a venue for concerts, meetings, banquets, and much more and brings thousands of people to our community.

In order to provide those same services we have had to make adjustments to our personnel for the 2017 budget. When we first started working on this budget we had a deficit of $735,000 in the general fund. The budget I present to you has a deficit of $173,761, the current 2016 budget started with a $424,000 budget.

To reduce our budget in general fund, this budget represents the elimination of six full time employees. One in municipal court, one in the planning department, two in the street department, and two in the police department. I didn’t arrive at these recommendations lightly.

Some ask why I haven’t reduced personnel in the fire department. The fire department has lost a total of five employees over the last 15 years. On many days throughout the year the fire department operates with two people at a station. When they receive a fire call, most of the time two stations respond because they are short firefighters. This leaves one area of town unprotected.

These cuts were not taken lightly. We worked on this budget for weeks, even waiting until this last minute to see if our final sales tax report was in, hoping we would not make the cuts, but we still have to.

The budget will be voted on at the next City Council meeting on December 27th.

 

FILING OPENS TODAY FOR THREE SEATS ON POPLAR CITY COUNCIL Filing is set to open today for multiple seats in the Poplar Bluff government.

Filing for the councilperson seat from Ward Five, as well as two at large seats on the Poplar Bluff City Council will begin today. Anyone who wants to file for the April 4th election can do so at the Office of the City Clerk at 501 Vine Street.

Filing will also begin today for three seats on the Poplar Bluff Board of Education. Anyone wanting to file for the seats can go to the Administrative Building, located at 1110 North Westwood Boulevard.

 

PUXICO WOMAN ARRESTED ON FELONY CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WARRANT Authorities in Stoddard County have arrested a Puxico woman on a controlled substance warrant.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 35 year old Crystal Kelm was taken into custody Sunday morning on a felony Dunklin County warrant for possession, manufacturing, and distribution of a controlled substance.

Following the arrest, Kelm was held in the Stoddard County Jail.

 

ALMOST $10,000 WORTH OF JEWELRY STOLEN FROM POPLAR BLUFF BUSINESS Poplar Bluff police are investigating the theft of almost $10,000 worth of jewelry from an area business.

We spoke with Detective Joseph Woodruff with the Poplar Bluff Police Department about the investigation.

JOSEPH WOODRUFF:

Around 5:15 pm on Friday, December 9th officers were notified of a theft from The Jeweler's Bench, located on South Westwood.

After officers arrived, they learned two female patrons had selected several pieces of jewelry to include necklaces, rings, and bracelets, and asked that they be shipped for a wedding. As the jewelry was being placed into a shipping box one of the females concealed one of the bags lying on the counter which contained approximately $9,700.00 worth of jewelry.

After the box was sealed the females left a $200.00 deposit and told the employee they would return with the rest of the payment, however they never returned. Employees became suspicious and opened the box to find a bag missing, and subsequently contacted the Police Department.

The surveillance video showed the two suspects are white females in their late 30’s to early 40’s. If anyone has any information regarding this case or these suspects, please contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department at 573-785-5776.

Pictures of the suspects are available on our Facebook page.

 

TWO SERIOUSLY INJURED IN BUTLER COUNTY WRECK Two Wappapello residents were seriously injured Monday morning in a two vehicle wreck in Butler County.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell us that the wreck occurred at around 9:30 am on Route T when a vehicle driven by 66 year old Janet Brown, of Poplar Bluff, allegedly rear ended another vehicle.

Two people in the second vehicle, 56 year old Vicky Clemons and 42 year old Joseph Holman, both of Wappapello, suffered serious injuries and were taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Brown received minor injuries in the wreck.

 

ROAD WORK UNDERWAY IN STODDARD AND NEW MADRID COUNTIES Route 153 in Stoddard and New Madrid County is being reduced to one lane so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can perform edge rut repairs.

According to MoDOT, the section of roadway is located from Route A to Route 62.

Weather permitting, work will take place today and tomorrow, from 8 am to 3 pm each day.

Monday December 12, 2016

PIEDMONT WOMAN FACING FELONY METH CHARGEA 54 year old Piedmont woman is facing a felony meth charge following his arrest Saturday night in Wayne County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 54 year old Katherine Hime was taken into custody shortly before 9:30 pm on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Hime also had an active warrant through Butler County for leaving the scene of an accident.

 

POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED IN STODDARD COUNTY ON DISTRIBUTION WARRANT A Poplar Bluff woman has been taken into custody in on a distribution warrant.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, 24 year old Katherine Cook was recently arrested on a warrant for distribution of a controlled substance.

Her bond was set at $100,000 and officials say she remains in jail as of this morning.

 

ROUTE 142 IN BUTLER COUNTY TO BE CLOSED TODAY Route 142 in Butler County will be closed today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a pipe under the roadway.

According to MODOT, work is scheduled to be done today from 11 am to 3 pm.

The work zone will be located on Route 142 between Route H and County Road 335.

 

DRIVER SERIOUSLY INJURED IN SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK A Piedmont man was badly injured over the weekend in a single vehicle wreck in Wayne County.

According to authorities, 21 year old Brandon Hurt’s vehicle, ran off the roadway, struck an embankment, and overturned on US Highway 49, 1 mile north of Piedmont on Friday afternoon.

Hurt suffered serious injuries in the wreck and was flown to a Cape Girardeau hospital.

 

ARNOLD WOMAN FACING FELONY METH CHARGE Authorities in Wayne County have arrested an area woman on a felony meth charge.

According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, 23 year old Jennifer Rolen, of Arnold was arrested shortly after 9 pm Friday on felony charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine paraphernalia.

Rolen also had active warrants for miscellaneous traffic offenses.

Following the arrest, she was held in the Wayne County Jail on a 24 hour hold.

 

PAVEMENT REPAIRS SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK IN STODDARD COUNTY Route 25 in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane this week as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.

The section of roadway to be affected is located from Route AB to Route E.

Weather permitting, work will take place today through Friday from 7 am to 4 pm daily.

 

PB MIDDLE SCHOOL’S ST. JUDE GIFT WRAP FUNDRAISER SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK Area residents who want to get their Christmas presents wrapped and also help a good cause will get a chance this week in Poplar Bluff.

The Poplar Bluff Middle School's ninth annual St. Jude Gift Wrap fundraiser will take place from 3 to 6:30 pm Wednesday and Thursday at the Kay Porter Theater.

Officials say there is no set price for present wrapping services, but a monetary donation to the children's research hospital is encouraged.

Friday, December 9, 2016

   

 

 

 

POPLAR BLUFF WOMAN ALLEGEDLY FOUND WITH COCAINE AND STOLEN FIREARMS

A Poplar Bluff woman is facing multiple charges after she was reportedly found in possession of cocaine and stolen firearms.

We spoke with Detective Joey Woodruff about the arrest.

“On Wednesday evening around 7:45, officers were dispatched to the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for an assault report. The victim reported to officers that 35 year old Kristen Chilton, of Poplar Bluff, had ran over her foot while speaking with another person in Chilton’s vehicle.

A short time later, Patrolman Duckett located Chilton at her residence in the 1400 block of Spring Street where she was placed under arrest. During a search a .380 handgun was located on Chilton’s person and it was discovered to be reported stolen in Ripley County.

Chilton gave Officer Duckett permission to check her purse at which time he located two more handguns inside. The first firearm, .25 cal handgun, was found to reported stolen in Mount Morris, Illinois and a second handgun, a .22 cal revolver had been defaced. Officer Duckett located drug paraphernalia which later field tested positive for methamphetamine.

During the booking procedure Chilton turned over a small baggie of a substance which tested positive for cocaine.

Chilton was lodged in the Butler County Justice Center on two counts of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of receiving stolen property, possession of a defaced firearm, and possession of drug paraphernalia.”

 

 

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE INVESTIGATING REPORTED SCAM

The Poplar Bluff Police Department says that an investigation has been opened following reports from area businesses of an apparent scam.

Sports Media of Towson, Maryland is soliciting and sending out invoices to local businesses in reference to a 2017 PBHS Spring Sports Poster project.

Police officials say the project is not affiliated with the Poplar Bluff School District and the Better Business Bureau website contains numerous complaints in reference to this company.

 

 

TWO ARRESTED ON METH CHARGE IN DUNKLIN COUNTY

Two Kennett residents were taken into custody Thursday morning in Dunklin County on a meth charge.

According to the Highway Patrol, 39 year old Jimmy Hubbard and 22 year old Tabbitha Reeves were each arrested on felony charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance – tramadol, unlawful use of a weapon, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Both arrestees were taken to the Dunklin County Jail on 24 hour holds.

 

  

KENTUCKY MAN FACING METH AND COCAINE CHARGES OUT OF PEMISCOT COUNTY

A Kentucky man is facing multiple felony drug charges following his arrest Thursday afternoon in Pemiscot County.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell us that 40 year old Orlando Smith, of Utica, Kentucky, was taken into custody at around 2 pm Thursday on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance for methamphetamine and cocaine.

Smith is also facing a charge of possession of marijuana.

Following the arrest, Smith was held at the Pemiscot County Sheriff’s Office.

 

 

LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE TO BE HELD THIS WEEKEND IN CARTER COUNTY

A lighted Christmas parade has been scheduled for this weekend in Ellsinore.

Line up will begin at 6 pm Saturday at the East Carter County lower elementary parking lot. The parade will is set to start at 6:30 pm.

After the parade, parents and their children will be able to visit Santa at the firehouse. Pictures with Santa will be $3 each.

For more information, contact Chris Owen at 573-429-8962.

 

 

CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR ROAD PROJECTS IN BUTLER, STODDARD, AND RIPLEY COUNTIES

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission have awarded contracts for upcoming projects in Butler, Stoddard, and Ripley Counties.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, an approximately 1.5 million dollar contract was awarded to Pace Construction Company, for pavement improvements on Route 142 Butler and Ripley Counties.

An over $500,000 contract was also awarded to Joe’s Bridge & Grading, for bridge improvements on Route U over St. Francis River in Butler and Stoddard Counties.

Additional information, regarding timelines and impacts to traffic, will be released prior to the start of construction.

 

Thursday December 8, 2016

MAN SUBDUED BY HOMEOWNER DURING BURGLARY ATTEMPTA local homeowner reportedly tackled and subdued a suspect during a recent burglary attempt.

Lieutenant Darron Moore with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells us more about the situation.

DARRON MOORE:

On Tuesday night at around 9:45 p.m. officers responded to the 2000 block of Thomas Street in reference to a burglary in progress. It was reported the suspect was being restrained by the homeowner. Upon arrival officers observed a male suspect being restrained by another. During the investigation it was learned the suspect, later identified as 25 year old Aaron McCoy of St. Louis, had jumped through the window of the residence. McCoy had injuries which supported the claim by the homeowner. The homeowner stated he had just went to bed when he heard someone trying to get into the residence. He went to investigate and observed the suspect at the back door trying to open the door. As he went to retrieve a weapon the suspect crashed the window. He tackled McCoy and held him down until police arrived. While EMS was treating McCoy for injuries he received when he jumped through the window he attempted to kick personnel on the scene. He was treated at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and released for confinement. McCoy was transported to and lodged in the Butler County Justice Center on a charge of Burglary 1st.

 

MAN ARRESTED IN WAYNE COUNTY ON CHILD MOLESTATION WARRANT Authorities have arrested a Patterson man in Wayne County on a felony warrant.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 75 year old Walter Martin was arrested Wednesday afternoon on a felony Wayne County warrant for child molestation.

Following the arrest, officials say Martin was held in Wayne County.

 

PROBATION SEARCH LEADS TO ARREST OF TWO IN CORNING A probation search conducted earlier this week at a residence in Corning has resulted in the arrest of two people.

Corning Police Chief Jimmy Leach says that the search was conducted Wednesday by the Corning Police Department and the Arkansas Department of Community Corrections.

Amanda Forrester and Adam Fox, both of Corning, were taken into custody on meth and marijuana charges.

They were both transported to the Clay County Detention Center awaiting a Probable Cause Hearing.

 

POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN RECENT INCIDENTS OF STUDENTS BRINGING WEAPONS TO SCHOOLS School officials say that there have been recent incidents in Poplar Bluff were students have brought weapons to school.

We spoke with Poplar Bluff R-1 Superintendent Scott Dill about the incidents.

SCOTT DILL:

We have had a couple of weapon related incidents in the last month or two here at Poplar Bluff School District and those have been one at the Middle School level one at the junior high level. Neither incident was motivated by the intent to hurt anybody. One of the things that happened about this is the kids made us aware of what was going on, reported it to the adults. We dialed in on it very quickly. Our administrators and school resource officers handled everything exactly as they should have and fortunately no one was injured or even threatened by the situations. I do want to make it clear that the items in question, we’re talking about Airsoft pistols. It's not like somebody brought a true weapon into the school. We treat it as such but this is still a dangerous situation. One of the concerns of course is that if a student were to display this thing in a hallway or not recognized as a replica or a toy then we would have a real problem on our hands. We would like to encourage parents to be involved in the lives of their children. That’s the best resource that our kids have in terms of just knowing what's going on inside your kids heads and in their lives. As a parent myself, I know that I go through my girls bags to make sure that their homework is turned in and try to keep tabs on what’s going on with their cell phones and electronic devices, the conversations that they are having and the people that they are having those with and try to be proactive. I would encourage parents just take those steps at home and of course if there's any concerns about any conversations or any rumors going around just let us know we'll be happy to deal with that.

 

POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED IN STODDARD COUNTY ON DISTRIBUTION WARRANT A Poplar Bluff man has been taken into custody in Stoddard County on a distribution warrant.

According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 34 year old Robert McClanahan was recently arrested on a warrant for distribution of a controlled substance.

His bond was set at $35,000 and officials say he remained in jail as of this morning.

 

MULTIPLE EVENTS PLANNED FOR THIS WEEKEND’S BERNIE OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS Multiple events have been scheduled for this weekend’s Bernie Old Fashioned Christmas.

According to the Bernie Chamber of Commerce, the event will be held in Downtown Bernie from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Saturday, December 10th.

Attractions will include the outdoor Christmas movie, the Christmas toy drive, pictures with Santa, and the Christmas tree lighting.

More information is available on the Bernie Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.

 

 

Wednesday December 7, 2016

TWO ARRESTED IN MALDEN BURGLARY AND ARSON INVESTIGATIONOfficials say that two arrests have been made as a part of an investigation into the arson and burglary of a Malden Convenience store.

According to the Malden Police Department, the incident occurred in the late evening hours of November 30th at Swindle’s All in One Convenience Store. The estimated total in damage and stolen property is over $250,000.

James Wilson III (The Third), of Malden, and Marcus White, of Clarkton, have each been arrested on a charge of 1st degree burglary.

Wilson is also facing charges of second degree arson and receiving stolen property. Both were being held in the Malden City Jail pending extradition to the Dunklin County Justice Center.

 

TWO ARRESTED IN WAYNE COUNTY ON METHAMPHETAMINE CHARGE Two people have been taken into custody in Wayne County on multiple charges.

According to authorities, 33 year old Rebecca Griffith and 32 year old Christopher Hall, both of Piedmont, were taken into custody shortly after 5 pm on Tuesday.

Both Griffith and Hall are facing charges of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a firearm, 1st degree endangering the welfare of a child, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

 

MAKE SURE YOUR VEHICLE IS PREPARED FOR WINTER With a small chance of snow possible tonight, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to make sure their vehicles are ready for winter.

Captain Vitale says drivers should make sure their vehicle is in good working condition before they travel. Also remember to have an ice scraper, tire chains, battery booster cables, blankets, extra coats, gloves, water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, and a bag of sand or cat litter in your trunk.

If you hit inclement weather while driving, remember to slow down and increase your following distance.

If you have an emergency, the Missouri State Highway Patrol emergency number is 1-800-525-5555 or *(star)55 on a cellular phone.

 

GREENVILLE MAN FACING FELONY METH CHARGE A 50 year old Greenville man is facing a felony meth charge following his arrest Tuesday night in Wayne County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 50 year old Stanley Chubb was taken into custody shortly after 9:30 pm on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.

Chubb is also facing a misdemeanor charge of unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

 

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR INVOLUENTARY MANSLAUGHTER IN CONNECTION TO WRECK IN IRON COUNTY An investigation into a wreck in Iron County has led to the arrest of a Steeleville woman.

Sergeant Clark Parrot with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tells us that 56 year old Penny Dyer was taken into custody Friday for involuntary manslaughter. Parrot says the arrest was the result of an investigation of a two vehicle fatality crash in Iron County.

Dyer was incarcerated in the Iron County Jail with a $75,000 bond.

 

POPLAR BLUFF FIRE DEPARTMENT WARNS OF DANGERS WHEN USING SPACE HEATERS With temperatures dropping, the Poplar Bluff Fire Department is warning area residents to be careful when using space heaters.

In a post on the Fire Department’s Facebook page, officials specifically highlighted the danger of using a power strip with your space heater.

The Department says that power strips are not designed to handle the energy load of a space heater and can overheat, causing a fire hazard.

 

ROUTE 158 IN BUTLER COUNTY TO BE CLOSED TODAY Route 158 in Butler County will be closed today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a pipe under the roadway.

According to MoDOT, work is scheduled to be done today from 8 am to 3 pm.

The work zone will be located on Route 158 between Route 142 and Route BB.

Monday December 5, 2016

TWO ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE FELONIES FOLLOWING ARREST IN BUTLER COUNTYTwo Poplar Bluff residents were taken into custody early Sunday morning on multiple felony charges.

According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, 34 year old Randal Burgess and 32 year old Kerri Hoffman were arrested at around 3 am in Butler County on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both, Burgess and Hoffman are each facing a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana. Following the arrest, both were lodged in the Butler County Jail.

 

PLANS AVAILABLE FOR BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS IN STODDARD, WAYNE, AND DUNKLIN COUNTIES The Missouri Department of Transportation has made plans available for upcoming bridge projects in Dunklin, Stoddard, and Wayne Counties.

Officials say the projects will be located near Senath, Puxico, and Silva and could cause road closures while they are underway.

Maps, plans, and other information about the upcoming projects will be made available at the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Sikeston District office.

 

BUTLER COUNTY TORNADO SIRENS TO BE TESTED TODAY Authorities in Butler County will be testing the tornado sirens today.

According to Butler County Emergency Management Director Robbie Myers, the sirens are scheduled to be tested today at noon.

Myers says that the tests will be conducted every month on the first Monday.

 

WILLIAMSVILLE MAN ARRESTED ON FELONY DRUG CHARGE A Williamsville man has been taken into custody on a felony drug charge.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell us that 32 year old Dale Smith was arrested Friday evening on a felony charge of possession of methamphetamine and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

Smith, is also facing a misdemeanor charge of carless and imprudent driving.

Following the arrest, Smith was held in the Wayne County Jail.

 

PIPE REPLACEMENT TO CAUSE ROAD CLOSURE TODAY IN BUTLER COUNTY Route 142 in Butler County will be closed today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can replace a pipe under the roadway.

The work zone will be located on Route 142 between Routes EE and HH.

Weather permitting, work will be performed today from 8 am to 11 am.

 

POPLAR BLUFF LEAF PICK UP SCHEDULED TO MOVE TO WARD 4 TODAY The leaf pick up schedule for the city of Poplar Bluff is set to continue today.

The Street Department vacuum is scheduled to be in Ward 4 beginning today and continuing through December 16th. It will move to other city wards in the following weeks.

Officials say that the Street Department has only one vacuum and it is over twenty years old and breaks down frequently, which might cause changes to the schedule.

For more information, contact the Street Department at 573-686-8646.

 

MALDEN CHURCH TO HOST SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE A Malden Church has announced they will be holding a special service on Christmas Day.

Malden First General Baptist Church will be hosting a candlelight service beginning at 6 pm on Sunday, December 25th, featuring traditional Christmas carols.

Officials say that childcare for children 3 years old and under will be provided as well. More information is available online at FGBCMalden.org.

Friday, December 2nd, 2016

   

 

 

TWO TEENAGERS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN BUTLER COUNTY WRECK Two Poplar Bluff teenagers were seriously injured Thursday afternoon following a two vehicle wreck in Butler County.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell us the wreck occurred shortly after 4 pm around a mile and a half north of Poplar Bluff.

A vehicle, driven by a 16 year old girl, reportedly pulled into the path of a vehicle on US Highway 67.

The girl, along with a 17 year old passenger, suffered serious injuries and were taken to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Three other children in the vehicle, ages 7 to 11, received minor or moderate injuries in the wreck.

 

  PEDESTRIAN INJURED AFTER BEING STRUCK BY VEHICLE IN IRON COUNTY A pedestrian was injured Thursday after he was hit by a vehicle in Iron County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 68 year old Rose Frazer, of Pilot Knob, was backing from a driveway when she reportedly backed into a pedestrian that was in the driveway.

The pedestrian, 71 year old Michael Hutson, of Ironton, suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to a Farmington hospital.

 

  POPLAR BLUFF SHO-ME BAND BOOSTER CLUB TO ORGANIZE ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR The Poplar Bluff Sho-Me Band booster club is organizing an Arts and Crafts Fair that will be held this weekend.

The fair is scheduled for 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday at the Poplar Bluff Junior High School Gymnasium.

The entry fee will be $1 with all proceeds going towards the Poplar Bluff Sho-Me Band.

For more information, contact DeAnne Goforth at 573-776-8323.

 

 

13TH ANNUAL SANTA LAND EVENT TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK IN POPLAR BLUFF The 13th Annual Santa Land event has been scheduled for next week in Poplar Bluff.

According to Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation, the event will be held on Tuesday, December 6th, from 6 to 8 pm at the Black River Coliseum.

During the event, children will get to visit with Santa and participate in many fun holiday activities.

 

  PLANS AVAILABLE FOR BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS IN STODDARD, WAYNE, AND DUNKLIN COUNTIES The Missouri Department of Transportation has made plans available for upcoming bridge projects in Dunklin, Stoddard, and Wayne Counties.

Officials say the projects will be located near Senath, Puxico, and Silva and could cause road closures while they are underway.

Maps, plans, and other information about the upcoming projects will be made available at the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Sikeston District office.

 

  SIKESTON DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO HOST COFFEE WITH A COP EVENT THIS MONTH The Sikeston Department of Safety has announced the date for their next coffee with a cop event.

According to a post on the Sikeston Department of Public Safety Facebook page, the event will be held from 6:30 to 8 am on Wednesday, December 14th at Cream Castle in Sikeston.

Thursday December 1, 2016

MAN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES AFTER FLEEING FROM TRAFFIC STOPA Piggott man was taken into custody earlier this week following a chase with local authorities.

According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, shortly before 9 pm Monday, the Piggott Police Department requested assistance for a vehicle that fled from officers during a traffic stop.

The pursuit continued until the driver of the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve and crashed.

33 year old Anthony Page, of Piggott, was arrested and transported to the Clay County Detention Center on numerous felony charges including fleeing, possession of a firearm by certain person, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, and possession of a controlled substance - methamphetamine.

Page’s bond was set at $250,000.

 

SCAMMERS REPORTEDLY ASKING FOR DONATIONS TO DONIPHAN CHRISTMAS PARADE The Doniphan Police Department says that they have received a report of scammers using the Doniphan Christmas Parade in an attempt to take money from people.

According to the Police Department, there was a report that some people are going door to door and asking for donations for the Christmas parade.

Authorities say this is a scam and there are no donations being collected for the parade.

If someone comes to your home soliciting for the parade, you are asked to contact the Doniphan Police Department immediately.

 

NEELYVILLE MAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON MULTIPLE DRUG RELATED CHARGES A Neelyville man was taken into custody late Wednesday night on multiple drug related charges.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that 28 year old Charles Drysdale was arrested on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine and misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Highway Patrol says that Drysdale also had multiple warrants.

 

WAYNE COUNTY AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING THEFT AT AREA BUSINESS Authorities in Wayne County are investigating a theft at an area business.

According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, a subject broke into a business near Williamsville Tuesday night and stole pork products.

Pictures of the subject are available on the KWOC Facebook page.

Anyone who has information about the incident or the identity of the subject can contact the Wayne County Sheriff's Department at 573-224-3319.

 

BLOOMFIELD WOMAN ARRESTED ON DISTRIBUTION WARRANT A Bloomfield woman has been taken into custody in Stoddard County on a distribution warrant.

According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 61 year old Brenda Kay Barks has been arrested on a warrant for distribution of a controlled substance.

Barks bond was set at $35,000 cash, and she remained in jail as of this morning.

 

POPLAR BLUFF WOMAN ARRESTED IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS Authorities in Northeast Arkansas arrested a Poplar Bluff woman on Tuesday during a traffic stop.

Clay County Sheriff Terry Miller tells us that K-9 Marko alerted to several areas on the passenger side of a vehicle during the traffic stop. A search resulted in authorities locating a plastic bag containing a white rock-like substance, believed to be crack cocaine.

The passenger, 50 year old Bonni Morris, of Poplar Bluff, was placed in custody and taken to the Clay County Detention Center.

At the detention center, Morris surrendered a plastic baggie containing a small amount of suspected methamphetamine.

Morris was housed on a $5,000 bond.

Monday November 28, 2016

FAIRDEALING MAN FACING FELONY METH CHARGESAuthorities in Ripley County have arrested an area man on multiple felony charges.

According to the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, 24 year old Derek Pittman, of Fairdealing, was arrested shortly after 1 pm Friday on felony charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine paraphernalia.

Pittman also had active warrants out of Butler County for miscellaneous traffic offenses.

Following the arrest, he was held in the Ripley County Jail.

 

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED SATURATION ENFORCEMENT OPERATION TO BE HELD IN BUTLER COUNTY The Missouri State Highway Patrol will be conducting a driving while intoxicated saturation enforcement operation next month in Southeast Missouri.

The operation will be conducted in Butler County by the Missouri State Highway Patrol in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies. The saturation is a mobile operation in which troopers saturate a specific area in an effort to arrest impaired drivers.

The Highway Patrol has also announced they will be holding a sobriety checkpoint in Stoddard County during December.

Specific dates were not given for the operations.

 

PALACE OF PRAISE CHURCH ACCEPTING REGISTRATION FOR 2016 ETF CHRISTMAS OUTREACH PROGRAM The Palace of Praise Church in Poplar Bluff is accepting registrations for the 2016 ETF Christmas Outreach program.

Church officials say they are committed to helping 500 children this year with Christmas presents.

To be eligible, you need to contact the church office and pre-register your children. The Church office is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm at 1400 Herschel Bess Boulevard. You can also call 573-785-4232.

The deadline to register is Thursday, December 15th.

 

ONE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN WAYNE COUNTY WRECK A Doniphan man has been flown to a St. Louis hospital following a single vehicle wreck in Wayne County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 23 year old Jon Broyles was driving along Route E, east of Greenville, lost control of his vehicle, slid of the left side of the roadway, struck a highway sign, a telephone riser, then a tree, and overturned.

Broyles was flown to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis with serious injuries.

 

WINONA MAN ARRESTED IN CARTER COUNTY ON NUMEROUS DRUG CHARGES A Winona man is facing numerous drug charges following his arrest in Carter County.

According to authorities, 42 year old William Counts was taken into custody early Sunday morning on a charge of possession of marijuana.

Counts is also facing a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

MODOT TO HELP GRANT CHRISTMAS WISHES TO AREA FAMILIES The Missouri Department of Transportation will be participating in the Christmas Angels program again this year to help grant Christmas wishes to Southeast Missouri families.

This year's event will be held on Thursday, December 1st, with chili orders due by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29th. The cost is $5 and will include a 16-ounce cup of chili, crackers and chips.

Current MoDOT employees and retirees volunteer to cook, pack and deliver chili for the event. To place an order, call (573) 472-5294. The chili orders can then be picked up at the MoDot office in Sikeston on December 1st.

With the funds raised, volunteers purchase gifts for children who would not otherwise receive gifts. Last year, the event raised nearly $5,500-helping over 100 children.

 

POPLAR BLUFF SHO-ME BAND BOOSTER CLUB TO ORGANIZE ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR The Poplar Bluff Sho-Me Band booster club is organizing an Arts and Crafts Fair that will be held later this week.

The fair is scheduled for 9 am to 2 pm this Saturday, December 3rd at the Poplar Bluff Junior High School Gymnasium.

The Entry fee will be $1 and booth rentals are also available for $40. All proceeds will go toward the Poplar Bluff Sho-Me Band.

For more information, contact DeAnne Goforth at 573-776-8323.

Foundation funds record amount of projects

rocket-day-slider

The Poplar Bluff Public School Foundation awarded over $4,000 in mini-grants for innovative classroom projects proposed by teachers representing four schools across campus, benefitting students from kindergarten to high school. In order to draw more faculty interest this year, the Foundation Board of Directors announced earlier that they would specifically ...read more

Source: Poplar Bluff Mules

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

   

 

PEDESTRIAN INVOLVED IN FATAL WRECK IN BUTLER COUNTY

A pedestrian was involved in a fatal wreck this morning in Butler County.

The incident occurred early this morning on Highway 60. Few details have been released, however the Missouri State Highway Patrol says that there was one vehicle and one pedestrian included in the wreck.

The identities of the people involved have not been released.

 

TWO MEN TO BE HONORED BY HIGHWAY PATROL FOR THEIR ACTIONS AT THE SCENE OF A CRASH Two men will be honored next week by the Missouri State Highway Patrol for their actions at the scene of a motor vehicle wreck in October.

According to Captain Jeffrey Vitale with the Highway Patrol, on October 7th, Heath Moon and Jeffrey Thomas risked their personal safety and well-being by extricating an injured driver and a toddler from inside a burning vehicle near Naylor.

Both men will receive the Patrol’s Honorary Trooper Certificate at a presentation on Monday, November 28th at the Troop E Headquarters in Poplar Bluff. The presentation will begin at 9 am.

  DEADLINE APPROACHING TO REGISTER FOR 2016 RIVER RADIO LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE The deadline is approaching to get your business, church, or organization registered to participate in the 2016 River Radio Lighted Christmas Parade.

The deadline for entries is Friday, November 25th. Parade entry forms are available at River Radio, located at 1015 West Pine Street in Poplar Bluff and on our website.

The parade will be held on Friday, December 2nd. For more information, call 573-785-0881 today and ask to speak with Carrie.

  STATE TROOPERS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI TO PARTICIPATE IN ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM OVER HOLIDAY WEEKEND Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers in Southeast Missouri will be participating in a peak travel crash reduction enforcement program during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Captain Jeffrey Vitale tells KWOC News that a trooper will be placed every 20 miles on Interstates 55 and 57, and on other selected secondary roads both today and Sunday.

Vitale says the objective of the project is to place a trooper in close proximity of motorists who may need assistance and to enforce aggressively all traffic violations which may contribute to unsafe traveling conditions.

  PBHS CHOIR TO HOST PARENTS SHOPPING DAY FUNDRAISER ON FRIDAY Parents who are planning to do some holiday shopping on Friday will also have an opportunity to help out the Poplar Bluff High School Choir.

The choir is hosting a Parent's Shopping Day fundraiser at the Early Childhood Center from 4 am to 4 pm on Black Friday.

There will be day care services featuring entertainment and meals for students, preschool age through 12 years old.

To make a reservation for the day care services, which are available on a first come/first serve basis, email MPP teacher Traci Allen at traciallen@pb.k12.mo.us.

The cost will be $5 per hour for families who prepay during drop off, and $7 per hour for families who pay during pick up.

  FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AUTO TOUR BEGINS FRIDAY AT WAPPAPELLO LAKE The official opening of the 24th Annual Festival of Lights Auto Tour will be held on Friday.

The tour is hosted by The Wappapello Lake Area Association and will be located at the Redman Creek Campground from dusk to 9 PM on weekends from November 25th through December 19th.

The Festival will then be open nightly from December 20th to December 25th. For more information, contact the Wappapello Lake Management Office at 573-222-8562.

  OVER 1000 FREE TURKEY DINNERS SERVED DURING COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING Over 1000 free turkey dinners were served last week during the annual Community Thanksgiving held in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff School District, a total of 1,150 dinners were served during the event on November 15th at the Poplar Bluff High School.

In addition, $645 was raised to purchase Christmas gifts for residents of the Haven House, plus a large tote of clothing was collected for students in need.

The annual Community Thanksgiving was hosted by Chartwells School Dining Services in partnership with the R-I district.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

   

ARKANSAS WOMAN SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON ON MURDER CHARGE A Northeast Arkansas woman has been sentenced to 30 years in prison on a murder charge.

According to authorities, 55 year old Kathy Jane Hart, of Maynard, has pled guilty to 2nd degree murder in connection to the death of her ex husband, John Hart.

John Hart’s body was discovered in November of 2015 near Harper Cemetery Road.

  TWO SERIOUSLY INJURED IN STODDARD COUNTY WRECK Two people were flown to separate hospitals following a single vehicle wreck Sunday in Stoddard County.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell us the wreck occurred shortly after 12:30 pm Sunday on US 60. A vehicle, driven by 21 year old Morgan Shaw, of Sikeston, ran off the side of the roadway and overturned, ejecting two of the vehicle’s occupants.

23 year old Derek Masters, of Sikeston, and 23 year old Jerricah Whitmore, of Chaffee, were seriously injured during the wreck. Shaw suffered moderate injuries.

 

 

MAN ARRESTED IN KENNETT ON ASSAULT AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CHARGES A Kennett man was taken into custody over the weekend on multiple charges, including assault.

According to the Kennett Police Department, officers were dispatched to an area on Williams Street Saturday night to check on a disturbance that was taking place.

At the scene, officers arrested Jerry Risner Jr., of Kennett, on the charges of assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of a controlled substance.

Following the arrest, Risner was transported to the Dunklin County Jail and held pending formal charges from the State Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

  SOUTHEAST MISSOURI MAN WINS $100,000 ON ELECTION DAY A Southeast Missouri man made a stop while on his way to vote earlier this month and it paid off handsomely for him.

On Election Day, 55 year old Carl Hampton, of Ellington, bought a Black Pearls Scratchers Ticket that ended up being a $100,000 winning ticket.

According to the Missouri Lottery, Hampton says he plans on using the winnings to fix up his place. He also made plans to finish what he had started to do that day and go vote.

  ELEVATED FIRE DANGER FOR TODAY BEFORE SHOWERS HIT TONIGHT While we do have some rain in the forecast for tonight and early tomorrow, weather officials are warning that we do have an elevated fire danger for today.

According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service, the combination of very dry air and dry vegetation will lead to an elevated fire danger through early afternoon today.

The outlook says there is also a small chance of thunderstorms in Southeast Missouri for late this afternoon and early this evening.

 

 

OVER $4,000 IN MINI GRANTS AWARDED BY THE POPLAR BLUFF PUBLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION Over $4,000 in mini-grants has been awarded by the Poplar Bluff Public School Foundation to benefit multiple projects proposed by area teachers.

The Foundation Board of Directors previously announced that they would specifically fund three $1,500 mini-grants during their bi-annual meeting on November 14th. Since a few of the projects of the eight submitted came in under the limit, the Foundation opted to fund an extra one.

Projects approved include GoPro cameras and a drone for Junior High science students to analyze experimentation; backend funding toward a mobile 3-D projector for Middle School STEM students; an incubator for an embryology program at the Kindergarten Center; and formalin feline cadavers so High School anatomy and physiology students can perform comparative dissections.

  POPLAR BLUFF STUDENTS SPEAK WITH NATIONAL POLITICAL JOURNALIST Some students at Poplar Bluff High School got the chance to speak with a national political journalist last week.

Real Clear Politics reporter and CNN political commentator Rebecca Berg talked via Skype with Mitch Davis' AP U.S. government and politics class last Thursday at the High School.

During the chat, Berg reflected on the presidential race, fielded questions from seniors about the Electoral College, third party candidates, political outsiders, and cabinet appointments and speculated on the next four years under President Elect Donald Trump.