AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING FATAL SHOOTING IN BUTLER COUNTY
Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting incident in Butler County.
Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that the shooting occurred Wednesday evening on County Road 476.
According to Butler County Coroner Andy Moore, the deceased has been identified as 36 year old Katrina Suiter, of Poplar Bluff, and an autopsy has been scheduled for this morning.
POPLAR BLUFF POLICE TRYING TO IDENTIFY MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY TOOK INAPPROPRIATE PICTURES OF WOMEN AT AREA BUSINESS
Authorities in Poplar Bluff are asking for the public’s help in identifying a subject.
Detective Joey Woodruff with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC News that on the evening of August 1st, officers responded to Walmart in reference to a black male taking inappropriate photos of women. Officials say that one of the victims was underage.
The man was later seen leaving the business in a blue Toyota passenger car.
The Poplar Bluff Police Department has released a surveillance video featuring the subject and is asking anyone who has information on his identity to contact Detective Woodruff at 573-785-5776.
We have the video available on the KWOC Facebook page.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELEASED CONCERNING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ARREST IN POPLAR BLUFF
Updating a story we brought to you yesterday, authorities have released additional information in connection to the arrest of an area man on child pornography charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, on Friday, investigators executed a search warrant at the residence of 43 year old Shawn Herman in Poplar Bluff.
Officials say that investigators seized child pornography and computer equipment as a result of the search. Herman was arrested and has been formally charged with three counts of possession of child pornography.
Herman’s bond was set at $100,000 and he was held at the Butler County Jail.
REWARD OFFERED IN CONNECTION TO KIDNAPPING INVESTIGATION
Authorities in Poplar Bluff are offering a reward for help in locating an area man.
Officials say that the Poplar Bluff Police Department is attempting to find Ronnie Allen Jr., who is wanted in connection to a kidnapping investigation. He is being considered armed and dangerous.
We have a picture of Allen available on the KWOC Facebook page, and anyone who has information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department at 573-785-5776.
TWIN RIVERS SCHOOL DISTRICT REGISTRATION EVENT SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK
The Twin Rivers School District has announced that it will be holding a registration event for all students next week.
Royal Registration is scheduled for 1 to 7 pm on Monday, August 5th, at Twin Rivers High School in Broseley.
There will be booths set up for parents to update the new school year paperwork for students, discuss student health concerns with the nurses, ask transportation questions, visit with school counselors about classes, and allow students to have their school picture taken.
AREA MAN SENTENCED ON SODOMY AND STATUTORY RAPE CHARGES
An area man has been sentenced on multiple charges including sodomy and statutory rape.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt tells KWOC News that Daniel Martin was convicted by a Wayne County jury in March of one count of statutory rape 1st degree, one count of attempted statutory rape 1st degree, three counts of statutory sodomy 1st degree, one count of attempted statutory sodomy 1st degree, and three counts of child molestation 3rd degree.
Schmitt says that Martin sexually abused a child for several months at a home in Bollinger County.
Martin has been sentenced to 38 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR MISSOURI STATE SENATE
A sitting member of the Missouri House of Representatives has announced his candidacy for the Missouri State Senate.
Jeff Shawan announced Tuesday night that he will be seeking the Senate seat for Missouri’s 25th Senatorial District which is comprised of Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Shannon, and Stoddard counties.
RIPLEY COUNTY HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION LEADS TO FIVE BEING CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER
A homicide investigation in Ripley County has resulted in five people being charged with first degree murder.
According to Ripley County Sheriff Mike Barton, Dawn Lloyd, Jerad Lloyd, Cody Payne, David Scrivner Jr., and Schylar Tubbs are each facing charges including first degree murder, kidnapping, second degree arson, and armed criminal action.
The arrests stem from the recent discovery of human remains in Ripley County. Sheriff Barton says that the remains have been identified as 44 year old Daniel Richardson.
HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN MULTIPLE ARRESTS IN RIPLEY COUNTY
A homicide investigation is underway in Southeast Missouri.
Few details have been released, but authorities say that five people have been taken into custody in connection to human remains that were recently found in Ripley County.
The identities of the people involved are being withheld pending formal charges being filed.
A BERNIE MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON ON SODOMY CHARGE
A Bernie man has been sentenced on a sodomy charge.
According to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney, Russell Oliver, Jimmy Sloan was sentenced earlier this week to life imprisonment for the crime of statutory sodomy in the first degree.
Oliver says that his office is pleased with the sentence and further information will not be revealed due to the sensitive nature of the crime.
WOMAN ARRESTED IN STODDARD COUNTY ON CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CHARGE
Authorities in Stoddard County have arrested a Cape Girardeau woman on a controlled substance charge.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 31 year old Megan Jones was recently booked on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
No bond was set and officials say that Jones remained in custody as of this morning.
POLICE SEARCHING FOR SUSPECT FOLLOWING MULTI-COUNTY PURSUIT
Police are searching for a suspect in connection to two separate pursuits in Southeast Missouri.
Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley tells KWOC News that on July 15th an officer initiated a traffic stop which led to a pursuit that was eventually called off due to weather conditions near the Butler and Stoddard County line.
During the afternoon of July 21st, a driver matching the description of the driver in the previous pursuit was observed by officers at 10th and Pine Street in Poplar Bluff and a pursuit was initiated.
Whiteley says that the driver ran through multiple stop signs at a high rate of speed, putting numerous citizens in jeopardy.
The pursuit continued for over an hour, until the driver went off road near Kennett and ran through a fence and into a pasture. The driver then fled on foot.
A passenger in the vehicle identified the driver as 25 year old Johnnie Ray Braden, of Poplar Bluff and said that Braden was also involved in the pursuit on July 15th.
Anyone who has information on Braden’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department at 573-785-5776.
MAN ARRESTED ON MURDER CHARGE IN CONNECTION TO MISSING WOMAN
An investigation into a missing woman in Wayne County has led to a murder arrest.
Wayne County Sheriff Dean Finch tells KWOC News that Craig Alan Wood, of Williamsville, has been arrested and charged with first degree murder and first degree assault of Rebecca Alsup, who was reported missing in February of 2017.
Wood is being held in the Wayne County Jail on no bond.
Sheriff Finch is asking anyone who has information that could further assist in the investigation to contact the Wayne County Sheriff's Office at 573-224-3219.
EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING TO CONTINUE FOR MOST OF THE WEEKEND
Oppressively hot temperatures have settled in over Southeast Missouri and weather officials say the temperatures will continue for most of the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, an Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for many counties in Southeast Missouri, including Carter, Ripley, Butler, Wayne, Stoddard, and New Madrid, until 7 pm on Sunday.
Officials say that dangerously high temperatures and humidity could quickly cause heat stress or heat stroke if precautions are not taken.
EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING TO BEGIN AT NOON
Parts of Southeast Missouri will be under an Excessive Heat Warning beginning at noon today.
According to the National Weather Service, the warning will be in effect from noon until 7 pm on Sunday and maximum afternoon heat index values from ranging from around 105 to 110 degrees are expected.
Remember to drink plenty of fluids. Try to stay in an air-conditioned room and out of the sun if possible.
Never leave pets, children, or the elderly unattended in parked vehicles.
BUTLER COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER INMATE DIES OF NATURAL CAUSES
An inmate at the Butler County Justice Center has died.
Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that 44 year old Donald Ray Herrold III, of Poplar Bluff, was found unresponsive in the shower on Monday.
An officer administrated CPR and Herrold was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Butler County Coroner Andy Moore says that an autopsy was performed Tuesday morning that revealed that Herrold had a fatal upper respiratory infection and has had this issue for a long time.
Moore also stated that Herrold’s death had nothing to do with his incarceration.
FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
A flash flood watch continues for much of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas through this evening.
According to the National Weather Service, showers and thunderstorms are expected to increase in coverage and intensity today with the primary hazard being locally heavy rainfall.
Weather officials say that up to three inches of rain has already fallen in parts of Southeast Missouri and today’s storms could produce hourly rainfall rates of up to 2 inches.
According to a hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service, an extended period of excessive heat is anticipated to begin later this week and continue through early next week.
Weather officials say that maximum afternoon heat index values will easily surpass 100 degrees and numerous locations may top out around 105 degrees or slightly higher.
REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM BARRY COULD DROP MULTIPLE INCHES OF RAIN ON THE AREA
Weather officials say that the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry could cause some heavy rainfall over the area.
According to a Flash Flood watch from the National Weather Service, rainfall totals are forecast to range from two and a half to four and a half inches for most of Southeast Missouri, with isolated higher amounts possible.
RIVER RADIO BLOOD DRIVE SCHEDULED FOR TODAY
There will be an opportunity today to give blood and help save lives.
The River Radio Blood Drive has been scheduled for noon to 6 pm at the Sacred Heart Catholic School Gym in Poplar Bluff.
All presenting donors will receive a free commemorative St. Louis Cardinals Blood Drive T-shirt.
According to the Red Cross, blood donations fell short of expectations in June, resulting in 24,000 fewer donations than needed.
Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and enter the code RiverRadio to schedule an appointment for today’s blood drive.
