VOTING ON USE TAX FOR POPLAR BLUFF FAILING MIGHT LEAD TO LAYOFFS
The recent voting on a use tax for Poplar Bluff on Tuesday failed with 276 for the tax and 491 against.
The tax, if passed, was going to be used on specific out of state online purchases for the same rate they would be taxed if bought from businesses.
City Manager Mark Massingham tells KWOC News that the 2020 general fund budget cannot include pay raises for employees due to this, and that it is possible some layoff’s will occur.
VOTERS TO DECIDE IN POPLAR BLUFF ON A USE TAX
Voters in Poplar Bluff will be voting on a use tax issue during today’s election.
The local use tax, if passed, will be collected by major out of state mail order and internet companies which do business in Missouri for all mail order and internet purchases from Poplar Bluff.
The use tax would be the same rate as the local sales tax, 2.25 percent for Poplar Bluff.
The measure also says that a use tax return shall not be required to be filed by anyone whose purchases from out-of- state vendors do not in total exceed two thousand dollars in any calendar year. The proposal has been before voters previously, coming as close as being just 12 votes shy in 2017.
Other communities in the area, including Doniphan, Naylor, and Piedmont, have already approved the tax.
POPLAR BLUFF POLICE SEARCHING FOR ARMED SHOOTING SUSPECT
The Poplar Bluff Police Department is searching for a suspect from a shooting case on Saturday.
Lieutenant Keith Hefner of Poplar Bluff Police tells KWOC News that officials responded to a shooting on Saturday, involving a 35 year old male who had been shot in the chest. He was transported to a Poplar Bluff Hospital before being flown to a hospital in St. Louis.
Investigators identified Carlow Wallace as the suspect, who is wanted for Assault 1st degree, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, and several felony warrants.
Officials state that Wallace should be considered armed and dangerous, and anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department at 573-785-5776.
BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT SEIZES $30K WORTH OF CRYSTAL METH
Two Poplar Bluff men have been arrested in Butler County after officials found over $30k worth of crystal meth in their home on Wednesday.
Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC news that 18 year old Martajan Williams, of Hayti, and 26 year old Byron Norris, of Poplar Bluff, were taken into custody after a search of Norris’ residence revealed around 3 pounds of “ice” methamphetamine.
Marijuana, a .22 caliber handgun, and other items for distribution purposes, were also found.
Williams faces charges on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and Norris was taken into custody for being wanted on a Bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms & explosives warrant for dangerous drugs.
Both men were taken to the Butler County Jail following their arrests.
MISSOURI MAN CHARGED WITH RESISTING ARREST FOLLOWING HIGH SPEED CHASE
A Missouri man was charged with resisting arrest yesterday after leading Dunklin County officials on a high speed chase.
Dunklin County officials state that 32 year old Kurtis Austin, of Arbyrd, accelerated to around 100 miles per hour after an officer attempted to pull him over for illegally tinted windows, as well as driving on the wrong side of the road.
He drove through the city of Cardwell, where he almost struck an officer attempting to stop him. He continued traveling towards Arkansas, getting to around 120 miles per hour before he crashed and was taken into custody.
Austin has been scheduled for a sentence hearing on December 11th, potentially facing up to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
BURGLARY INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST IN STODDARD COUNTY
Updating a story we brought you last week, an investigation into the burglary of a convenience store in Puxico has led to an arrest.
According to the Puxico Police Department, the investigation, led by Puxico police, the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, and Missouri State Highway Patrol, led to the arrest of Alexis Mallery, of Annapolis. He has been charged with burglary – 2nd degree, and property damage – 1st degree.
He was transported to the Stoddard County Jail following his arrest.
IDENTIY OF MAN ARRESTED ON CHARGES FOLLOWING VEHICLE PURSUIT RELEASED
Updating a story we brought to you yesterday, the identity of a man who was taken into custody following a vehicle pursuit has been released.
Officials with the Puxico Police Department tell KWOC News that the suspect is Jeffrey Gross, of Perryville. He was arrested for resisting arrest by fleeing on Saturday following a foot pursuit after his vehicle crashed off State Highway 51.
He was also charged with delivery of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as holding a parole violation warrant.
Gross is currently being held at the Stoddard County Jail with no bond.
HIGH SPEED PURSUIT IN STODDARD COUNTY LEADS TO WRECK AND ON FOOT PURSUIT
A high speed pursuit in Stoddard County on Saturday led to a wreck and on foot chase.
According to the Puxico Police Department, a pursuit occurred while attempting to stop a vehicle that was traveling at high speeds, leading the vehicle to crash on State Highway 51.
The driver attempted to flee on foot, where they were apprehended and arrested. Their identity has not been released.
They had warrants, were in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, and were transported to the Stoddard County Jail following their arrest.
POPLAR BLUFF POLICE ANNOUNCE ALCOHOL SALE COMPLIANCE CHECKS
The first of several upcoming alcohol compliance checks of local businesses have been completed in Poplar Bluff.
Captain Darron Moore with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC News last month, 14 local businesses were visited during the check, and of those, 3 were found in violation of selling alcohol to underage buyers.
Officials say in the next few months young adults under the age of 21 will visit more businesses which sell alcoholic beverages and try to purchase these drinks.
Police Officers will be working with these minors, and will cite employees and businesses for violations.
Anyone who has questions about the operations can contact Corporal Rich Knapp at 573-785-5776.
POPLAR BLUFF COUPLE FACING CHARGES AFTER ROBBING ESSEX BANK
Updating a story we brought to you yesterday, the identity of a man who robbed the Southern Bank of Essex has been released.
According to Officials, the robber has been identified as Glenn Hamilton of Poplar Bluff. Hamilton handed the teller of the bank a note saying to give him money. Hamilton then allegedly motioned to his side as if he had a handgun. He made away with around $1,900.
He is also on parole for felony possession of cocaine.
Officials have also taken Jamie White, also of Poplar Bluff into custody, after video footage showed that she drove Hamilton away after the robbery.
They have both been charged with felony of first-degree robbery, and are being held without bond. The location of their arrest has not been released.
MULTIPLE COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENTS CURRENTLY SEARCHING FOR BANK ROBBER
Multiple agencies are searching for a man who robbed a Stoddard County bank on Monday.
Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner tells KWOC News that the suspect entered the Southern Bank of Essex, and took an unknown amount of cash from the teller, then left in an older model, four door sedan.
Witnesses report that the suspect is a black male, around 6ft. tall, with a grey beard and goatee.
The Stoddard County Sheriff Office and Major Case Squad, Dexter Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and FBI are currently investigating the suspect’s whereabouts. He is considered armed and dangerous.
We have a picture of the suspect available on the KWOC Facebook Page.
If you have any information on the suspect or his whereabouts, contact the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office at 573-568-4654, or your local law enforcement agency.
SEVERE WEATHER STRIKES AREA MONDAY MORNING
A line of storms crossed Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas overnight and into this morning resulting in multiple severe thunderstorm warnings as well as a tornado warning.
According to the National Weather Service, the tornado warning was for western Carter County after a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 9 miles southwest of Birch Tree shortly after 3 am.
Severe Thunderstorm warnings were also issued throughout the night in both Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.
There has been reports of roof damage to homes between Doniphan and Gatewood in Ripley County, as well as over 200 residences being without power in Clay County Arkansas.
ENDANGERED PERSON ADVISORY - GIRL MISSING SINCE LAST WEEK BELIEVED TO BE IN POPLAR BLUFF
A girl that has been missing since last Friday is believed to be in the Poplar Bluff area.
Howell County officials tell KWOC News that 15 year old Destiney Layman, from Mountain View, has been reported being near or heading to Poplar Bluff.
Layman is a white, 5’9 girl with blonde hair and hazel eyes, with scars on her chin and nose, wounds on her right knee and elbow, and braces. She is believed to be with, or attempting to find, her biological father.
It is noted that she may dye her hair or alter her appearance to avoid being found.
Anyone with information on her, or her whereabouts, should immediately dial 911, or contact the Howell County Sheriff’s Office at 417-256-2544.
POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HOST DRUG TAKE BACK EVENT
Poplar Bluff residents will have a chance to safely dispose of their unused, unwanted, or expired prescription drugs next weekend.
The Poplar Bluff Police Department will be holding a Drug Take Back event on Saturday, October 26th from 10 am to 2 pm at Wal-Mart on Westwood Blvd.
Participants must simply bring their medications to Wal-Mart for disposal. They cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills and patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
For more information, or to find a collection site near you, go to www.dea.gov.
POPLAR BLUFF POLICE CURRENTLY SEARCHING FOR ARMED MAN
The Poplar Bluff Police Department is searching for an armed man.
Officials tell KWOC News that the man in question, Richard Trice, is wanted on felony warrants, and that he known to be armed.
If you have any information on his whereabouts, contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department at 573-785-5776.
LOCAL RESIDENTS ARRESTED ON POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE
Two Poplar Bluff residents were taken into custody in Butler County on Sunday for possession of methamphetamine.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 42 year old Bryan Swift and Vickie Campbell, of Poplar Bluff, were arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.
They both also face charges on possession of marijuana, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
They were both sent to the Butler County Jail following their arrests.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN KILLED IN SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH
A Poplar Bluff man was killed Thursday evening in a single vehicle crash in Dunklin County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the incident occurred around 9 pm on Route J, 2 miles east of Glennonville.
31 year old Rodney Labryer was driving when his vehicle travelled off the roadway, struck a ditch, and overturned.
Labryer was reportedly not wearing a safety device, and was ejected during the wreck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 32 year old passenger received serious injuries, and was taken by ambulance to the Poplar Bluff hospital.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY CHARGED WITH TAMPERING WITH A WITNESS AND PERJURY IN CONNECTION TO BUTLER COUNTY TRIAL
A Springfield defense attorney is facing charges in connection to a trial held in Butler County.
38-year-old Adam Woody was charged last week with perjury and two counts of tampering with a witness regarding a 2016 retrial where Woody represented Michael Amick.
The Missouri Supreme Court ordered the retrial, moving the case to Butler County, where Amick was acquitted in the 2008 killing of his wife's grandmother.
A prisoner testified during a pretrial hearing that a fellow prisoner had confessed to the killing. Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers are now saying that the prisoner was paid $1,000. The prisoner did not testify during the trial.
CHAFFEE WOMAN FACES POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CHARGE – HEROIN
A woman has been arrested in New Madrid County for several felony charges, including possession of heroin.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol states that 24 year old Kendra Kennedy, of Chaffee, has been taken into custody for felony possession of a controlled substance – Heroin, and driving while suspended.
She also faces a charge for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
