RIVER RADIO LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE SET FOR TONIGHT IN POPLAR BLUFF

Parade lights will be shining bright tonight in Downtown Poplar Bluff during the 2019 River Radio Lighted Christmas Parade.

Lineup will begin at 5:45 pm at the Hydro Adventures parking with the parade starting 6:30 pm.

The parade route will run from Highway 142 at McDonald’s through downtown Poplar Bluff before ending back at the Black River Coliseum.

There will be free hot chocolate served at the Bronze Owl, located on Vine Street in downtown Poplar Bluff starting at 6 pm.

MAN ARRESTED IN WAYNE COUNTY ON DRUG POSSESSION AND DISTRIBUTION

A man was taken into custody in Wayne County on Wednesday on drug possession and distribution.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 28 year old Tyler Phelps, of Silva, was arrested on felony possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute – marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was transported to the Wayne County Jail following his arrest.

FORMER ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN 2015 ASSAULT CASE

Updating a story we brought to you recently, a former assistant Naylor principal was sentenced to 15 years in a previous assault case.

Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett oversaw the sentencing of 56 year old John Mullins, after he had pled guilty to sexually assaulting a student in 2015.

He was charged on felony first degree statutory sodomy, with an additional charge of first-degree rape and two felony sexual contact charges being dismissed at his sentencing.

DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR ENTRY INTO THE RIVER RADIO LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE

The deadline is coming up to get your entry in for the 2019 River Radio Lighted Christmas Parade.

The parade is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm on Friday, December 6th. Entry forms are available at River Radio as well as on our Facebook page and website. The deadline to submit your float entry is December 4th.

The parade route this year will run from Highway 142 at McDonalds through downtown Poplar Bluff before looping back and ending at the Black River Coliseum.

Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. For more information, call 785-0881.

3 DEATHS REPORTED FROM DROWNING FOLLOWING FLOOD IN BOLLINGER COUNTY

Three deaths were reported after a flood swept through Bollinger County on Saturday.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, two vehicles were swept off the roadways in the flooding.

In the first vehicle, a 5 year old and an 8 year old boy died after their vehicle was swept off County Road 356, near Patton, with the driver and a 2 year old being transported to a St. Louis hospital.

The second vehicle, driven by 48 year old Todd Dean, of Louisiana, was swept downstream on County Road 234, 1 Mile from Sedgewickville, where he drowned inside his vehicle. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

POPLAR BLUFF MAN RECEIVES FATAL INJURIES FOLLOWING VEHICLE CRASH IN BUTLER COUNTY

A fatality was reported following a vehicle crash in Butler County on Wednesday.

According to Butler County Coroner Andy Moore, the crash occurred on Missouri 53, 2 miles north of Qulin, where a vehicle was slowing to make a turn and was struck by another vehicle.

The driver of the slowing vehicle was 45 year old Jacky Battles, of Poplar Bluff, who received fatal injuries as a result of the crash, and was pronounced dead on the scene.

SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE TONIGHT IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS 

Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas could see some possible severe weather tonight.  

According to officials with the National Weather Service in Paducah, a chance of thunderstorms will spread north and east across our region later this afternoon and evening.  

Severe weather is possible with this system, especially across Southeast Missouri this evening. 

The main hazard will be damaging winds, but a few spin up tornadoes may be a concern too. Locally heavy rainfall could also lead to some isolated minor flooding issues.

TWO AREA RESIDENTS ARRESTED IN BUTLER COUNTY ON MULTIPLE CHARGES

Two Poplar Bluff residents were taken into custody in Butler County on Saturday on multiple charges.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 33 year old Stephanie Welsh was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance – hydrocodone, and 19 year old Shannon Hatcher was arrested on a Butler County felony warrant on damaged property, tampering with a motor vehicle.

They were both transported to the Butler County Jail following their arrests.

MAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO 2006 COLD CASE 

A man was taken into custody in New Madrid in relation to a 2006 missing person case. 

According to officials with the New Madrid Police Department, 42 year old Melvin Hufford, of Tallapoosa, was arrested on first-degree manslaughter and tampering with evidence after being accused of injecting Teresa Butler, a missing person since 2006, with methamphetamine on the night of her death. 

He is accused of wrapping and moving her body underneath the sink of an abandoned home, where it remained for a few years before being found in a ditch. 

Hufford awaits trial on other charges in the Pemiscot County Jail.

INCOMING STORM SYSTEM BRINGS WITH IT CHANCE OF HEAVY RAINFALL 

An incoming storm system is bringing with it the chance of heavy rainfall.  

According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by the National Weather Service, thunderstorms are possible with increasing rain chances today and tonight. 

Heavy rainfall will be the primary storm related hazard through the period. Weather officials say up to 2 inches of rain is likely with this storm system, along with isolated flooding being a concern. 

The chances of heavy rain are also expected to continue into Friday.

TWO ARRESTED IN DRUG TRAFFICKING OPERATION IN STODDARD COUNTY 

Two were taken into custody in Stoddard County after a search revealed a drug trafficking operation. 

Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner tells KWOC News that an ongoing investigation on a drug trafficking operation led to the search of a motel room in Dexter, where just under 550 grams of methamphetamine, packaging materials, marijuana and pills were discovered.

There was also a .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun, as well as ammunition, that were discovered along with the drugs. 

The search led to the arrests of 37 year old Tracy Fleming, of Dexter, and 25 year old Thomas Christian, of Bloomfield. They were both charged with felony trafficking drugs – 2nd degree, and felony unlawful use of a weapon. 

Both were transported to the Stoddard County Jail, and remained with no bond following their arrest.

POPLAR BLUFF RESIDENT SENTENCED ON ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION 

A Poplar Bluff resident was sentenced to federal prison on Monday for illegal possession of ammunition. 

40 year old Shawn Daggett, of Poplar Bluff, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison on illegal possession of ammunition, after he had previously been convicted of felony unlawful use of a weapon in Butler County in 2004, prohibiting him from possessing ammunition. 

He was also previously charged on manufacturing a controlled substance in Wayne County in 2009. 

Daggett was taken into custody after a search of his home revealed over 20 rounds of multiple types of ammo.

CHURCH IN RIPLEY COUNTY CATCHES FIRE OVER THE WEEKEND 

A Church in Ripley County caught fire on Sunday, destroying the building. 

Logan Creek Fire Chief Terry Slayton tells KWOC News that the fire had completely spread throughout the building by the time firefighters had arrived at the scene, the entire structure burning and falling down. 

Several departments aided in containing the flame, including the Doniphan, Purman, and Oxly fire departments, and a cause for the fire is currently under investigation.

MOTION FILED TO PREVENT POPLAR BLUFF FROM PROPERTY PURCHASE 

A motion has been filed by a Butler County court to halt the purchase of property by the city of Poplar Bluff. 

The purchase of property on Shelby Road was on November 4th, where the city bought the property for just over $1 mil of the $4.5 million total worth, with the First Missouri State Bank making a donation to pay for the rest of the purchase. 

However, Poplar Bluff attorney Robert Smith stated in a court document on November 13th that the purchase be invalidated, stating that a third class city is not allowed to purchase property for re-sale purposes under state law. 

The property was originally purchased for the construction of a new police department, as well as other possible uses. The closing is expected at latest in February, however city manager Mark Massingham states that financing must be secured before this can happen.

TWO ARRESTED IN BUTLER COUNTY FOLLOWING HIGH SPEED CHASES 

Two were taken into custody in Butler County on Wednesday after a vehicle crash from a high speed chase. 

According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, 30 year old Melissa Burns, of Poplar Bluff, and 34 year old Gary Goodwin, of Wappapello, were arrested following a short foot pursuit after their vehicle had crashed while attempting to evade authorities. 

They were both charged on several crimes including vehicle break-ins and a home invasion, and were transported to the Butler County Jail following their arrests.

CLAY COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS ON ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE 

A Clay County man was sentenced to 20 years on an attempted murder charge. 

According to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, 57 year old Randy Jones, of Rector, was sentenced after he entered a negotiated pleaded guilty to an attempted first-degree murder charge. 

Jones attempted to stab a home resident with a hunting knife in July, instead stabbing a woman and seriously injuring her when she attempted to intervene. 

He was sent to the Greene County Detention Center after his sentencing, and was set to be transferred to the Arkansas Department of Correction.

SNOW CAUSES NUMEROUS SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS ACROSS SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 

Numerous schools across Southeast Missouri have been called off today due to snow showers that hit our area yesterday and early this morning.  

Students in over 35 schools will have the day off today. Few official snow fall reports have come in as of press time, but according to the National Weather Service, Dexter had received two and a half inches of snow as of 8:30 pm last night and Doniphan had one inch as of 10 pm.  

You can find a list of school closings in the area on our website.

SNOW AND BITTERLY COLD TEMPERATURES ON TAP FOR EARLY THIS WEEK 

Our first round of winter weather will be sweeping over the area this evening and motorists are advised to slow down while on the road.  

Rain and snow are expected throughout the day today with snow accumulation possibly getting up to around an inch in Poplar Bluff.  

Some of our northern counties could receive around two inches of snow. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Wayne County until 9 pm. 

In addition to the snow, the National Weather Service is calling for bitterly cold temperatures to move into the area starting tonight. An arctic air mass will hit Southeast Missouri, bringing wind chill values as low as single digits. Tonight’s lows will be in the teens and the wind chill will make it feel even colder.

WOMAN ARRESTED IN BUTLER COUNTY ON MULTIPLE WARRANTS 

A woman was taken into custody in Butler County on Thursday on multiple warrants. 

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell (Station name) News that 37 year old Elizabeth Lachance, of Qulin, was arrested on a felony warrant in Wayne County for dangerous drugs, a Wayne County failure to appear warrant on possession of synthetic narcotics, and a Poplar Bluff failure to appear warrant on shoplifting.

She was transported to the Butler County Jail following her arrest.

SEVEN ARRESTED IN POPLAR BLUFF FOLLOWING DRUG RELATED CHARGES 

There were seven arrested in Poplar Bluff on Wednesday after officers began serving arrest warrants on drug distribution and trafficking offenses. 

Four of the suspects were arrested on federal indictments, and three were arrested on state indictments stated by a Butler County grand jury. 

61 year old Marvin Price, 38 year old Amber Wrinkle, 27 year old Jaleel Gipson, 26 year old Toriona Dudley, 26 year old Trevin Eason, 23 year old Freeman Williams Jr., of Poplar Bluff, and 23 year old Jaquan Whitfield, of St. Loius, were all arrested on varying counts of distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.