Friday January 3, 2020

Friday January 3, 2020

FILING CONTINUES FOR POPLAR BLUFF CITY COUNCIL SEATS 

Filing for two seats on the Poplar Bluff City Council continues.

The seats on file are currently held by deputy mayor pro tempore Steve Davis and council member Ron Black, with four people having already filed for the seats, which include Davis himself. Black has been reported saying he is unsure if he will run for another term.

Filing for the positions will be held until January 21st, and is available at the Poplar Bluff City Clerk’s office at 501 Vine Street, from 7:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, and 7: 30 am through 5 pm on the final filing day.

For more information, and for information on requirements on being a candidate for being a city council member, call the city clerk’s office at 573-686-8620.

Thursday January 2, 2020

Thursday January 2, 2020

POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED IN STODDARD COUNTY ON MULTIPLE CHARGES 

A Poplar Bluff resident was taken into custody in Stoddard County on Tuesday on multiple charges.

According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 51 year old Lee Abraham, of Poplar Bluff, was booked on domestic assault – 3rd degree, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

He was also charged on felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana/Synthetic Cannabinoid, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Abraham was transported to the Stoddard County Jail following his arrest, on no bond.

Tuesday December 31,2019

Tuesday December 31,2019

BODY FOUND IN BUTLER COUNTY POTENTIALLY IDENTIFIED

Updating a story we brought to you yesterday, the body of a woman that was found in Butler County on Thursday has potentially been identified. According to Butler County Corner Andy Moore, the body has potentially been identified as 33 year old Brittney Grammer, of Poplar Bluff, who allegedly died by homicide.

An autopsy was performed on the body from Dr. Russell Deidiker, and by looking over several medical records as well as information taken from calls and messages from the public, officials are confident in the identification.

Authorities are continuing to investigate how the remains got to a rural area of the Eastern part of Butler County and who is responsible.

Authorities say the victim had been missing for approximately one week.

Body located in Butler County now identified

A body that was found in Butler County last week has been identified.

Butler County Coroner Andy Moore tells KWOC News , through the leads generated by the numerous calls and messages received from the media release yesterday, we believe we have been able to identify the body of the missing female that was found in Butler County. 

Pending DNA confirmation, the investigation leads us to believe the identity is that of Brittney Grammer, 33, of Poplar Bluff. 

An autopsy was performed by Dr. Russell Deidiker and I was able to confirm some of those findings with medical records this morning. I met with her family today and DNA samples were taken. They will be sent to a lab for comparison to make positive identification. 

I’d like to personally thank the community’s help in identifying her and I graciously ask for you to respect the family’s privacy at this time. 

The investigation is ongoing, and KWOC News will continue to follow this story and bring you more details as they become available.

Monday December 30, 2019

Monday December 30, 2019

BODY OF A WOMAN FOUND IN BUTLER COUNTY 

The body of a woman was recently located in Butler County.

Butler County Coroner Andy Moore tells (Station Name) News that anyone who hasn’t heard from a female family member, or friend, in the last few weeks is asked to contact the office with a description of the person, to see if the description matches what the office currently knows of the body.

If you haven’t heard from a female family member, or friend, you are asked to call the Butler County Coroner’s Office at 573-686-7884, or text the office at 573-714-7151.

More information will be released as the investigation on the body continues.

Butler County Coroner requesting public's assistance in identifying a body recently found

BUTLER COUNTY CORONER REQUESTING PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING A BODY RECENTLY FOUND

Authorities recently located a body in Butler County.

Few details are being released at this time, however the Butler County Coroner’s Office is requesting help in identifying a body that was recently found in Butler County.

Butler County Coroner Andy Moore tells KWOC News, “I’m asking that if you haven’t heard from a female family member or friend in the last couple of weeks, to please contact the coroner’s office with a description so we can match what we know at this time, follow leads, and make a positive identification.”

If you haven’t heard from a female family member or friend, please call the Butler County Coroner’s Office at 573-686-7884 or text 573-714-7151. 

The investigation is ongoing, and KWOC News will continue to follow this story and bring you more details as they become available.

Friday December 27, 2019

SEVERAL VEHICLE CRASHES REPORTED IN DUNKLIN COUNTY 

There were two vehicle crashes reported in Dunklin County on Thursday.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol tells (Station Name) News that the first crash occurred on Route F, near Cardwell, where a vehicle failed to negotiate a curve, running off the left side of the roadway and overturning.

The second crash occurred on Highway WW, near Campbell, where a vehicle overcorrected, running off the right side of the roadway and striking an embankment before overturning.

Both drivers received moderate injuries from their collisions, both were transported to hospitals – one in Paragould, Arkansas, and one in Piggott.

Thursday December 26, 2019

MISSING PERSONS IN STODDARD COUNTY NO LONGER CONSIDERED ENDANGERED 

Updating a story we brought to you previously, the missing persons out of Stoddard County are no longer considered endangered.

The missing persons are 48 year old Maria Reyes, 45 year old Esbin Martinez, and 7 year old Arynay Reyes. The mother and daughter both are Hispanic females with brown eyes and brown hair, and Martines is a Hispanic male.

According to officials with the Dexter Police Department, video surveillance recovered during the investigation showed that the three subjects left their residence in a 2005 Silver Pontiac Grand AM with tinted windows, carrying bags with them.

Additional video out of Advance showed that they were inside a business, purchasing items from the store and under no distress. Blood found in a previous investigation has been confirmed to not belong to any of the three.

They are currently considered missing, and anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact the Dexter Police Department by calling 573-624-5512, or by emailing either Trevor.Pulley@DexterPD.Com, Hank.Trout@DexterPD.Com, or Joshua.Benton@DexterPD.Com.

Monday December 23, 2019

Monday December 23, 2019

TWO MISSING ENDANGERED PERSONS REPORTED IN DEXTER 

Two missing endangered persons have been reported in Dexter on Sunday. 

According to the Dexter Police Department, the two missing and endangered persons are 48 year old Maria Reyes and 7 year old Aryany Reyes, who both went missing on Sunday in Dexter. 

Maria Reyes is a Hispanic female, described as being 4’11 and 120 lbs, with brown eyes and brown hair. Aryany Reyes, also a Hispanic female, is 50 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. 

Police are also searching for a person of interest, 45 year old Esbin Martines – a Hispanic male who may be with the two. 

They may both be driving a 2005 Silver Pontiac Grand Am with tinted windows. 

Anyone who has information on their location is asked to contact the Dexter Police Department by calling 573-624-5512.

Thursday December 19, 2019

Thursday December 19, 2019

DEXTER WOMAN DIES FROM CRASH IN NEW MADRID

A Dexter woman has died from injuries she received from a crash in New Madrid County on Wednesday.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on US Highway 60 at Highway FF, where a vehicle was attempting to make a left turn, where they failed to yield, causing another driver to strike the vehicles trailer.

The driver of the crashed vehicle, 46 year old Jennifer Cox, of Dexter, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wednesday December 18, 2019

INVESTIGATION OF DEATH IN CARTER COUNTY LEADS TO CHARGES

An investigation into a death in Carter County has led to charges being filed.

According to the Carter County Sheriff’s Department, officials received a call from 27 year old Dakota Taylor, saying that he had hurt his mother, leading police to discover Taylor’s mother, 58 year old Kathryn Hall, with severe physical injuries that she later died from.

Taylor says that the two had gotten into an argument, leading Hall to pull a knife on Taylor, where he then struck her with a baseball bat.

He was charged with first-degree domestic assault, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon, with more charges expected as the investigation proceeds.

If you have information that could aid in the investigation, you are asked to call either the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, Ellsinore Police Department, or Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Tuesday December 17, 2019

Tuesday December 17, 2019

2020 DEFICIT BUDGET FOR CITY OF POPLAR BLUFF PASSED

The 2020 deficit budged for the city of Poplar Bluff was passed on Monday.

The members of the Poplar Bluff City Council met yesterday at the Black River Coliseum, where one of the topics discussed was working out the budget for 2020, where is was planned and ultimately approved on.

The budget passed involves cutting two part time positions, and reducing a full time position at the Coliseum to a part time position, with an estimated $300,000 deficit anticipated for 2020.

Monday December 16, 2019

Monday December 16, 2019

CHARGES ISSUED FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION OF DEATH IN ELLSINORE

Charges were filed against a man following an investigation into a death in Ellsinore.

According to officials with the Ellsinore Police Department, 27 year old Dakota Taylor has been charged with domestic assault – 1st degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and armed criminal action.

Authorities responded to a call on December 10th, which led to finding 58 year old Kathryn Hall with serious physical injuries from an assault, which she died from after being transported to a hospital.

Taylor is facing more charges as the investigation of Hall’s death continues, and anyone with information pertaining to the investigation is asked to call either the Ellsinore Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, or Carter County Sheriff’s Office.

Friday December 13, 2019

Friday December 13, 2019

SNOW POSSIBLE THIS WEEKEND FOR SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Southeast Missouri could be seeing some snowfall this weekend.

According to a Special Weather Statement issued by the National Weather Service, precipitation may reach portions of the region during the day on Sunday, but temperatures will be mainly above freezing in the afternoon. The primary time period of concern is Sunday evening, when temperatures will fall to under 30 degrees.

The potential exists for multiple inches of snow accumulation this weekend.

Thursday December 12, 2019

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL WARNS OF DRIVER SAFETY FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The Missouri State Highway Patrol warns drivers to be extra cautious this holiday season.

According to the Patrol, last year’s Christmas counting period saw over 1000 crashes, where out of them over 400 resulted in injuries, with 11 deaths reported. There were also just over 100 people arrested for impaired driving.

The Patrol urges drivers to stay safe and ready this year, and recommends that drivers obey traffic laws, pay attention while driving, and to drive sober.

The Christmas counting period will begin on December 24th at 6 pm, and will continue until 11:59 pm on December 25th.

Wednesday December 11, 2019

Wednesday December 11, 2019

CITY OF POPLAR BLUFF TO POSSIBLY RECEIVE BUDGET CUTS IN 2020

A recent discussion by the Poplar Bluff City Council members may lead to the city receiving budget cuts for 2020.

According to city manager Mark Massingham, Poplar Bluff may be receiving a $300k deficit to its budget for 2020, including the loss of three unnamed part-time positions. The city will again place the recent use tax in the April ballot, which would tax some internet purchases, as an attempt to ease the blow.

Massingham states that other potential cutbacks made to the city include closing down the pool and fitness center at the Black River Coliseum, reducing operations at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum, and reducing police shifts from twelve to eight hours.

Tuesday December 10, 2019

Tuesday December 10, 2019

CARUTHERSVILLE POLICE SEARCHING FOR MISSING WOMAN BELIEVED TO BE IN DANGER

Police in Caruthersville are searching for a missing woman believed to be in danger.

Tony Jones, Chief of the Caruthersville Police Department, tells KWOC News that they were contacted Monday evening in reference to a missing person.

At around 5 pm Monday, 30-year-old Michele Bell, of Caruthersville, was leaving Caruthersville and headed south on Interstate 55.

Jones says that Bell may have had a mental break down and there is a concern for her safety. Her vehicle is described as a maroon colored Chevrolet HHR.

We have a picture of Bell available on our Facebook page.

Anyone with information on Bell’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Pemiscot County Sheriff’s Department or dial 911.

Monday December 9, 2019

WOMAN ARRESTED IN STODDARD COUNTY ON POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE

A woman was taken into custody in Stoddard County on Saturday on methamphetamine possession.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 32 year old Jennifer Trull, of Dexter, was arrested on felony possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, as well as a misdemeanor charge on marijuana possession, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

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