AREA WOMAN INJURED FOLLOWING VEHICLE CRASH IN BUTLER COUNTY
A Poplar Bluff woman was injured following a vehicle crash in Butler County on Wednesday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on County Road 452, north of Poplar Bluff, where a vehicle failed to negotiate a curve and struck a tree.
The driver of the vehicle received minor injuries as a result of the crash, and was transported to a hospital in Poplar Bluff.
MAN ARRESTED IN RELATION TO INVESTIGATION OF DEATH IN STODDARD COUNTY
A man has been arrested in an investigation into a death reported in Advance.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, Advance resident Robert Harwood was found deceased inside his home on Tuesday, with an autopsy being scheduled for today at 9:30 am to determine his cause of death.
A suspect has been taken into custody on suspected homicide, and more information will be available as the investigation continues.
MAN ARRESTED IN POPLAR BLUFF ON SUSPECTED SHOOTING
A man was taken into custody in Poplar Bluff on a suspected free fire shooting.
According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, officers responded to a call out of Warren Street for a male who was shooting a firearm while walking through the street.
24 year old Roderick Russell was taken into custody after he was found alongside a 12 gauge shotgun that he admitted to fire off in the streets, and faces charged on suspicion of unlawful use of a weapon.
He also faces several other failure to appear warrants on trespassing, shoplifting, property damage, resisting arrest, and two counts of possession of marijuana.
17 YEAR-OLD REPORTED MISSING IN STODDARD COUNTY
A teenager has been reported missing in Stoddard County.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, the missing person is 17 year old Dakota Slavings, who was reported to have left her home in Bernie, and has been missing since Thursday.
She is a 5’6 white female with brown hair and weighs about 240 pounds. She also has a tattoo of a green heart with the insignia “DKC”, As well as a tattoo of a purple skull with blue and purple roses.
She was last seen wearing black leggings, a mossy Oak T-shirt, and a jacket.
Slavings is reported to need medication for a physiological affliction, may be going under the alias of Brittany Negal or Paige Slavings, and might be traveling towards Florida.
If you have any information on or have seen her, you are asked to immediately contact the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department by calling 573-568-4654.
COMPLEX METH LAB DISCOVERED IN BUTLER COUNTY ON WEDNESDAY
A complex methamphetamine lab was discovered in Poplar Bluff on Wednesday by Poplar Bluff authorities.
Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that a meth lab was located on Wednesday at a residence on Moonstone Lane, in the home of Floyd Martin, after officials conducted a search of the house and found the lab underneath the living room and kitchen.
Firearms and drug paraphernalia were also found, and Martin was taken into custody on unlawful possession of a firearm, as well as resisting arrest.
He is expected to face more charges as the investigation continues, and is suspected of supplying multiple individuals throughout northern Butler County and southern Wayne County.
COURT CASE SCHEDULED FOR LOCAL MAN ON FIREARM CHARGES
A court case has been scheduled for a Poplar Bluff man on possession of firearm charges.
According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, David Berry, a convicted felon from a previous burglary charge in 2015, has been issued a court case for April 24th after he pled guilty to illegal possession of firearm charges after he was pulled over for failing to signal a turn.
Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia was also found on his person.
Berry faces up to 10 years in prison on these charges, as well as up to three years of supervised release.
POSSIBILITY OF FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW THIS EVENING
This evening there is the possibility of winter weather this evening in Southeast Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service, a Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect for Butler, Carter, Ripley, and Wayne Counties in Southeast Missouri from 6 pm tonight through noon Thursday. Rain or freezing rain is expected this evening along with a slight chance of snow. Temperatures are also expected to fall to around 30 degrees overnight.
If you have to get on the roads, remember to check road conditions in your area on the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Traveler Information Map, which is available at modot.org.
SHOOTING SUSPECT ARRESTED FOLLOWING PURSUIT
Updating a story we brought to you previously, a suspect in a shooting that occurred last week has been taken into custody after a police pursuit.
According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, 26 year old Walter Currie Jr. was arrested on Monday after officials spotted his vehicle and recognized the driver to be Currie, causing a pursuit to begin.
After a lengthy vehicle pursuit, Currie left his vehicle at Harper Street before jumping a fence, causing officers to begin chasing him on foot.
He was located at his girlfriend’s home at Bradley Street, where he was arrested on the charges of first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
He was transported to the Butler County Jail following his arrest.
MULTIPLE INJURIES REPORTED FROM TWO VEHICLE CRASH IN BUTLER COUNTY
Multiple injuries were reported on Sunday following a two vehicle crash in Butler County.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol tells KWOC News that the crash occurred on US Highway 67 Northbound, half a mile from Poplar Bluff, where a vehicle failed to yield to another oncoming vehicle.
The driver of the first vehicle received serious injuries, and an occupant of the vehicle, as well as an occupant of the oncoming vehicle, received minor injuries as a result of the crash.
They were all transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital for their injuries.
REWARD OFFERED BY BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF FOR CAPTURE OF SUSPECT
Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs is offering a reward for information that can lead to the capture of a suspect.
According to the Sheriff, a $500 reward is being offered for information that will lead to the capture of 26 year old Walter Currie Jr., who is wanted in connection with a shooting that occurred on Thursday in the parking lot of Motel 6.
He is considered armed and dangerous, and is wanted on a warrant on first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon, as well as armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm.
If you have any information about Currie’s whereabouts, you are asked to contact the sheriff’s department by calling 573-785-8444.
COURT CASE SCHEDULED FOR POPLAR BLUFF MAN ON SHOOTING INCIDENT
Updating a story we brought to you previously, a Poplar Bluff man has been scheduled for a court appearance for today in relation to a shooting incident.
According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, 22 year old Kayln Johnson is set to appear on felony first-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, armed criminal action charges.
He has been suspected and accused of shooting Ernest Taylor, who had been shot in the head in a residence on Main Street on Tuesday.
Johnson is reported to be a convicted felon, with previous charges on delivery of a controlled substance, and second degree burglary.
MAN ARRESTED IN POPLAR BLUFF FOLLOWING SHOOTING
A man was arrested in Poplar Bluff on Tuesday following reports of a shooting.
According to Lieutenant Keith Hefner with the Poplar Bluff Police Department, officers responded to a call of shots fired on North Main Street, where a subject was reportedly shot.
When officers arrived at the scene, they located a Poplar Bluff resident in his 40’s who had been shot in the head. Emergency services transported the victim to a Poplar Bluff hospital for treatment.
Officers apprehended and arrested 22 year old Kayln Johnson without incident, who was found with the weapon that investigators believed to have been used in the shooting.
POLICE IN POPLAR BLUFF SEARCHING FOR ARMED MAN
Police in Poplar Bluff are searching for a man who is known to be armed.
According to the department, police are currently searching for the whereabouts of Bernard Gales, who officials state is known to be armed.
If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, you are asked to contact the department at 573-785-5776.
MULTIPLE HIGHWAYS FLOODED IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Southeast Missouri received heavy rains and thunder-storms throughout the weekend, which has resulted in some highways being flooded this morning.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, Highway 142, from Highway 67 South to Highway HH in Neelyville, and a section of roadway on Highway 53, from Highway 51 to Highway HH, in Butler County are closed due to the flooding.
Flooding has also resulted in the closure of parts of Highway W in Ripley County.
Motorists are reminded to never attempt to drive over flooded roadways.
Additionally, Twin Rivers R-10 School, and Neelyville R-4 are closed due to the flooding.
CITY OF POPLAR BLUFF ATTEMPTING TO PASS USE TAX
The city of Poplar Bluff will be attempting to pass a use tax in a few months.
The use tax will be collected on items purchased and shipped into the state, the prime example being online purchases. City manager Mark Massingham states that the tax will be at the same sales tax rate that would normally be applied to in-city purchases.
This will be the fourth attempt the city will make to pass the use tax, and the estimated income would be around $350,000, which will go directly to the city’s general revenue fund to pay for salary and benefit expenses for departments such as police, fire departments, and other expenses included in the city budget.
SEVERE STORMS AND OVER FOUR INCHES OF RAIN FORECAST FOR POPLAR BLUFF THROUGH SATURDAY
An incoming weather system is expected to bring heavy rains and possible severe thunderstorms to Southeast Missouri.
KWOC News spoke with Rick Shanklin, with the National Weather System about what we can expect.
RICK SHANKLIN:
“A very active weather pattern will impact us through Saturday with three main concerns. First, heavy rainfall and flooding potential especially Friday into Saturday, wind gusts above 30 miles an hour through Saturday, and third the possibility of severe thunderstorms including tornadoes mainly Friday and Friday night. So, with all this weather coming our way be sure to stay up to date and heed any watches any warnings that could be issued for our region.”
Shanklin also says that over three inches of rainfall is forecast for most of Southeast Missouri through Saturday night.
Flooding concerns will increase with each round of heavy rainfall, and a few strong to severe storms also cannot be ruled out for Friday.
ST LOUIS MAN SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS IN ROBBERY CONNECTION IN RIPLEY COUNTY
A man was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison on Monday for multiple felonies regarding an armed robbery in Ripley County in November.
According to officials with the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, 31 year old James Judd was sentenced after he pleaded guilty on felonies including possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm, drug trafficking, and robbery.
Judd is the first of three people who is scheduled for sentencing in relation to the Ripley County robbery, with the other two suspects pending their court appearances for their sentencing.
KWOC News has learned a Poplar Bluff man has died from injuries he received during a domestic dispute.
Few details have been released at this time, however Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News on Monday evening, his office responded to a residence in the county off of B Highway. Upon the arrival of officers, they observed a male subject with an apparent stab wound. It is believed a domestic disturbance is what lead to the stabbing.
Butler County Coroner Andy Moore pronounced 46 year old, Jack Hemby, dead at the scene. Preliminary indications are that Mr. Hemby died from wounds sustained as a result of a stabbing incident. Due to the nature of his death I have scheduled an autopsy in Farmington with Dr. Russell Diediker.
No arrests have been made at this time. The investigation is ongoing pending review with the Butler County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. KWOC News will follow this story for you and bring you more details as they become available.
DONIPHAN WOMAN DIES FOLLOWING VEHICLE CRASH IN RIPLEY COUNTY
A Doniphan woman has died from injuries she received in a vehicle crash in Ripley County on Monday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on Missouri 123, near Doniphan, where a vehicle crossed the center of the roadway, striking another vehicle.
The driver of the struck vehicle, 63 year old Patricia Hart, died from her injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the crossing vehicle received serious injuries, and was flown to a hospital in Cape Girardeau. An occupant of the same vehicle received moderate injuries, and was transported to a hospital in Poplar Bluff.
POPLAR BLUFF POLICE SEARCHING FOR SUSPECT IN HIT AND RUN INCIDENT
Police in Poplar Bluff are searching for a suspect involved in a hit and run incident.
According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, the incident occurred at Panda Express, where a man was driving a red Chevrolet passenger car, believed to be an Impala.
Pictures of the man are available on the department’s Facebook page.
If you know the identity of the men, or have information that could help the search, you are asked to call the department at 573-785-5776.
