Wednesday July 15, 2020

Wednesday July 15, 2020

THIRD BUTLER COUNTY RESIDENT DIES FROM COVID-19

A third resident of Butler County has died from the coronavirus.

According to the Butler County Health Department, the patient had previously tested positive for the disease, and passed away while under care. No personal information on the patient is being released at this time.

The Department is urging residents to continue practicing proper social distancing guidelines, and to keep proper hygiene in mind. This includes avoiding crowds or large gatherings, and to wear a face mask while traveling outdoors or when in a public area.

Tuesday July 14, 2020

Tuesday July 14, 2020

THREE CHARGED IN STODDARD COUNTY MURDER CASE

Three people will be making a court appearances in relation to a Stoddard County murder case.

According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, the three are being charged after an investigation into the death of 61 year old Robert Harwood on January 28th, where he was found dead from blunt force trauma and neck compression, as well as a gunshot wound to his jaw.

One of the suspects, a 16 year old from Jonesboro, admitted to authorities that him and the other two suspects went to Harwood’s residence to rob him. They were also found with methamphetamine in their systems.

The 16 year old will be making a court appearance today on 2nd degree murder, 1st degree robbery, and 1st degree burglary.

The second charged was 41 year old Joshua Herron, who was reported to have instructed the other two suspects on how to rob Harwood. He will appear Wednesday on three counts of 2nd degree murder, 1st degree brobbery, and 1st degree burglary.

The third suspect, a 15 year old from Zalma, will appear on July 30th on 1st degree murder, three counts of 2nd degree murder, 1st degree robbery, and 1st degree burglary.

Monday July 13, 2020

Monday July 13, 2020

BUTLER COUNTY COURTHOUSE ENFORCING FACE COVERING RULE AFTER EMPLOYEES TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19


The Butler County Courthouse is now requiring visitors to wear face coverings, after employees tested positive for the coronavirus.

The decision was made by presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett on Saturday, after four courthouse employees tested positive for the virus last week. Starting today, anyone who wants to enter the courthouse is required to wear a mask while inside the building.

The face mask requirement will continue until further notice by the Court.

Friday July 10, 2020

Friday July 10, 2020

DRIVER KILLED IN VEHICLE CRASH IN RIPLEY COUNTY

A driver was killed after his vehicle crashed in Ripley County on Wednesday.

According to officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a vehicle was traveling down Route 142, in Oxly, where a vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway and overcorrected, causing it to run off the right side of the road and strike multiple signs and a culvert. The vehicle then overturned, and the driver was ejected.

The driver, 53 year old Lennie Bailey, of Fairdealing, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Thursday July 9, 2020

Thursday July 9, 2020

SECOND DEATH FROM COVID-19 REPORTED IN BUTLER COUNTY

The Butler County Health Department has announced that a second resident has died from the coronavirus.

According to the department, the resident had previously tested positive for the virus, and passed away while under care. At this time, no personal information about the patient is being released.

Officials with the health department are urging residents to practice social distancing guidelines, and to make safety and hygiene top priorities while going out in public spaces. It is also recommended to avoid large crowds of people or social gatherings.

Wednesday July 8, 2020

Wednesday July 8, 2020

OVER THREE HUNDRED TESTS ADMINISTERED IN LOCAL COVID-19 TESTING

There was a large turnout yesterday for the local coronavirus testing site in Poplar Bluff.

The testing is being held by officials with the Butler County Health Department, and is being performed by members of the Missouri National Guard. During yesterday’s testing, over 300 people came to receive a test.

The site is located at the Libla Family Sports Complex on the Three Rivers College campus, and will be open today from 7 am to 3 pm, as well as 7 am to 1 pm on Thursday.

You can pre register for a test by calling the state’s hotline at 1-877-435-8411.

Tuesday July 7, 2020

Tuesday July 7, 2020

PEDESTRIAN STRUCK AND KILLED IN BUTLER COUNTY

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a traveling vehicle in Butler County on Sunday.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tells KWOC News that the incident took place on Eastbound US 60, east of Poplar Bluff, where 24 year old Alexander King, of St. James, was struck while entering the roadway.

King was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident.

Monday July 6, 2020

Monday July 6, 2020

DRIVER KILLED; TWO SERIOUSLY INJURED IN NEW MADRID COUNTY VEHICLE CRASH


A driver was killed, and two were seriously injured as a result of a vehicle crash in New Madrid County.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the vehicle was on Interstate 55, at the Northbound 33 mile marker, where it ran off the left side of the roadway and lost control, overturning and ejecting one of the passengers.

The two passengers were transported to a Cape Girardeau hospital for treatment. The driver, 63 year old Regino Puente, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Thursday July 2, 2020

Thursday July 2, 2020

BUTLER COUNTY JOINS NATIONAL GUARD IN HOSTING FREE COVID-19 TESTING SITE

The Butler County Health Department will be joining with the Missouri National Guard to offer free COVID-19 testing next week.

According to the Department, the testing will be performed at the Three Rivers College’s Libla Sports Complex, and the tests will be open to all state residents. You do not have to be experiencing symptoms or have a doctor’s note to be eligible for testing.

When arriving, you will be asked questions, including potential symptoms you may have. Members of the Guard will then collect and send the test to a laboratory for processing. Patients will receive their results from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services within 7 days.

The testing will be held from July 7th from 10 am to 6 pm, July 8th from 7 am to 3 pm, and on July 9th from 7 am to 1 pm. You can register online by visiting www.Health.Mo.Gov, or by calling 877-435-8411.

Wednesday July 1, 2020

Wednesday July 1, 2020

TWO ADDITIONAL CASES OF COVID-19 REPORTED IN BUTLER COUNTY; MISSOURI DEATHS NOW OVER 1,000

There were two additional cases of the coronavirus confirmed in Butler County yesterday, while the total cases in Missouri have continued to rise.

According to the Butler County Health Department, the two patients have brought the County’s total cases to 92, and have been quarantined. Of these cases, 68 have recovered, and 22 are currently in isolation.

The department will be working with the CDC to contact anyone who may have been exposed to the virus while the patients were active and infectious.

In Missouri, as of Tuesday, there were a total of 21,551 confirmed cases in the state, and 1,015 deaths have been directly linked to the disease.

If you are showing any symptoms of the virus, including fever, persistent coughing, and shortness of breath, you are advised to contact your primary healthcare provider before visiting any emergency or hospital room.

Tuesday June 30, 2020

Tuesday June 30, 2020

COVID-19 RELATED DEATHS REPORTED IN BUTLER AND STODDARD COUNTIES

COVID-19 related deaths were reported in Butler and Stoddard Counties on Monday.

Butler County confirmed its first death caused by the coronavirus, a resident from the Oakdale Nursing Home in Poplar Bluff, who had previously tested positive for the virus. The patient was admitted to a hospital on June 21st, and remained under care until they passed away on Sunday.

In Stoddard County, the 9th death caused by the coronavirus was confirmed on Monday, and County officials are urging residents to keep the importance of social distancing in mind. They also recommend not coming into contact with large crowds or public gatherings, and to practice good hygiene.

No personal information about either patients will be released at this time.

Monday June 29, 2020

Monday June 29, 2020

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING DROWNING REPORT IN DUNKLIN COUNTY

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol are currently investigating a drowning that took place in Dunklin County on Sunday.

Few details are available at this time, however the Patrol responded to a call on Sunday evening about a swimmer who didn’t resurface after going under the water in the St. Francis River. A body was found later near County Road 228, west of Campbell.

The incident is currently under investigation.

Qulin Man Found Deceased Following House Fire in Butler County

MAN FOUND DECEASED FOLLOWING HOUSE FIRE IN BUTLER COUNTY

A man was found deceased following a house fire in Butler County early Monday morning.

Officials with the Butler County Fire Department, as well as authorities with the County Sheriff’s Office, responded to a call of a house fire in Qulin on Sunday evening, where Butler County Coroner Andy Moore identified a body found inside the building as 76 year old Kenneth Furr.

The Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating the fire, and an autopsy for Furr’s body is pending.

Friday June 26, 2020

Friday June 26, 2020

MAN CHARGED IN RELATION TO SHOOTING INVESTIGATION IN RIPLEY COUNTY

A man has been charged with murder in relation to a shooting investigation in Doniphan.

According to officials from the Doniphan Police Department, 64 year old Donald Mischka was arrested on two murder charges - 1st and 2nd degree, as well as two charges on armed criminal action.

These charges stem from an investigation made after authorities responded to a call from Mischka stating that he had shot his wife, 60 year old Susan Mischka, at his home. After her body was located, Donald Mischka was located and taken into police custody.

Authorities report that he had told officials his wife had mental health problems, and that she had asked him to kill her. However, Mischka had previously stated that she had shot herself, and evidence at the scene did not match his claim.

The investigation on this incident is currently ongoing.

Thursday June 25, 2020

Thursday June 25, 2020

THREE MORE CASES OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED IN BUTLER COUNTY

More cases of the coronavirus continue to be reported in Butler County.

According to the Butler County Health Department, three additional cases have been reported since Wednesday, raising the County’s total to 84. The patients have been quarantined, and the department will be working to contact anyone who may have been exposed to the virus while the patients were active and infectious.

In Missouri, as of Wednesday, there are a total of 18,868 confirmed cases in the state, and 975 deaths have been directly linked to the disease.

If you are showing any symptoms of the virus, such as persistent coughing, fever, or shortness of breath, you are advised to contact your primary healthcare provider before visiting any emergency or hospital room.

Wednesday June 24, 2020

Wednesday June 24, 2020

ADDITIONAL CASE OF COVID-19 REPORTED IN BUTLER COUNTY; MISSOURI TOTAL CONTINUES TO RISE

Another resident of Butler County has tested positive for the coronavirus.

According to the Butler County Health Department, the additional case has brought the County’s total to 81, 41 of which have yet to recover. The patient has been quarantined, and the department will be working to contact anyone who may have been exposed to the virus while the patient was active.

In Missouri, as of Tuesday, there have been a total of 18,577 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus, and 966 deaths in the state have been directly linked to the disease.

If you are showing symptoms of the virus, such as fever, persistent coughing, or shortness of breath, you are advised to contact your primary healthcare provider before visiting any hospital or emergency rooms.

Tuesday June 23, 2020

Tuesday June 23, 2020

MATT WINTERS SELECTED AS NEW POPLAR BLUFF CITY MANAGER

A new city manager for the city of Poplar Bluff was selected on Monday.

The Poplar Bluff City Council announced yesterday that Matt Winters, who has been an associate director of the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission since 2008, was unanimously voted to replace current City Manager Mark Massingham, who announced his retirement last week.

Winters will officially take the position on July 11th.

Monday June 22, 2020

Monday June 22, 2020

DRIVER KILLED FOLLOWING VEHICLE CRASH IN NEW MADRID COUNTY

A Tallapoosa driver was killed from a vehicle crash in New Madrid County on Friday.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a vehicle was traveling down Route 62, west of Route J, before it ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a ditch, causing it to overturn and catch fire.

The 60 year old driver, Danny Summerton, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Friday June 19, 2020

Friday June 19, 2020

POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TO BE HELD AT BLACK RIVER COLISEUM

The Poplar Bluff High School’s Graduation Ceremony has been scheduled to take place at the Black River Coliseum.

According to a post by the High School, the ceremony will be held at the Coliseum on Tuesday, starting at 7 pm, and will be broadcast live through the school’s Facebook page. Admittance to the ceremony will be by ticket only.

The school’s Prom will also be held at the Coliseum, from 7 through 11 pm on Saturday.

Thursday June 18, 2020

Thursday June 18, 2020

POPLAR BLUFF MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN RELATION TO DEATH CASE

A Poplar Bluff man was sentenced to life in prison in relation to a 2016 murder case.

According to officials with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, 43 year old Eric Wyatt was sentenced on Wednesday, in regards to his September 2019 conviction of 1st degree murder and armed criminal action, for the 2016 death case of Marion Carter.

These charges stem from an investigation made after Carter’s body was found inside of her home, where investigators searched Wyatt’s home after he fled on foot. The search resulted in them finding several clothing items with blood stains, and Carter’s bank card. A baseball bat used in the homicide was found later.