BUTLER COUNTY COURTHOUSE REVERTS TO PHASE ONE AFTER EMPLOYEE TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

The Butler County Courthouse will be stepping back to operating phase one today after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus.

According to officials with the Courthouse, Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett made the decision on Wednesday to move at a lower state of operation, and the courthouse will continue to operate at phase one until further notice.

All court proceedings today have been canceled, and most in-person proceedings moving forward will be suspended.

FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FOR AREAS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

A flood watch has been issued for areas throughout Southeast Missouri.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a flood watch has been issued for Butler, Carter, New Madrid, Ripley, Stoddard, and Wayne Counties.

Weather officials state that remnants of storm Zeta will combine with a storm system moving in from the Southern Plains, inducing heavy, widespread showers. There is expected to be at least 3 to 4 inches of rainfall in affected areas.

The watch will be in effect starting today at 7 pm, and will continue until 10 am on Thursday.

MISSING POPLAR BLUFF RESIDENT FOUND SAFE

A Poplar Bluff resident who went missing last week has been found safe.

Officials with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tell KWOC News that 83 year old Robert Coats, who suffers from memory loss went missing near a local bank, was found safe and sound.

An Endangered Silver Advisory was issued for him on October 20th, and he was found on Monday.

DRIVER KILLED FOLLOWING VEHICLE CRASH IN WAYNE COUNTY

A driver was killed after his vehicle crashed in Wayne County on Sunday.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the crash happened on private property located north of Lodi, where a vehicle struck a fence, causing the driver to be ejected.

The driver, 60 year old Keith Brandt, of Lodi, was pronounced dead at the scene.

WAPAPPELLO MAN ARRESTED IN ALLEGED MURDER CASE

A Wappapello man was taken into custody on suspicion of murder.

According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, 54 year old Bobbie Aden was booked at the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department on suspicion of 1st degree murder after authorities responded to a call on shots fired in a house on Wappapello.

Officials report that when they arrived at the home, Aden was covered in blood when he opened the door, and stated that his girlfriend was dead.

In an interview with investigators, Aden told authorities that 52 year old Lelena Guard had shot herself, and that he slipped and fell in her blood.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Guard today at 9:30 am, and the investigation into her death is currently ongoing.

GOVERNOR MIKE PARSON ANNOUNCES SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET SESSION

Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced that a supplemental budget will be set next month in response to the increasing concern over COVID-19.

Governor Parson made the announcement on Wednesday during a briefing on the states current situation regarding the coronavirus, and reported that the bill will fund multiple projects, such as nutrition service programs for schools, emergency grant solutions for the prevention of homelessness, payments for child support and domestic violence grants, and grants for job training.

The budget is expected to be implemented on November 5th.

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT SEARCHING FOR MISSING MAN

A Poplar Bluff resident is currently missing, and authorities with the Poplar Bluff Police Department are asking for the public’s help.

According to the department, 83 year old Robert Coats has been reported missing. He is described as a 5’7, 160 lbs. white male with blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a blue/teal coat, button up shirt, blue jeans, and brown shoes. He was last seen walking in the area of Maud Street and Westwood Boulevard.

A picture of him is available on the Poplar Bluff Police Department’s Facebook page. If you know his current whereabouts, you are asked to contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department by calling 573-785-5776.

POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED ON KIDNAPPING AND CARJACKING

A Poplar Bluff man was taken into custody on Saturday on alleged kidnapping and carjacking.

Lt. Keith Hefner of the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC News that 39 year old Jeffery Moore was arrested after authorities responded to a call about citizens detaining a suspect caught trying to break into a vehicle in the area of Wallace and Vaden Streets.

Witness reports state that Moore was seen stealing a van at gunpoint from a woman at the 2000 block of Sanders, before stopping at a residence in the 1900 block of Bradley Street. He then entered the residence and threatened the owner, before he was detained by individuals who were following him. He was taken into police custody shortly after.

Moore was transported to the Butler County Jail following his arrest, and is awaiting formal charges for 1st degree kidnapping, stealing a motor vehicle, unlawful use of a weapon, and trespassing.

NEELYVILLE R-4 SCHOOL DISTRICT CLOSING FOR THE WEEK DUE TO COVID-19 SPIKE

The Neelyville R-4 school district will be closed this week due to a spike in COVID-19 cases.

The school board made the announcement on Thursday, stating that the school has seen a drastic increase in coronavirus cases, which led to the decision of shutting down the campus for the week. At the time of the meeting, there were 87 students and thirteen staff that were under quarantine.

A follow-up announcement reported that 18 students and 8 staff tested positive for the virus on Friday, while another 18 students were waiting for test results.

Officials with the school board will be keeping an eye on the situation, and more decisions will be made at the end of the week. The school’s office will be open for calls from 8 am to 3:30 pm for anyone with questions.

BODY FOUND NEAR WAPPAPELLO IN BUTLER COUNTY IDENTIFIED

A body that was found near Wappapello in Butler County has been identified.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that the body was identified on Thursday as 51 year old Ronald Moore, who was reported as missing On September 11th of 2020, and whose body was found by a hunter scouting party on October 3rd.

Officials report that his body was initially difficult to identify due to the severe decay present when his body was found, though he was able to be identified through fingerprint analysis.

There is no evidence of foul play regarding his death at this time.

NEW MADRID COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT SEARCHING FOR TWO WANTED SUSPECTS

The New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department is currently searching for two wanted suspects.

According to the Department, authorities are searching for Barry Brown Jr., who is wanted for felony charges of stealing and forgery, and Aaron Cooper, who has an active charge on unlawful possession of a firearm. Pictures of both of them are available on the New Madrid County Sheriff Department’s Facebook page.

If you have any information on them or their whereabouts, you are asked to contact the department by calling 573-748-2516.

SCHOOL EMPLOYEE IN CUSTODY ON ALLEGED RAPE CHARGE

A local school district employee has been taken into custody on an alleged rape charge.

Few details are available at this time, however Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that the Sheriff’s office was informed that 40 year old Joshua Olsen, of Poplar Bluff, allegedly met with a minor off-campus, where the sexual misconduct took place.

Olsen was booked at the Butler County Jail on 1st degree rape or attempted rape, and is being held with no bond. The investigation into the alleged rape is currently ongoing.

STEELE WOMAN ARRESTED IN PEMISCOT COUNTY ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES

A Steele woman was taken into custody in Pemiscot County on Thursday on drug related charges.

According to the Pemiscot County Sheriff’s Department, 25 year old Ashley Baugus was arrested on unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as possession of marijuana, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, and several vehicle related charges.

Following her arrest, she was transported to the Pemiscot County Jail.

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INITIATES SPEED LIMIT ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN

Officials with the Missouri Department of Transportation and Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety have started a speed limit enforcement campaign.

The campaign is taking place across Missouri, as authorities will be placing a higher priority and heavier enforcement on speeding violations and speed limit laws.

Authorities with the Missouri State Highway Patrol are encouraging drivers to make safety their main concern when traveling on the roadways and to stay aware of their environments while driving.

The speed limit campaign will continue until October 18th.

DRIVER KILLED FOLLOWING VEHICLE CRASH IN DUNKLIN COUNTY

A driver was killed after his vehicle crashed in Dunklin County on Thursday.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the crash happened on County Road 552, west of Senath, where a vehicle traveled off the roadway and struck a ditch.

The driver, 66 year old Mickey Webb of Senath, who was not wearing a safety device at the time of the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene.

SIKESTON MAN ARRESTED ON ENTICEMENT OF A CHILD AND PROMOTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

A Sikeston man was taken into custody in Poplar Bluff on Wednesday on child pornography and enticement charges.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, 49 year old Vesteen Taylor, of Sikeston, was tracked by Cyber Crimes Detectives having a conversation with a 13 year old girl, during which he made remarks of a sexual nature, and went on to ask the girl for nude images.

Authorities intercepted Taylor after he made plans to meet with the girl in Poplar Bluff, and is currently waiting formal charges for enticement of a child, as well as promoting child pornography. He was later lodged at the Butler County Justice Center.

MAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN STODDARD COUNTY ON ASSAULT CHARGES

A man was arrested in Stoddard County on Tuesday on assault charges.

According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 20 year old Shermarie Barnes, of Marion Illinois, was booked on 1st Degree harassment, as well as a 2nd offense charge on 4th degree domestic assault.

He was transported to the Stoddard County Jail following his arrest, with no bond.

DEAD BODY FOUND BY HUNTER SCOUTING PARTY IN BUTLER COUNTY

A dead body was found by a hunting scouting party in Butler County on Saturday.

Few details are available at this time, however authorities with the Butler County Sheriff’s Department tell KWOC News that the body was found in a wooded area near County Road 517 in Wappapello, which was heavily decomposed.

An autopsy was performed on Monday, however the identity of the body has yet to be released.

TWO ARKANSAS RESIDENTS KILLED AFTER VEHICLE CRASHES INTO AN ABANDONED RESIDENCE IN BUTLER COUNTY

Two Arkansas residents are dead following a single vehicle wreck in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a vehicle driven by 20 year old Spencer Hardin of Piggott, lost control of the vehicle and travelled off Highway 51, near Fagus at a high rate of speed and crashed into an abandoned residence.

Both Hardin and a passenger in the vehicle, identified as 16 year old Justin Gilbee, also of Piggott, were pronounced dead at the scene by Butler County Coroner Andy Moore and Deputy Coroner Corey Crutchfield.

BUTLER COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO TIME IN FEDERAL PRISON ON DRUG AND WEAPON CHARGES

A Butler County resident has been sentenced to time in federal prison on drug and weapon charges.

According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, 38 year old Jestin Smith, of Qulin, was sentenced on Tuesday on the charges of felony possession of 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

These charges were set after Smith pleaded guilty to having a firearm and drugs at his home in the 4800 block of Highway N in Qulin, where a search warrant was issued. At the home, a pistol stolen from a gun shop in Butler County, as well as 146 grams of marijuana and 145 grams of methamphetamine were found.

Smith was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the charges, with a four year supervised release after his time has been served.