WOMAN CHARGED WITH INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER IN CONNECTION TO DEATH OF A TODDLER

A Bloomfield woman is in custody in connection to the death of a toddler.

Officials with the Bloomfield Department of Public Safety tell KWOC News that on Tuesday, officers were dispatched to an area residence for a 17 month old toddler who was found unresponsive in a bathtub full of water.

The toddler was later pronounced dead at an area hospital. The Stoddard County Major Case Squad was partially activated and it was determined that the toddler had been left unattended for an extended period of time.

TWO DEAD FOLLOWING WRECK IN RIPLEY COUNTY

Two people have died from injuries they received in a Ripley County wreck.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that 24 year old Austin Harris, of Poplar Bluff, was driving on US Highway 160 near Fairdealing, when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck another vehicle.

LADY RAIDERS ADVANCE TO SECOND ROUND OF NJCAA TOURNAMENT

The Three Rivers College Lady Raiders used a late run to propel themselves into the second round of the NJCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The Nine seed Lady Raiders defeated 24 seed Eastern Oklahoma State 76-74 on Monday in Lubbock, Texas.

LADY RAIDERS BEGIN NJCAA TOURNAMENT PLAY TODAY

The Three Rivers College Lady Raiders will begin their campaign for a national championship this afternoon.

The nine seed Lady Raiders will play 24 seed Eastern Oklahoma State College at noon today in Lubbock, Texas for the 1st round of the NJCAA Women’s Basketball tournament.

Three Rivers enters the tournament with an undefeated 21-0 record. Eastern Oklahoma is 18-4 for the season.

MULTIPLE DRUGS FOUND IN KENNETT HOTEL ROOM

Officials in Kennett recently discovered multiple drugs in an area hotel room.

According to authorities, ecstasy, mushrooms, prescription medication, and over three pounds of methamphetamine were discovered in the hotel room.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELEASED ABOUT TRAFFICKING ARREST IN BUTLER COUNTY

Updating a story we brought to you yesterday, Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol have released additional information about an arrest made earlier this week for sexual trafficking.

On Tuesday investigators contacted 61 year old Chester Burress at his residence in Poplar Bluff, regarding an ongoing investigation. During their contact with Burress, child pornography was located on his cellular telephone. Burress was arrested and transported to the Butler County Jail.

DEXTER POLICE CHIEF TAKES POSITION AS CITY ADMINISTRATOR

The City of Dexter has a new city administrator and police chief.

According to the Dexter Police Department, Chief of Police Trevor Pulley has taken over as the Dexter City Administrator.

Following the change, Captain Hank Trout was promoted to Chief of Police.

TRAIN STRIKES PERSON IN POPLAR BLUFF

A train struck a person Monday in the Poplar Bluff area.

Officials with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tell KWOC News that the incident occurred on South B Street.

A man was airlifted from the area with undisclosed injuries.

FRIDAY STORM SYSTEMS BRING WIND DAMAGE AND GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL TO BUTLER COUNTY

The storm system that crossed Southeast Missouri on Friday brought damage to some areas of Butler County.

According to the National Weather Service, scattered thunderstorms produced isolated large hail up to the size of golf balls, along with isolated wind damage during the afternoon and evening hours on Friday.

MAN CONVICTED OF 2014 MURDER

A man has been convicted in connection to a 2014 murder.

According to officials in Butler County, a jury has found Curtis Walker guilty of second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and first-degree burglary.

FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH 9 AM

The beginning of April is bringing a late season freeze warning with it.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a Freeze warning is in effect for portions of Southeast Missouri through 9 am this morning and from midnight tonight to 9 am on Friday.

TWO SERIOUSLY INJURED IN WRECK ON INTERSTATE 55

Two people were seriously injured in a wreck Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 55.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 21 year old Andrew Collins, of Fletcher, Mo, was driving north on Interstate 55 at the 44.8 mile marker when his vehicle rear ended a stationary Kenworth tractor.

THREE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO KIDNAPPING INVESTIGATION

Three people have been taken into custody in connection to a kidnapping investigation.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, on March 24th, officers responded to a local bank after a patron told a bank teller that they had been held against their will.

The victim told officers that they had been physically assaulted at a residence in Poplar Bluff for several hours, before they were taken to the bank to withdraw an undisclosed amount of money. The suspects fled the bank prior to the officers’ arrival.