HIGHWAY PATROL PREPARING FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND TRAFFIC With the Fourth of July weekend coming up, troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol are preparing for an increase in travelers on Missouri’s roadways.
Captain Jeffrey Vitale, commanding officer of Troop E in Poplar Bluff, tells KWOC News that on Friday and Monday Troop E officers will take part in an enforcement program in an effort to promote safety and to reduce the number of traffic crashes.
The program will have troopers assigned every 20 miles on Interstates 55 and 57, along with other selected secondary roads.
Vitale says the objective of the project is to place a trooper in close proximity of motorists who may need assistance and to aggressively enforce all traffic violations which may contribute to unsafe traveling conditions.
MEMPHIS MAN ARRESTED IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI ON MULTIPLE FELONY DRUG CHARGES Authorities in Southeast Missouri have arrested a Tennessee man on multiple felony drug charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 38 year old Julian Steen, of Memphis, was taken into custody Monday afternoon on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance for oxycodone and xanax.
Steen is also facing charges of driving while suspended and speeding. Following the arrest, Steen was taken to the New Madrid County Jail on a 12 hour hold.
DATE SET FOR RIVER RADIO BLOOD DRIVE Areas residents will get a chance to save lives and get a Cardinals T-Shirt at the upcoming River Radio Blood Drive.
The blood drive has been scheduled for noon to 6 pm on Friday July 8th at the Sacred Heart Catholic School Gym in Poplar Bluff.
You can schedule an appointment at redcrossblood.org by using the sponsor code CARDS or by calling 1-800-733-2767.
Officials say that presenting donors will receive a St. Louis Cardinals T-Shirt while supplies last.
AREA SHERIFF TRYING TO FIND OWNERS OF STOLEN ITEMS A Southeast Missouri sheriff is attempting to find the owners of several stolen items that were recently recovered.
New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens tells us that his department is currently working with the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department on several theft cases. A suspect in several thefts in both counties was recently arrested in Stoddard County.
During a search of the suspect’s vehicle, Stoddard County Deputies located several items which they believed to be stolen. Deputies were able to identify owners for most of the items; however, there are a few items where the owner could not be determined.
The items included a Lincoln ProCore 125 electric welder and a pink tote containing miscellaneous books, movies, and more.
Anyone who has information about the recovered items is asked to contact Sergeant Danny Ware at 573-748-2516.
NEW REGULATION PROHIBITS HUNTING OF FERAL HOGS ON CONSERVATION AREAS A new regulation was passed last week that would prohibit the hunting of feral hogs on conservation areas and other lands owned, leased, or managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
The regulation was approved Friday by the Missouri Conservation Commission as a part of changes to the Wildlife Code of Missouri.
The Missouri Department of Conservation says that research from other states shows that hog hunting increases feral hog numbers and locations because it provides incentives for illegal releases of hogs for future hunting. Releasing hogs to non-enclosed areas or to the wild is illegal in Missouri.
The effective date of the regulation change will be September 30th, and the new regulation prohibiting hog hunting on MDC areas does not apply to private property.
Potential penalties could include fines and the loss of hunting privileges.
CREWS CLOSING WAYNE COUNTY ROAD FOR RAILROAD REPAIRS Route 49 in Wayne County will be closed today and tomorrow so railroad crews can perform crossing repairs.
The section of roadway to be closed is located from the Mill Spring City Limits to Birch Street.
Weather permitting, work will be performed today and tomorrow from 6 am to 5 pm each day.
