HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY IN BUTLER COUNTY
Authorities in Butler County are investigating a Sunday night death as a homicide; however officials say that everything seems to point to the death as being a justifiable homicide.
On Monday, we spoke with Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs about the investigation.
MARK DOBBS:
Sunday night at about 8:48 p.m. officers responded to 91 County Road 635 in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival it was learned that the victim Thomas Ray Sharon, age 41, of Broseley was fatally shot in a domestic altercation. Apparently Sharon had pulled a knife on his live-in girlfriend and the son had came in defense of the mother and shot Sharon at that time. At this time it's being treated as a homicide investigation however everything seems to point at this time to justifiable homicide, the investigation will continue to gather evidence and piece this thing together and see what happened exactly.
ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS TO BE OUT CONTROLLING TRAFFIC AROUND POLLING PLACES
With Election Day being today, voters in Poplar Bluff may notice an increase of police officers near polling places.
Deputy Chief Don Trout with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC News one reason for the presence of extra officers is traffic concerns.
DON TROUT:
With today being Election Day, we're going to have a couple extra officers in place. One in particular at the Kay Porter Theatre at the middle school to assist with traffic in the mornings and afternoons. Once traffic’s handled at the school for the parents dropping off children and picking up children, that officer will just roam around to different polling places in the city and we will have one other that will be roaming polling precincts in the city to. The reason we are doing this is because of traffic congestion. Everyone's anticipating this will be a huge turnout for the election and we just want to make sure everybody has the chance to vote and can get to where they need to be.
LOCAL RACES AT STAKE DURING ELECTION DAY
Voters in Southeast Missouri will be choosing who will serve them at multiple levels of government today.
Voters will be deciding if Republican Jason Smith will be keeping his seat in the United States House of Representatives. Smith is facing a challenge from Democrat Dave Cowell.
For the Missouri State Senate, in District 25, incumbent Republican Doug Libla will be taking on Democrat Bill Burlison. In District 27, Republican incumbent Wayne Wallingford is facing Democrat Donnie Owens.
In District 153 of the Missouri House of Representatives, incumbent Republican Steve Cookson is being challenged by Democrat Matt Michel.
Other competitive local races include the race for Butler County Commissioner for the Eastern District between Republican Don “Butch” Anderson and Democrat Van Rhodes.
In Carter County, competitive races include, Commissioner of the County Commission for the Eastern District, Collector of Revenue, and Assessor. In Ripley County, Associate County Commissioner for Eastern and Western Districts, along with the Ripley County Sheriff.
In Stoddard County, 1st District Commissioner and Coroner. In Wayne County, County Commissioner for the Western District, Sheriff, and Public Administrator.
MISSOURI TO ELECT A NEW GOVERNOR TODAY
Missouri voters will decide multiple contested races today, with two of the most watched being the races for Governor and the United States Senate.
Democrat Chris Koster and Republican Eric Greitens are running to take over for Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, who is leaving office due to term limits.
For one of Missouri’s US Senate seats, incumbent Republican Roy Blunt is being challenged by current Missouri Secretary of State, Democrat Jason Kander.
Voters across the state in Missouri will also be voting for Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Attorney General.
A United States Senate seat is also up for election in Arkansas today, as incumbent Republican John Boozman takes on Democrat Conner Eldridge.
MISSOURIANS TO VOTE ON FIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMMENDMENTS TODAY
Five constitutional amendments and one proposition will be on the ballot today for Missourians.
Amendment one will continue a one percent sales/use tax for state parks and historic sites along with soil and water conservation.
Amendment two establishes limits on campaign contributions by individuals or entities to political parties, political committees, or committees to elect candidates for state or judicial office.
Amendment three will amend the Missouri Constitution to increase taxes on cigarettes each year through 2020, at which point this additional tax will total 60 cents per pack of 20. This amendment further provides that the funds generated by these taxes shall be deposited into a newly established Early Childhood Health and Education Trust Fund. Proposition A also concerns an increase in cigarette taxes.
Amendment four will prohibit a new state or local sales/use or other similar tax on any service or transaction. This amendment only applies to any service or transaction that was not subject to a sales/use or similar tax as of January 1, 2015.
Amendment six will amend the Missouri Constitution to state that voters may be required by law to verify their identity, citizenship, and residence by presenting identification that may include valid government-issued photo identification.
MAN FACING CHARGES OF ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC ASSAULT FOLLOWING INCIDENT SUNDAY NIGHT
A man is facing assault and domestic assault charges following an incident Sunday night.
KWOC News spoke with Lieutenant Darron Moore with the Poplar Bluff Police Department about the incident.
DARRON MOORE:
On Sunday afternoon officers responded to the 400 block of Karen Drive in reference to domestic assault in progress. Upon arrival officer Jerry Cates observed a large crowd gathered and was told by a witness that Aaron Scowden had assaulted his wife. As Officer Cates approached the residence he could hear Scowden yelling inside. Officer Cates announced his presence and placed him under arrest. Scowden’s wife stated her husband became angry after she failed to answer him when he asked her what was for dinner. She reported during the incident that Scowden struck her in the face several times and had at one point placed a blanket over her head which made it hard for her to breathe. During the incident Scowden assaulted his wife's friend who was trying to record the assault. Scowden’s wife was transported by EMS with injuries to her face and bruising on her scalp. After receiving treatment she was later released. Aaron Scowden was lodged in the Butler County Justice Center on charges of a domestic assault 2nd degree and assault 3rd degree.
POPLAR BLUFF SOFTBALL PLAYER TO SIGN LETTER OF INTENT TODAY
A Poplar Bluff Senior Softball player will be signing a National Letter of Intent later today.
The signing ceremony for Grace King is scheduled to begin at 10:30 am this morning at the High School Cafeteria.
King will be signing a letter of intent to play softball at Three Rivers College.
