ARREST MADE IN FATAL POPLAR BLUFF FIREAuthorities say that an arrest has been made in connection to a fatal fire Sunday night in Poplar Bluff.
KWOC News spoke with Poplar Bluff Deputy Police Chief Don Trout, who says that an area woman has admitted to setting the fire.
DON TROUT:
On Sunday evening at approximately 11:40, Poplar Bluff Police and Fire personnel responded to 712 Poplar Street in reference to a structure fire. Upon arriving Officers found the residence engulfed in flames. Additionally, it was learned that one resident of the structure, described as a three unit apartment building, was still inside. Fire Department personnel began working to extinguish the blaze and were able to extract Tommy Younger, 57, of Poplar Bluff, from his apartment.
Younger was transported to an area medical facility for treatment of injuries sustained from the fire. During the afternoon hours on Monday, Younger succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at an area hospital.
During the on scene investigation, by Missouri State Fire Marshal personnel, it was determined that the fire was intentionally set.
Through witness interviews, Tara Maxfield, 41, of Poplar Bluff, was believed to be a person of interest in setting the fire. Maxfield was later located and transported to the Poplar Bluff Police Department for questioning.
She ultimately admitted to setting the fire and is cooperating with the investigation. Maxfield was placed under arrest and is currently being held, pending application of warrants for charges of Arson 1st Degree, Murder 2nd Degree and Assault 1st Degree.
During the course of the investigation the Major Case Squad was activated and personnel from the Highway Patrol, the Missouri State Fire Marshall’s Office, Police Department, Butler County Sheriff’s Office participated in the investigation.
TWO POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOL BUSES TO REQUIRE REPAIRS BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO TRANSPORT STUDENTS The Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced the results of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Division's 2017 annual school bus inspection program.
As a part of the program, buses found to have no defective items are rated as "approved.” Buses having one or more defective items which do not constitute an immediate danger are rated as "defective.” Buses with any defective items which constitute an immediate danger are rated as "out-of-service.”
In Butler County, Poplar Bluff R-1 had 33 of the district’s 43 buses presented listed as approved. Eight were rated as defective and two as out of service.
Neelyville R-4 had five of 14 buses rated as defective, with the remaining nine approved. Twin Rivers R-X had all 15 of their buses approved.
Over 90 percent of buses statewide were rated as approved. Around seven and a half percent were listed as defective and around two percent were rated as out of service.
ARKANSAS GOVERNOR SUBMITS FORMAL FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has submitted his formal request for a federal disaster declaration.
The request submitted on Monday requested the declaration for 31 counties including Baxter, Clay, Independence, Izard, Lawrence, and Mississippi.
Hutchinson says that severe storms and flooding in late April and early May devastated 31 counties and caused more than $13 million in damage. He declared the affected counties as state disaster areas last month.
TWO ARRESTED ON METH CHARGE IN BUTLER COUNTY Two people were taken into custody Tuesday morning in Butler County on felony drug charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 32 year old Anthony Timbush and 26 year old Brittany Lakin, both of Poplar Bluff, were each arrested on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance for methamphetamine and tramadol.
Officials say that Lakin is also facing a charge of felony tampering with physical evidence.
Following their arrest, both were held at the Butler County Jail.
ELLINGTON MAN ARRESTED ON FELONY FIREARM CHARGE An Ellington man is facing a felony firearm charge following his arrest Tuesday afternoon.
According to authorities, 35 year old Bryan Martin was taken into custody on a felony charge of unlawful possession of a firearm shortly after 3:30 pm in Wayne County.
Following the arrest, Martin was transported to the Wayne County Jail.
POLICE SEEKING PUBLIC’S HELP IN FINDING MULTIPLE PEOPLE Authorities in Poplar Bluff are asking for the public’s assistance in locating multiple people.
According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, they are searching for two men following a theft at a local business. Pictures of the two men are available at the KWOC Facebook page.
Anyone who has information about their location is asked to contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department at 573-785-5776.
