MOTION FILED TO PREVENT POPLAR BLUFF FROM PROPERTY PURCHASE

A motion has been filed by a Butler County court to halt the purchase of property by the city of Poplar Bluff.

The purchase of property on Shelby Road was on November 4th, where the city bought the property for just over $1 mil of the $4.5 million total worth, with the First Missouri State Bank making a donation to pay for the rest of the purchase.

However, Poplar Bluff attorney Robert Smith stated in a court document on November 13th that the purchase be invalidated, stating that a third class city is not allowed to purchase property for re-sale purposes under state law.

The property was originally purchased for the construction of a new police department, as well as other possible uses. The closing is expected at latest in February, however city manager Mark Massingham states that financing must be secured before this can happen.

HOUSE FIRE REPORTED IN LOCAL RESIDENCY

A house in Poplar Bluff was damaged during a fire on Thursday evening.

According to authorities, the fire was located at a residence on Lester Street.

There were no injuries reported and authorities are investigating a cause for the fire.

NEW HEALTH CLINIC OPENS UP IN NEW MADRID

A new health care clinic opened in New Madrid this week.

The primary care clinic opened on Thursday with an open house celebration, with the facility offering healthcare service for adults as well as children.

The newly opened clinic is located on US Highway 61 in New Madrid, and takes walk-ins as well as appointments.

FIREARM DEER SEASON BEGINS THIS WEEKEND

Hunters across Southeast Missouri are getting ready for this weekend and the beginning of firearm deer season.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the November firearms portion of deer season will run from November 16th to November 26th.

Hunters can only take one antlered deer during the entire firearms season. Each county also limits the number of antlerless deer hunting permits you can fill during the season as well.

Officials say that if you harvest a deer from certain counties in the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone during the opening weekend, you must take your deer to a designated CWD sampling station.

You can find more information online at mdc.mo.gov.

FORMER GREENE COUNTY SHERIFF’S LIEUTENANT PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT CASE

Updating a story we brought to you previously, a former sheriff’s department lieutenant, who was arrested in a previous investigation by authorities, has pleaded not guilty in a recent court case.

According to officials with the Greene County Police Department, former sheriff’s lieutenant 55 year old Scott Pillow was taken into custody after an FBI team led an operation to see if he was seizing money from authorities.

The team brought $76k to a forged crime scene, of which Pillow attempted to take more than $30k of the money for himself, leading authorities to perform an official search of his home, where all of the stolen money was found.

Pillow was fired from his position after the incident, and was charged with theft of government property. He has a jury trial set for December 24th.

DONIPHAN WOMAN ARRESTED IN RIPLEY COUNTY ON METHAMPHETAMINE CHARGE

A Doniphan woman was taken into custody in Ripley County on Thursday on drug charges.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 26 year old Brianna Melcher, of Doniphan, was arrested on felony possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, as well as a charge on possession of marijuana.

She was transported to the Ripley County Jail following her arrest.

CITY OF PARAGOULD LOOKING FOR ARTISTS IN DOWNTOWN RESTORATION

The city of Paragould is looking for artists in their downtown restoration project.

The Main Street Paragould organization is wanting to bring more people to the city by advertising local talent in aspiring artists, with the walls of a café and park being potential areas to work on.

Main Street Paragould is in the process of getting a grant fund to pay the artists who work on the project.

For more information and to apply, visit the Main Street Paragould Facebook page.