TWO DEATHS REPORTED BY PORTAGEVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Portageville Fire Department has reported two fatalities in Portageville.
Few details are available, however officials with the department report that firefighter crews were dispatched to a residence within city limits on a report of two unresponsive individuals inside the residence on Wednesday. When crews arrived, the two victims were both found deceased.
After investigating the scene, the department believes the cause of death was due to carbon monoxide poisoning. A further investigation into the incident is currently underway.
The details of the victims are being kept confidential out of respect for the family’s privacy.
POPLAR BLUFF WOMAN FACING TIME IN PRISON ON 2017 MURDER CHARGE
A local woman will be spending time in prison after being sentenced on a 2017 murder charge on Wednesday.
According to officials with the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, 45 year old Tara Maxfield was charged with 2nd degree murder, after she admitted to causing the fire that killed 57 year old Tommy Younger.
The charge stems from an investigation made by Poplar Bluff authorities in June of 2017, where firefighter crews responded to a house fire at 712 Poplar Street. There, Younger was found unconscious inside the first floor apartment. He was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital after being rescued, where he succumbed to his injuries.
In Maxfield’s interview, she admitted to starting the fire, after she assaulted four other residents of the apartment building. Reports state she set a blanket on fire, and used it to spread the flames to the front of the residence.
She was sentenced to 20 years in prison on these charges.
ARREST MADE IN CARTER COUNTY ON DRUG POSSESSION CHARGES
An arrest was made in Carter County on Wednesday on drug possession charges.
According to the Carter County Sheriff’s Department, 28 year old Joseph Neely, of Finger Tennessee, was taken into custody on felony possession of methamphetamine, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia.
Following his arrest, he was transported to the Carter County Jail.
BUTLER COUNTY NOW AMONG HIGHEST IN COVID-19 RATE CASES
Butler County has recently been categorized as one of the highest County’s in coronavirus rate cases.
The rate of cases for COVID-19 is measured by seven day average case growths, as well as cases per week and percentages of positive test results. Currently, Missouri sees an average of 22,000 new cases of the coronavirus weekly, and Butler County stands as the 12th highest County for cases of the virus.
Todd Richardson, director of Missouri Healthnet, is urging residents of the County to keep social distancing and proper mask usage as cases of the coronavirus steadily increase in Butler County.
According to the Butler County Health Department, the County currently has 2,903 total cases of the virus. Of them, 2,662 are out of isolation, while 241 are still active. A total of 25 deaths in the County have been caused by the virus.
PIEDMONT WOMAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN WAYNE COUNTY ON ASSAULT AND DRUG CHARGES
A woman from Piedmont was charged with assault and drug charges on Wednesday.
According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, 34 year old Lesa Ellis was arrested on two felony charges of 3rd degree assault on law enforcement, as well as resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
She was transported to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office following her arrest.
DRIVER INJURED FOLLOWING VEHICLE CRASH IN BUTLER COUNTY
A driver was injured following a vehicle crash in Butler County on Wednesday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash happened on Route W, north of Poplar Bluff, where a vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway and overturned.
The elderly driver suffered moderate injuries from the crash, and was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital for treatment.
