BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS IN BUTLER COUNTY WORKING ON COVID-19 PREVENTION
Several businesses and schools in Southeast Missouri are working on preventing the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Among organizations, the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center and Saint Francis Healthcare are limiting visitors, while several nursing homes including the Westwood Hills Center are completely closing their doors to visitors.
Several Schools are also acting to prevent the virus spread, including Neelyville R-4, Poplar Bluff R-1, and Twin Rivers R-10- which are all emphasizing extensive cleaning and deep sanitizing of all rooms and buses, as well as focusing on cleanliness among students and teachers.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has asked that anyone showing symptoms – including fever and cough – to postpone their driving tests, and is recommending residents to practice sanitization methods like avoiding touching your face, staying at home and away from others while sick, and covering your mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
Other ways to prevent the spread of the virus is to limit personal contact with other people, and avoiding touching your face after touching objects or surfaces.
SEVEN INDIVIDUALS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN POPLAR BLUFF FROM SHOTS FIRED INVESTIGATION
Seven people were arrested in Poplar Bluff from a shots fired investigation.
According to Captain JR Keirsey with the Poplar Bluff Police Department, officers responded to calls on the 1900 block of Sanders Street and the 1100 block of Mary Street for reports about shots being fired in the area, including a vehicle that was shot three times, that had three child occupants.
Officers were additionally dispatched to the 1700 block of Sanders Street, where subjects were reportedly fighting in a yard with guns involved, and a semi-automatic weapon was discovered in a running vehicle on the property.
A search warrant was issued for the vehicle as well as the residence, where 8 firearms, several magazines of ammunition, a large amount of methamphetamine, and a bullet proof vest were found.
Following the search, 44 year old Julius Hightower, of Poplar Bluff, was charged on possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon.
22 year old Drake Duquion, 26 year old Alexa Ramos, 30 year old Gregory Leach, 32 year old Kenny Jackson, and 35 year old Mark Buchanan, of Poplar Bluff, as well as 25 year old Jervon Gibbs, from St. Louis, were all charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
They are all currently suspected of involvement in the use and sale of illicit drugs and firearms.
FOUR TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN BUTLER COUNTY ON METHAMPHETAMINE POSSESSION
Four Poplar Bluff residents were arrested over the weekend in Butler County on possession of methamphetamine.
According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, 53 year old Terry Mitchell, 45 year old Todd Miller, and 37 year old Chance Butler, were taken into custody on Friday, and 49 year old Rebeca Hill was arrested on Saturday.
They were all charged with felony possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Butler was additionally charged with resisting arrest by fleeing, and they were all transported to the Butler County Jail following their arrests.
THREE INJURED FROM VEHICLE COLLISION IN RIPLEY COUNTY
A vehicle collision in Ripley County on Friday resulted in three people being injured.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol tells KWOC News that the crash occurred on US 160, west of Fairdealing, where a vehicle crossed the center line and struck another car.
The driver of the crossing vehicle received serious injuries from the crash, and an occupant received minor injuries. The driver of the struck vehicle received moderate injuries, and both drivers were transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital.
POPLAR BLUFF DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER CRASHING VEHICLE IN AREA SHOPPING DISTRICT
A Poplar Bluff man was taken into custody after crashing his vehicle into the Mansion Mall.
According to authorities with the Poplar Bluff Police Department, 31 year old Geoffrey Spears Jr was arrested after officials received a call that a vehicle crashed into the Mansion Mall on 1319 North Westwood Boulevard, where Spears had fled the scene.
Officials say that another driver allegedly saw a woman attempting to leave the vehicle while it was in motion, and that she was thrown from the vehicle after it had accelerated and crashed.
The driver – identified as Spears – and the woman then drove to a home on the 1600 block of Spring Street, where officers reported hearing shouting coming from inside.
Spears was charged on suspicion of 2nd degree assault, 3rd and 4th degree domestic assault, and leaving the scene of an accident.
Following his arrest, he was transported to the Butler County Jail on a $50,000 cash or surety bond.
MAN ARRESTED IN DUNKLIN COUNTY SEX TRAFFICKING AND KIDNAPPING
A Malden man was taken into custody on Saturday on trafficking and kidnapping charges.
According to the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Department, Maurice Henderson was arrested on a felony charge of sexual trafficking of a child - 2nd degree, as well as 3rd degree kidnapping.
He was transported to the Dunklin County Jail following his arrest, and has been set with a $125,000 cash only bond.
CHILD TESTED POSITIVE FOR METH IN POPLAR BLUFF
Children were removed from a Poplar Bluff mother’s care after a toddler was tested positive for methamphetamine.
According to officials with the Poplar Bluff Police Department, an unnamed mother came into the medical center with her 14 month old son, who had a rash around his face and body, and tested positive for methamphetamine.
It is suspected that the child orally ingested the drugs, and the toddler, as well as the rest of the woman’s children, were placed in the care of a relative.
The investigation into how the toddler received the meth is currently ongoing.
MULTIPLE INJURIES REPORTED FROM VEHICLE CRASH IN STODDARD COUNTY
There were multiple injuries reported following a vehicle crash in Stoddard County on Saturday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a driver over-corrected, causing his vehicle to run off the right side of US 60 – near Grayridge- and overturn.
The crash resulted in the driver and an occupant receiving minor injuries, and two other occupants received moderate injuries- with another occupant suffering from serious injuries.
They were all transported to a hospital in Cape Girardeau for treatment.
MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON METH POSSESSION
Several individuals were arrested on Friday in Ripley County for possession of methamphetamine.
Officials with the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department report that 58 year old Donald Lang, of St. Louis, and 36 year old Randall Gilkey of House Springs, and Jessica Smith of Marston, were all taken into custody of felony possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, and unlawful use and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Following their arrests, they were all transported to the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office.
