BUTLER COUNTY AUTHORITIES SEARCHING FOR ARMED SUSPECT
Authorities in Butler County are searching for a suspect who evaded police custody on Tuesday.
Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that a white male jumped out of his vehicle during a traffic stop in Oglesville, before running into a residence in the 3100 block of Highway N.
The man was holding a firearm when he fled into the home, and after about 30 minutes, three individuals left the house, and a fourth person left the building a few hours later.
The armed suspect was not found inside the residence, and is currently being searched for.
BUTLER COUNTY CONFIRMS FIRST CASE OF COVID-19
Butler County received its first confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus on Tuesday.
According to officials with the Butler County Health Department and Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, the patient’s case was travel related, and was treated and discharged from medical care last week, pending their results.
The patient has recovered and was released from mandatory isolation, and the Health Department and Medical Center is working with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior services, and the CDC, to identify and contact individuals who were in close contact with the patient, and will monitor them for symptoms.
Additionally, all recreation playgrounds in Poplar Bluff will be closed due to concerns over the coronavirus, and will remain closed until further notice. Parks and trails will remain open.
As of Tuesday, there have been a total of 1,327 cases of the COVID-19 virus in Missouri, and 14 deaths have been directly linked to the disease.
SCHOOLS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI EXTENDING WELLNESS BREAK
Several area schools have decided to extend their wellness breaks in a conference call on Friday due to growing concerns over the COVID-19 virus.
The superintendents of Campbell R-2, Van Buren R-1, Neelyville R-4, and the Stoddard County school districts, formally announced the break extension on Tuesday.
Stoddard County schools will remain closed until April 24th, with Malden R-1, Clarkton C-4, Holcomb R-3, Campbell, Van Buren, and Neelyville staying closed throughout the month.
Poplar Bluff R-1, Twin Rivers R-10, and Doniphan R-1 are expected to make an announcement later in the week regarding changes to their breaks.
ROAD IN RIPLEY COUNTY REDUCED FOR ROAD WORK
A road in Ripley County has been reduced while road work is being performed.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a section of Route A, from Route 21 to the Arkansas line, will be reduced to a 10-foot width until April 17th while contractor crews install barrier walls.
Additional information on road work and conditions is available by visiting www.MoDOT.Org.
FILING FOR BUTLER COUNTY OFFICES FINALIZED
Filing for offices statewide and in Butler County for the primary election from August were finalized on Tuesday.
Three County offices, three state senate districts, and two state house districts will be contested.
Incumbent Butch Anderson is being challenged for eastern district commissioner by Ross DeGaris, and former County Coroner Jim Akers is facing Andy Moore for his position.
Public Administrator Sharron Payne will be facing Cheryl Baker, Marjorie Shipman, and Jeffery Darnell.
The seat for Poplar Bluff Ward 5 will be decided between Robert and Diane Smith.
State Senate for District 25 is contested by Jason Bean, Eddy Justice, Jeff Shawan, and Stephen Clarkson.
In the state house, Jeff McCormick and Andrew McDaniel have filed for District 150, and Jack Johnson, Larry Kimbrow, and Darrell Atchison will face off for District 153.
CITY OF KENNETT ESTABLISHING CURFEW IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 VIRUS
The City of Kennett has established a city-wide curfew to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
According to the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office, the decision for the curfew, as well as the decision to declare a state of emergency for the city, was made by city council members in a meeting held on Tuesday.
The curfew will limit activity and travel inside city limits from 9 pm to 6 am, will begin tonight, and will continue until otherwise stated. The state of emergency will stay in place until April 24th.
AREA MAN ARRESTED ON POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE
A Poplar Bluff man was taken into custody in Butler County on Tuesday for possession of methamphetamine.
According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, 24 year old Jordan King was arrested on felony possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
He was also charged with possession of a defaced firearm.
Following his arrest, he was transported to the Butler County Jail.
POPLAR BLUFF ORGANIZATION OPENING PET FOOD PANTRY
A local organization will be opening a pet food pantry this week in Poplar Bluff.
The Animal Welfare Alliance will be distributing free pet food to local owners who cannot afford to buy food for their pets, and will be offering the service to residents of Butler, Ripley, Wayne, and Carter Counties.
The pantry will begin operations on Thursday, will be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 2 to 6 pm, and will be located on 950 North Westwood Boulevard.
The organization will also be accepting donations of pet food during operating hours.
