BUTLER COUNTY COURTHOUSE CLOSES OFFICES AFTER SECOND EMPLOYEE TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
The Butler County Courthouse has temporarily closed its doors after a second employee tested positive for the coronavirus.
Several of the offices will be closed for the next 10 days, during which a professional cleaning service team will be thoroughly cleaning the building in an effort to halt any further spread of the disease.
Including the employee, three additional cases of the virus have been reported in Butler County. The patients have self-quarantined themselves in their homes, and the health department will be monitoring the cases. The department will be working with the CDC to identify and contact anyone who may have come into contact with the patients while they were active.
In Missouri, as of Monday, there are a total of 14,734 cases of the coronavirus in the state, and 819 deaths have been directly linked to the disease.
If you are showing symptoms of the virus, such as shortness of breath, fever, or persistent coughing, you are advised to contact your primary healthcare provider before visiting any hospital or emergency room.
POPLAR BLUFF RESIDENT SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON ON DRUG AND FIREARM CHARGES
A Poplar Bluff man was sentenced to time in federal prison on drug and firearm charges on Monday.
According to officials with the Poplar Bluff police Department, 20 year old Payten Ice was sentenced on three counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, one charge on distribution of methamphetamine, and a charge on possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
These charges come from several incidents, including Ice being found with methamphetamine which he intended to distribute and a 9mm pistol in September of 2018, as well as a report that he sold methamphetamine to an individual working with police in December of 2018.
When he was stopped by law enforcement officers following the December incident, he was found with 10 grams of methamphetamine.
Finally, in March of 2019, he was pulled over in a traffic stop, and was again found with methamphetamine, as well as a firearm.
On these charges, Ice has been sentenced to six years in federal prison, as well as a three year period of supervised release after his sentence is over.
HANSON MAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN STODDARD COUNTY ON METHAMPHETAMINE CHARGE
A man from Kentucky was arrested on methamphetamine possession in Stoddard County on Sunday.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 63 year old William Lohse was taken into custody for the felony charges of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine and unlawful use of a weapon, as well as a charge on possession of drug paraphernalia.
Following his arrest, he was transported to the Stoddard County Jail.
DRIVER INJURED FOLLOWING VEHICLE CRASH IN CARTER COUNTY
A driver was injured as a result of a vehicle crash in Carter County on Monday.
According to officials from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a vehicle was traveling down Highway M, north of Van Buren, where it ran off the right side of the roadway and struck six trees.
The elderly driver was seriously injured from the crash, and was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital for treatment.
COVID-19 TESTING AVAILABLE IN MULTIPLE SOUTHEAST MISSOURI COUNTIES
Several Counties in Southeast Missouri will be holding COVID-19 tests this week.
The Butler County Health Department will be hosting testing by appointment only, which can be scheduled by calling the department at 573-785-8478. Individuals must be 16 years or older to be tested.
Testing for the coronavirus will also be available in Stoddard County on Wednesday at the Lighthouse Church in Dexter, from 7 am to 3 pm.
In Ripley County, testing will be performed from noon to 7 pm at the Riverfront Park in Doniphan on Thursday.
The Van Buren High School in Carter County will also be holding testing on Thursday, from noon to 7 pm.
These sites are available for any resident of Missouri, and registration is available by visiting www.Health.Mo.Gov, or by calling 877-435-8411.
FORMER ESCAPED SUSPECT BACK IN POLICE CUSTODY
The Caruthersville Police Department has arrested a formerly escaped suspect.
According to the department, Natavian Luster, who was being detained early Monday morning in the 600 block of Henrietta, in Caruthersville, ran from officers and evaded arrest. He was in wrist restraints when he fled from authorities.
Following his re-arrest, Luster was charged with vehicle burglary, with a formal charge on resisting arrest.
KENNETT MAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON ASSAULT CHARGES
A Kennett man was arrested in Paragould on assault and criminal action charges.
According to the Paragould Police Department, Juan Felix reportedly broke into a fight with another person on the 3700 block of Shelby Drive on May 25th, where he stabbed at and injured the individual with a screwdriver.
Before leaving the scene, he backed his truck into the victims car, and left before police were able to arrive.
Felix was later taken into custody on an aggravated assault and criminal mischief charge, and was held on a $5,000 cash only bond.
WOMAN INJURED FROM VEHICLE CRASH IN DUNKLIN COUNTY
A woman was injured in a vehicle crash that took place in Dunklin County on Monday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on Route D, east of Steele, where a vehicle overcorrected and overturned on the roadway.
The female driver was moderately injured from the crash, and was transported to a Tennessee hospital for treatment.
