DRIVER KILLED; TWO SERIOUSLY INJURED IN NEW MADRID COUNTY VEHICLE CRASH
A driver was killed, and two were seriously injured as a result of a vehicle crash in New Madrid County.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the vehicle was on Interstate 55, at the Northbound 33 mile marker, where it ran off the left side of the roadway and lost control, overturning and ejecting one of the passengers.
The two passengers were transported to a Cape Girardeau hospital for treatment. The driver, 63 year old Regino Puente, was pronounced dead at the scene.
QULIN MAN SENTENCED TO TIME IN FEDERAL PRISON ON DRUG AND WEAPON CHARGES
A Qulin man was sentenced to time in federal prison after pleading guilty to drug and weapon charges.
According to officials with the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, 34 year old Jestin Smith pleaded guilty to felony charges on possession of marijuana and 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, as well as a charge on possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Following his plea, officials located multiple firearms, including a shotgun and a stolen Palmetto State Armory pistol, as well as roughly 146 grams of marijuana and 145 grams of methamphetamine in his home on the 4800 block of Highway N.
Smith faces a minimum of 10 years of prison time, and his sentencing has been set for September 29th.
NEW CASES OF COVID-19 REPORTED IN BUTLER COUNTY, CASES IN MISSOURI CONTINUE TO INCREASE
Additional cases of the coronavirus were reported in Butler County, while the total cases in Missouri have continued to rise.
Officials with the Butler County Health Department report that the County now stands at 99 cases, 29 of which are still in self isolation. Three cases were reported over the weekend, and have since put themselves in self isolation.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, as of Sunday, there are a total of 23,436 confirmed cases of the virus in the state, and 1,028 deaths have been directly linked to the disease.
If you are showing any symptoms of the virus, including shortness of breath, persistent coughing, and a fever, you are advised to contact your primary healthcare provider before visiting any hospital or emergency room.
TWO AREA RESIDENTS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES
Two Poplar Bluff residents were arrested on Friday on multiple felony charges.
According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, 29 year old Ashley Wilcutt and 30 year old Joshua Ray were taken into custody on several felony charges, including possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine and heroin, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia.
Wilcutt was also charged on two Butler County felony warrants for forgery and larceny, while Ray was additionally charged on resisting arrest and hindering prosecution.
They were both transported to the Butler County Jail following their arrests.
DRIVER SERIOUSLY INJURED FOLLOWING VEHICLE CRASH IN BUTLER COUNTY
An area resident was seriously injured following a vehicle crash in Butler County on Sunday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a vehicle was traveling on Route PP, west of Poplar Bluff, where it traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a traffic sign and a tree.
Following the crash, the driver was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital for treatment.
EARTHQUAKE RECORDED NEAR MARSTON IN NEW MADRID COUNTY
An earthquake was recorded close to Marston in New Madrid County on Thursday.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake struck about a mile northeast of Marston, and had a depth of around 5 miles.
The earthquake hit close to 10:45 in the evening, and registered at a magnitude of 2.1.
