SUSPICIOUS DEATH INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY IN DEXTER

Authorities in Stoddard County are investigating a suspicious death.

Dexter Chief of Police Hank Trout tells KWOC News that officers responded to a location on Condor Drive Monday for a medical assist call of a cardiac arrest.

The 49 year old male victim was transported to a Dexter hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The victim’s identity is being withheld until the next of kin can be notified.

Trout says that the Stoddard County Major Case Squad has been activated due to the death being suspicious.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Wednesday in Farmington.

BUTLER COUNTY RESIDENTS COULD SEE AN INCREASE IN NATURAL GAS PRICES

Residents in Butler County could soon be seeing an increase in Natural Gas prices.

According to the Missouri Public Service Commission, Spire East customers will see natural gas rates change under a filing that takes effect today.

The Commission says that Spire East residential customers currently pay approximately $0.37 per therm of natural gas and under the filing, the rate will increase to approximately $0.59 per therm.

Spire East provides natural gas service to customers in multiple eastern Missouri counties, including Butler, Iron, and Madison.

DEXTER MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER CHARGE

A Dexter man will be sentenced early next year following his guilty plea on a murder charge.

According to Missouri Case Net, Joshua Koonce pled guilty Monday to charges of murder 2nd degree and armed criminal action.

The charges stem from the death of Jimmy Casey in 2018.

Sentencing has been scheduled for February 1st, 2022.

INTERSTATE 155 BRIDGE STRUCK BY A BARGE

A bridge connecting Southeast Missouri to Northwest Tennessee was closed for a period of time on Monday.

According to officials, the Interstate 155 bridge was closed after being hit by a barge.

Crews from the Tennessee Department of Transportation inspected the bridge and traffic was allowed to cross later Monday evening.

STATE AUDITOR GIVES WAYNE COUNTY RATING OF FAIR, CITES SEVERAL CONCERNS

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has completed an audit of Wayne County.

Galloway gave the county an overall rating of fair and says there are several concerns with county government operations.

Many of the findings identified in the report were in the County Collector's office, which handles tax collections. The audit found the Collector did not prepare and file an annual settlement for two separate years, as required by state law.

The audit also found the County Clerk does not maintain an account book or other records summarizing property tax charges, transactions and changes and does not prepare or verify the accuracy of the current or delinquent tax books.

In addition, the audit reported the offices of the Sheriff and Prosecuting Attorney need to improve accounting controls and procedures.

The full audit is available at auditor.mo.gov.

MULES FOOTBALL PLAYERS NAMED FINALISTS FOR THE CARR TROPHY AND DERLAND MOORE AWARD

Two Poplar Bluff Mules players have been named as finalists for prestigious awards in Southeast Missouri.

Mules Quarterback Kannon Carr is a finalist for the Carr Trophy, presented annually since 1979 to the most outstanding player in the SEMO conference.

The Carr Trophy is named in honor of E.E. “Bus” Carr who was one of the early members of the Poplar Bluff Letter Club, a sports announcer for KWOC and who was inducted into the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

The other finalists are Kennett running back Jordan Jarrett and Hayti quarterback Trayvon Thomas.

Mules linebacker Hunter Jenkins is a finalist for the Derland Moore Award, which is presented to the top defensive player in the conference.

The award is named in honor of the Poplar Bluff native who was an All-American defensive lineman at Oklahoma and played for 14 seasons in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. The other finalists are Kennett lineman Latrevion Thompson and Malden linebacker Jalias Anderson.

The winners will be announced on December 15th during the 76th Poplar Bluff Letter Club Gridiron Banquet at the Black River Coliseum.