ARSON INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY AT ROUND SPRING CAMPGROUND
An arson investigation is underway following an incident at the Round Spring Campground.
According to Ozark National Scenic Riverways, at approximately 11:13 pm on December 26th, park rangers responded to the scene of a structural fire at the Round Spring Visitor Contact Station, which consisted of a small visitor contact center and ranger offices.
Local area volunteer fire departments from Timber and Eminence suppressed the fire and no one was injured, however the building was a total loss.
Officials say that the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office are actively investigating the fire and associated theft of government property.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 888-653-0009 or go online to nps.gov/ISB.
DAY TWO RESULTS AT POPLAR BLUFF SHOWDOWN
Day two is in the books at the 34th Annual Poplar Bluff ShowDown.
The day started off with the three point contest, which went to Landon Glasper of Fayetteville. That was followed by the Slam Dunk contest which was won by Torrence Williams, of Poplar Bluff.
The Mules improved to 2-0 for the tournament with a 64-49 win over Haywood. In the other games on Tuesday, Fayetteville defeated Overton 84-63 and South Side was victorious over Forrest City 72-56.
Poplar Bluff will face Fayetteville, who is also 2-0 in the tournament, at 2:30 pm this afternoon for the tournament championship. The other two matchups will see Forrest City take on Overton at 4 pm and Haywood vs. South Side at 5:30 pm.
FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION REQUESTED FOR SEVEN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI COUNTIES
Missouri Governor Mike Parson has requested a major disaster declaration for seven counties in Southeast Missouri.
Governor Parson is requesting Public Assistance for Bollinger, Dunklin, Iron, Madison, Pemiscot, Reynolds, and Wayne counties in response to the severe storms and deadly tornadoes that swept across the state on December 10th.
If approved, local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies may seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement costs for damaged buildings, bridges, roads, and other public infrastructure.
EXTENSIVE MANHUNT LEADS TO ARREST OF TWO PEOPLE IN SIKESTON
Two suspects have been taken into custody following an extensive manhunt in the Sikeston area.
Scott County Sheriff Wes Drury tells KWOC News that Vessa and Donald Tyra have been evading law enforcement since early October after warrants were issued for their arrest.
A search warrant was executed at a Sikeston residence on Monday that led to both of the suspect’s arrests.
Donald Tyra is facing charges of child molestation, domestic assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and three counts of statutory sodomy. Vessa Tyra has been charged with sexual misconduct with a child under 15, endangering the welfare of a child, and two counts of statutory sodomy.
Both suspects were lodged in the Scott County Jail on no bond.
TWO ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES IN STODDARD COUNTY
Authorities in Stoddard County have arrested two people on drug charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 31 year old Miranda Spicer and 28 year old Jordan Decker, both of Benton, Kentucky, were taken into custody shortly after 9 am Tuesday morning.
They are each facing charges of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Spicer is also facing a charge of driving while intoxicated.
Following their arrests, both were held at the Stoddard County Jail.
FIVE ELK TAKEN DURING SECOND MISSOURI ELK SEASON
Hunters in Missouri killed five elk in the second year of hunting of the animal, three with firearms and two during the archery portion of the hunting season.
The Missouri Department of Conservation tells us that the total matched the five elk taken in 2020.
This year, the firearms elk hunting period was December 11th through the 19th, and the archery portion ran from October 16th through the 24th. Five hunters were chosen for elk permits through a random drawing.
The conservation department says elk are native to Missouri but were hunted to extinction in the state in the late 1800s. The number of elk have been restored through years of efforts to reintroduce the animals.
