MAN CONVICTED OF 2014 MURDER
A man has been convicted in connection to a 2014 murder.
According to officials in Butler County, a jury has found Curtis Walker guilty of second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and first-degree burglary.
The body of 48-year-old Salvador Ruiz Ramirez was found along the southern banks of the Black River in 2014.
Two others have also been charged in connection to the case.
STATUTORY RAPE WARRANT SERVED ON POPLAR BLUFF MAN
Authorities in Butler County served a warrant earlier this week on a statutory rape charge.
According to Missouri Case Net, Phillip Dean Lee, of Poplar Bluff, is facing a charge of Statutory Rape or Attempted Statutory Rape 1st degree in connection to an alleged incident from 2019.
The warrant was served on Wednesday by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office. Lee’s bond was set at $30,000.
KEWANEE MAN SENTENCED FOR FIREARM CHARGE
A Southeast Missouri man has been sentenced on a firearm charge.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 37 year old
David Wood, of Kewanee, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday on the charge of felon in possession of a firearm.
Officials say that Wood was found in possession of two firearms, one of which was stolen, and that he committed an armed robbery while in possession of a firearm.
The 120-month sentence was the maximum sentence Wood could be imposed for this conviction.
KENNETT WOMAN WINS $50,000 FROM SCRATCH OFF TICKET
A Kennett woman has claimed a $50,000 prize from a scratch off ticket.
According to the Missouri Lottery, Danae Jenkins of Kennett was recently with her mother when she purchased a “Crossword Multiplier” Scratchers ticket.
She originally thought she won $5,000 when she double checked the ticket and discovered it was actually a $50,000 winner.
Jenkins says she plans to use some of her winnings to upgrade her vehicle and look for a house.
POPLAR BLUFF CHOSEN FOR TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM AWARD
Poplar Bluff is one of 16 communities in Missouri to be chosen for a 2020 Transportation Alternatives Program Award.
According to MoDOT, applications for 66 projects were received statewide with a total federal request of $22.6 million. Sixteen projects were selected totaling approximately $3.9 million in federal funds.
Poplar Bluff was chosen for the Wolf Creek Connector Trail project. The project is estimated to cost over $500,000.
Local public agencies are reimbursed for eligible project costs at a maximum rate of 80 percent with the local agency providing a minimum 20 percent match.
VOLUNTEERS ENCOURAGED TO CLEAN UP LITTER FROM MISSOURI HIGHWAYS
This month marks the return of Missouri’s No More Trash Bash.
The annual event of the Missouri Department of Transportation encourages volunteers to clean up litter adjacent to highways to help beautify Missouri.
Officials say it has been held every spring since 2004 except for 2020 when COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the event out of safety concerns.
Additional COVID-19 restrictions limited the use of nearly 240 work release prisoners and required social distancing for field operations engaged in litter control performed by MoDOT staff. These factors have contributed to a marked increase in trash along Missouri’s highways.
To learn more about how you can safely participate, call 1-888-ASK-MODOT.
