POPLAR BLUFF MAN SENTENCED ON MURDER AND BURGLARY CHARGES
A Poplar Bluff man has been sentenced to over 70 years in prison on murder and burglary charges.
Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor tells KWOC News that 35 year old Curtis Walker was sentenced Monday to a total of 75 years in prison on charges of murder in the second degree, armed criminal action, and burglary in the first degree.
In October of 2014 a local fisherman found a body at the end of a boat ramp at the Dan River Access, south of Poplar Bluff. The victim was identified as Salvador Ramirez.
Ramirez’s residence had also been burglarized and set on fire. Surveillance cameras attached to the house recorded Walker and his co defendant breaking into the residence.
Walker was later arrested after a high speed pursuit in Wright County wherein he was a passenger in a stolen vehicle.
The co defendant testified that Walker had shot Ramirez and placed him in the river. Information stored on Ramirez’s cell phone also indicated that Walker owed Ramirez money.
Walker was found guilty by a New Madrid County jury on April 1st. He was sentenced to 30 years each on the murder and armed criminal action charges, as well as 15 years on the burglary charge.
SUBJECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER POINTING A GUN AT OFFICERS IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Authorities in Northeast Arkansas have arrested a subject who allegedly pointed a gun at officers.
Clay County Sheriff Terry Miller tells KWOC News that on Sunday, Rector Police Officers were attempting to serve a felony warrant on a subject when the subject ran outside, pointed a gun at the officers, fired a shot in the air, and then barricaded himself inside the residence.
Clay County Deputies responded to the scene and officers were able to make entry into the residence.
Miller says that Billy Sikes Jr. was placed under arrest for the original warrant and is also facing new charges in connection to the incident on Sunday.
$50,000 POWERBALL TICKET SOLD IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Southeast Missouri Powerball players should be checking their tickets.
According to the Missouri Lottery, a $50,000 Powerball ticket was recently sold in Sikeston.
Officials say the ticket was sold at Express Fuel on Pharris Ridge Road, but did not give an exact date on when the ticket was purchased.
BOATERS ENCOURAGED TO MAKE SMART DECISIONS OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND
With the holiday weekend coming up and many Missouri waterways experiencing flooding the Missouri State Highway Patrol is asking boaters to make smart decisions when on the water.
In areas where lakes or rivers spill over the banks, erosion and damage can occur to flooded structures, docks, or water laden levees by boat wakes. Boaters should avoid operating in these areas. If operation in these areas is necessary, boaters should operate at idle speed to avoid causing a wake.
Flooded rivers and streams with moving currents present some of the most dangerous situations a boater can encounter. Fast moving water can easily capsize or flip a boat—or personal watercraft—especially when combined with fixed objects such as trees and buildings.
Boaters should avoid any operations in these swift flowing waters.
PUBLIC HEARING SET FOR NEXT MONTH TO DISCUSS POPLAR BLUFF DEVELOPMENT GRANT
A Public Hearing will be held next month in Poplar Bluff to discuss the application of a community development block grant.
The City of Poplar Bluff will hold the hearing at 6:45 pm on Monday, July 19th at the Poplar Bluff City Council Chambers located in the Black River Coliseum.
The City of Poplar Bluff is requesting funds for multiple projects including the construction of a city street and berm along Pike Creek, the addition of storm water detention basins in the same geographic area, and the extension of water and sewer lines to the project area.
CULVERT REPLACEMENT SET FOR TODAY IN PARAGOULD
Road crews will be in Paragould beginning today for a project at the intersection of Highway 49 South and County Road 721.
Greene County Road Department Crews will be replacing a culvert beginning at around 8 am this morning. The project is expected to continue through Wednesday as well.
A detour will be set up around the work site.
