NEW CHIEF OF POLICE CHOSEN FOR POPLAR BLUFF
A new head of the Poplar Bluff Police Department has been selected.
City Manager Matt Winters tells KWOC News that Mike McClain has been appointed as the new Chief of Police for the Police Department.
McClain has served as Interim Police Chief since the retirement of Danny Whitely earlier this year.
McClain was first hired as a patrolman with the Poplar Bluff Police Department in March of 1995 and has served as Deputy Chief since September 2019.
Winters tells us that McClain has demonstrated excellent leadership abilities while serving as Deputy and interim chief. He is also respected by the members of the PBPD and by the other department heads within the city.
McClain will be sworn in on Monday during the City Council meeting.
VAN BUREN MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR THE SHOOTING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
A Van Buren man has been sentenced in connection to the shooting of two law enforcement officers in 2019.
James Cummings, of Van Buren, was convicted in July on four counts of assault 1st degree and armed criminal action stemming from the shooting of a Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper and a Carter County Deputy in August of 2019.
The officers had been attempting to serve an eviction notice at a residence when they were struck by gunfire coming from inside the residence.
Both officers survived the incident
On Thursday, Cummings was sentenced to life in prison on each of the four counts of assault and 50 years for each of the armed criminal action charges.
TWO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AGENCIES AWARDED GRANTS FROM USDA
Two Southeast Missouri agencies have been awarded grant money for the United States Department of Agriculture.
The Carter County Health Center is receiving a $231,477 grant to assist with funds to hire a Licensed Practical Nurse dedicated to testing and vaccination, which will double the health center's vaccination capacity.
This investment will also be used to purchase additional medical supplies, vaccines, and tests to ensure they have sufficient resources now and in the future.
The Bootheel Cultural & Performing Arts Center is receiving a $54,600 grant under the nutrition assistance portion of the Emergency Rural Health Care Grant to purchase a walk-in-cooler, forklift, enclosed trailer, and a battery powered pallet lift for the Center.
Officials say these items will assist the entity with the increased need for their food bank operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
MISSOURI GOVERNOR FILLS VACANCIES IN TWO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI COUNTIES
Missouri Governor Mike Parson has filled vacancies in two Southeast Missouri counties.
Governor Parson announced on Friday that Beverly Finch, of Patterson, has been appointed as the Wayne County Assessor.
Finch has served as a Real Estate Clerk with the Wayne County Assessor's Office since 2004. Prior to joining the Assessor's Office, she worked for the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
In Mississippi County, Melissa Davis, of Charleston, was appointed as the County Public Administrator.
Davis has nearly 18 years of experience as a social worker in long term care facilities.
PAVEMENT REPAIRS TO FORCE CLOSURE OF STODDARD COUNTY ROAD TODAY
Route HH in Stoddard County will be closed today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
According to officials, the closure will be located from Route 153 to Route CC near Baker.
Work is scheduled to take place today from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
DUNKLIN COUNTY ROAD TO BE REDUCED THIS WEEK FOR PAVEMENT REPAIRS
Route J in Dunklin County will be reduced to one lane this week as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
The section of Route J to be reduced is located from County Road 215 to County Road 109.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through Thursday.
