MAN CONVICTED ON STATUTORY SODOMY AND STATUTORY RAPE CHARGES IN STODDARD COUNTY
A man has been convicted to multiple sex related charges in Stoddard County.
Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver tells KWOC news that Billy Stitz was found guilty Tuesday by a Stoddard County jury of 3 counts of Statutory Sodomy in the First Degree and 1 count of Statutory Rape in the First Degree.
Oliver says the crimes were perpetrated against two children under the age of 5 years old and Stitz faces four life sentences.
Oliver tells us “The jury’s verdict ensures that the Defendant will never take another step as a free man the remainder of his life and will die in prison.”
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS MAN KILLED IN WRECK
A Paragould man has died after his vehicle was struck in Northeast Arkansas.
According to the Arkansas State Police, Samuel Mahan was stopped at a red light on Highway 49 when his vehicle was hit by another vehicle Tuesday evening.
Mahan was killed in the wreck, while a passenger in his vehicle was injured. The passenger was transported to an area hospital.
No injuries were listed for the driver of the other vehicle.
FREIGHTLINER OVERTURNS IN MISSOURI BOOTHEEL, ONE DEAD
One person has died after a freightliner overturned in the Missouri Bootheel.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the wreck occurred Tuesday night at around 11:30 pm on Northbound Interstate 55 near mile marker 18.
The driver of the freightliner, 29 year old Michael Flores, of Chicago, Illinois, was pronounced dead at the scene by Pemiscot County Coroner Jim Brimhall.
SMALL EARTHQUAKE RECORDED AT MISSOURI/ARKANSAS BORDER
A small earthquake rocked the Missouri and Arkansas border overnight.
According to the United States Geological Survey, a magnitude 2.1 earthquake was recorded at 12:14 am Wednesday morning in northern Randolph County.
The quake was centered 43 miles southwest of Poplar Bluff and had a depth of approximately five miles.
NEW STATE TROOPER ASSIGNED TO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
One new State Trooper has been assigned to Southeast Missouri.
Colonel Eric Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, tells KWOC News that 19 troopers will graduate from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Thursday, December 22nd.
One of the graduates will be coming to Southeast Missouri:
Logan James, of Miner, has been assigned to Troop E, Zone nine, which covers Pemiscot and New Madrid Counties.
The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on Monday, January 9th.
FEED AND SEED EVENT SET FOR TODAY IN POPLAR BLUFF
New Day Ministry in Poplar Bluff will be hosting a feed and seed event today.
The event is from 3 to 5 pm and is first come, first serve, with packs limited to one per household.
New Day Ministry is located at 703 Franklin Street in Poplar Bluff. For more information, contact Teresea Allen at 573-718-6710.
