MAN SENTENCED TO OVER 20 YEARS IN PRISON ON SODOMY CHARGE
A Stoddard County man is set to serve over 20 years in prison on a sodomy charge.
Stoddard County Prosecutor, Russell Oliver, tells KWOC News that Bobby Riddell, of Bernie, was sentenced Wednesday to 24 years incarceration for the crime of statutory sodomy in the first degree.
Riddell pleaded guilty to the charge in February. Oliver says that the victim in the case was a child.
The sentence was made consecutive to a previously imposed seven year sentence in New Madrid County, for a total of 31 years.
POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL HONORED BY SPECIAL OLYMPICS
The Poplar Bluff High School Student Council has been honored for working to create an environment of inclusion.
According to school officials, the Student Council was the only recipient in the state to earn the award of merit in the Special Olympics Missouri School of Character program.
The award is given to a single qualifying school that displays outstanding commitment to individuals with intellectual disabilities, a true understanding of unity, and a passion for raising awareness and funds for local Special Olympics Missouri student-athletes.
The statewide award was presented to the student organization last month during the Missouri Association of Student Councils state convention in Branson.
Along with a plaque, StuCo will receive $450 toward uniforms, equipment and other expenses related to its student-athletes, one MASC camp scholarship, and numerous Unified Sports shirts, banners and other giveaways.
ALMOST 80 NEW JOBS COULD BE COMING TO MISSOURI BOOTHEEL
A filtration company will soon be expanding to the Missouri Bootheel.
Cim-Tek Filtration, based out of Illinois, will be bringing up to 77 new jobs to Dunklin County to expand its production capabilities for multiple products.
The expansion will be located at a facility on Ely Street in Kennett. No timetable was available for when hiring would begin.
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO CRACK DOWN ON DISTRACTED DRIVING THIS WEEKEND
Law enforcement officers across the country will be cracking down on distracted driving this weekend.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” high-visibility enforcement campaign begins today and runs through April 11th.
The campaign aims to save lives by preventing distracted driving.
Law enforcement officers will be stopping drivers who are texting behind the wheel and educating them on the risks of driving distracted.
NHTSA data shows that more than 29,000 people died in crashes involving a distracted driver from 2012 to 2020. In 2020, distracted driving crashes accounted for 13 percent of all injury crashes and over 3,100 deaths nationwide.
PAVEMENT REPAIRS SET FOR TODAY IN BUTLER COUNTY
Route U in Butler County will be reduced today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
The section of Route U to be reduced is located between Route CC and Route H near Malden.
Work is scheduled to take place from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
CREWS TO BE IN STODDARD COUNTY TODAY FOR GUARDRAIL REPAIRS
South Outer Road in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane beginning this morning as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform guardrail and cable barrier repairs.
The work zone will be located from County Road 637 to Route AD in Dexter.
Work will take place today between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
