DEXTER MAN CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF ARSON
A Dexter man is facing arson charges in connection to two fires in the last week.
Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver tells KWOC News that 29 year old Bradley Mitchell has been charged with two counts of arson.
The first charge alleges that Mitchell started a fire on June 11th, in a five unit apartment building located on Truitt Street in Dexter. At the time of the fire, four of the apartments were occupied by tenants that were present in the structure.
The second charge alleges that Mitchell started a fire on Monday at a home in Dexter. At the time of that fire the homeowner was present in the structure.
Oliver says that Mitchell is in custody and that no bond has been set in the case.
EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING CONTINUES IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
An excessive heat warning remains in effect for much of Southeast Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service, in Poplar Bluff temperatures are expected to get to around 97 degrees today with heat index values of 102 to 106 degrees possible this afternoon.
Preliminary data from Tuesday indicated that Poplar Bluff’s high temperature of 98 degrees fell one degree short of the city’s previous record high for June 14th, which was set in 1987.
Even though today is expected to be hot, it is not expected to get close to the record for June 15th which is 103 degrees.
Weather officials say that we could see high temperatures again approaching triple digits in Poplar Bluff on Thursday and Friday before a slight cooling during the weekend.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN FACING MULTIPLE COUNTS OF PROMOTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
An area man was taken into custody Tuesday morning on child pornography and drug charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 65 year old James Graham, of Poplar Bluff, was arrested at around 11 am Tuesday on six felony counts of promoting child pornography.
Graham is also facing charges of failure to register as a sex offender, possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Following the arrest, Graham was held at the Butler County Jail.
AUDIT RELEASED OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI COUNTY COLLECTOR
A Southeast Missouri County Collector received an overall rating of good in a recent audit.
On Tuesday, State Auditor Nicole Galloway released an audit of the county collector and property tax system of Reynolds County.
Galloway says that a rating of good indicates that the entity is well managed. The report contains few findings, and the entity has indicated most or all recommendations have already been, or will be, implemented.
The audit found that the county collector did not properly review fees withheld on utility and delinquent taxes calculated by the property tax system for accuracy and, as a result, the county collector over withheld some fees. The audit also recommended better cybersecurity practices related to passwords and user IDs.
Kathy Hoffmann had served as county collector until October 31st, 2021, and Denise Smith was appointed to fill the vacancy.
Galloway says that Missouri law requires an audit be performed when a vacancy occurs in a county collector's office.
OVER MONTH LONG PAVEMENT REPAIR PROJECT UNDERWAY IN WAYNE COUNTY
Route V in Wayne County will be reduced with an 11-foot width restriction over the next month as contractor crews perform pavement repairs.
The section of Route V being reduced is located between Route 49 and Route A.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Friday, July 15th.
ROAD PROJECT TO CAUSE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF NEW MADRID COUNTY ROAD
Outer Road 55 in New Madrid County will be closed today and tomorrow as Missouri Department of Transportation crews seal the roadway with a mixture of rock and oil.
The section of roadway being closed is located from Route AA to County Road 408.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. both today and tomorrow.
