RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES SET ON WEDNESDAY IN POPLAR BLUFF
Poplar Bluff’s high temperature on Wednesday eclipsed the previous record high set almost 70 years ago.
According to the National Weather Service, Poplar Bluff reached a high of 99 degrees during the afternoon on Wednesday, breaking the city’s previous record high for September 21st of 98 degrees set back in 1955.
Wednesday also marked the end of the final summer heat wave for the year, as highs in the mid 70’s are expected today and tomorrow.
GROUNDBREAKING SET FOR TODAY ON HIGHWAY 67 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held this morning to celebrate the beginning of work on the US Route 67/Future Interstate 57 project in Butler County.
The ceremony will begin at 11 am this morning in front of Rice Trailers.
Work on this phase of the project began last month with officials anticipating the phase being complete by November of next year.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN SENTENCED FOR DISTRIBUTING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE NEAR SCHOOL
A Poplar Bluff man was sentenced last week for distributing a controlled substance near a school.
According to Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor 43 year old Alphonse Avila was convicted by a Butler County jury in July of the offenses of distribution of a controlled substance within 2000 feet of a school and delivery of a controlled substance.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that in 2019 Avila sold methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer outside of a residence which was located within 2000 feet of Poplar Bluff Middle School.
Just over two weeks later Avila sold methamphetamine to the same undercover law enforcement officer at Avila’s residence on County Road 603 in Poplar Bluff. Video evidence showed that the second sale took place with small children present.
Last week, Avila was sentenced to 20 years on the class A felony of distribution of a controlled substance in a protected location and 15 years on the class C felony of delivery of a controlled substance. Both sentences were ordered to be served concurrent to each other for a total of 20 years.
TRACTOR RODEO TO HIGHLIGHT TONIGHT AT THE STODDARD COUNTY FAIR
The Stoddard County Fair continues tonight with the tractor rodeo.
Judging for cattle and hogs will begin at 6 pm. At 7 pm, the FFA Tractor Rodeo will kick off at Arena A and Maggie Thorn will be performing on the main stage.
For more information, including a full schedule of events, go to www.stoddardcountyfair.com.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI MAN SENTENCED ON FIREARM CHARGE
A Southeast Missouri man is facing almost a decade in federal prison for a firearm charge.
Officials with the United States Attorney’s Office tell KWOC News that 38 year old Duramus Coleman, of Charleston has been sentenced to serve 115 months in federal prison for the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on October 22, 2021, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop of a Chevrolet Monte Carlo with expired license registration tags. Before coming to a stop, the driver attempted to flee and a vehicle pursuit ensued.
The driver later fled from the vehicle and was eventually found in an area residence. The subject was identified as Duramus Coleman and taken into custody without further incident. The trooper returned to the Monte Carlo and observed a pistol in plain-view inside the car.
Coleman was previously convicted of the felony offense of domestic assault in the second degree in Mississippi County and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.
MDC OFFERING REPORTS ON COLORS OF FALL FOLIAGE
With temperatures cooling down and trees beginning to change color, the Missouri Department of Conservation is encouraging people to enjoy fall foliage through camping, driving tours, hiking, or even floating.
The autumn equinox will occur at 8:03 pm this evening, ushering in the official beginning of the fall season.
To help Missourians get the best view of fall, the MDC is offering weekly online fall color updates from agency foresters all over the state at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor.
The weekly reports include what kinds of trees are turning and suggestions on the best places to view them. The updates will run through November.
