BARRICADED SUBJECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN POPLAR BLUFF
A barricaded subject has been taken into custody in Poplar Bluff.
Poplar Bluff Deputy Police Chief Keith Hefner tells KWOC News that just before noon on Wednesday, officers were dispatched to a location on North Main Street following a report of a possible gunshot and a female heard screaming.
Upon arrival, officers learned there was a suicidal male subject barricaded inside the residence with a firearm and it was reported that he had already fired a shot prior to the officer’s arrival.
Numerous attempts to make contact with the subject were initially unsuccessful, however the subject was eventually taken into custody without further incident.
The subject was transported to a local hospital for mental health treatment.
Hefner wanted to thank the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Butler County EMS, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol for their assistance, both at the scene and with calls for service during the incident.
EXPLOSION REPORTED AT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI BUSINESS, TWO SEVERELY INJURED
Two people were reportedly severely injured following an explosion at a Southeast Missouri business Wednesday morning.
According to the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, shortly after 7 am, officers responded to Potashnick Transportation Incorporated in reference to a reported fire inside the structure with people inside.
Fire and EMS crews also responded to the scene and treatment was administered to both injured subjects. Fire personnel quickly worked to extinguish the fire.
Officials say that the Fire Marshal determined the cause to be from the subjects using a cutting torch on an empty 55-gallon drum that contained explosive vapors. During their work, the drum caught fire and immediately exploded, causing the drum to strike one subject in the head.
The other subject suffered burns to their lower extremities.
Both injured subjects were transported to an area hospital.
TWO THOUSAND DOLLAR GRANT USED TO ESTABLISH THINKING CLASSROOMS AT PBMS
Poplar Bluff Middle School teachers will use grant money to further engage student learning.
According to school officials, the Poplar Bluff School Foundation has funded a $2,000 grant for Middle School math teachers to establish ‘thinking classrooms.’
Officials say that a thinking classroom focuses on 14 teaching practices for enhancing academic success, deconstructing such conventions as: what tasks are used, how collaborative groups are formed, how to arrange furniture, how questions are answered, how to foster student autonomy and how to use formative assessments.
Wipebook flipcharts, along with markers, erasers and easels, plus the textbook “Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics” were distributed last month through the Foundation’s annual innovative educational project program.
AREA SHERIFF WARNING MOTORISTS TO WATCH FOR SKIMMING DEVICES ON GAS PUMPS
With gas prices as high as they are, an area official is reminding motorists to make sure you aren’t losing even more money at the pump.
According to the New Madrid County Sheriff Department, an investigation is ongoing into the use of skimming devices after several have been recently located on local gas pumps.
New Madrid County Sheriff William Cooper says that “skimmers” are devices that thieves attach over card slots at gas pumps. They can be used to save and store credit card information.
Cooper says there are simple things to avoid falling victim to these. If you notice that the pump’s serial-numbered security stickers has been ripped, that is an indication that someone may have tampered with it.
Walking inside to pay instead of paying at the pump is another way to avoid “skimmers”.
Sheriff Cooper is also asking everyone to pay close attention to your credit and debit card statement. If you see any discrepancies please contact the Sheriff’s Department.
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, call 573-718-4578.
BRIDGE REPAIRS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY IN CAMPBELL
Route 53 in Dunklin County will be reduced today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform bridge repairs.
The section of Route 53 involved in the repairs is located from Route 62 to Bailey Street in Campbell.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
