AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING JUVENILE HOMICIDE IN STODDARD COUNTY
The homicide of a juvenile is under investigation in Stoddard County.
Officials with the Dexter Police Department tell KWOC News that the Stoddard County Major Case responded to the 300 Block of Alice Street at approximately 6:15 am Saturday.
At the scene, officers found a deceased juvenile with a gunshot wound inside the residence.
Few details have been released, but officials have confirmed that a juvenile suspect was taken into custody.
LADY RAIDERS RETURNING TO NJCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
The Three Rivers College Lady Raiders are returning to the NJCAA Basketball Tournament.
The Lady Raiders received the 22 seed as an at-large bid and will take on the 11 seed Gulf Coast State Lady Commodores.
Tip-off is scheduled for noon on March 23rd in Lubbock, Texas.
This will be the sixth appearance for the Lady Raiders in the NJCAA Tournament, and their fourth in the last five years.
KWOC News spoke exclusively with Head Coach Alex Wiggs who said, “So happy for these girls even though we didn’t win the region tournament this season. Their hard work and accomplishments were recognized by the committee and given the opportunity to represent Three Rivers College and the Poplar Bluff Community in the upcoming tournament. The goal this week is to get everyone healthy and get prepared to go and battle in Texas.”
NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL WINS CLASS 3 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Eagles soared over the weekend at the MSHSAA basketball tournament.
The New Madrid County Central Eagles defeated Lutheran North 56-46 on Saturday to win the Missouri Class 3 Boys State Basketball championship.
New Madrid is celebrating its fourth state basketball championship and first since back to back championships in 2000 and 2001.
On Friday, the Sikeston Bulldogs were eliminated in the Class 5 Quarterfinals following their 62-45 loss to Cardinal Ritter.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS MAN CHARGED WITH RAPE AND SEXUAL INDECENCY WITH A CHILD
A Northeast Arkansas man is in custody on a rape charge.
According to the Paragould Police Department, earlier this month a complaint was lodged alleging an inappropriate relationship between 31 year old Randy Gatlin, of Paragould, and the victim.
An investigation was conducted and multiple pieces of evidence were collected, developing probable cause to charge Gatlin with multiple sexual offenses.
A shotgun was also located during a search of Gatlin’s residence. Officials say that Gatlin is a convicted felon, and it is illegal for him to possess a firearm under state law.
Gatlin was booked into the Greene County Jail on charges of rape, computer exploitation of a child, sexual indecency with a child, and possession of firearms by certain persons.
No bond was set in the case.
BRIDGE MAINTENANCE TO BEGIN TODAY ON ROUTE 160 IN DONIPHAN
Eastbound Route 160 in Ripley County will be reduced to one lane beginning today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform bridge maintenance.
The section of roadway to be reduced is located from First Street to Jefferson Street in Doniphan.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through Friday, March 24.
CREWS REPLACING MULTIPLE BRIDGES ON ROUTE 153 IN NEW MADRID COUNTY
Route 153 in New Madrid County will be closed beginning today as contractor crews replace a bridge over Drainage Ditch #8.
Officials with the Missouri Department of Transportation say the bridge being replaced is located between County Road 253 and County Road 243 near Tallapoosa.
Weather permitting, work will take place today through Friday, June 30.
The full length of the closure will extend from County Road 253 to County Road 535 and 341 as construction overlaps with another bridge replacement on Route 153 that is located over Drainage Ditch #44.
