POPLAR BLUFF WOMAN INDICTED ON MURDER CHARGE
A Poplar Bluff woman was indicted on a murder charge.
Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News, officers with the Butler County Sheriff Department and SEMO Drug Task Force took 31 year old Ruthie Johnson of Poplar Bluff, into custody on a warrant for felony murder and possession of a controlled substance.
The charges stem from an incident which occurred in April 2022, in which Johnson caused the death of another by giving the victim illegal narcotics.
It is believed that Johnson provided the victim with what she thought was prescription pain medication, however it was a counterfeit fentanyl pill.
Johnson was transported to the Butler County Justice Center where she is being held on $150,000 cash bond.
SPRING TURKEY SEASON BEGINS TODAY IN MISSOURI
The regular spring turkey season is now underway in Missouri.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Turkey Season will run through May 7th with hunting available from one half hour before sunrise to 1 pm each day.
Conservation officials say that two male turkeys or turkeys with visible beard may be taken during the season. Hunters are allowed to take only one turkey during the first week and if you do not take one during the first week, then you may take two turkeys during the second and third week.
Hunters are not allowed to take two turkeys on the same day.
For more information, visit mdc.mo.gov.
OPEN ENROLMENT SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK FOR POPLAR BLUFF KINDERGARTEN CENTER
Open Enrolment is scheduled for this week at the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center.
If you have a child who will be five years old by July 31st, you can get them enrolled for the next school year.
According to officials, open enrollment is set to take place from 9 am to 2 pm Tuesday through Thursday at the 1200 Camp Road campus. There will also be a session available from 4:30 to 7 pm on Thursday.
Parents should remember to bring their children’s birth certificate, social security card, proof of residency, and shot records.
For more information, call 573-785-4905.
CHRISTY SMITH NAMED DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR
A Poplar Bluff Kindergarten teacher has been named the District Teacher of the Year.
Christy Smith received the award during a banquet held on Thursday. Smith spent 22 years at Clearwater Elementary School before moving to the kindergarten center, where she is now in her sixth year.
There were five other candidates for District Teacher of the Year from the R-I School District, Westwood Baptist Academy and Three Rivers College. They include Tracey Hall, practical arts department head at the Poplar Bluff High School, Dale Kennedy who teaches students with disabilities at the Poplar Bluff Middle School, Jessica Haggett a junior high and high school teacher at Westwood Baptist Academy, Dr. Amy Kopf who is an associate professor of physical science at Three Rivers College, and Delores Reed who is an adjunct professor at Three Rivers College.
Smith along with the other candidates were recognized during the annual luncheon held last week.
MAN FLOWN FROM THE SCENE OF A WRECK NEAR DONIPHAN
A Southeast Missouri man was flown from the scene of a single vehicle wreck near Doniphan.
According to authorities, the crash occurred Friday evening on Highway 21, five miles north of Doniphan.
51 year old Michael Miller, of Neelyville, was driving on the highway when his vehicle ran off the roadway and struck a tree.
Miller received serious injuries in the crash and was taken by air to a Memphis area hospital.
BRIDGE REPAIRS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN TODAY IN STODDARD COUNTY
Eastbound U.S. Route 60 in Stoddard County will be reduced with a 12-foot width restriction beginning today as contractor crews perform bridge repairs including replacing guardrails and deck repairs.
The section of roadway being reduced is located between Route 51 and Route WW near Dudley.
Weather permitting, work will begin Monday, April 17 at 6 a.m. with completion anticipated by Thursday, June 1st.
