EIGHT YEAR OLD CHILD DROWNS IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
A young child died while swimming over the weekend in Northeast Arkansas.
According to Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole, an eight year old boy was swimming with friends in the St. Francis River at Cottonwood Point on Saturday when he went underwater and did not come back up.
His body was found around four hours later.
The Clay County Sheriff's Department, Dunklin County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas Game and Fish Officers, Missouri Department of Conservation Officers, Arkansas State Police, Clay County Emergency Task Force, and Clay County Coroner all responded to the area to provide assistance.
ALLEGED QULIN BANK ROBBER TO APPEAR IN COURT THIS MORNING
The man accused of robbing a bank in Qulin last week is scheduled to appear in a Butler County courtroom this morning.
Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that the Southern Bank in Qulin was robbed at gunpoint at approximately 9:10 am Thursday.
The suspect, identified as 25 year old Zachary Stark, of Qulin, was taken into custody Thursday evening without incident.
Stark took approximately $2,500 during the robbery, however the money was recovered during a search of his residence. He was lodged in the Butler County Justice Center following the arrest on a no bond warrant.
According to Missouri Case Net, Stark is due for his initial appearance in court this morning on felony charges of robbery 1st degree and armed criminal action.
MOTORCYCLE WRECK CLAIMS THE LIFE OF A DEXTER MAN
A Dexter man was killed in a motorcycle wreck on Saturday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 78 year old Harold Walker was riding the motorcycle on Highway 51, near Zalma, when the vehicle ran off the left side of the roadway and overturned.
Walker was pronounced dead at the scene by Bollinger County Assistant Coroner Lee Gillam.
NEW COACH HIRED FOR POPLAR BLUFF GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM
A new coach has been selected for the Poplar Bluff High School Girls Basketball team.
Poplar Bluff R-1 Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman tells KWOC News that Soley Dugas was hired by the Board of Education during Thursday night’s meeting.
Dugas is a Poplar Bluff alumni that played for the Lady Mules basketball program from 2012-2015, where she started at point guard her sophomore year and was a four year varsity letterman.
She has spent the last 4 years teaching 8th grade science and served as an assistant track and field coach at both high school and junior high levels. Dugas was also an assistant girls basketball coach during the 2020-2021 season.
Dugas says, “Being a Lady Mule has made me who I am today. I am excited to pour into a program that I grew up in!”
Dr. Cornman added, “we are looking forward to seeing her coach on the sidelines and building a great team dynamic with our Lady Mule's basketball program.”
19 ARRESTS MADE IN CONNECTION TO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION
A major drug trafficking group has been taken down in Southeast Missouri.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Nineteen members of a Charleston, Missouri-based drug trafficking organization accused of being the main supplier of methamphetamine and fentanyl to southeast Missouri have been indicted on a felony drug conspiracy charge.
Arrests by federal, state and local law enforcement began on Thursday, followed by arraignments in the U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau.
All 19 defendants face a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, including Demarcus P. Turner and Jadarius A. McCain.
Motions seeking to have Turner, McCain and three other defendants jailed until trial say that Turner and McCain were leaders of the drug trafficking conspiracy and also led a Charleston gang. The detention motion says that gang members have been linked to shootings in southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been seized during the investigation, as well as about 65 kilograms of methamphetamine, 3.55 kilograms of cocaine, 653.9 grams of fentanyl, 215 grams of MDMA and 5.85 kilograms of marijuana.
MISSOURI HIGHLANDS HEALTHCARE TO HOST FREE PREVENTION SUMMIT IN POPLAR BLUFF BLUFF
Missouri Highlands Health Care is hosting a free prevention summit today in Poplar Bluff.
The Prevention Summit Lunch and Learn has been scheduled for 10 am to 1 pm at the Westwood Center.
The free event will allow attendees to learn about prevention, awareness, and education on overdose, HIV, vaping, mental health, and suicide.
For more information, go to www.MoHigh.org.
PAVEMENT REPAIRS SET FOR TODAY NEAR DEXTER
Route AF in Stoddard County will be reduced today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
The section of roadway involved in the project is located from Route 25 to County Road 637 near Dexter.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE INSPECTION TO CAUSE DELAYS ON INTERSTATE 155
An inspection is going to cause delays today for Missouri drivers heading into Tennessee.
Northbound Interstate 155 in Pemiscot County will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction as Missouri Department of Transportation crews inspect the Mississippi River Bridge that crosses into Tennessee.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily both today and tomorrow.
