WOMAN REPORTED MISSING EARLIER THIS WEEK TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
A woman who was reported missing earlier this week in Poplar Bluff is now in custody.
Lieutenant Josh Stewart with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC News that 49 year old Debra Wright of Poplar Bluff, was reported missing on Monday and crews worked Monday and Tuesday searching in the area of the Sportsman Park Conservation Access on Black River in an attempt to find her.
Tuesday evening Wright contacted authorities through a third party saying she was alive and well.
Poplar Bluff Police Chief Mike McClain says that Wright was arrested at a Poplar Bluff residence on Wednesday for a probation violation. She is being held on a no bond warrant.
JUVENILE RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL AFTER BEING RUN OVER DURING LABOR DAY PARADE
A child was run over during a Labor Day parade earlier this week.
According to Rector Chief of Police Roger Haywood, on Monday a pee-wee cheerleader for the Rector Cougars was walking next to a float when she slipped and fell partially under a small trailer.
Haywood says that the child suffered mild to moderate injuries and was transported to an area hospital. She has since been released.
POPLAR BLUFF STREET DEPARTMENT VEHICLES VANDALIZED
Poplar Bluff police have received a report of vandalism of city property.
According to the Police Department, an employee of the Poplar Bluff Street Department has reported that three city vehicles were vandalized over the holiday weekend.
No information was released on the amount of damages done to the vehicles or who was responsible.
POPLAR BLUFF BUSINESS TO RECEIVE ALMOST $400,000 GRANT
A Poplar Bluff business will be getting almost $400,000 for renewable energy efficiency improvements.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and Missouri State Director Kyle Wilkens tells KWOC News Empire Comfort Systems is receiving a $388,088 grant to install an 850 Kilowatt solar array.
This project is expected to save $100,927 per year. It will generate over one million kilowatt hours per year which is enough energy to power 99 homes.
FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION REQUESTED FOR 33 MISSOURI COUNTIES INCLUDING WAYNE AND NEW MADRID
Missouri Governor Mike Parson has requested that President Joe Biden approve a major disaster declaration to provide federal assistance in 33 counties in response to multiple severe weather systems that impacted Missouri from July 29th through August 14th.
Southeast Missouri counties involved in the request include Wayne, New Madrid, Madison, and Bollinger.
According to the Governor’s office, Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments conducted by SEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and local emergency managers estimate more than $14 million in infrastructure damage and emergency response costs eligible for federal assistance.
If approved, local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies may seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement costs for damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI WOMAN GETS LIFE SENTENCE ON MURDER CHARGE
A Southeast Missouri woman has been ordered to spend the rest of her life behind bars.
According to Missouri Case Net, 38 year old Ashley Riggins, of Charleston, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without parole on a charge of murder 1st degree.
The charge stems from the stabbing death of Dottie Lutes in 2020, which Riggins was found guilty of in April.
Riggins was also convicted of other charges including armed criminal action, tampering with physical evidence, abandonment of a corpse, and two counts of abuse or neglect of a child.
EARTHQUAKE SHAKES SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
A small earthquake shook parts of Southeast Missouri Tuesday night.
According to the United States Geological Survey, a magnitude 2.2 earthquake was recorded at 10:29 pm Tuesday night.
The earthquake was located around two miles northwest of Marston and had a depth of over seven miles.
Officials say that residents as far away as Doniphan reported feeling the effects of the quake.
ROAD WORK SCHEDULED FOR TODAY IN RIPLEY COUNTY
Route 142 East in Ripley County will be reduced to one lane today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform core drilling operations.
The work zone will be located near Naylor between Little Black River Bridge and County Road B-3AA.
Work is scheduled to take place today from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
CULVERT REPLACEMENT SET FOR TODAY NEAR CAMPBELL
Route WW in Dunklin County will be reduced today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert under the roadway.
The section of roadway being reduced is located from County Road 202 to County Road 206 near Campbell.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
