Wednesday, January 24, 2024

POPLAR BLUFF STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN SPECIAL OLYMPICS COMPETITION

Poplar Bluff students recently took part in a Special Olympics competition in Wentzville.

The Winter Special Olympics Basketball Tournament was held on Sunday Wabash Elementary and saw Poplar Bluff place 2nd in the 5v5 tournament.

Poplar Bluff’s Caden Hubbard also placed first in his individual skills competition.

School officials say that the next Special Olympics tournament is scheduled for February 18th in Cape Girardeau.

OVER 249 THOUSAND DOLLARS OF MISAPPROPRIATED MONEY DISCOVERED DURING AUDIT OF AREA AMBULANCE DISTRICT

Approximately $250,000 of misappropriated money was discovered during a recent audit of an ambulance district in Butler and Ripley Counties.

A new report by Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick gives the Naylor-Neelyville Ambulance District a rating of "poor" and also details how the former director may have falsified board meeting minutes in an effort to mislead auditors and cover his tracks.

The audit covers the period of time from January of 2017, to June of 2023, when money totaling at least $249,247 was misappropriated from the district.

During that period of time, Brad Davis served as the district director and for several of those years his wife served as the billing clerk and his mother served as the board secretary. From 2017 to 2020, Davis improperly paid his wife over $55,000 and authorized improper payments to his mother totaling over $20,000. From 2017 to 2023, Davis improperly paid himself over $173,000.

The audit also uncovered Board meeting minutes that may have been falsified by Davis in an attempt to cover up the improper payments he authorized.

The report also outlines how the district did not prepare budgets or file financial statements for at least the five-year period from 2018 to 2022. Because of its failure to file financial statements, the district currently owes $903,000 in fines.

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE SEEKING SUBJECT IN COUNTERFEIT MONEY INVESTIGATION

Updating a story we have been following for you this week, authorities in Poplar Bluff are trying to locate a subject in connection to a counterfeit money investigation.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, counterfeit 100 dollar bills were reported as being passed in at least three businesses in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce, the bills all have the same serial number of B71 555 538D.

Video footage was released of one of the incidents on the Poplar Bluff Police Department Facebook page.

Anyone who suspects they have received fake money or knows the identity of the subject in the video is asked to contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department as soon as possible.

FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES THROUGH NOON TODAY

Areas of Southeast Missouri remain under a flood watch this morning.

According to the National Weather Service, heavy rain crossed the area last night. With the ground still frozen from the recent cold wave, excessive runoff from heavy rain is likely and could cause scattered flooding issues to develop.

The flood watch is in effect through noon today for multiple Southeast Missouri counties, including Butler, Carter, Wayne, Ripley, and Stoddard Counties.

You can find road conditions online at traveler.modot.org.

VOTING UNDERWAY TO ELECT MEMBERS OF THE BUTLER COUNTY EXTENSION COUNCIL

Now is the time to make your voice heard on who you want to sit on the University of Missouri Butler County Extension Council.

Officials say that eight people are running for five two year terms on the council.

Incumbent Douglas Rose Jr. is being joined by Leann Clark, Tammy Harper, Moriah Joplin, Judy Lunsford, Melissa Stephens, Maurice Theriot, and Tim Ward.

You can vote at the Butler County Extension Office and on the Butler County Extension website.

Votes will be accepted through January 26th.

FREE FRAUD PREVENTION SEMINAR TO BE OFFERED TODAY IN POPLAR BLUFF

An area Credit Union will be hosting a free seminar today to help keep the Poplar Bluff Community safe from fraud.

The Ozark Federal Credit Union’s Free Fraud Prevention Seminar is scheduled for noon to 1 pm at the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce.

The seminar will feature guest speaker Detective Shonna Grobe from the Poplar Bluff Police Department. Detective Grobe will provide invaluable insights into the specific scams and fraudulent activities that are prevalent in our community, offering attendees a unique opportunity to stay informed and protected.

The Ozark Federal Credit Union is also providing lunch during the seminar and there will be chances for attendees to win gift cards.

Few seats are remaining for the event. To register, call 573-429-1780.