MAN FACING BURGLARY AND DOMESTIC ASSAULT CHARGES
An area man is facing multiple charges in connection to alleged recent incidents in Fisk.
According to a probable cause affidavit, 29 year old Jonathan Smith, of Poplar Bluff, is accused of choking a woman and threatening to burn down her apartment.
Smith, who also goes by the name Johnathan Godti, later allegedly returned to the apartment and tried to set fire to it with the victim inside and also stole her property.
According to Missouri Case Net, Smith is facing charges of domestic assault 2nd degree, burglary 1st degree, and harassment 1st degree, all felonies.
He is scheduled to appear in court this morning in Butler County.
PROPOSED CHANGE WOULD REVISE GPA REQUIREMENTS FOR SOME MISSOURI TEACHER CERTIFICATION AREAS
Missouri state officials are considering a revision to GPA requirements for some state teachers.
The Missouri State Board of Education has voted to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking to change the requirements for some teacher certification areas.
The current rule requires a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in the specific subject area for which the teacher is seeking certification. This proposed amendment to the rule would change the required GPA from 3.0 to 2.5.
A Missouri researcher evaluated 1,174 teacher candidates from science, technology, engineering, and math fields and found no statistical difference between the first-time certification exam pass rates of candidates with a content GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 and those with a content GPA of 3.0 and above.
Officials say that the State Board of Education instituted the current GPA requirement for content teacher certifications in 2017. Since establishing the rule, the state has seen a substantial drop in the number of individuals completing the program for these certification types, disproportionately affecting teacher candidates in STEM subjects, where the need for teachers is particularly high.
The order of rulemaking will likely be on the State Board of Education’s agenda for a final vote in March 2025.
19th ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF SET FOR FEBRUARY 22nd
A date has been set for the Mason-Dixon Chili Society’s 19th annual Chili Cook-Off.
The event will be held from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday, February 22nd at the Black River Coliseum. A cook’s party will be held the day before the event.
The participation fee is $100 per booth if you register by February 1st. Proceeds from the Cook-Off go to benefit the United Gospel Rescue Mission.
Entry will be free to the public the day of the event.
More information is available on the 19th Annual Chili Cook-Off Facebook page.
WORKERS AT FAURECIA IN DEXTER GO ON STRIKE
Workers at the Faurecia plant in Dexter went on strike Tuesday morning.
UAW Local 1930 members were reportedly on the picket lines due to safety concerns, among other issues.
KWOC News has reached out to the employer however we have not received a response.
DATE ANNOUNCED FOR 2025 THREE RIVERS COLLEGE ALUMNI REUNION
The date has been announced for the 2025 Three Rivers College Alumni Reunion.
A full day of festivities is planned for Saturday, February 1st on the campus of Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff.
More information is available at trcc.edu.
DEADLINE IS FRIDAY TO PURCHASE TAGS FOR BULKY ITEM PICKUP
Friday is the final day for Poplar Bluff residents to purchase tags for this month’s Bulky Item Pickup.
Residents can purchase bulk item tags from the City Collector’s office at City Hall for $20. The tags entitle you to the removal of four bulk items, such as couches or refrigerators. Tires may be collected for a charge of $3 per tire with a limit of four tires.
No construction materials or small items will be picked up and the program is for residential areas only.
Friday is the final day to purchase item tags at City Hall to be included in next week’s pick up, which will be conducted on Tuesday, December, 10th
