POPLAR BLUFF BUS DRIVER NAMED MOAPT DRIVER OF THE YEAR
A Poplar Bluff school bus driver has been named the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation Driver of the Year.
Jason Davis was recently given the award during the MOAPT 59th Annual Conference and Trade Show.
Davis has been a bus driver since 2017 and is also a certified trainer and bus inspector, on top of running daily routes for the High School and Kindergarten Center.
In addition, Davis was the first of a pair in the Poplar Bluff Transportation Department during the program’s inaugural year in 2022 to receive the “driver to driver” award, a traveling trophy designated for bus drivers that go “above and beyond.”
ARREST MADE IN CONNECTION TO BUTLER COUNTY BURGLARY INVESTIGATION
An arrest has been made in connection to an investigation into multiple burglaries in Butler County.
According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, on June 1st, a saw blade grinder was reported stolen from a sawmill in Williamsville.
On July 2nd, a resident reported the burglary of her residence in Williamsville.
On July 3rd, two separate individuals reported burglaries and thefts from their respective camper trailers that were parked on private property near Butler County Road 523A. Trail camera footage captured two individuals who were believed to be responsible.
On July 8th, investigators received information that some of the stolen items were located at a residence in Poplar Bluff. When investigator's arrived at the residence they observed a few stolen items were outside and saw a male flee from the residence on foot.
While executing a search warrant at the home, investigators located James Lewis Boyer hiding in a bedroom. Officials say that Boyer was one of the individuals captured in the trail camera footage.
Boyer was taken into custody and is facing charges of burglary 2nd degree, stealing, and property damage.
MAUD STREET IN POPLAR BLUFF TO BE CLOSED TODAY FOR OVERLAY
A Poplar Bluff road will be closed today for a project.
According to the Poplar Bluff Street Department, Maud Street will be closed today through 2 pm so crews can overlay the roadway.
The work zone will be located from Roxie Road to Old Street.
MAN FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES IN CONNECTION TO FIRES IN PUXICO AREA
A man is facing multiple charges in connection to fires in the Puxico area.
According to Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner, on July 2nd, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a suspicious fire near County Road 234 and County Road 267 from the previous day.
During the investigation it was discovered that a farm tractor and an electric irrigation well was burnt.
On July 5th, deputies responded to a shop fire in the same area as the tractor and irrigation fires. Deputies learned of a suspect vehicle described as a white Chevrolet truck that was later identified as belonging to 58 year old Allen Wilson of rural Puxico.
During an interview, Wilson admitted that he had set the fires. Hefner says that it is also believed Wilson has also been involved in other arsons in Bollinger County.
Wilson is being held in the Stoddard County Jail on charges of arson 2nd degree, knowingly burning or exploding, and property damage. No bond has been set on the Stoddard County charges. He is also facing a charge of knowingly burning or exploding property out of Bollinger County.
SPEEDING ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
A speeding enforcement campaign is underway in Northeast Arkansas.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Arkansas Highway Safety Office are teaming up with Arkansas law enforcement to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding and urging drivers to obey speed limits.
Through July 31, Arkansas State Police Troopers, city police and sheriff’s deputies will be stopping drivers that violate Arkansas speed limit laws and will be issuing tickets as part of the Speeding Slows You Down high-visibility enforcement campaign.
In 2022, there were 12,151 fatalities in speeding-related crashes nationwide, accounting for 29 percent of total traffic fatalities. Young drivers and motorcyclists are especially susceptible to high speeds, and they represent the largest demographic involved in speeding-related vehicle crashes.
GUARDRAIL REPAIRS NEAR INTERSTATE 55 TO CAUSE DELAYS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Eastbound Route U in Pemiscot County will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction through the middle of next week as contractor crews perform guardrail repairs.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the section of roadway affected is located between the I-55 Northbound off ramp and I-55 Southbound on ramp near Caruthersville.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Tuesday, July 16.
