FORMER KENNETT DEPUTY CITY CLERK ARRESTED FOR STEALING ALMOST $80,000 FROM THE CITY
A former Kennett deputy City Clerk has been taken into custody after being accused of stealing almost $80,000 from the city.
Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain tells KWOC News that 37 year old Leslie Osorio, now of Paragould, Arkansas has been charged with stealing after a fraud investigation by the Missouri State Auditor’s Office.
In 2022, the City requested the Missouri State Auditor’s office conduct a fraud investigation when the City realized that Osorio’s 2021 Form W-2, reported more than $140,000 in wages.
The Auditor’s Office found that $79,266 was stolen from the city as Osorio overpaid herself and her husband, added and paid herself excess vacation leave, did not withhold money from her paycheck for benefits, and made improper purchases using City funds.
Jain tells us that the State Auditor’s Office did not audit the City of Kennett, but simply investigated whether one previous employee committed fraud.
Osorio was taken into custody on Wednesday and has since posted bond.
19th ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF IS THIS WEEKEND
The Mason-Dixon Chili Society’s 19th annual Chili Cook-Off is this weekend.
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 tonight.
Entry will be free to the public and donations will also be accepted.
Proceeds from the Cook-Off go to benefit the United Gospel Rescue Mission.
More information is available on the 19th Annual Chili Cook-Off Facebook page.
SACRED HEART SCHOOL TO HOST FIESTA AUCTION IN APRIL
Sacred Heart School’s 28th Annual Fiesta Auction has been scheduled for this April.
Officials say the event will be held on Saturday, April 5th at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff.
There will be both a live and a silent auction. Doors are set to open at 5 pm, with dinner beginning at 6 pm.
Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 if purchased at the door. Each ticket includes dinner and two adult beverages.
For more information, call 573-785-5836 or visit the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School of Poplar Bluff Facebook page.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS TODAY FOR THE 2025 OPTIMIST SOCCER LEAGUE IN POPLAR BLUFF
Registration is almost over for the 2025 Poplar Bluff Optimist Soccer League.
Today is the final day for registration for youth in kindergarten through sixth grades and the registration fee is $25.
More information, including how to register, is available on the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation website.
BOOTHEEL YOUTH MUSEUM TO HOST BENEFIT DINNER THIS WEEKEND
A special event has been scheduled this weekend to benefit an area non-profit organization.
The Bootheel Youth Museum in Malden has scheduled their Mardi Gras Benefit Dinner and Auction for 6 to 11 pm on Saturday.
The event will be held at the Museum’s Banquet Hall in Malden.
Anyone wanting to purchase tickets is asked to contact the Museum directly by calling 573-276-3600.
SEMI TRUCK REMOVAL TO FORCE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF NORTHBOUND INTERSTATE-55 TODAY
Northbound Interstate 55 will be closed this morning so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can work with the Missouri State Highway Patrol to help remove a semi truck from the median.
The closure will be located between Exits 8 and 14. Traffic will be detoured at Exit 8 to Route H north to Route U. At Route U drivers will turn west back on I-55 at exit 14.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 8 a.m. to noon.
