POPLAR BLUFF MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG DISTRIBUTION

A Poplar Bluff man faces time in prison after he pleaded guilty to drug distribution charges.

According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, Marvin Price Sr. was charged after he pleaded guilty to two felony charges on distribution of heroin, after an investigation was made by members of the Poplar Bluff Police Department and SEMO Drug Task Force in September and November of 2018.

During the investigation, a controlled purchase was performed, in which an individual working with authorities purchased around $1,400 worth of a controlled substance from Price, which was later identified to be heroin and Fentanyl.

Price has a sentencing set for March 8th, where he faces up to 20 years in prison on both charges.

ONE POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED, ONE CURRENTLY BEING SEARCHED FOR IN HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION

Two Poplar Bluff men have been identified as persons of interest in a homicide investigation.

Lt. Josh Steward with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC News that authorities responded to a call about a shooting at a residence in the 100 block of Begley Street at approximately 10:30 pm on Tuesday. When officers arrived at the scene, 23 year old Kevin Sanders and 23 year old Adriana Lundy, both of Poplar Bluff, were found with gunshot wounds.

They were both transported to a local health care facility after they were found. Lundy’s injuries have been classified as serious, but not life threatening. Sanders succumbed to his injuries while under care.

In an investigation into the shooting, 22 year old Christopher Gilmore and 25 year old Stacy Gipson, both of Poplar Bluff, were being sought in connection to the incident. Gilmore has been located and taken into custody at the Butler County Justice Center on 2nd degree murder, 1st degree assault, armed criminal action, and 1st degree robbery and burglary.

The department is currently seeking the whereabouts of Gipson, and anyone with information on him or his location is asked to call the department at 573-785-5776. He is considered armed and dangerous, and should not be approached.

NEELYVILLE MAN CHARGED ON ASSAULT AND WEAPON OFFENSES AFTER OPENING FIRE ON TEEN

A Neelyville man has been charged with assault and weapon offenses after he opened fire on a teenager on Sunday.

Officials with the Butler County Sheriff's Department tell KWOC News that 63 year old James Young was charged with felony 1st degree assault, as well as endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful use of a weapon.

These charges stem from an investigation made by the department, which found that Young had shot at a 15 year old who was retrieving animal traps from his family’s property. While disarming the traps, the teen heard a gunshot and could hear a bullet pass by his head. He then ran to safety, and proceeded to contact authorities.

During an interview following the incident, Young admitted to shooting at the teen with a .22 caliber rifle, stating that one of the animal traps caught and hurt his dog.

Young is currently being held at the Butler County Jail on these offenses, with a $100,000 cash or surety bond.

ONE DEAD, TWO SERIOUSLY INJURED IN VEHICLE CRASH IN DUNKLIN COUNTY

A driver has died, and two others were seriously injured as a result of a vehicle crash in Dunklin County on Monday.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the crash took place around 2 pm on Highway 153, west of Peach Orchard, where a vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned.

Two occupants in the vehicle suffered serious injuries, and were flown to a Memphis hospital for treatment. The driver of the vehicle, 70 year old Shirley Logan, of Caruthersville, was pronounced dead at the scene.

None of them were wearing safety devices at the time of the crash.

ONE DEAD FOLLOWING SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK IN CARTER COUNTY

A man has died following a single vehicle wreck Friday evening in Carter County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 34 year old Joshua Crowley, of Van Buren, was driving on Highway A, near Ellsinore, when his vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway and overturned in a ditch.

Crowley, who was reportedly not wearing a safety device, was partially ejected during the wreck and later pronounced dead at the scene.

MOTORISTS ENCOURAGED TO DRIVE SAFELY OVER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WEEKEND

Many Missouri residents are getting ready to get on the road to see their family over the Thanksgiving holiday, but officials are urging motorists to keep safety in mind.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, during the 2019 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 11 people were killed and another 634 were injured in 1,594 traffic crashes.

During the holiday weekend, troopers will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E., enforcing all traffic laws, and making themselves available to assist the public.

The Highway Patrol’s Emergency Report line 1-800-525-5555, or (star) 55 on a cellular phone. Motorists should use the emergency line if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.

MISSING PERSON REPORTED OUT OF NEW MADRID COUNTY

A missing person has been reported out of New Madrid County.

According to the New Madrid Police Department, Gerald Haynes Jr. was last seen on November 19th, near the intersection of Kings highway and Mott Street in New Madrid.

He was driving a white, 2-door, 2-wheel 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, with black fender flares. It had Missouri tags, marked 4SA-J21.

A picture of Haynes is available on the New Madrid Police Department’s Facebook page. If you have seen him, or know his whereabouts, you are asked to contact the department by calling or texting 573-748-5901.

BUTLER COUNTY REPORTS TWO DEATHS FROM COVID-19; COUNTY NEARING EXTREME RISK CATEGORY

Two deaths were reported from the coronavirus in Butler County last week, while the County itself is coming close to entering the extreme risk category.

According to the Butler County Health Department, as winter sets in and respiratory illnesses are spreading much faster, the risks of COVID-19 are becoming more serious with the onset of flu season.

The County currently stands in critical risk as Category 2. This means that residents are advised to limit physical interaction as much as possible, and should reduce travel outside of Missouri. Social groups should also be kept at 25 people or less.

Butler County reported 53 new cases on Friday, raising the County’s total cases to 2,442 cases. The two new fatalities from the virus have raised the total deaths in the County to 20. Information on the patients is being kept confidential out of respect for the privacy of the families.

POPLAR BLUFF R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORTS SPIKE IN COVID-19 CASES IN LOWER GRADES

The Poplar Bluff R-1 School District has reported a spike in coronavirus cases from lower grades.

According to Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill, the increase in COVID-19 cases have been especially severe at the Early Childhood Center, and the O’Neal Elementary school campuses.

As of Tuesday, the Center reported three active cases, while O’Neal has reported nine cases of the virus in the campus.

Among the schools in Poplar Bluff, as of Tuesday, there were about 329 people out of school and in quarantine. Dill also stated that an extension of the mask policy is not currently active, though this could change depending on the ongoing status of the virus in the district.

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR SEVERAL AREAS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

A red flag warning will be put into effect today in several areas in Southeast Missouri.

According to the National Weather Service, the warning will be placed into effect in Butler, Carter, Dunklin, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Stoddard, and Wayne Counties starting at 9 am, and will continue through 6 pm. Winds are expected to reach between 15 to 30 miles, with gusts around 30 to 40 miles per hour.

While the warning is in effect, residents in the affected areas are advised to not burn or start fires, as the combination of high winds and low humidity are likely to rapidly spread any flames that are started.

POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOL DISTRICT CONTINUES TO IMPROVE AFTER MASK MANDATE IMPLEMENTATION

The Poplar Bluff School District has seen continued improvement to student attendance after a mask mandate was implemented earlier in the month.

School Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill tells KWOC News that since the school began to mandate face masks for grades 4-12, the number of students missing class due to being quarantined from the coronavirus has steadily decreased. Currently, the number of students out of school due to quarantine is down to just 4 percent.

Dill also stated that the school has been, and will be constantly monitoring the situation in regards to the virus, and that proper protection and safety is a top priority for the district at this time.

CASES OF COVID-19 IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI CONTINUE TO RISE; STATE TOTAL OVER 243,000

Cases of the coronavirus in Southeast Missouri have continued to rise, while the state total has risen past 243,000 cases.

According to the Butler County Health Department, 136 new cases were reported on Friday, raising the County’s total to 2,244 cases. A spike in cases is expected due to the increase in mass testing in the County. Stoddard County reported 75 new cases on Monday, bringing the County’s total to 1,684. Of them, 377 are active, while 1,276 have recovered.

Dunklin County now stands at 1,806 confirmed cases. Of them, 1,665 have recovered, while 129 are still active.

In Missouri, as of Monday, there are now a total of 243,169 cases of the virus in the state, while 3,386 deaths have been directly linked to the disease.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of the virus, such as persistent coughing, shortness of breath, or fever, you are advised to contact your primary healthcare provider before visiting any hospital or emergency room.

POPLAR BLUFF MAN FLOWN TO TENNESSEE HOSPITAL AFTER BEING SHOT IN THE FACE

A Poplar Bluff man was flown to a hospital on Friday after being shot in the face.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that authorities responded to a call of a shooting in the 800 block of County Road 301, where Jessie Lacy was asking for help from a neighbor, saying that he had been shot. When officers arrived at the scene, Lacy stated that 48 year old Edward Rodgers shot him while they were arguing.

Lacy was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital for his injuries, before being flown to a hospital in Tennessee after being listed in critical condition.

Rodgers was located a few hours after the alleged shooting on Thomas Street, and was taken into custody on suspicion of 1st degree assault and armed criminal action. He was also wanted on a federal warrant for escape prior to his arrest.

He was transported to the Butler County Jail following his arrest, where he awaits formal charges.

POPLAR BLUFF R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT SEEING DECLINING CASES OF COVID-19

The Poplar Bluff R-1 school district has seen a gradual decrease in issues from the coronavirus.

According to Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill, ever since the district implemented extended protection and safety guidelines, the number of students and staff that have been exposed or tested for the virus has declined.

By the end of October, around 10% of the district’s staff and students were absent due to being tested positive, or by being exposed to the virus through direct contact, or by contact tracing.

Once the mandates were passed, however, this number has decreased to less than 5%, and for the first time in the current school year, the high school is currently reporting no confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The junior high currently has 19 positive cases.

OVER 70 ACTIVE CASES OF COVID-19 AT POPLAR BLUFF VA MEDICAL CENTER

There have been over 320 cases of the coronavirus reported at the Poplar Bluff VA Medical Center.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the local John J. Pershing VA Medical Center has reported 327 total cases of the virus at the facility. Of them, 77 are active, and 10 deaths have been caused by the disease.

Of the 77 cases that are currently active, 69 are veterans, and eight are from employees of the center.

VEHICLE FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN BUTLER COUNTY

A vehicle caught fire on a highway in Butler County on Tuesday morning.

The Butler County Fire Department responded to a call of a vehicle fire on US Highway 60 east, about four miles from Poplar Bluff, where the vehicle was found fully engulfed in flames by the time firefighter crews arrived at the scene.

The truck was destroyed by the fire, however no injuries were reported. The cause of the flame is currently under investigation.

MISSING JONESBORO WOMAN POSSIBLY IN DUNKLIN COUNTY AREA

The Jonesboro Police Department is currently searching for a missing woman that is possibly in the Dunklin County area.

According to the department, Peggy Edwards was last seen on November 7th leaving a home in Jonesboro, and was heading towards Cardwell Missouri, as well as Paragould Arkansas.

Edwards did not arrive in Paragould, and it is unknown if she made it to Cardwell. She was driving a gray Nissan pickup truck with a damaged front end and a black hood. A picture of her is available on the Jonesboro Police Department’s Facebook page.

If you have seen her, or know of her whereabouts, you are asked to contact the Jonesboro Police Department by calling 870-935-5657.

PEDESTRIAN KILLED FOLLOWING VEHICLE CRASH IN STODDARD COUNTY

A pedestrian was killed after he was struck by a vehicle in Stoddard County on Saturday.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the crash happened on Missouri 25, north of Bloomfield, where 78 year old Billy Bell, of Bloomfield, was struck while he was crossing the roadway.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

PORTAGEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT SWITCHING TO REMOTE LEARNING

The Portageville School District will be switching to remote learning for the next few weeks due to concerns over the coronavirus.

According to officials with the school board, the announcement was made during a meeting on Thursday, where it was decided that all schools in the district will be moving to virtual learning starting today.

The remote learning will continue until November 20th, and officials with the school district will continue to monitor the situation.

WILLIAMSVILLE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FIREARM CHARGES, TWO SUSPECTS FACING TIME IN PRISON

A Williamsville man is facing time in prison after pleading guilty to a firearm possession charge, with another suspect facing imprisonment.

According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, 57 year old Marty Luke pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm during his court hearing on Monday.

Luke, along with 67 year old Donald Sanders, have previously been convicted of a series of burglaries in Butler County in January of 2019, which involved the theft of several coins, jewelry, and firearms.

Luke faces up to 10 years of prison time for the charge, and has a court hearing set for January 19th.

Sanders, who had previously pleaded guilty to charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and attempting to intimidate a government witness in September, faces up to 30 years in prison, and will also be appearing in court on January 19th.