MAN SENTENCED TO OVER 20 YEARS IN PRISON ON SODOMY CHARGE
A Stoddard County man is set to serve over 20 years in prison on a sodomy charge.
Stoddard County Prosecutor, Russell Oliver, tells KWOC News that Bobby Riddell, of Bernie, was sentenced Wednesday to 24 years incarceration for the crime of statutory sodomy in the first degree.
Riddell pleaded guilty to the charge in February. Oliver says that the victim in the case was a child.
BUTLER AND RIPLEY COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS
Voters in Butler and Ripley County headed to the polls Tuesday to decide on multiple local races.
In Butler County, Lisa Armes Parson and Barbara Ann Horton won the Poplar Bluff City Council races for Ward 1 and Ward 3, respectively.
For the Neelyville School Board, the top two vote getters were Vernon Barker and Jill Marie McGruder.
WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN RAY CLINTON PARK
Officials with the Poplar Bluff Police Department and Butler County Coroner’s Office say that a woman was found dead Monday morning in Ray Clinton Park.
Lieutenant Josh Stewart with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC news that the woman was found by a mushroom hunter at approximately 9:20 AM.
AUTHORITIES IDENTIFY WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN RAY CLINTON PARK
Officials with the Poplar Bluff Police Department and Butler County Coroner’s Office say that a woman was found dead Monday morning in Ray Clinton Park.
Lieutenant Josh Stewart with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC news that the woman was found by a mushroom hunter at approximately 9:20 AM.
The woman has been identified as 40 year old Crystal Vanlue, of Kennett.
No foul play is suspected in the death, however Butler County Coroner Jim Akers says that an autopsy will be conducted this Wednesday in Farmington to determine the cause of death.
PUXICO WOMAN DIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A VEHICLE
A Puxico woman is dead after she was struck by a vehicle over the weekend in Stoddard County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a vehicle was traveling northbound on Missouri Highway 51 Saturday night when it struck a pedestrian in the roadway.
Officials say the incident occurred shortly after 9 pm, a quarter of a mile south of Puxico.
MULTIPLE SERVICES TO BE AVAILABLE AT HEALTH FAIR TODAY IN CAMPBELL
Approximately 20 vendors will be available today at a Health Fair in Campbell.
Southern Care and Comfort in Home Agency and Veteran Services is hosting the “Don't Fool Around with Your Health” Health Fair from 10 am to 2 pm today at the First Baptist Church in Campbell.
Some of the services that will be available include blood pressure checks, hearing and vision screenings, blood sugar and cholesterol checks, and assistance with completing applications for Medicaid.
There will also be multiple drawings for gifts and door prizes. For more information, contact Southern Care and Comfort at 686-2273.
NO INJURIES AFTER BULLWINKLES LOUNGE CATCHES FIRE
No injuries have been reported after an area business caught fire last night.
According to the Butler County Fire Department, the Bullwinkles Lounge caught fire and sustained heavy damage Wednesday evening.
Fire officials say that everyone inside was able to escape safely.
A cause for the fire is under investigation.
RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TODAY FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
We are continuing to follow chances of severe weather today for Southeast Missouri.
According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by the National Weather Service, there is a slight to enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms. The most favorable window for severe weather spans from the afternoon into the early evening hours.
Weather officials say that damaging winds will be the primary concern, but large hail and a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
A wind advisory will also be in effect today until 7 pm for most of our listening area. Winds will average 20 to 30 mph in many locations, especially as we get into the afternoon hours. Some wind gusts over 45 mph are also expected.
TODAY IS DEADLINE TO FILE FOR AUGUST PRIMARY ELECTION
The deadline to file to run in the August Primary election is quickly approaching.
According to the Secretary of State Office, today is the final day that candidates can file for the primary election, which will be held on August 2nd.
Anyone who has not registered to vote has until July 6th to get their registration in.
POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL EMPLOYEE ON PAID LEAVE FOLLOWING ALLEGED MISCONDUCT
An employee of the Poplar Bluff High School has been placed on paid leave following alleged misconduct.
Few details have been made available, however Poplar Bluff R-1 School Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill tells KWOC News, the district is actively cooperating with local law enforcement to investigate allegations related to a breach of board policy, regarding the conduct of an employee at the high school. The safety and well-being of students are of the utmost importance to the district.
KWOC News will follow this story for you and bring updates as they become available.
ARREST MADE IN CONNECTION TO MALDEN SHOOTING
A juvenile is in custody in connection to a shooting this week in Malden.
According to Major Bobby Jones, Assistant Chief of Police with the Malden Department of Public Safety, on March 20th, officers responded to a report of shots fired on North Madison Street at approximately 3:35 AM.
During the investigation, officers located a 20 year old gunshot victim at a hospital in Cape Girardeau.
GOVERNOR TO BE IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI TODAY
Missouri Governor Mike Parson will be making multiple stops today in Southeast Missouri.
According to the Governor’s office, Parson will be joining Senator Jason Bean at noon today in Gobler to thank individuals who responded to area tornadoes in December of last year.
Governor Parson will also hold a workforce and higher education roundtable discussion with representatives from Southeast Missouri State University, Three Rivers College, and Mineral Area College in Cape Girardeau.
NAMES RELEASED OF FIVE KILLED IN I-57 PILE UP LAST WEEK
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released the names of five people who were killed in a large pile-up crash last week on Interstate 57 in Southeast Missouri.
According to officials, 75 year old William Ryan, of Pevely, Missouri, 51 year old Jesse Jimenez and 45 year old Jose Hernandez, both of Houston, Texas, 30 year old Joshua Wiggins, of Candler, North Carolina, and 22 year old Raina Jamerson, of Kenosha, Wisconsin were all killed in the wreck.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, I-57 was closed in both directions from the Mississippi River to Interstate 55 in Sikeston last Thursday morning from around 8 am to 5 am the next morning.
MAN LEADS POLICE ON CHASE AFTER ALLEGEDLY STABBING FEMALE WITH A SCREWDRIVER
A Kennett man is in custody after allegedly stabbing a woman with a screwdriver.
Kennett Police Chief Kenny Wilson tells KWOC News that shortly after 9 pm on Sunday, officers began an investigation into a domestic violence incident.
A witness at the scene told officers that the male suspect had stabbed a female victim in the leg with a screwdriver and then forced her into a vehicle.
NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL WINS 3RD PLACE IN CLASS 4 STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
The New Madrid County Eagles weren’t able to play for a state championship this past weekend, but did get a nice consolation prize.
The Eagles defeated Pembroke Hill 64-51 in the Class 4 third place game Saturday in Springfield.
New Madrid County Central fell to the third place game after losing to eventual Class 4 state champion Vashon 48-39 in the state semi-final on Friday.
MASSIVE CRASH RESULTS IN MULTIPLE FATALITIES ON INTERSTATE 57 NEAR CHARLESTON
Over 100 vehicles were involved in a pile-up crash Thursday morning on Interstate 57 in Mississippi County.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, I-57 was closed in both directions from the Mississippi River to Interstate 55 in Sikeston while crews were clearing the crash area between mile markers 10 and 12.
Officials say the crash resulted in at least six fatalities and numerous injuries.
LADY RAIDERS TO BEGN NJCAA TOURNAMENT THIS AFTERNOON
The Number One seed Three Rivers College Lady Raiders will begin their final push for a national championship this afternoon in Lubbock, Texas.
The undefeated Lady Raiders will be playing Tyler Junior College in the second round of the NJCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
The 17 seed Apaches survived Chipola in Overtime in the first round of the tournament 67-65.
TENTATIVE NEW MAP FOR MISSOURI SENATE WOULD SEE EXPANSION OF DISTRICT FOR SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
A judicial panel in charge of redrawing Missouri's state Senate districts has released a tentative new map.
The plan unveiled this week is based on the 2020 census results and would take effect for this year's elections.
The judicial panel took over redistricting after a bipartisan commission failed to agree on maps.
DEXTER MAN CONVICTED FOR ENTICEMENT OF A CHILD
A Dexter man has been convicted of using social media to try to meet up with what he thought was an underage child for sex.
Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney, Russ Oliver, tells KWOC News that a Stoddard County jury has found 42 year old Robert Cooper guilty of felony enticement of a child.
ONE DEAD FOLLOWING SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK IN RURAL CLAY COUNTY
One person has died, and two others are injured, following a single vehicle wreck in Northeast Arkansas.
According to the Arkansas State Police, 23 year old Jose Morales, of Portland, Indiana, was driving on US Highway 67 in Clay County, early Saturday morning, when his vehicle ran off the side of the road and went into a water filled ditch.
A passenger in the vehicle, 37 year old Jessica Cruz, also of Portland, Indiana, was killed in the wreck.
