SPECIAL PROSECUTOR NAMED FOR BEN RESSEL INVESTIGATIONA special prosecutor will be investigating the hit and run incident that took the life of a Poplar Bluff teenager last year.
Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour requested the special prosecutor for the investigation of Benjamin Ressel in connection to the incident.
The request was granted by Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett earlier this week.
13 year old Heavenly Hafford was hit by two vehicles while crossing a Poplar Bluff road last December. Hafford was killed in the incident.
BODY DISCOVERED IN MISSISSIPPI COUNTY Officials in Mississippi County say a body was found on Wednesday.
The body of a white male was discovered Wednesday evening in a wooded area near East Prairie.
Multiple agencies are conducting an investigation. The identity of the body has not been released.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI TEENAGER KILLED IN WRECK ON INTERSTATE 55 A Steele teenager has died following a two vehicle wreck Wednesday night in Pemiscot County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the incident occurred when a vehicle driven by 19 year old Tavarous Lockett struck another vehicle in the rear on Interstate 55.
Lockett’s vehicle then overturned and ejected him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The second vehicle ran off the roadway and into a cable barrier. The driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital.
LOCAL MAN ARRESTED AFTER CHARGING AT POLICE OFFICERS A local man was pepper sprayed Wednesday after he reportedly charged at Poplar Bluff Police officers.
We spoke with Captain Dave Sutton with the Poplar Bluff Police Department about the incident.
CAPTAIN DAVE SUTTON:
On Wednesday morning at approximately 1:30 officers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department were dispatched to the 2000 block of Thomas Street in reference to a domestic assault. As officers spoke with the adult female victim, the suspect, identified as thirty-five-year-old Jeremy Hunt, began shouting from the yard next door. Hunt charged towards our officers while shouting “draw your gun, you gonna shoot somebody?” Officer Cleveland delivered a short burst of pepper spray to Hunt’s face and he was taken into custody without further incident. Jeremy Hunt was booked in on a charge of resisting arrest and he was later lodged in the Butler County Jail. During the booking process Hunt apologized for his behavior and thanked the officers for handling the call the way they did.
AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING FIRE AT DEXTER BUSINESS There were no injuries reported following a fire Wednesday morning in Dexter.
According to authorities, the fire affected a building on Vine Street that contained two law offices.
The fire is under investigation and is being considered suspicious.
SEARCH LEADS TO RECOVERY OF SEVERAL STOLEN ITEMS A Rector man has been taken into custody after authorities reportedly found multiple stolen items at his residence.
According to Clay County Sheriff Terry Miller, on Saturday dispatch received a call of a break in at an area residence. The complainant stated that a four wheeler and .22 caliber rifle were stolen from his property along with miscellaneous camping and hunting supplies.
Residents in the area told authorities that they had seen a four wheeler matching the description of the one reported stolen, being driven by 44 year old Bradley McDaniel, of Rector.
Clay County Deputies initiated a parole search at McDaniel’s residence and found numerous stolen articles, firearms, and drug paraphernalia.
McDaniel was placed into custody and is being held on charges including residential burglary, theft of property, criminal trespass, and misdemeanor drug paraphernalia.
McDaniel’s bond has been set at $100,000.
PAVEMENT REPAIRS TO BEGIN TODAY IN STODDARD COUNTY Route U in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can perform pavement repairs.
MoDOT officials say that the work zone is located from Route H to Route MM.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 am to 6 pm.
