MAN KILLED IN SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK NEAR BLOOMFIELD
A Marble Hill man has died following a single vehicle wreck over the weekend in Stoddard County.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the wreck occurred at around 9 pm Saturday night on Highway M near Bloomfield.
The vehicle ran off the side of the road, overturned, and ejected the driver, 22 year old Travis Bennett. Bennett was pronounced dead at the scene.
POPLAR BLUFF POLICE INVESTIGATING THEFT FROM AREA AUTO DEALERSHIP
The Poplar Bluff Police Department is investigating a theft from a local auto dealership.
Lieutenant Josh Stewart with the PBPD tells us that several wheels were taken from the dealership and a white van is being sought in connection to the theft.
Pictures of the van are available on the KWOC Facebook page.
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call 573-686-8602.
2016 BUTLER COUNTY FAIR BEGINS TODAY
The 2016 Butler County Fair will get under way today at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff.
Exhibits will be available from noon until 8 pm, with the silent auction also beginning at noon.
The other event scheduled for today is the 4-H/FFA Public Speaking Contest. Check in will be held at 4:45 pm, with the contest starting at 5 pm.
For more information, go online to ButlerFair.org.
INMATE ESCAPES FROM MISSISSIPPI COUNTY DETENTION CENTER
A search is underway after an inmate escaped over the weekend in Southeast Missouri.
According to authorities, 49 year old Edward Lusk, of Bloomfield, escaped from the Mississippi County Detention Center on Saturday.
The Charleston Department of Public Safety is reporting that Lusk was last seen in Charleston and is reported to have violent tendencies.
A picture of Lusk is available on the KWOC Facebook page. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Department at 573-683-2111.
MAN FACING MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE FOLLOWING FATAL WRECK
A Patton man was taken into custody Sunday shortly after a wreck which killed two Farmington residents in Bollinger County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a vehicle driven by 49 year old Paul Patton allegedly crossed the center line of Missouri Highway 72 Sunday afternoon and struck a motorcycle head on.
The two riders of the motorcycle, 60 year old Debra Smith and 58 year old Richard Augustine, were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
Patton was arrested a short time after the wreck and is facing two counts of manslaughter.
GOVERNOR NIXON PARDONS TWO WHO ENTERED GUILTY PLEAS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon announced on Friday that he had granted pardons to nine people, including two who had entered guilty pleas in Southeast Missouri.
One of the pardons went to Dawn Wallace, who pleaded guilty to forgery in Butler County in 1992 and was placed on five years’ probation, which she successfully completed.
Another went to Joseph McVay, who pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance in Pemiscot County in 1996. He was placed on five years’ probation, which he also successfully completed.
Governor Nixon said that the pardons went to men and women who have gone on to live law-abiding lives and through their conduct, have demonstrated that they are deserving of a pardon.
ENDANGERED PERSON ADVISORY UPDATED FOR MISSING 13 YEAR OLD GIRL
Authorities have updated the Endangered Person Advisory that was issued last week for a teenage girl who is missing out of Dent County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 13 year old Harley Hopper, was seen by a witness leaving her residence with a backpack and getting into the suspect vehicle. She has not been contacted since.
The possible suspect is believed to be 22 year old Kenneth Dylan Whitehead. According to the Highway Patrol, family has stated that Whitehead has a history of violence and possible drug use.
The vehicle involved is a white, 2016 GMC full size pickup, bearing an Arizona registration AH09306. The pickup was rented from a U-Haul rental in Iowa. Officials say that the subjects are possibly en route to an unknown location in Florida.
Pictures of Hopper, Whitehead, and the vehicle are available on the KWOC Facebook page.
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to immediately dial 911 to contact the nearest law enforcement agency.
PAVEMENT REPAIRS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY IN BUTLER COUNTY
Route N in Butler County will be reduced to one lane today while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
The work zone is located from Route 53 to County Road 239.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 6:30 am to 3:30 pm.
