HIGHWAY PATROL URGES SAFETY FOR LABOR DAY WEEKENDWith Labor Day weekend upon us, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is urging everyone to be safe during the holiday weekend.
The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. over the Labor Day holiday weekend. All available officers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways enforcing Missouri’s speed limit, seat belt, and impaired driving laws, in addition to being available to assist motorists.
Troopers throughout the state will also be participating in a special enforcement operation today and September 4th. This operation will include Interstates 29, 44, 55, and 70, and U.S. Highways 60 and 61.
Last year, 20 people were killed and 429 injured in Missouri over the Labor Day holiday in 1,028 traffic crashes. Also, 100 people were arrested by the Highway Patrol for driving while intoxicated during the holiday weekend.
MAN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES FOLLOWING PURSUIT WITH POLICE A man is facing multiple felony charges following an incident earlier this week in Sikeston.
According to the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, shortly before 10:30 pm on Tuesday, officers responded to a brandishing of a weapon call. The complainant said Raymond Mitchell brandished a handgun and threatened to shoot at their home as he drove by.
While officers were still on scene Mitchell drove past the residence again and detectives attempted to stop the vehicle. However, Mitchell failed to yield and a vehicle pursuit began. The vehicle eventually came to a stop and Mitchell was taken into custody.
Officers performed a grid search for any items thrown from the vehicle during the pursuit and located a .40 caliber Taurus pistol.
Officials say that Mitchell has been charged with felony possession of firearm, tampering with physical evidence for a felony, and unlawful use of a weapon. He is also facing charges of resisting arrest, armed criminal action, and assault 4th degree.
His bond was set at $75,000, cash or surety.
POPLAR BLUFF POLICE SEEKING COMMUNITIES HELP IN IDENTIFYING SHOPLIFTING SUSPECT Authorities in Poplar Bluff are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect in a shoplifting complaint.
The suspect reportedly stole multiple items, including a Bluetooth speaker, from Academy Sports.
We have pictures of the suspect available on the KWOC Facebook page.
Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect, or where he can be located, is asked to contact Officer Jeremy Elless at 573-785-5776.
DRIVER EJECTED DURING SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK NEAR DONIPHAN A Grandin man was injured Thursday in a single vehicle wreck near Doniphan.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that 20 year old William Matthews-Tucker was driving on Highway 142 Thursday afternoon when his vehicle ran off the side of the road and overturned.
Matthews-Tucker, who was reportedly not wearing a safety device, was ejected during the wreck.
He suffered serious injuries and was taken to a Doniphan hospital.
AREA JUNIOR HIGH EVACUATED ON THURSDAY An area Junior High School was evacuated on Thursday but officials say that all students were safe.
According to the Sikeston R-6 Schools Facebook page, the Junior High was evacuated due to smoke in a classroom.
A transformer had blown in the neighborhood and there was no fire, but for safety reasons the entire school was evacuated.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR ANNUAL BRIDGE BUILDING COMPETITION Registration is open for the 14th annual Missouri Department of Transportation Bridge Building Competition.
The competition challenges high school juniors and seniors in Southeast Missouri to design and construct the most efficient model bridge using limited materials including 15 pieces of balsa wood, thread and glue.
The lightest bridge to carry the greatest load will ultimately be declared the winner. Prizes will also be awarded for the most aesthetic bridge and to the winner of the electronic bridge competition.
Schools must register by September 5th to participate. The judging for the competition will be held on November 16th in Cape Girardeau.
More information and registration forms are available online at MoDot.org.
PROGRAM STARTED TO HELP POPLAR BLUFF STUDENTS SHOW THEIR SCHOOL SPIRIT A new program is beginning today to help Poplar Bluff students show their school spirit.
Through September 22nd, school officials are taking donations of new or gently used Mules shirts, or other school or spirit wear. Blue collection bins will be set up near the office at each school or you can bring your shirts to any home football game through the 22nd.
Distribution of shirts will then be coordinated with individual schools beginning on September 25th.
