TWO ARRESTED IN BUTLER COUNTY FOLLOWING HIGH SPEED CHASES 

Two were taken into custody in Butler County on Wednesday after a vehicle crash from a high speed chase. 

According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, 30 year old Melissa Burns, of Poplar Bluff, and 34 year old Gary Goodwin, of Wappapello, were arrested following a short foot pursuit after their vehicle had crashed while attempting to evade authorities. 

They were both charged on several crimes including vehicle break-ins and a home invasion, and were transported to the Butler County Jail following their arrests.

CLAY COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS ON ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE 

A Clay County man was sentenced to 20 years on an attempted murder charge. 

According to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, 57 year old Randy Jones, of Rector, was sentenced after he entered a negotiated pleaded guilty to an attempted first-degree murder charge. 

Jones attempted to stab a home resident with a hunting knife in July, instead stabbing a woman and seriously injuring her when she attempted to intervene. 

He was sent to the Greene County Detention Center after his sentencing, and was set to be transferred to the Arkansas Department of Correction.

SNOW CAUSES NUMEROUS SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS ACROSS SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 

Numerous schools across Southeast Missouri have been called off today due to snow showers that hit our area yesterday and early this morning.  

Students in over 35 schools will have the day off today. Few official snow fall reports have come in as of press time, but according to the National Weather Service, Dexter had received two and a half inches of snow as of 8:30 pm last night and Doniphan had one inch as of 10 pm.  

You can find a list of school closings in the area on our website.

SNOW AND BITTERLY COLD TEMPERATURES ON TAP FOR EARLY THIS WEEK 

Our first round of winter weather will be sweeping over the area this evening and motorists are advised to slow down while on the road.  

Rain and snow are expected throughout the day today with snow accumulation possibly getting up to around an inch in Poplar Bluff.  

Some of our northern counties could receive around two inches of snow. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Wayne County until 9 pm. 

In addition to the snow, the National Weather Service is calling for bitterly cold temperatures to move into the area starting tonight. An arctic air mass will hit Southeast Missouri, bringing wind chill values as low as single digits. Tonight’s lows will be in the teens and the wind chill will make it feel even colder.

WOMAN ARRESTED IN BUTLER COUNTY ON MULTIPLE WARRANTS 

A woman was taken into custody in Butler County on Thursday on multiple warrants. 

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell (Station name) News that 37 year old Elizabeth Lachance, of Qulin, was arrested on a felony warrant in Wayne County for dangerous drugs, a Wayne County failure to appear warrant on possession of synthetic narcotics, and a Poplar Bluff failure to appear warrant on shoplifting.

She was transported to the Butler County Jail following her arrest.

SEVEN ARRESTED IN POPLAR BLUFF FOLLOWING DRUG RELATED CHARGES 

There were seven arrested in Poplar Bluff on Wednesday after officers began serving arrest warrants on drug distribution and trafficking offenses. 

Four of the suspects were arrested on federal indictments, and three were arrested on state indictments stated by a Butler County grand jury. 

61 year old Marvin Price, 38 year old Amber Wrinkle, 27 year old Jaleel Gipson, 26 year old Toriona Dudley, 26 year old Trevin Eason, 23 year old Freeman Williams Jr., of Poplar Bluff, and 23 year old Jaquan Whitfield, of St. Loius, were all arrested on varying counts of distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.

VOTING ON USE TAX FOR POPLAR BLUFF FAILING MIGHT LEAD TO LAYOFFS 

The recent voting on a use tax for Poplar Bluff on Tuesday failed with 276 for the tax and 491 against. 

The tax, if passed, was going to be used on specific out of state online purchases for the same rate they would be taxed if bought from businesses. 

City Manager Mark Massingham tells KWOC News that the 2020 general fund budget cannot include pay raises for employees due to this, and that it is possible some layoff’s will occur.

VOTERS TO DECIDE IN POPLAR BLUFF ON A USE TAX  

Voters in Poplar Bluff will be voting on a use tax issue during today’s election.  

The local use tax, if passed, will be collected by major out of state mail order and internet companies which do business in Missouri for all mail order and internet purchases from Poplar Bluff.  

The use tax would be the same rate as the local sales tax, 2.25 percent for Poplar Bluff.  

The measure also says that a use tax return shall not be required to be filed by anyone whose purchases from out-of- state vendors do not in total exceed two thousand dollars in any calendar year. The proposal has been before voters previously, coming as close as being just 12 votes shy in 2017.  

Other communities in the area, including Doniphan, Naylor, and Piedmont, have already approved the tax.

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE SEARCHING FOR ARMED SHOOTING SUSPECT 

The Poplar Bluff Police Department is searching for a suspect from a shooting case on Saturday. 

Lieutenant Keith Hefner of Poplar Bluff Police tells KWOC News that officials responded to a shooting on Saturday, involving a 35 year old male who had been shot in the chest. He was transported to a Poplar Bluff Hospital before being flown to a hospital in St. Louis. 

Investigators identified Carlow Wallace as the suspect, who is wanted for Assault 1st degree, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, and several felony warrants. 

Officials state that Wallace should be considered armed and dangerous, and anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department at 573-785-5776.

BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT SEIZES $30K WORTH OF CRYSTAL METH 

Two Poplar Bluff men have been arrested in Butler County after officials found over $30k worth of crystal meth in their home on Wednesday. 

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC news that 18 year old Martajan Williams, of Hayti, and 26 year old Byron Norris, of Poplar Bluff, were taken into custody after a search of Norris’ residence revealed around 3 pounds of “ice” methamphetamine. 

Marijuana, a .22 caliber handgun, and other items for distribution purposes, were also found. 

Williams faces charges on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and Norris was taken into custody for being wanted on a Bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms & explosives warrant for dangerous drugs. 

Both men were taken to the Butler County Jail following their arrests.

MISSOURI MAN CHARGED WITH RESISTING ARREST FOLLOWING HIGH SPEED CHASE 

A Missouri man was charged with resisting arrest yesterday after leading Dunklin County officials on a high speed chase. 

Dunklin County officials state that 32 year old Kurtis Austin, of Arbyrd, accelerated to around 100 miles per hour after an officer attempted to pull him over for illegally tinted windows, as well as driving on the wrong side of the road. 

He drove through the city of Cardwell, where he almost struck an officer attempting to stop him. He continued traveling towards Arkansas, getting to around 120 miles per hour before he crashed and was taken into custody. 

Austin has been scheduled for a sentence hearing on December 11th, potentially facing up to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

BURGLARY INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST IN STODDARD COUNTY 

Updating a story we brought you last week, an investigation into the burglary of a convenience store in Puxico has led to an arrest. 

According to the Puxico Police Department, the investigation, led by Puxico police, the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, and Missouri State Highway Patrol, led to the arrest of Alexis Mallery, of Annapolis. He has been charged with burglary – 2nd degree, and property damage – 1st degree. 

He was transported to the Stoddard County Jail following his arrest.

IDENTIY OF MAN ARRESTED ON CHARGES FOLLOWING VEHICLE PURSUIT RELEASED 

Updating a story we brought to you yesterday, the identity of a man who was taken into custody following a vehicle pursuit has been released. 

Officials with the Puxico Police Department tell KWOC News that the suspect is Jeffrey Gross, of Perryville. He was arrested for resisting arrest by fleeing on Saturday following a foot pursuit after his vehicle crashed off State Highway 51. 

He was also charged with delivery of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as holding a parole violation warrant. 

Gross is currently being held at the Stoddard County Jail with no bond.

HIGH SPEED PURSUIT IN STODDARD COUNTY LEADS TO WRECK AND ON FOOT PURSUIT 

A high speed pursuit in Stoddard County on Saturday led to a wreck and on foot chase. 

According to the Puxico Police Department, a pursuit occurred while attempting to stop a vehicle that was traveling at high speeds, leading the vehicle to crash on State Highway 51. 

The driver attempted to flee on foot, where they were apprehended and arrested. Their identity has not been released. 

They had warrants, were in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, and were transported to the Stoddard County Jail following their arrest.

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE ANNOUNCE ALCOHOL SALE COMPLIANCE CHECKS 

The first of several upcoming alcohol compliance checks of local businesses have been completed in Poplar Bluff.  

Captain Darron Moore with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC News last month, 14 local businesses were visited during the check, and of those, 3 were found in violation of selling alcohol to underage buyers.  

Officials say in the next few months young adults under the age of 21 will visit more businesses which sell alcoholic beverages and try to purchase these drinks. 

Police Officers will be working with these minors, and will cite employees and businesses for violations. 

Anyone who has questions about the operations can contact Corporal Rich Knapp at 573-785-5776.

POPLAR BLUFF COUPLE FACING CHARGES AFTER ROBBING ESSEX BANK 

Updating a story we brought to you yesterday, the identity of a man who robbed the Southern Bank of Essex has been released. 

According to Officials, the robber has been identified as Glenn Hamilton of Poplar Bluff. Hamilton handed the teller of the bank a note saying to give him money. Hamilton then allegedly motioned to his side as if he had a handgun. He made away with around $1,900. 

He is also on parole for felony possession of cocaine.

Officials have also taken Jamie White, also of Poplar Bluff into custody, after video footage showed that she drove Hamilton away after the robbery. 

They have both been charged with felony of first-degree robbery, and are being held without bond. The location of their arrest has not been released.

MULTIPLE COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENTS CURRENTLY SEARCHING FOR BANK ROBBER 

Multiple agencies are searching for a man who robbed a Stoddard County bank on Monday. 

Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner tells KWOC News that the suspect entered the Southern Bank of Essex, and took an unknown amount of cash from the teller, then left in an older model, four door sedan. 

Witnesses report that the suspect is a black male, around 6ft. tall, with a grey beard and goatee. 

The Stoddard County Sheriff Office and Major Case Squad, Dexter Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and FBI are currently investigating the suspect’s whereabouts. He is considered armed and dangerous. 

We have a picture of the suspect available on the KWOC Facebook Page. 

If you have any information on the suspect or his whereabouts, contact the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office at 573-568-4654, or your local law enforcement agency.

SEVERE WEATHER STRIKES AREA MONDAY MORNING 

A line of storms crossed Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas overnight and into this morning resulting in multiple severe thunderstorm warnings as well as a tornado warning.  

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado warning was for western Carter County after a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 9 miles southwest of Birch Tree shortly after 3 am.  

Severe Thunderstorm warnings were also issued throughout the night in both Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.  

There has been reports of roof damage to homes between Doniphan and Gatewood in Ripley County, as well as over 200 residences being without power in Clay County Arkansas.

ENDANGERED PERSON ADVISORY - GIRL MISSING SINCE LAST WEEK BELIEVED TO BE IN POPLAR BLUFF 

A girl that has been missing since last Friday is believed to be in the Poplar Bluff area. 

Howell County officials tell KWOC News that 15 year old Destiney Layman, from Mountain View, has been reported being near or heading to Poplar Bluff. 

Layman is a white, 5’9 girl with blonde hair and hazel eyes, with scars on her chin and nose, wounds on her right knee and elbow, and braces. She is believed to be with, or attempting to find, her biological father. 

It is noted that she may dye her hair or alter her appearance to avoid being found. 

Anyone with information on her, or her whereabouts, should immediately dial 911, or contact the Howell County Sheriff’s Office at 417-256-2544.

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HOST DRUG TAKE BACK EVENT 

Poplar Bluff residents will have a chance to safely dispose of their unused, unwanted, or expired prescription drugs next weekend.  

The Poplar Bluff Police Department will be holding a Drug Take Back event on Saturday, October 26th from 10 am to 2 pm at Wal-Mart on Westwood Blvd. 

Participants must simply bring their medications to Wal-Mart for disposal. They cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills and patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. 

For more information, or to find a collection site near you, go to www.dea.gov.