Ringing in 2016 with gun lands felon in jail

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A convicted felon who allegedly broke the law in front of a Poplar Bluff police officer is in jail on charges that include child endangerment, the Daily American Republic reported. James O. Johnson, 49, of Poplar Bluff allegedly fired a rifle in the air at 12:01 a.m. New Year's Day as an officer in a patrol car was passing Johnson's home. Patrolman Dustin Barks reported he stopped to speak with the man and a woman, who appeared intoxicated. It was learned Johnson has previous convictions of armed criminal action and first-degree assault, according to police. Officers entered the home to find a loaded gun lying on a counter several feet from children. No information was available on how many children were present or their ages. The weapon had a live round in the chamber, with the safety off, and seven live rounds in the magazine, according to the report. Johnson was booked at the Butler County Jail on suspicion of unlawful possession of a firearm by a certain person, unlawful use of a weapon and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. The children were not removed from the home because it was determined they were not in danger once the firearm was removed, the report stated. The incident was reported to children's services.

Councilman attempts to stop burglary

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. -- Blytheville City Councilman L.C. Hartsfield found himself performing a different kind of public service Monday when he attempted to stop a burglary, according to the Blytheville Courier News. Hartsfield was working in his yard when he noticed a young black man attempting to take a television from the residence. "Hartsfield stated he yelled at the offender, who then dropped the TV and ran east on Hearn (Street)," the police report stated. "He stated the second offender then ran from the house and followed east on Hearn." "I stay pretty involved in watching my neighborhood," Hartsfield said. "There isn't much to say, I just saw the guys and called the police; that's really all I did," he said.

-- From staff reports

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Blytheville, Ark.