LANDSPOUT TORNADO REPORTED IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AS A PART OF THURSDAY’S STORMS
High winds were the primary hazard with the storm system that crossed Southeast Missouri on Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service, there was also a "landspout" tornado in southeast Missouri.
A "landspout" tornado refers to a tornado spawned by a non-supercell thunderstorm that usually occurs during the intense updraft stage of a developing shower or thunderstorm
According to storm reports, a tornado was reported by State Police touching down and lifting in the Canalou area of New Madrid County. A brief funnel cloud was also reported in the Scott City area.
There were no reports of damage in Southeast Missouri among the National Weather Service’s storm reports.
WRECK IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS RESULTS IN TWO DEATHS
Two people have died following a wreck last night in Northeast Arkansas.
Officials with the Arkansas State Police tell KWOC News that the wreck occurred at around 9 pm on US Highway 412 in the Walnut Ridge area.
A vehicle, driven by 37 year old Latosha Coker, of Cleveland, Ohio, had reportedly crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head on.
Coker and a minor in her vehicle were killed in the wreck. The name of the minor was not released.
Three additional minors in Coker’s vehicle, along with the driver of the second vehicle, were injured and transported to area hospitals.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN ENTERS GUILTY PLEA ON GUN AND METH CHARGES
A Poplar Bluff man could be spending the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to gun and meth charges.
Officials with the United States Attorney’s Office tell KWOC News that 37 year old Lee Marvin Hamilton has pled guilty to charges of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Hamilton admitted that on December 13, 2017, he distributed 167 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant for the SEMO Drug Task Force. A search of Hamilton’s residence resulted in the seizure of an additional 376 grams of methamphetamine and a revolver.
He faces a maximum punishment of 40 years of imprisonment and a fine up to $1,000,000 on the drug charge and a maximum sentence of life for possession of the firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime.
His sentencing is set for September 18th.
MALDEN WOMAN ARRESTED ON FELONY METHAMPHETAMINE CHARGE
Authorities say that an area woman has been taken into custody on a felony controlled substance charge.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 54 year old Melinda Hovis, of Malden, was arrested Thursday night on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.
Hovis is also reportedly facing a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS ON ROUTE F IN PEMISCOT COUNTY TO BEGIN TODAY
Route F in Pemiscot County will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction beginning today so contractor crews can perform pavement improvements.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the section of roadway to be reduced is located from Route 164 to Route 61.
Weather permitting, work will take place today through Friday, July 6 from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm daily, including weekends as necessary.
SIKESTON AUTHORITIES WARNING BUSINESSES OF RECENT FRAUD ATTEMPTS
Officials in Sikeston say that two area chain businesses recently were the victims of fraud.
Sergeant Jon Broom with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety tells KWOC News that the businesses were contacted by an unknown person claiming to be their company’s chief financial officer. This person requests the employee to purchase money gift cards and provide them with the numbers.
After they supply the numbers to the person posing as the CFO they asked the employee to destroy the cards.
Broom says that businesses and community members should always be aware of possible fraudulent activities. If something seems strange or suspicious report it and never provide personal information or transfer money without verifying the source.
Here are some additional tips on how to avoid fraud:
•Know who you’re dealing with. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
•Pay the safest way. Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges.
•Guard your personal information. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
•Stay safe online. Don’t send sensitive information such as credit card numbers by email because it’s not secure.
•Be cautious about unsolicited emails. They are often fraudulent.
•Resist pressure. Legitimate companies and charities will be happy to give you time to make a decision.
•Don’t believe promises of easy money if something sound too good to be true it probably is.
•Fully understand the offer. A legitimate seller will give you all the details about the products or services, the total price, the delivery time, the refund and cancellation policies, and the terms of any warranty.
•Get off credit marketing lists. Credit bureaus compile marketing lists for pre-approved offers of credit. These mailings are a goldmine for identity thieves, who may steal them and apply for credit in your name. Get off these mailing lists by calling 888-567-8688 (your social security number will be required to verify your identity). Removing yourself from these lists does not hurt your chances of applying for or getting credit.
•Check your credit reports regularly. If you find accounts that don’t belong to you or other incorrect information, follow the instructions for disputing those items. You can ask for free copies of your credit reports in certain situations. If you were denied credit because of information in a credit report, you can ask the credit bureau that the report came from for a free copy of your file. And if you are the victim of identity theft, you can ask all three of the major credit bureaus for free copies of your reports. Contact the credit bureaus at: Equifax, 800-685-111; Experian, 800-311-4769; TransUnion, 800-888-4213.
•Be cautious about offers for credit monitoring services. Why pay extra for them when you can get your credit reports for free or very cheap? Read the description of the services carefully. Unless you’re a victim of serious and ongoing identity theft, buying a
service that alerts you to certain activities in your credit files probably isn’t worthwhile, especially if it costs hundreds of dollars a year. You can purchase copies of your credit reports anytime for about $9 through the bureaus’ Web sites or by phone: Equifax, 800- 685-111; Experian, 800-311-4769; TransUnion, 800-888-4213.
