FEMA HOUSING INSPECTORS CONTACTING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES WHO APPLIED FOR ASSISTANCE FOLLOWING MID MARCH STORMS
FEMA damage inspectors will be in contact with Southeast Missouri residents who were affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and wildfires that occurred on March 14th and 15th.
Those who sustained disaster-related damage in 18 counties, including Butler, Carter, Ripley, and Wayne, may be eligible for assistance by registering with FEMA.
Following registration, FEMA usually schedules an inspection within 7 to 10 days. Housing inspections are triggered when someone registers with FEMA for disaster assistance and indicates their residence was damaged and/or they lost personal property because of the disaster, and their losses or needs are not covered by insurance.
FEMA inspectors document personal property losses and disaster impacts to an applicant’s residence, particularly whether the house is safe, sanitary and livable. The inspectors do not make outright FEMA eligibility decisions on site. Rather, they gather information that is among many factors used to determine if, or how FEMA may be able to help.
Legitimate housing inspectors are FEMA employees. The inspector will already know an applicant’s FEMA case number, will present their official FEMA identification and will never ask for, or accept money. This service is free.
Individuals who sustained damage or losses due to the severe weather may apply for FEMA disaster assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling FEMA’s toll-free application line at 1-800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
CITY OF KENNETT GIVEN POOR RATING IN AUDIT
Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has given a southeast Missouri city a poor rating, citing the actions of a former city clerk.
Auditor Fitzpatrick released the audit Thursday for the city of Kennett. The report found that the city is lacking oversight and controls that allowed former Deputy Clerk Leslie Osorio to misappropriate at least $79,821.
Osorio, now of Paragould, Arkansas, was arrested in February and is facing a single charge of stealing - $25,000 or more.
The report details how Osorio was able to get away with the misappropriation of city funds because the City Council and the City Clerk did not provide adequate oversight or sufficiently review or approve disbursements.
The audit recommends improved segregation of accounting duties as well as appropriate reviews and monitoring procedures.
Other findings in the audit include the city's failure to consistently comply with the Sunshine Law or sufficiently document discussions to demonstrate Sunshine Law compliance, insufficient controls over the computers in the City Clerk's office, and the failure of city personnel to follow city code or Missouri Secretary of State guidance regarding retention of electronic communication sent via text messages.
The full audit is available at auditor.mo.gov.
MAN FLOWN FROM THE SCENE OF AN OVERNIGHT CRASH IN THE PARMA AREA
A Parma man was flown from the scene of a crash early Thursday morning in New Madrid County.
According to authorities, the 30 year old man was driving on Route D in Parma when he ran off the roadway and struck a ditch.
The crash occurred shortly after 3 am Thursday morning.
The man suffered serious injuries in the wreck and was flown to a Memphis hospital.
4-H PROGRAM FUNDRAISER GOLF TOURNAMENT COMING UP TODAY
A fundraising golf tournament for Butler County 4-H will be held today.
The Butler County 4-H Program Fundraiser Golf Tournament will begin at 12:30 pm at Ozark Ridge Golf Course in Poplar Bluff.
Registration for the tournament will begin at 11:30 am this morning and will cost $400 per team.
PIEDMONT MAN ARRESTED ON DRUG AND GUN CHARGES IN CARTER COUNTY
A Piedmont man has been taken into custody in Carter County on gun and drug charges.
According to an arrest report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 45 year old Roy Winters was arrested Wednesday evening on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance.
Winters is also facing charges of delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Following the arrest, Winters was held in the Carter County Jail.
TWO MOTORCYCLE RIDERS SERIOUSLY INJURED AFTER CRASH NEAR HOLCOMB
Two motorcycle riders were seriously injured in a collision Wednesday night in the Holcomb area.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, two motorcycles sideswiped each other on Highway B, four miles west of Holcomb, at around 8:35 pm Wednesday.
Both drivers were 28 year old men from the Kennett area and suffered serious injuries in the crash. They were both flown to Memphis hospitals.
OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULED AT WAPPAPELLO LAKE FOR SATURDAY
Area residents will be able to learn about Wappapello Lake and the work the US Army Corps of Engineers does at an upcoming open house.
The event has been scheduled for 9 to 11 am on Saturday, May 31st at the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center in Wappapello.
For more information, contact the Wappapello Lake Management office at 573-222-8562.
ANNUAL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SIDE BY SIDE POKER RUN SET FOR THIS WEEKEND
The Poplar Bluff Knights of Columbus are preparing for their annual side by side poker run this weekend.
The event has been scheduled for Saturday, May 31st, beginning at 10 am. The ride will start and end at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Grand Avenue in Poplar Bluff.
The event is open for side by sides and open air jeeps only and drivers must have a valid drivers license.
For more information, call 573-429-5801.
THE TIMOTHY FOUNDATION TO HOST FREE FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND IN POPLAR BLUFF
The Timothy Foundation will be hosting a festival this weekend in Poplar Bluff.
The Timothy Foundation Festival has been scheduled for 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday at Westwood Baptist Church.
Admission is free and the event will include vendors, kids games, music, food trucks, and multiple contests.
The Timothy Foundation of Poplar Bluff is a non-profit that exists to develop, maintain, and improve lifelong learning for individuals in Southeast Missouri.
