Thursday, February 12, 2026
THREE DEAD, INCLUDING TWO CHILDREN, FOLLOWING HOUSE FIRE IN DEXTER
Updating a story we have been following for you, three people were found dead following a house fire early Wednesday morning in Stoddard County.
According to Dexter Fire Chief Don Seymore, crews responded to a two story house fire on Truitt Street shortly before 2 am Wednesday morning.
Seymour tells KWOC News that three people, ages 43, 13, and 5 were killed in the fire. Their names have not been released.
Two others were transported to area hospitals and their current condition was not available at this time. Thirteen people were living in the residence at the time of the fire.
The home is being considered a total loss.
The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating a cause for the fire.
ILLEGAL GAMBLING INVESTIGATION LEADS TO CHARGES FOR MULTIPLE BUSINESSES
Multiple businesses in Southeast Missouri have been charged in connection to an illegal gambling investigation.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, an investigation was conducted over multiple years concerning several businesses in Dunklin County.
In 2024, the Dunklin County Prosecutor’s Office requested DDCC investigate several businesses for illegal gambling activity involving video lottery terminals. During the undercover investigation, it was determined five area businesses utilized illegal video gambling devices to generate illicit revenue.
Last March, search warrants were executed at five businesses, Swindel’s Quick Shop and Dixie Package in Malden as well as Jays Corner Store, Up In Smoke - Clouds, and Kennett Liquor and Tobacco in Kennett. During the operation, investigators seized a total of 73 illegal gambling devices that contained a total of over $4,200 in U.S. currency.
The operation was a collaborative effort involving DDCC investigators, Patrol uniformed members, Malden Department of Public Safety, Kennett Police Department, and members of the Dunklin County Sheriff's Office.
On Tuesday, the Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged each business with one felony count of promoting gambling in the first degree.
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO RECEIVE OVER SIX MILLION DOLLARS FOR FUTURE I-57 PROJECT
Additional funding has been announced for the Future Interstate 57 project in Northeast Arkansas.
According to a press release, The Arkansas Department of Transportation is set to receive $6.7 million for the next phase of Future Interstate 57 from Walnut Ridge to the Missouri State Line.
The funding is from the latest Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development appropriation for Federal Fiscal Year 2026.
DONIPHAN MAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON CHARGE OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
A Doniphan man has been taken into custody following an incident Tuesday that crossed from Missouri into Arkansas.
According to Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole, at approximately 2:15 pm Tuesday, Clay County authorities were informed by the Doniphan Police Department about an incident in progress that was heading into Clay County.
A caller had advised that she was in her car with two children and that her ex-boyfriend was trying to force her off the road.
The man then passed the vehicle and blocked the road in front of her, and could then be heard hitting the woman’s vehicle with his hands.
This episode reportedly occurred multiple times before the man saw a deputy. The deputy took the subject, 28 year old Devin Browning, of Doniphan, into custody.
Browning was transported to the Clay County Detention Center, and on charges of felony aggravated assault, two counts of felony endangering the welfare of a minor -1st degree, and misdemeanor careless/prohibited driving.
FEBRUARY IS EARTHQUAKE AWARENESS MONTH IN MISSOURI
February is earthquake awareness month in Missouri and state officials are urging residents to make sure they are prepared.
Officials say that earthquakes warrant special attention in Missouri because of the presence of the New Madrid Seismic Zone in southeast Missouri, which in 1811 and 1812 generated some of the most powerful earthquakes to ever jolt the U.S.
The Zone is still active, with an average of over 200 tiny earthquakes, most of which can’t be perceived, each year.
Experts estimate there is a 25 to 40 percent chance of a large earthquake occurring in the next 50 years.
To find out more information about earthquake preparedness, visit the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency website.
DRIVER EXAMINATION STATIONS TO BE CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS
State officials are reminding motorists that driver examinations will not be available on select days this month.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed today in observance of President Lincoln’s Birthday.
Stations will also be closed on Monday, February 16th for President Washington’s Birthday.