Tuesday, April 28, 2026
STORM SYSTEM CAUSES MULTIPLE TORNADO WARNINGS MONDAY NIGHT ACROSS THE AREA
The severe weather system that crossed Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas on Monday resulted in numerous tornado warnings throughout the area.
Tornado warnings were issued for Butler, Carter, Ripley, Wayne, Dunklin, and Clay Counties among others.
There were reports of trees being snapped, with numerous large branches down in Ripley County. Close to 60 mile per hour winds were reported in Butler County.
Thousands of people were also without power at points.
According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service in Paducah, numerous strong to severe storms are expected this afternoon into this evening.
Very large hail and damaging winds will be the main concerns, but a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
HANNAH HARPER ADVANCES TO TOP 5 OF AMERICAN IDOL
Hannah Harper is one step closer to becoming the American Idol.
Harper performed among the season’s Top 7 on Monday night for Taylor Swift week and chose to sing “Mean.” The three judges, along with guest judge Nikki Glaser all loved the performance, with Nikki highlighting Hannah’s use of banjo.
For her second performance, with the theme of Tribute to California, Harper performed Merle Haggard’s “That’s the Way Love Goes,” which also drew rave reviews from the judges.
At the end of the show, Harper once again avoided elimination to advance to next week’s show, where the top five will be trimmed down to the top three.
THREE INJURED DURING MONDAY CRASH IN STODDARD COUNTY
Three people were injured in a two vehicle crash Monday afternoon in Stoddard County.
According to the Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on US Highway 60 when one vehicle failed to yield to another.
The drivers of each vehicle, an 81 year old woman and 21 year woman, both from Bloomfield, were seriously injured in the crash and transported to a Cape Girardeau hospital.
A passenger in the second vehicle received minor injuries.
MAN FLOWN TO MEMPHIS HOSPITAL FOLLOWING SUNDAY EVENING CRASH NEAR BERNIE
A Bernie man was injured after his vehicle struck a home over the weekend.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 35 year old man was driving on Missouri Highway 25, one mile south of Bernie, when his vehicle ran off the side of the roadway and struck a residence.
The crash occurred at around 6:30 pm Sunday evening.
The driver was seriously injured in the crash and flown to a Memphis hospital.
RECTOR MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES
A Northeast Arkansas man will spend the next two decades in prison after his conviction on child pornography charges.
According to Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, 37 year old Joseph Parrish, of Rector, has been convicted on four counts of distributing, possessing, or viewing of matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child.
Parrish was arrested in January of 2025 following an undercover investigation of an online peer-to-peer file-sharing system.
Last week, Parrish pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. After his release, he will remain under court supervision for an additional 10 years and must also register as a sex offender.
THREE RIVERS COLLEGE SPRING CONCERT SET FOR TONIGHT
Three Rivers College students will be sharing music with the community at a performance tonight.
The TRC Music Department Spring Concert has been scheduled for 7 pm at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center. Admission is free.
The Three Rivers College Symphonic Band and Jazz Band, as well as the Collegiate Choir, will perform a variety of musical gems.
For more information, contact the Three Rivers College Music Department at 573-840-9639.