Tuesday, July 22, 2026
EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING FOR TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
An excessive heat warning will be in effect today for much of Southeast Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, the heat warning will begin today at 11 am, and continue through 7 pm.
Dangerously hot conditions with heat index readings of around 110 degrees are expected, with locally higher readings of up to 116 degrees possible.
Officials say that heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events. Remember to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room and out of the sun if possible, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Multiple area communities have also opened up cooling centers to help local residents stay out of the heat.
NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING BEGINS FOR UPCOMING PRIMARY ELECTION
Missouri residents can now vote absentee for the upcoming primary election without having a reason to do so.
No excuse absentee voting begins today for the Missouri Primary, which is scheduled for August 4th.
An absentee ballot can be requested from your local election authority. According to the Butler County Clerk’s office, a photo ID will be needed if someone wants to vote absentee.
More information is available at sos.mo.gov.
BUTLER COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS CANDIDATE FORUM SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY
Candidates for the Republican nomination for Butler County Recorder of Deeds will both be participating in a forum this week.
Today’s Talk KWOC will be broadcasting the candidate forum, presented by Pro Tint Window Tinting and Accessories, beginning at 6 pm on Thursday.
The candidates, Lisa Larmie and Travis Gowen, will be answering questions about their plans and priorities for if they are elected.
The event will be broadcast live on the KWOC Facebook Page and River Radio Youtube page.
TWO NEELYVILLE RESIDENTS INJURED IN SUNDAY EVENING CRASH
Emergency crews responded to the scene of a single vehicle crash Sunday evening in Neelyville.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 42 year old Neelyville man was driving on Haynes Street when his vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree.
The man, along with his 15 year old passenger, suffered serious injuries in the crash. They were both transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital.
WEEKEND CRASH NEAR PIEDMONT INJURES THREE PEOPLE
Three people were injured in a weekend crash near Piedmont.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the crash occurred Saturday afternoon on Highway 34 when one vehicle crossed the center of the road and struck another vehicle head on.
A passenger in the second vehicle, identified as a 35 year old Farmington woman, suffered serious injuries in the crash. The two drivers both suffered moderate injuries. All three were transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital.
DEXTER MAN TO BE SENTENCED IN OCTOBER FOR TRYING TO ARRANGE HIS WIFE’S MURDER
A Dexter man will be sentenced this fall for trying to arrange the murder of his estranged wife.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 52 year old Matthew Alsup has pled guilty to a murder for hire charge in US District Court.
Alsup admitted to traveling to Mississippi on two occasions in early August of 2025 to try to recruit a former tenant of the RV park that he owned to kill his wife. The FBI learned of the plot, and an undercover police officer met with Alsup on August 14.
Alsup agreed to pay a total of $5,000 for the murder of his wife and “a couple extra grand” to kill his mother-in-law if she was also there.
Alsup is scheduled to be sentenced on October 19. His charge carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
ADVANCE MAN TO APPEAR IN COURT TODAY ON MULTIPLE CHARGES
An Advance man is scheduled to appear in court today on multiple charges.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Friday night, a Stoddard County deputy responded to a residence in Advance for a harassment complaint. The reporting party said that 40 year old Jeremy Hammontree had pulled into her driveway, laid on his horn, and yelled at the house.
When authorities made contact with Hammontree, he actively resisted, including allegedly pouring a beer on a deputy, kicking the patrol vehicle’s window, and spitting on a deputy.
When he was taken to the jail, Hammontree reportedly continued to be aggressive and made threats to harm a deputy and the deputy’s family.
Hammontree has been charged with felony escape or attempted escape from custody, resisting or interfering with an arrest, and three counts of 1st degree harassment. He is being held on no bond.
ROAD CREWS TO BE WORKING TODAY ON ROUTE 49 IN WAYNE COUNTY
Route 49 in Wayne County will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can replace a culvert under the roadway.
The section of roadway being reduced is located between County Roads 413 and 414 near Williamsville.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.