HEAT ADVISORY TO BE IN EFFECT TODAY FOR MUCH OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
A heat advisory will be in effect today for much of Southeast Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, heat index values are expected to get around 105 degrees today due to temperatures in the lower to middle 90s, and dew points in the mid 70s.
Officials say the combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Remember to drink plenty of fluids as well as stay in an air-conditioned room and out of the sun.
DEXTER WOMAN DROWNS IN ST. FRANCIS RIVER
An area woman drowned over the weekend in Butler County.
According to Butler County Coroner Andy Moore, 52 year old Barbara Reese, of Dexter, was swimming in St. Francis River Sunday evening when she began to struggle, submerged, and did not resurface.
The incident occurred off of Route U, six miles east of Broseley.
Reese was later pronounced dead at the scene.
CLARKTON MAN KILLED IN SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK
A single vehicle wreck early Saturday morning resulted in the death of a Clarkton man.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that 69 year old Leslie Bullow was driving on Missouri Highway 25 in Dunklin County when his vehicle ran off the side of the road and overturned.
Bullow, who was reportedly not wearing a safety device, was pronounced dead at the scene by Dunklin County Coroner James Powell.
MAN WITH CHILD MOLESTATION WARRANT WANTED OUT OF NEW MADRID COUNTY
Authorities in New Madrid County are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a man with a felony warrant.
New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens tells KWOC News that his office is searching for Allen Pretz, who has an active felony warrant for child molestation.
Pretz is from Halls, Kentucky and is believed to have ties to the Matthews area.
Stevens says that it is possible that Pretz is doing construction or labor because he has held jobs of this nature in the past.
We have a picture of Pretz available on the KWOC Facebook page.
Anyone who has information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office at 573-758-2516.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI MAN CHARGED IN STODDARD COUNTY SHOOTING DEATH
A Southeast Missouri man is facing numerous charges, including murder, in connection to a shooting death in Stoddard County.
Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver tells KWOC News that Melvin Anderson, of Advance, was charged Tuesday with murder 1st degree, armed criminal action, domestic assault 2nd degree, kidnapping 1st degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and tampering with physical evidence.
The charges stem from the June 28th shooting death of Tristan Davis near Advance.
Oliver says Anderson is currently housed in the Stoddard County Jail under a no bond warrant.
KENNETT MAN DEAD FOLLOWING SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK
One person has died following a wreck in Dunklin County.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that 65 year old Orbon Duke, of Kennett, was driving on Route P when his vehicle ran off the road struck several mailboxes and then a utility pole.
Duke was reportedly not wearing a safety device and was ejected during the wreck.
TWO ARRESTED ON FELONY METHAMPHETAMINE CHARGES
Two Doniphan residents have been taken into custody in Ripley County on multiple charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 38 year old Candace Scott and 27 year old Lewis Kramer were each arrested at around 10 pm Friday night on charges of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, endangering the welfare of a child – 1st degree, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kramer is also facing a charge of unlawful use of a weapon.
Following their arrests, both Scott and Kramer were held at the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office.
HEAVY RAINS CAUSE NUMEROUS FLOODED ROADS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Heavy rains Thursday morning resulting in flash flooding and water covered roads in Southeast Missouri.
Flash Flood warnings were in effect for numerous counties, including Butler and Stoddard, during the morning hours on Thursday.
Multiple roads were covered at points in Stoddard County including Highways J and U, along with numerous County Roads.
FLASH FLOODING CAUSES DAMAGE AT AREA SCHOOL
Heavy rains on Wednesday resulted in flood damage to an area school.
According to the Doniphan R-1 School District Facebook page, there was damage campus wide with flooding in the High School, Central Office, and Elementary. A retaining wall at the elementary playground also busted.
According to the National Weather Service, in nearby Ellsinore, four to five inches of water was reported over the roadway at the intersection of FF Highway and Carter County Road 327 shortly before 3 pm.
WATER TO BE SHUT OFF TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI CITY
Officials say that water will be temporarily shut off today in a Southeast Missouri community.
The city of Clarkton will be shutting off the town’s water beginning at around 10 am to install two fire hydrants.
One of the hydrants will be installed on Davis Street, and the second one will be installed on James Street.
Following the instillation, the city will be under a boil water advisory for two weeks.
MISSOURI OFFICIALS ASK PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR ANOTHER FEDERAL DISASTER DECELERATION
Missouri State officials have requested that President Donald Trump issue a major disaster declaration to assist residents and businesses in numerous Missouri counties that have been hard hit by flooding, tornadoes, and severe storms beginning on April 29th and continuing throughout the spring.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson tells KWOC News that the state expects to request Public Assistance once joint Preliminary Damage Assessments are completed in 64 counties.
In Southeast Missouri, this includes Bollinger, Dunklin, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Shannon, and Stoddard Counties.
Additional joint damage assessments for public assistance may be conducted in more counties as additional information is gathered locally when floodwaters recede.
A major disaster declaration was approved last month for Missouri to help recover from devastating flooding and severe storms that occurred from March 11th to April 16th.
HEAVY WINDS CAUSE DAMAGE AND POWER OUTAGES ACROSS SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Heavy winds both Friday and Sunday caused damage and power outages in Southeast Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service, in Butler County there were multiple reports of trees being snapped by wind on Friday. A tree fell and blocked Highway T for a period of time and there were reports of a tree falling on a house on Truman Street in Poplar Bluff. Wind gusts were measured at 59 miles per hour in Butler County.
On Sunday, trees reportedly fell on a house and cars on Butler County Road 461. On County Road 470, a house sustained roof damage in addition to multiple trees being down in the area. In Carter County, a tree came down and blocked Highway B shortly before 2 pm.
There were also numerous reports of people losing power during Sunday’s storms.
ONE DEAD FOLLOWING WRECK IN KENNETT
A Tennessee man has died following a single vehicle wreck in Dunklin County.
According to authorities, a vehicle ran off of the South Bypass in the Kennett area Thursday morning and overturned multiple times.
72 year old Richard Marotti, of Dyersburg, Tennessee, was killed in the wreck.
Another person in the vehicle was injured and flown to a Memphis hospital.
HEAVY WINDS CAUSE DAMAGE IN THE POPLAR BLUFF AREA
Severe Thunderstorms crossed our listening area on Wednesday bringing hail and heavy winds.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Supercells developed over southeast Missouri and produced damaging winds approaching 70 mph in Poplar Bluff along with large hail up to at least ping pong ball size near Scott City.
A plane was damaged after getting blown over at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport and a large fireworks tent also appeared to be blown over in Poplar Bluff.
In Butler County, several telephone poles, power lines, and tree limbs were also knocked down.
SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE WITH STORM SYSTEM HITTING THE AREA TODAY
Weather officials are saying that the potential exists today for severe weather in Southeast Missouri.
According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by the National Weather Service, thunderstorms are likely today into tonight, possibly in a couple of rounds.
Severe thunderstorms are also possible this afternoon and evening with potential severe storm hazards possibly including damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes.
Locally heavy rain will also lead to the potential for localized flash flooding, especially in areas that receive repeat storm activity.
MALDEN MAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES
A Malden man is facing child pornography charges following his arrest last week.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, on June 13th, investigators executed a search warrant at the residence of 52 year old Earl Tibbs. During the search, investigators seized child pornography and computer equipment.
The Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has formally charged Tibbs with one count of promoting child pornography and four counts of possession of child pornography.
He was transported to the Dunklin County Jail and his bond was set at $25,000.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE FELONY DRUG CHARGES
Authorities in Butler County have arrested an area man on multiple felony charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 34 year old Joseph Johnson, of Poplar Bluff, was taken into custody early Sunday morning on felony charges of unlawful use of a weapon as well as possession of a controlled substance for heroin, methamphetamine, Xanax, and Hydrocodone.
BROSELEY TEENAGER ARRESTED ON FELONY DRUG CHARGE IN BUTLER COUNTY
Authorities in Butler County have arrested an area teenager on a drug related felony charge.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 18 year old Dillon Smith, of Broseley, was taken into custody on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine and felony resisting arrest.
Officials say that Smith is also facing a charge of unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
Following the arrest, he was taken to the Butler County Justice Center.
AREA MAN KILLED IN CARTER COUNTY ATV WRECK
One person has died following an ATV wreck in Carter County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, an ATV, driven by 64 year old Michael Morgan, of Kennett, ran off the roadway and overturned on Deer Run, 2 miles west of Van Buren.
Morgan was pronounced dead at the scene by Carter County Coroner Eric McSpadden.
