POLICE SEARCHING FOR SUSPECT FOLLOWING MULTI-COUNTY PURSUIT 

Police are searching for a suspect in connection to two separate pursuits in Southeast Missouri.  

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley tells KWOC News that on July 15th an officer initiated a traffic stop which led to a pursuit that was eventually called off due to weather conditions near the Butler and Stoddard County line.  

During the afternoon of July 21st, a driver matching the description of the driver in the previous pursuit was observed by officers at 10th and Pine Street in Poplar Bluff and a pursuit was initiated.  

Whiteley says that the driver ran through multiple stop signs at a high rate of speed, putting numerous citizens in jeopardy.  

The pursuit continued for over an hour, until the driver went off road near Kennett and ran through a fence and into a pasture. The driver then fled on foot.   

A passenger in the vehicle identified the driver as 25 year old Johnnie Ray Braden, of Poplar Bluff and said that Braden was also involved in the pursuit on July 15th.  

Anyone who has information on Braden’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department at 573-785-5776.

MAN ARRESTED ON MURDER CHARGE IN CONNECTION TO MISSING WOMAN 

An investigation into a missing woman in Wayne County has led to a murder arrest.  

Wayne County Sheriff Dean Finch tells KWOC News that Craig Alan Wood, of Williamsville, has been arrested and charged with first degree murder and first degree assault of Rebecca Alsup, who was reported missing in February of 2017.  

Wood is being held in the Wayne County Jail on no bond. 

Sheriff Finch is asking anyone who has information that could further assist in the investigation to contact the Wayne County Sheriff's Office at 573-224-3219.

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING TO BEGIN AT NOON 

Parts of Southeast Missouri will be under an Excessive Heat Warning beginning at noon today.  

According to the National Weather Service, the warning will be in effect from noon until 7 pm on Sunday and maximum afternoon heat index values from ranging from around 105 to 110 degrees are expected. 

Remember to drink plenty of fluids. Try to stay in an air-conditioned room and out of the sun if possible.  

Never leave pets, children, or the elderly unattended in parked vehicles.

BUTLER COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER INMATE DIES OF NATURAL CAUSES 

An inmate at the Butler County Justice Center has died.  

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that 44 year old Donald Ray Herrold III, of Poplar Bluff, was found unresponsive in the shower on Monday.  

An officer administrated CPR and Herrold was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Butler County Coroner Andy Moore says that an autopsy was performed Tuesday morning that revealed that Herrold had a fatal upper respiratory infection and has had this issue for a long time.  

Moore also stated that Herrold’s death had nothing to do with his incarceration.

FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS 

A flash flood watch continues for much of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas through this evening.  

According to the National Weather Service, showers and thunderstorms are expected to increase in coverage and intensity today with the primary hazard being locally heavy rainfall. 

Weather officials say that up to three inches of rain has already fallen in parts of Southeast Missouri and today’s storms could produce hourly rainfall rates of up to 2 inches.  

According to a hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service, an extended period of excessive heat is anticipated to begin later this week and continue through early next week.  

Weather officials say that maximum afternoon heat index values will easily surpass 100 degrees and numerous locations may top out around 105 degrees or slightly higher.

RIVER RADIO BLOOD DRIVE SCHEDULED FOR TODAY 

There will be an opportunity today to give blood and help save lives.  

The River Radio Blood Drive has been scheduled for noon to 6 pm at the Sacred Heart Catholic School Gym in Poplar Bluff.  

All presenting donors will receive a free commemorative St. Louis Cardinals Blood Drive T-shirt.  

According to the Red Cross, blood donations fell short of expectations in June, resulting in 24,000 fewer donations than needed.  

Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and enter the code RiverRadio to schedule an appointment for today’s blood drive.

MISSING ELLINGTON MAN FOUND SAFE 

A man reported missing earlier this week was found on Wednesday. 

An Endangered Silver Advisory was issued Tuesday for 78 year old Richard Dorey, of Ellington.  

Authorities say that Dorey was discovered safe Wednesday afternoon.

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.

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.

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.