SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Severe weather is possible today in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.

According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by the National Weather Service, isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected today. Severe storms will be possible throughout the region mainly in the afternoon and early evening hours, but the threat will be greatest in extreme southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.

Officials say that damaging winds, large hail, locally heavy rainfall, and tornadoes will all be possible.

TWO IN CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO SHOOTING IN KENNETT

Two men have been arrested in connection to a fatal shooting in Kennett.

On February 21st, officers responded to the American Legion building in reference to someone shooting a firearm. A total of five people were shot and one later died from his injuries.

According to authorities, 26 year old Darrion Carter and 20 year old Tyrese Tate, both of Charleston, have been taken into custody and are facing charges of second degree murder, armed criminal action, and four counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

Carter is also facing a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

OVER 100 POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINATION

Numerous employees of the Poplar Bluff School District were vaccinated for Covid-19 last week.

According to school officials, over 100 school employees were vaccinated during a Covid-19 immunization clinic held on Thursday.

They received the first round of the Pfizer shot. For staff members who were unable to make it to the on-site clinic due to after-school duties, the school nursing staff is collaborating with Key Drugs to offer a Moderna or Johnson and Johnson vaccine option.

SEVEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO WAYNE COUNTY NARCOTICS INVESTIGATIONS

Authorities in Wayne County say that multiple people were taken into custody last week as a part of narcotics investigations.

According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, deputies executed search warrants last week at the residences of Dennis Hanks Jr, Charles David Webb Jr, and Logan Hicks.

As a result of the searches, approximately 18 grams of methamphetamine was seized from the three residences.

The sheriff’s Department says that a total of seven subjects were taken into custody for various drug related charges.

POPLAR BLUFF MAN SENTENCED FOR ASSAULT IN DUNKLIN COUNTY JAIL

A Poplar Bluff man has been sentenced in connection to an assault at the Dunklin County Jail.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 46 year old Shederic Anderson was sentenced yesterday to 36 years in prison for two counts of aggravated sexual abuse.

Officials say that in July of 2018, Anderson escaped from the Cydkam Center in Neelyville by signing out of the facility to go to work and never returning. Anderson was later arrested and detained in the Dunklin County Jail. While in the Dunklin County Jail he sexually assaulted another inmate.

A jury found Anderson guilty of the charges in November 2019.

ENHANCED CHANCE OF SEVERE WEATHER TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Residents in much of Southeast Missouri are looking at an enhanced chance of Severe Weather today.

KWOC News spoke with Rick Shanklin, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Paducah, about today’s storm system.

“There is an increased chance of severe thunderstorms from about midday through early evening for Southeast Missouri.

Certainly the chances increase the further south you go, but even for our region, especially areas closer to the Arkansas/Missouri border, there is the potential for damaging thunderstorm winds, large hail, and even tornados.

Everyone should stay alert to the weather and be prepared to take shelter if a warning is issued or if severe weather is observed.

Our thunderstorm chances will diminish tonight as a cold front pushes east across the area.”

With the recent heavy rainfall we have experienced over the past few weeks, isolated flooding is also a concern.

MISSING OREGON COUNTY TEENAGER LOCATED IN RIPLEY COUNTY

Updating a story we brought to you yesterday, a missing Southeast Missouri teenager has been found.

Officials with the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, tell KWOC News that 17 year old John Scott was located unharmed on Monday.

He was found at approximately 12:45 pm on Highway 160 near Route C in Ripley County.

Officials say that Scott was returned to Oregon County. No further details were released. KWOC News will continue to follow this story for you and bring you more details as they become available.

MISSING TEENAGER LAST SEEN ON THURSDAY IN RIPLEY COUNTY

A missing teenager was reportedly seen last week in Ripley County.

According to the Oregon County Sheriff’s Office, 17 year old John Scott was last seen on Thursday afternoon on Highway 160 in the area of Route V walking towards Doniphan.

Scott is described as a white male, five foot, three inches tall, weighing 120 pounds with brown hair.

We have a picture of Scott available on the KWOC Facebook page.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Oregon County Sheriff’s Office at 417-778-7888 or your local law enforcement agency.

PUXICO MAN DROWNS AT WAPPAPELLO SPILLWAY

One person is dead following an incident Thursday at the Wappapello Spillway.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that authorities received an emergency call at around 4:30 pm with a report of an adult male drowning.

The body of 29 year old Lucas Cope, of Puxico, was found in the area of the spillway boat ramp. Officials say that Cope was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident is under investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Water Division, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department.

PRESALE UNDERWAY FOR MULES STATE QUARTERFINAL GAME

The presale is underway for the Poplar Bluff Mules State playoff game on Friday.

The Mules will be hosting Chaminade at 6 pm Friday night for the Class 6 state quarterfinal in a game you can hear live on Today’s Talk 93.3 FM and 930 AM KWOC and watch online at MSHSAA.tv.

According to Poplar Bluff Athletics Director Kent Keith, anyone who wants to purchase tickets should go to mshsaa.org and use the presale code 98854Q. The presale will end at noon today, at which point the tickets will open up for general admission and the code will not be needed.

Keith says that tickets will not be sold at the door and masks are required for all fans that attend.

MASS VACCINE CLINIC TO BE HELD IN POPLAR BLUFF TODAY

A Mass Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic will be held today in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Butler County Health Department, they are teaming with the National Guard for the clinic, which is scheduled for 8 am to 4 pm at the Black River Coliseum.

Participants are required to have registered at CovidVaccine.mo.gov/navigator for the event.

The Dunklin County Health Center has also announced a first dose only mass vaccination clinic will be held on March 15th at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Kennett.

To register call 573-757-8068.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON WRECK LEAVES ONE DEAD

A Hiram, Missouri man has died following a single vehicle wreck on Sunday in Wayne County.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that 56 year old Randy Tipton, was driving on Route V near Piedmont when his vehicle ran off the side of the roadway and struck a concrete bridge support.

Tipton was flown to a Farmington hospital where he was pronounced dead.

MISSOURI STATEWIDE TORNADO DRILL CAUSES CONFUSION AFTER TEXT ALERT GOES OUT

An inadvertent text alert caused confusion during the Missouri Statewide Tornado Drill yesterday.

During the drill, an alert was sent to some people’s phones that said a Tornado Warning was in their area and they should take shelter. The alert did not mention that it was part of a drill.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there were no active tornado warnings and the Wireless Emergency Alert was unintentionally activated.

The National Weather Service in St. Louis posted on Twitter that new code implemented last week for their software that sends warnings to the Wireless Emergency Alert system mistakenly allowed the test to go out over WEA as an actual warning.

The NWS went on to say that the software was fixed immediately and apologized for any confusion caused.

ONE DEAD FOLLOWING KENNETT SHOOTING

One person has died following a fatal shooting over the weekend in the Missouri Bootheel.

According to the Kennett Police Department, someone in a vehicle fired several shots into the victim’s vehicle while both were travelling on 1st street Sunday night.

A passenger in the victim’s vehicle, Tahmiius Mitchell, of Kennett, suffered a fatal injury during the incident. The driver received minor injuries.

Officials are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Kennett Police Department at 573-888-4622.

WAYNE COUNTY WOMAN KILLED IN SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK

A Wayne County woman was killed in a single vehicle wreck over the weekend.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 29 year old Joshua Kelsoe, of Williamsville, was driving on US Highway 67 Saturday night, when his vehicle ran off the roadway and struck a ditch.

A passenger in the vehicle, 47 year old Judy Thompson, also of Williamsville, was pronounced dead at the scene by Madison County Coroner Collin Follis.

There were no injuries reported for Kelsoe.

MULTIPLE BASKETBALL DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS HELD THURSDAY NIGHT

Multiple district basketball champions were crowned last night in Southeast Missouri.

Starting with the Girls Class 2, Holcomb defeated Hayti 64-44 to win District 1, while Ellington beat Neelyville 60-55 in District 2. In the Girls Class 3 District 1 finals, Twin Rivers claimed the district championship after their 51-37 victory over Thayer. In the Class 3, District 2 final, Woodland beat Scott City 66-48.

On the boys’ side, Gideon defeated Scott County Central 61 to 55 to win Class 1, District 1. For Class 2, District 1, Campbell was victorious over Bernie 55-41. In Class 2, District 2, Alton defeated Van Buren, 52-37.

State sectional play for the boys will begin on March 2nd, with the girls following on March 3rd.