CHANCES OF SEVERE WEATHER TO RETURN THIS WEEKEND IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Chances of severe weather are expected to return this weekend to Southeast Missouri.

According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service in Paducah, there are chances of thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight with lightning and brief downpours being the main hazards.

Officials say that there is a good chance of thunderstorms on Saturday. A few storms could be severe with damaging winds. Locally heavy rainfall and lightning will also be possible with any thunderstorms over the weekend.

ANNUAL DEXTER GRILLE IT UP SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEKEND

Multiple attractions are scheduled for the 7th Annual Dexter Grille It Up this weekend.

The two day event will begin at 5 pm on Friday and at 8 am on Saturday at East Park in Dexter.

There will be a car show, mud volleyball tournament, cornhole tournament, and cook off contest, along with numerous vendors and live music, among other attractions.

RIVER RADIO BLOOD DRIVE IN POPLAR BLUFF SET FOR FRIDAY

Reservations are now being accepted for the next River Radio Blood Drive in Poplar Bluff.

The Blood Drive has been scheduled for noon to 5 pm this Friday, July 7th, at the Larry Hillis Dodge Showroom on North Westwood Boulevard.

Anyone wanting to donate can call 1-800 Red Cross or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the code RiverRadio to schedule an appointment.

DANGEROUS HEAT CONDITIONS TO BEGIN TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

Excessive heat conditions could pose danger to many residents in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.

River Radio Chief Meteorologist Dan Holiday tells us more about what we can expect over the next couple of days.

“We've been hearing a lot about the really hot weather down in Texas and that is due to a strong high pressure system in the upper levels of the atmosphere. It's been over the southern part of the country for quite a while now but it's finally going to be lifting Northeast, and that's why we are going to be affected by it. So temperatures will be above 100 degrees on Thursday.

EXCESSIVE HEAT TO BLANKET THE AREA BEGINNING ON THURSDAY

Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas residents are being encouraged to prepare for oppressive heat that will blanket the area Thursday and Friday.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, dangerously hot conditions are expected with heat index values of 105 to 115 degrees possible. Highs are also forecast to get above 100 degrees.

FOUR STRUCTURES AND 25 VEHICLES DESTROYED IN FIRE

16 separate departments responded to the scene of a fire Sunday in Southeast Missouri.

According to the Northern Reynolds County Fire Protection District, at around 4 pm on Sunday crews were dispatched to Ellington for a commercial fire.

At the scene, three buildings as well as multiple vehicles were on fire.

Crews worked on the fire until 9 pm and mutual aid was requested for manpower, engines, and tankers from surrounding departments.

CAR REMOVED FROM BLACK RIVER

Poplar Bluff Fire Department personnel responded to a submerged vehicle in the Black River on Sunday.

According to the Poplar Bluff Fire Department, shortly before 1 pm on Sunday, crews were dispatched to the Black River at Sportsman's Park for a vehicle in the water with unknown entrapment.

At the scene personnel confirmed that there were no occupants inside the vehicle.

It was learned that the occupant was already out and transported to a local hospital.

POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED ON WARRANT FOR FAILING TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER

A Poplar Bluff man is in custody for allegedly failing to register as a sex offender.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, on Wednesday, 56 year old Alphonso Price was arrested at a residence on Foley Street for a Butler County warrant for failure to register as a sex offender and a probation/parole warrant for a parole violation.

According to the Missouri Sex Offender Registry, Price was convicted of 1st degree child molestation in 1997 and is considered a tier 3 offender with a lifetime registration requirement.

POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO DEATH OF A CHILD

A Poplar Bluff man has been taken into custody in connection to the death of a small child.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that on Tuesday, 25 year old Dustin Mason was arrested on a charge of abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death.

Dobbs says that the warrant stems from an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and the Butler County Children’s Division.

POPLAR BLUFF CITY COUNCILMAN RESIGNS

There is now a vacancy on the Poplar Bluff City Council.

During a regular meeting of the city council Monday night, Poplar Bluff Mayor Shane Cornman read a letter from Councilman Robert Duckett announcing Duckett’s resignation from his at-large seat on the Council, effective immediately.

In the letter Duckett said that due to moving outside the city limits and because of family needs he will step down.

MAN ARRESTED ON TWO COUNTS OF RAPE AND FOUR COUNTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

Multiple victims have come forward with reports of sexual abuse which resulted in the arrest of an area man on multiple counts of rape and sexual assault.

Officials with the Paragould Police Department tell KWOC News that 31 year old John Lang, of Paragould, has been taken into custody on two counts of felony rape and four counts of felony sexual assault.

Earlier this month, four victims, all under the age of 17, were interviewed by investigators and disclosed sexual acts that would constitute sexual assault by the definition of the statute. The victims each named Lang as the offender.

MAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO STABBING IN BUTLER COUNTY

A man has been taken into custody following an alleged stabbing in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, shortly after 9 am on Friday, officers responded to the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center Emergency Room for a report that an assault victim had been dropped off.

An adult female reported that her husband had punched her in the face and stabbed her in the upper chest with what she believed was a pocket knife.

LATEST DROUGHT MONITOR SHOWS MOST OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI TO BE ABNORMALLY DRY

Even with the summer shower this week, most of Southeast Missouri is still getting close to drought conditions.

According to the National Weather Service, the Drought Monitor released on Thursday shows that most of Southeast Missouri is currently listed as abnormally dry.

New Madrid, Dunklin, and Pemiscot Counties are all in moderate drought.

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES ON FIRST PHASE OF THE FUTURE I-57 PROJECT IN BUTLER COUNTY

Construction of the first phase of the U.S. Route 67/Future I-57 project in Butler County will soon be continuing with the reconstruction of the existing ramp at the intersection of the Route 160/158 interchange south of Poplar Bluff.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the interchange will be reconfigured with two roundabouts in place of the current loop ramps in the northwest and southeast quadrants.

SUSPECT IN BUTLER COUNTY HOME INVASION ARRESTED IN ARKANSAS

Updating a story we have been following for you, a suspect in a Butler County home invasion has been taken into custody in Arkansas.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that Jamie Carter, of Poplar Bluff, was taken into custody Tuesday morning in West Memphis, Arkansas.

Carter had been wanted by authorities after she allegedly broke into a victim’s home last week and kept the victim captive for approximately 18 hours. She then reportedly stole the victim’s vehicle, which she was driving when she was arrested in Arkansas.

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI ORGANIZATION CHOSEN TO RECEIVE OVER $400,000 GRANT

A Southeast Missouri organization has been chosen to receive over $400,000 in grant money.

The Delta Regional Authority has announced that a total of $11.7 million dollars was awarded to 28 projects in eight states through the Delta Workforce Grant Program.

In Southeast Missouri, the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission has been awarded over $402,000 for the Workforce Ready Project.

BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF ASKING FOR PUBLIC'S HELP IN LOCATING HOME INVASION SUSPECT

Authorities in Butler County are asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect in a home invasion investigation.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that it is believed that a subject named Jamie Carter, broke into a victims house Thursday night at around 6 pm and kept a victim captive until approximately 12:15 pm on Friday.

Dobbs added that Carter is believed to have also stolen the victim’s vehicle, a White 2012 Ford Escape with a License Plate of LG1NGRG.

MISINFORMATION ABOUT SHOOTING CAUSES STODDARD COUNTY SCHOOLS TO BE PLACED ON LOCKDOWN

Misinformation about a shooting in Southeast Missouri caused an area school to be placed on lockdown.

Dexter Chief of Police Hank Trout tells KWOC News that on Thursday the Dexter Police Department received a call regarding an active shooter, but the report did not indicate a specific location.

The Dexter Police Department responded to area schools and placed them on lockdown. Trout says that law enforcement officers with the Dexter Police Department, the Stoddard County Sheriff's Office, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol searched each school to ensure the safety of the students and staff.

AREA UNDER A RISK OF ELEVATED FIRE DANGER THURSDAY AND FRIDAY

Weather officials are warning that Southeast Missouri has an elevated fire danger for Thursday and Friday.

According to the National Weather Service, a very dry airmass will overspread the region, leading to elevated fire weather conditions. Officials say that dewpoints falling into the 30s will be near record low levels for June in this part of the country.

Residents are advised to avoid activities that could cause open flames or sparks. Drivers are also being asked to avoid parking on dry grass and to not throw cigarettes from a vehicle.

THREE RIVERS COLLEGE SOFTBALL PLAYER NAMED ALL AMERICAN

A Three Rivers College softball player has been recognized for her accomplishments on the field this year.

Freshman AJ Agers has been named a NJCAA 2nd Team All American.

Agers finished the season with a 26-4 record on the mound and a 2.10 ERA.

At the plate, Agers just missed batting .400, finishing the season with a .399 batting average along with 13 home runs.