TORNADO CONFIRMED TO HAVE TOUCHED DOWN IN SIKESTON AREA
A tornado is confirmed to have touched down Sunday in the Sikeston area.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, the EF-3 tornado had peak winds of 140 miles per hour and traveled from east of Morehouse to Diehlstadt.
An EF-2 Tornado was also confirmed in Ripley and Butler County, traveling from the Fourche Creek Conservation Area to the western edge of Poplar Bluff.
LEVEE BREAKS IN BUTLER COUNTY
Crews are monitoring a levee break in Butler County.
Presiding Commissioner Vince Lampe tells KWOC News that the break is located along Black River in an area near Butler County Road 202, south of Highway 53.
Lampe says that it appears that no homes will be affected, however crews will not be able to work to fix the breach until the river levels go down.
CLEAN UP EFFORTS CONTINUE FOLLOWING WEEKEND STORM SYSTEM
Clean up efforts are continuing following a weekend storm system that caused damage across Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there were several reports of possible tornadoes on Sunday, however it will take several days to survey all the damage from the storms.
One storm related fatality was reported in the Sikeston area.
Damage to homes was reported in multiple communities, including Naylor, Harviell, Neelyville, Dexter, and Sikeston. Numerous trees and power poles were also knocked over throughout the area.
THREATS OF SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Severe weather has a chance of putting on a damper over the holiday weekend.
Station Chief Meteorologist Dan Holiday tells us more.
"We have a couple of days that we are watching both today and Sunday for the threat of severe weather, and with all that’s going on for the Memorial Day weekend, we’re really keeping an eye on Sunday, which looks a little bit more on the higher end of severe weather. For today we have a complex of storms ongoing and cloud cover that spills in may limit the severe weather potential but by this afternoon and tonight, we will watch for some storms that are capable of large hail and damaging winds.
MULES GOLF TEAM INVITED TO PLAY IN NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
The Poplar Bluff Mules will be participating in a National Tournament this summer.
The Class 4 State Champion Mules Golf team has been invited to play in the 2024 High School Golf National Invitational.
The 54-hole event showcases 312 of the best High School golfers in the country.
CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE STORMS TODAY
Weather officials are warning of the possibility of severe weather today.
According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service, thunderstorms are forecast for today. If enough
instability can develop severe storms are possible with damaging
winds the main threat along with large hail. Locally heavy rainfall may also cause flash flooding. An isolated tornado is also possible.
11 YEAR OLD BOY KILLED IN ATV CRASH
An 11 year old child was killed in a weekend ATV crash.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the child was driving the ATV on private property in Reynolds County when the vehicle overturned and landed on the driver.
The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
DATE ANNOUNCED FOR 9TH ANNUAL ST. JUDE VIP BANQUET
The date has been announced for the 9th Annual St. Jude VIP Banquet in Poplar Bluff.
The event, put on annually by Poplar Bluff Heroes, is scheduled for Friday, August 9th at the Black River Coliseum.
Officials say that doors will open at 5 pm for social hour, with dinner beginning at 6:30 pm.
PLANE MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS FIELD
A plane had to make an emergency landing Thursday morning in a Northeast Arkansas field.
According to Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder, deputies responded to the scene of a landing west of Highway 168 North near Highway 412. Preliminary reports indicate that a small passenger plane experienced an engine failure, which forced the landing.
The pilot was the only person onboard, and no injuries were reported.
POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION SET FOR TONIGHT
The Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2024 will be receiving their diplomas today.
The PBHS Graduation Ceremony will be held tonight beginning at 7 pm at the Black River Coliseum. Doors will open at 6 pm and only people with tickets will be admitted.
Officials say that no admittance will be permitted after 7 pm.
MISSOURI POLICE OFFICERS TO CRACKDOWN ON RESIDENTS NOT WEARING THEIR SEAT BELT
A new seat belt enforcement campaign is set to begin next week in Missouri.
Statewide law enforcement will be participating in a high visibility click it or ticket seat belt mobilization from May 20th through June 2nd to help increase seat belt use among residents and reduce highway fatalities.
According to officials, more than 6 out of l0 people killed in 2023 Missouri traffic crashes were unbuckled. Even with all the advancements in automobile safety, a seat belt remains a person's single greatest defense in the event of a crash.
TWO ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO SHOOTING IN BUTLER COUNTY
Two people have been arrested in connection to a weekend shooting in Butler County.
According to Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs, on Sunday deputies were dispatched to County Road 484 in Harviell for an assault report.
Deputies made contact with the victim on the way to the call. The victim had a laceration to his head and multiple injuries to his arms, one of which was a gunshot wound to his wrist.
THIS WEEK IS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
Police officers are in the spotlight this week for National Police Week.
National Police Week is dedicated to remembering and honoring those who gave their lives in the line of duty.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.
According to Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the names of newly fallen officers are engraved on a memorial site every year in Washington DC. On this list, there are countless names from all branches of federal, state, and local law enforcement: over 23,700 and growing.
A Candlelight Vigil was held over the weekend in honor of those who lost their lives and in support of their surviving friends and family.
AREA MAN ARRESTED IN NEW MADRID COUNTY FOR DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
Authorities in New Madrid County have arrested an area man on multiple drug related charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 40 year old Darren Williams was taken into custody Wednesday evening on charges of delivery of a controlled substance - methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Williams is also facing charges of failure to register a motor vehicle, displaying the plates of another, and no seatbelt.
Following the arrest, he was held in the New Madrid County Jail.
POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TO BE HELD NEXT THURSDAY
The Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2024 will be receiving their diplomas one week from today.
The PBHS Graduation Ceremony will be held Thursday May 16, at 7 pm at the Black River Coliseum. Doors will open at 6 pm and only people with tickets will be admitted.
Officials say that no admittance will be permitted after 7 pm.
For those who cannot attend, a live stream of the graduation ceremony will be available on the Mules Media youtube page.
INCOMING WEATHER SYSTEM BRINGS HIGHER CHANCES OF SEVERE WEATHER TODAY
A weather system that is crossing Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas will give us higher chances of severe weather today.
Station Meteorologist Dan Holiday tells KWOC News what weather officials are expecting for today.
Dan Holiday
The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded our entire listening area in a moderate risk of severe weather that is a level 4 out of 5, something we don’t see very often. We know this is the time of year when severe weather occurs and what we have here in this situation is a low pressure system over Missouri, a warm front extending to our north, and a dry line approaching from the west, a lot of moisture coming in from the Gulf of Mexico. Some morning storms certainly will be ongoing then will likely get a break for a while with afternoon and evening storms, any of which could produce some widespread damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes.
In the event that a warning is issued, you will hear it on Today’s Talk KWOC.
SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
With thunderstorms possible today, weather officials are warning of a risk of severe storms.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, most of Southeast Missouri is under a slight risk for severe thunderstorms from this afternoon into the evening hours.
Any of the storms that become severe may contain large hail and damaging winds, although an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
An even better chance of severe weather for the entire area will arrive on Wednesday. All modes of severe weather are possible.
VETERANS NEEDED FOR 14TH ANNUAL HONOR TOUR
Up to 30 area veterans will depart from Southeast Missouri en route to Washington D.C. this Fall.
The 14th Annual Veterans Honor Tour will depart from Poplar Bluff on September 27th and give local veterans the opportunity to see national monuments and museums in Washington D.C. during the three day tour, at no cost to the veterans.
Any veterans who want to participate in this year’s tour are asked to contact Larry Kimbrow at 573-776-3496. Donors are also needed to help pay for the event.
MULES GOLF TEAM SETS NEW STATE RECORD WHILE WINNING SEMO CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
A state record has fallen as the Poplar Bluff Mules Golf team won the SEMO Conference Tournament.
The team shot a combined 283 at Fox Haven Country Club in Sikeston, beating the second place Jackson Indians by 11 strokes.
The Mules combined score broke the state record for a Team Low 18-Hole Round on a Par-71 Course. The previous record was 285, which was set by Hickman in 2004.
TEENAGER KILLED IN TWO VEHICLE CRASH
A teenager has died following a weekend crash on US Highway 67.
Officials with the Arkansas State Police tell KWOC News that 18 year old Tyler White was in a vehicle traveling southbound on Highway 67 when the vehicle crossed the centerline and struck an oncoming vehicle head on.
The crash occurred at approximately 12:30 pm Saturday in rural Randolph County.
