EIGHT INCHES OF SNOW REPORTED ACROSS SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Multiple locations across Southeast Missouri reported receiving significant amounts of snow during Wednesday’s winter weather.
According to the National Weather Service storm report, shortly before 10:30 pm there were reports of 10 inches of snow estimated in Sikeston and 9.8 inches in East Prairie.
Earlier in the night, there were estimates of 9 inches of snow in Cape Girardeau, 8 inches in Oran and Poplar Bluff, 7.5 inches in Chaffee, and 6 inches in Van Buren.
SNOW GIVES WAY TO BITTERLY COLD TEMPERATURES TONIGHT
Temperatures are expected to fall into the single digits tonight following yesterday’s winter storms.
According to the National Weather Service, the low tonight is around 5 degrees with a light wind pushing wind chill values possibly close to 0.
That wind chill could still be in effect through Friday morning as well. Some relief is on the way next week however with daytime highs possibly reaching 60 by Wednesday.
10 VEHICLES INVOLVED IN WRECK OUTSIDE OF POPLAR BLUFF
Yesterday’s winter weather caused numerous accidents on roadways in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas including one involving multiple vehicles in Butler County.
According to authorities, there were 10 vehicles involved in a pile up on Highway 67, north of Poplar Bluff.
Many roads are still covered with snow and ice, if you have to get on the roads today, check road conditions beforehand at the Missouri Department of Transportation Traveler Information Map at modot.org.
NEW PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED FOR SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
A new president has been named for Southeast Missouri State University.
On Wednesday, the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents announced the appointment of Dr. Carlos Vargas-Aburto.
Vargas has served as acting president of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania since last July. He also served as the provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, and had been the school’s chief academic officer since 2006.
Vargas’s presidency will begin on July 1st, following the retirement of current president Kenneth Dobbins.
BERNIE MAN ARRESTED ON ASSAULT WARRANT
A Bernie teenager was recently arrested in Stoddard County on an assault warrant.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 18 year old Austin Ray Reeves-Masterson is in custody on a warrant for 3rd degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.
Information on what lead to the warrant was not available.
METH AND MARIJUANA REPORTEDLY FOUND AT HOME IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Three people were taken into custody after meth and marijuana were found during the search of a home in Piggott.
According to KAIT, 42 year old Tracy McCain, 36 year old Josh McCain, and 24 year old Corey Lane were arrested last week after authorities allegedly found the drugs and paraphernalia in the home.
The three are each facing a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Tracy and Josh McCain are also each facing a charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
MISSOURI REPUBLICAN WANTS TO BAR HEALTH INSURANCE SUBSIDIES
(AP) - Groups advocating for health care access say a bill blocking federal subsidies that help pay for health insurance premiums would cause thousands of Missouri residents to lose coverage.
A Republican senator presented the measure to a committee Wednesday as the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that challenges whether the Affordable Care Act allows those subsidies in states using the federal government's health care website.
The bill bars insurers in Missouri from accepting subsidies from the federal government.
Advocates say the measure will cause about 152,000 Missouri residents to be unable to afford health care insurance.
Bill sponsor Senator Bob Onder, of Lake St. Louis, says Congressional action will be needed to fully dismantle the Affordable Care Act but the bill would be a first step.
MISSOURI SENATE PANEL CONSIDERS STRICTER LAW ON DEADLY FORCE
(AP) - A Missouri Senate panel is considering tightening state law on what justifies the use of deadly force among police, months after a fatal police shooting in Ferguson.
Democratic Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal of University City presented her bill Tuesday to a Senate panel. She did so just hours after the U.S. Justice Department released a report concluding that former Ferguson officer Darren Wilson acted in self-defense when he shot 18-year-old Michael Brown last August.
Chappelle-Nadal's bill would overhaul a law currently allowing deadly force when an officer believes a suspect has attempted to commit a felony, is escaping with a deadly weapon or poses a serious danger to others.
The senator's bill would require an "objective" reasonable belief and require the felony offense to involve a serious physical injury.
