OFFICIALS SAY TORNADO FORMED NEAR POPLAR BLUFF LAST WEEKEND A tornado reportedly formed near Poplar Bluff during last weekend’s storms.
According to the National Weather Service, an EF-0 tornado began Saturday night near the intersection of Highway PP and County Road 429. The tornado continued for two and a quarter miles before ending along Misty Meadow Road, roughly four and a quarter miles northwest of Poplar Bluff.
Weather officials say the tornado had peak winds of 85 miles per hour and a width of 85 yards.
There were several trees uprooted and minor structural damage to at least two homes due to fallen trees. At least six homes received shingle damage along Forest Meadow Drive.
KENNETT MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN DUNKLIN COUNTY WRECK A Kennett man was flown to an area hospital yesterday following a wreck in Dunklin County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the wreck occurred on US 412 at County Road 527 when 21 year old Donaldo Rodriguez-Valdez, of Senath, allegedly pulled his vehicle into the path of another vehicle, driven by 50 year old Timothy Mouhalif, of Kennett.
Mouhalif suffered serious injuries and was flown to a Jonesboro hospital. Rodriguez-Valdez received minor injuries and was taken to a Kennett hospital.
MAN FOUND WITH CRYSTAL METHAMPHETAMINE IN GREENE COUNTY A man was recently found with crystal methamphetamine in Northeast Arkansas.
According to the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, on Wednesday evening, deputies arrested Michael Reed on felony warrants.
A probation search was also conducted and nine grams of crystal methamphetamine, several smoking pipes, and digital scales were found.
Following the arrest, Reed was transported to the Greene County Detention Center.
ENDANGERED PERSON ADVISORY CANCELLED FOR MISSING ST. LOUIS COUNTY MAN Updating a story we have been following for you this week, an Endangered Person Advisory for a missing St. Louis County man has been cancelled.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 49 year old William Kunes Jr. was located at a hospital in Huntsville, Alabama.
The Advisory was issued for Kunes after he went missing from Winchester on May 27th.
Authorities previously stated that he may be in Southeast Missouri.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MASS FATALITY EXERCISE Officials in Butler County are seeking actors and volunteers for the upcoming Missouri Mortuary Operations Response Team Mass Fatality Exercise.
According to the Butler County Emergency Management Agency, they need 15 volunteers for each of two shifts on Saturday June 10th. The first shift will begin at 8 am and the second will begin at 12:30 pm.
The exercise is for the Victim Information Center which is where families and friends of victims report their missing loved ones.
The exercise scenario will be a mass fatality incident with a large number of deceased and injured. The exercise will be simulated to create an environment to support the bereaved.
For more information, contact Maddy Winters at 573-714-4197.
OFFICE OF HEALTHCARE INSPECTIONS ISSUES REPORT ON POPLAR BLUFF VA MEDICAL CENTER The Department of Veterans Affairs has issued a report on Opioid Management Practice Concerns at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff.
The office of the Inspector General conducted an inspection to evaluate allegations regarding opioid management practices at the facility.
The report substantiated allegations of poor management of long-term opioid pain therapy for 10 patients as well as allegations that opioid prescriptions were written for patients without documentation of an opioid risk stratification tool.
The report also issued recommendations, including having the Facility Director ensure that relevant providers complete timely patient evaluations; receive education on dual short acting opioids and tapering of opioids; and review Veterans Health Administration recommendations regarding the use of opioid risk stratification tools along with other recommendations.
Here is the full report from the Office of Veteran's Affairs
MODOT SAYS PUBLIC HEARING COULD BE HELD FOR UPCOMING BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS IN WAYNE COUNTY The Missouri Department of Transportation says that area residents have the opportunity to look over plans for an upcoming bridge project in Wayne County.
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission is planning on improving the bridge over Black River on Route 49 which is located approximately a quarter of a mile south of Mill Spring.
Construction could begin as early as summer 2018. As construction is underway, Route 49 will be closed to through traffic in the vicinity of the bridge.
Maps, plans, and other information prepared by MoDot will be available for public inspection at the MoDot Sikeston District Office. Anybody affected by the project may request that a public hearing be held in regard to the proposed improvements.
