THIS WEEK IS SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IN MISSOURI

Missouri residents are being encouraged to learn about severe weather and how to protect themselves during Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week this week.

Today, Missourian’s should focus on flood and flash flood safety.

According to the National Weather Service, motorists should never drive into a flooded area and you should be especially cautious at night when darkness will often hide flood dangers.

If you live in a flood prone area, have a plan of action in case flooding strikes. Stay tuned to the latest weather developments and be ready to move quickly, including abandoning personal property and moving to higher ground.

Camping near small rivers in Missouri can also be very dangerous. Remember that heavy rain upstream may lead to serious flooding at your location with little or no warning. Avoid camping along small rivers or streams when heavy rain is in the forecast anywhere in the stream basin.

GOVERNOR GREITENS AND CONGRESSMAN SMITH TO ATTEND ANNOUNCEMENT OF ALUMINUM SMELTER OPENING

Multiple public officials will be in attendance Friday for the formal announcement of an aluminum smelter opening in New Madrid County.

Governor Eric Greitens, Congressman Jason Smith, and Missouri Representative Don Rone, among others will be at the St. Jude Industrial Park at 2 pm on Friday for the announcement.

Rone says that Magnitude 7 Metals is currently hiring staff for the new facility, which could total close to 400 new jobs for the area. The new smelter is located at the former Noranda Aluminum smelter.

OVER 50 CASES OF HEPATITIS A REPORTED BY BUTLER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Health officials are continuing to see an increase in reported Hepatitis A cases in Butler County.

According to the Butler County Health Department, as of March 2nd, 51 cases of Hepatitis A have been reported with 59 percent of the cases requiring hospitalization.

Officials say that the majority of cases have been in people who use drugs and/or their close personal contacts.

Anyone who has been potentially exposed to an individual experiencing Hepatitis A signs or symptoms is asked to call or visit the Butler County Health Department.

THREE ARRESTED ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES IN BUTLER COUNTY

Three Poplar Bluff residents were arrested Tuesday in Butler County on a felony drug charge.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 28 year old Brittany Pellaccio, 27 year old Artis Larue, and a 17 year old teenage girl, were each arrested at around 7:30 pm Tuesday on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.

Following their arrest, all three were held at the Butler County Jail.

ROMBAUER CEMETERY ANNUAL BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD THIS WEEKEND

The annual board meeting of the Rombauer Cemetery has been scheduled for this weekend.

The meeting will be held at 1 pm Saturday at the Rombauer Baptist Church fellowship hall. Anyone interested in maintaining the cemetery should attend the meeting.

For more information, call 785-1514.

POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR NAMED NATIONAL MERIT PROGRAM FINALIST

A Poplar Bluff High School senior has been named a National Merit Program finalist.

School officials say that Adeesh Mishra has advanced in the National Merit Scholarship Program, earning him a 50 percent chance of receiving a scholarship through the organization.

Mishra was among the highest scoring entrants on the preliminary SAT in Missouri, scoring a 1,480 out of 1,520 points, only missing three questions overall.

Officials say that about 7,500 or half of the finalists will receive a National Merit Scholarship. There are also corporate and college-sponsored scholarships available to the successful students.

Upon graduating in May, Mishra says he plans to enter a pre-medical degree program, possibly double majoring in business and biology.

NEW MADRID COUNTY ROAD TO BE CLOSED TODAY FOR CULVERT PIPE REPLACEMENT

Route 153 in New Madrid County will be closed today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert pipe under the roadway.

This section of roadway to be closed is located from Route B to County Road 248.

Weather permitting, work will take place today from 8 am to 5 pm.