WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY TO BE IN EFFECT FOR MOST OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI BEGINNING AT NOON
Winter Weather is projected to return to the region today.
According to the National Weather Service, a Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect from noon today through 3 am tomorrow morning for most of Southeast Missouri.
Weather officials say that mixed precipitation is expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of up to three inches are expected, generally along and north of a line from Greenville, Missouri to Greenville, Kentucky.
Farther south, ice accumulations averaging around one tenth of an inch are expected.
The Missouri Department of Transportation is advising motorists to limit travel today and throughout the weekend across the state due to the winter weather.
Motorists should plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the afternoon and evening commute home from school and work. Officials say that travel conditions will deteriorate during the evening hours.
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS BEGINS FLOODFIGHT ACTIVITIES
The United States Army Corps of Engineers in Memphis has announced that floodfight activities have begun following the heavy rainfall the area received over the past week.
The Corps of Engineers has initiated Phase I floodfight activities in the Lower St. Francis and Missouri areas due to high river stages.
During Phase I floodfight activities, personnel deploy to the field and monitor all federal flood control works including levees, flood walls, and pumping stations.
In addition to the activities, the Memphis District has also provided material assistance to local communities and flood control organizations to aid them in their floodfighting efforts.
The items recently provided were two portable pumps to remove water from flooded areas, and eight rolls of plastic sheeting to cover levees and help minimize levee slides and erosion.
OFFICIALS INVESTIGATING ELK POACHING IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
State officials are investigating a case of elk poaching in Southeast Missouri.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, two adult elk were shot Friday, February 8th, near the Log Yard area of Shannon County. One of the elk was a 10-year-old bull and the other was an adult cow.
Officials say that no parts of either animal were removed. This is the fifth known elk poaching incident since the elk population was restored to Missouri in 2011.
The MDC is asking anyone with information on this poaching case to call 573-226-3616, extension 226, or Operation Game Thief at 1-800-392-1111.
QULIN MAN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES
Authorities in Butler County arrested an area man yesterday morning on multiple felony charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 49 year old Robert Taylor, of Qulin, was taken into custody shortly before 9 am on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Following the arrest, Taylor was held at the Butler County Jail.
KIWANIS CLUB HOSTING 81ST ANNUAL PANCAKE DAY NEXT MONTH
Pancakes are on the menu early next month to help out a local organization.
The Kiwanis Club of Poplar Bluff will be holding their 81st Annual Pancake Day from 6 am to noon on Saturday, March 16th at the Poplar Bluff Junior High cafeteria.
Pancakes, sausage, and coffee will be available at the event and all proceeds go towards the second phase of the Kiwanis Bacon Memorial Park all-inclusive playground.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact Meredith Rines at 573-686-3053.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES $5,000 GRANT
A Northeast Arkansas fire department has been chosen for a $5,000 grant.
The Piggott Volunteer Fire Department was one of three departments nationwide to win the Leary Firefighters Foundation 2018 National “Spot-a-Hero” Technology Grant.
The fire department will receive a $5,000 licensing grant for the Rover Incident Response Platform, which works with a fire department’s dispatch system to send alerts to the mobile device carried by first responders.
The Rover Platform provides access to information that tracks responding firefighters, and visually identifies hazards, hydrants, and water sources.
