THOUSANDS LOST POWER WEDNESDAY DURING STORMS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Thousands of people were without power for a period of time Wednesday as a line of strong storms passed over the area.
According to Poplar Bluff Municipal Utilities, 2,322 customers were impacted by an outage that started at 6:15 pm when a tree blew into a power line. The outage came to an end at 6:55 pm.
The National Weather Service also reported that numerous trees and power lines were down from Dexter to Puxico as well as in several other locations around our listening area.
As of 4:45 this morning, Ozark Border Electric was reporting outages for 13 consumers in Butler County and Ameren Missouri was reporting that 56 customers were without service in the Dexter area.
There were also reports of trees damaging homes in Doniphan, Dexter, and Ravenden Springs. The Corning High School also sustained damage due to the storm. Officials say that a 65 mile per hour wind gust was measured at an observation station in Doniphan shortly before 6 pm.
SEVEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO METHAMPHETAMINE TRAFFICKING IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Multiple men were taken into custody Wednesday on methamphetamine trafficking charges in Southeast Missouri.
Officials with the United States Attorney’s Office tell KWOC News that seven individuals were arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. One additional individual was taken into custody on an unrelated state arrest warrant.
Federal, state and local investigators also seized two handguns and approximately $20,000 in suspected drug proceeds.
The individuals arrested include 40 year old Santonio Parker, of Kennett, 31 year old Rayshaun Reed, of Hayti, 42 year old Lavan Johnson, of Caruthersville, and 57 year old Robert Arnold, of Cape Girardeau, as well as 35 year old Korey Johnson, 27 year old Jaamil Owens, and 32 year old Bradley Johnson, each of Hayti Heights.
The seven individuals taken into custody were specifically charged as follows:
Lavan Cortez Johnson, 42, of Caruthersville, Missouri, and Robert Lee Arnold, 57, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, were charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, and distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.
Korey Linnell Johnson, 35, Jaamil Demonta Owens, 27, and Bradley Omar Johnson, 32, all of Hayti Heights, Missouri, were charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, and distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.
Santonio Omar Parker, 40, Kennett, Missouri, was charged with distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.
Rayshaun Reed, 31, Hayti, Missouri, was also charged with distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.
Charges set forth in the Indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
GREENVILLE CAMPGROUND TO REOPEN TODAY
Officials with the US Army Corps of Engineers say that the Greenville Campground and Day Use Area will be re-opening today at noon.
Reservations will be accepted beginning this morning.
Even through reservations are being accepted, officials say the St. Francis River level may rise depending on any precipitation within the watershed and could result in a sudden closure or cancellation.
Closures will be administered based upon both lake levels and the best predicted forecasts by weather professionals.
POPLAR BLUFF TEEN FACING METH AND MARIJUANA CHARGES
Authorities in Butler County have arrested an area teenager on multiple drug related charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 18 year old Jacob Woods, of Poplar Bluff, was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.
Woods is also facing charges of possession of marijuana – less than 35 grams and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
Following his arrest, Woods was held at the Butler County Jail.
CRIME PREVENTION SEMINAR SCHEDULED FOR TODAY IN ELLSINORE
The Carter County Sheriff’s Office and the Van Buren Police Department are teaming up for a Crime Prevention Seminar the evening.
The event will be held at the Ellsinore Youth and Community Center beginning at 5 pm.
Area citizens are being invited to join in the discussion on ways to make the community safer.
RIPLEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO HOLD DRIVERS EDUCATION CLASS
An area sheriff’s department will be hosting a driver’s education class this week.
According to Ripley County Sheriff Mike Barton, the Ripley County Sheriff's Office and the Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety will be holding the class at Productive Staffing in Poplar Bluff from 5 pm to 9 pm on Friday and 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday.
There is no cost for the class but students must complete all hours of instruction and they will receive a certificate of completion.
BRIDGE MAINTENANCE PROJECTS UNDERWAY IN STODDARD, NEW MADRID, AND SCOTT COUNTIES
Route 114 in Stoddard, New Madrid and Scott Counties is being reduced with an 11-foot width restriction so contractor crews perform bridge maintenance on multiple bridges.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the bridges involved in the project are located between Route 60 in Morehouse and Route 61 in Sikeston.
Weather permitting, work will be performed from 6 am to 6 pm daily through Friday, June 7th.
