BUTLER COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER INMATE DIES OF NATURAL CAUSES
An inmate at the Butler County Justice Center has died.
Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that 44 year old Donald Ray Herrold III, of Poplar Bluff, was found unresponsive in the shower on Monday.
An officer administrated CPR and Herrold was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Butler County Coroner Andy Moore says that an autopsy was performed Tuesday morning that revealed that Herrold had a fatal upper respiratory infection and has had this issue for a long time.
Moore also stated that Herrold’s death had nothing to do with his incarceration.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO FLEE FROM OFFICERS
A man has been taken into custody after attempting to flee from police in the Missouri bootheel.
According to the Kennett Police Department, officers were dispatched to an area residence Monday afternoon in reference to suspicious activity.
At the scene, officers came into contact with an individual who had been seen underneath the reporting parties' vehicle.
Officials say the subject attempted to flee on foot however was apprehended by officers.
40 year old Dustin Hamlett, of Kennett, was arrested for resisting arrest and on an un-related state of Missouri warrant issued out of Dunklin County.
Hamlett was held in the Dunklin County Justice Center pending the filing of formal charges by the Dunklin County Prosecutor's office.
PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS TO CAUSE DELAYS ON DUNKLIN COUNTY ROAD
Route F in Dunklin County will be reduced with a 10-foot width restriction through early next month as contractor crews mill and resurface the roadway.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the section of Route F to be reduced is located from Route 412 to the Arkansas state line.
Weather permitting, work will take place today through Thursday, August 8th from 6 am to 6 pm daily.
HEAT WAVE TO CROSS OVER THE AREA BRINGING HEAT INDICES OVER 105 DEGREES
Excessive heat will be gripping the area for the rest of this week and weather officials are warning residents to be prepared.
Warning Coordination Meteorologist Rick Shanklin with the National Weather Service in Paducah tells KWOC News that an Excessive Heat Watch will be in effect beginning on Thursday.
RICK SHANKLIN:
An excessive heat watch means that a prolonged period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of high temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible if precautions aren't taken. We're expecting high temperatures in the mid-90s, low temperatures only falling off into the mid-70s, all the way through the weekend and that combination will produce indices from around 105 to 110 degrees each afternoon from Thursday and all the way through the weekend. Some things to keep in mind to stay safe during this period of excessive heat are to drink plenty of fluids. Stay in an air-conditioned room if possible, certainly stay out of the sun. And don't forget to check up on relatives and neighbors, especially the elderly. And also those pets be sure they had plenty of shade or brought inside and that they have plenty of water to drink as well.
Shanklin says that the Excessive Heat Watch will currently be in effect from Thursday afternoon through Sunday evening.
MULTIPLE COOLING CENTERS AVAILABLE IN BUTLER COUNTY
Anyone looking for relief from the heat wave that will scorch Southeast Missouri the rest of this week can visit any of the multiple cooling centers available in Butler County.
Cooling centers have been established in Poplar Bluff at the Butler County Health Department, and Poplar Bluff Public Library.
Cooling Centers are also available at the Fisk Community Library and the Qulin Senior Center.
A tool to find cooling centers in your area is available at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website.
NEELYVILLE MAN ARRESTED ON METHAMPHETAMINE CHARGE
A Neelyville man has been taken into custody on a felony methamphetamine charge.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 37 year old Jamaal Hamilton was arrested Monday night on a felony charge of delivery of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.
Hamilton is also facing a charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
STATE OFFICIALS REQUEST FOR DISASTER DECLARATION TO EXPAND
Missouri State officials have sent in a request to expand a disaster declaration issued earlier this month.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson tells KWOC News that the State Emergency Management Agency has requested that FEMA expand the July 9th disaster declaration to provide Public Assistance for repairs to damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure along with emergency response costs in a total of 68 counties, including Stoddard, Wayne, New Madrid, Shannon, Bollinger, and Pemiscot.
Officials say that additional counties may be considered for Public Assistance as floodwaters recede and more information is gathered locally.
