RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR SEVERAL AREAS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
A red flag warning will be put into effect today in several areas in Southeast Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service, the warning will be placed into effect in Butler, Carter, Dunklin, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Stoddard, and Wayne Counties starting at 9 am, and will continue through 6 pm. Winds are expected to reach between 15 to 30 miles, with gusts around 30 to 40 miles per hour.
While the warning is in effect, residents in the affected areas are advised to not burn or start fires, as the combination of high winds and low humidity are likely to rapidly spread any flames that are started.
RIPLEY COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL FIREARM POSSESSION
A Ripley County man faces time in prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm.
According to the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, Timothy Ossana was charged with the felony offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm after an investigation was made in January, where officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol received a .380-caliber pistol from a citizen, which was traced back to Ossana.
He has also been previously convicted of aggravated assault with a weapon in April of 1999, and two felony possession of firearm charges in May of 2010, and September of 2014.
Ossana currently faces up to 10 years in prison for the firearm charge, with a three year period of supervised release.
JOHN J PERSHING VA MEDICAL CENTER IN POPLAR BLUFF OPENING NEW URGENT CARE FACILITY
The Poplar Bluff John J Pershing VA Medical Center will be opening a new urgent care facility.
The additional facility, which is currently being used to some extent for urgent care patients, includes a desk and room for VA police, eight patient rooms, a mental crises and women’s health room, an isolation room, and five general patient rooms.
The facility addition currently sees about 30 veterans daily, and the VA will be holding a virtual ribbon cutting and tour of the facility on their Facebook page.
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION URGES SAFETY DURING DEER SEASON
The Missouri Department of Conservation is urging hunters to remain cautions and practice safety during the ongoing deer season.
According to the department, three accidental shootings have been reported since firearm hunting started, and officials with the conservation are pushing for safety among hunters while hunting is starting across more wooded areas in the state.
Some safety tips include keeping the muzzle of the firearm pointed away from yourself and others, keeping your fingers off the trigger and the safety on until you’re ready to fire, and to be aware of what you’re shooting at, and what might be behind or around it.
Hunters are also encouraged to use proper climbing methods, and to utilize climbing harnesses when climbing trees.
DRIVER INJURED FOLLOWING VEHICLE COLLISION IN BUTLER COUNTY
A driver was injured after two vehicles collided in Butler County on Wednesday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the collision happened on Route PP, west of Poplar Bluff, where a vehicle failed to yield to another oncoming car, striking it in its passenger side.
The driver of the struck vehicle suffered minor injuries from the incident, and was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital for treatment.
CAPITAL DOME AND GOVERNOR’S MANSION TO BE LIT PURPLE FOR NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH
The state of Missouri will be celebrating National Adoption Month by lightning the capitol dome and governor’s mansion purple.
The building’s will be lit purple starting on Friday evening throughout the weekend, in recognition of the 1,500 children and youth in Missouri who are currently in foster care.
Families who are looking to adopt can visit Mo-Heart-Gallery.Org to see the many children looking for a loving home.
ROADWAY IN PEMISCOT COUNTY TO BE REDUCED FOR REPAIRS
A roadway in Pemiscot County will be reduced while undergoing repairs.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a section of Southbound Interstate 155, from mile marker 5.5 to mile marker 7 near Caruthersville, will be reduced to one lane while MODOT crews perform several pavement repair projects.
The work will start on November 30th, and will continue through December 4th.
