THUNDERSTORMS LEADS TO POWER OUTAGES ACROSS SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Thunderstorms that struck on Sunday led to several Counties losing their power.
The storm caused extensive damage to homes, and downed several trees which caused roadways to be blocked and power to be cut off from residents. There were no injuries reported, however an estimated 12,000 homes lost their power starting at around 3:30 in the afternoon.
Power outages spread throughout the day in Butler, Wayne, Carter, and Ripley Counties as the storm moved, with downed trees and power lines being reported in Poplar Bluff, Fremont, Van Buren, Ellsinore, and Neelyville.
MISSOURI’S STAY AT HOME ORDER OUT OF EFFECT
The state of Missouri’s stay at home order ended yesterday, and operations in the state will slowly return.
With businesses and establishments opening their doors to the public again, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, as well as health departments around the state, is reminding residents to stay cautious of the coronavirus threat.
Guidelines for preventing any further spread of the disease include continuing to practice social distancing when leaving your home or workplace, and to avoid visiting any nursing or assisted living homes.
Schools in Missouri will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
Additionally, the Missouri State Highway Patrol will be opening written license testing for all commercial driver license skills testing. Applicants are advised to wear face coverings, and to adhere to social distancing guidelines while taking the examination.
CITY OF POPLAR BLUFF HOLDING MEETING ON SEVERAL TOPICS
The Poplar Bluff City Council will be holding a meeting to discuss several subjects.
According to Poplar Bluff City Hall, the meeting will discuss a multitude of workshop items, including petitions for the annexation of several properties, the application of federal programs, property rezoning, and the discussion of amending general permit applications.
A full list of the workshop items is available on Poplar Bluff City Hall’s Facebook page.
The meeting will be held today at the City Council Chambers on 301 South 5th Street, at 7 pm. In adherence to social distancing guidelines, space for attending the meeting will be limited.
TWO INJURED FOLLOWING VEHICLE CRASH IN BUTLER COUNTY
Two drivers were injured in a vehicle crash in Butler County on Thursday.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tells KWOC News that a vehicle was traveling down Route M, west of Poplar Bluff, where it crossed the center line and struck another oncoming car.
The driver of the first vehicle was seriously injured and flown to a hospital in Memphis, while the second driver suffered moderate injuries from the crash, and was transported to a hospital in Poplar Bluff for treatment.
STORMS DAMAGE REPORTED IN BUTLER, CARTER, AND RIPLEY COUNTIES; MORE SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE TODAY
The storms that crossed the area over the weekend resulted in some damage to multiple homes in Butler County.
According to the National Weather Service, Sunday afternoon in Butler County, a roof was blown off a home and a vacant business in the Neelyville area, and a tree fell onto a residence in Poplar Bluff, trapping the residents inside.
In Carter County, several power poles were broken and dozens of trees were uprooted or had broken limbs.
In Ripley County, trees fell on some power lines north of the Doniphan area.
Another round of severe weather is possible this afternoon in our area. Large hail and damaging winds will be possible once again with this round.
TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19 IN MISSOURI OVER 8,300
The total cases of the coronavirus in Missouri has continued to increase over the weekend.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, as of Sunday, there have been a total of 8,386 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in Missouri, and 352 deaths in the state have been directly linked to the disease.
The Pemiscot County Health Center also reported on Saturday that a second death has been reported from the virus.
If you are showing symptoms of the disease, such as shortness of breath, persistent coughing, and a fever, you are advised to contact your primary health care provider before visiting any hospitals or emergency rooms.
THREE ARRESTED IN WAYNE COUNTY ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES
Three individuals were taken into custody in Wayne County over the weekend on drug related charges.
According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, the first arrest was made on Friday, where 30 year old Tyrell Lindsey, of St. Louis, was booked on felony possession of a controlled substance – cocaine, possession of marijuana, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
The second arrest was on Saturday to 35 year old Amanda Hearne, who was taken into custody on a Wayne County felony warrant for possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.
The last arrest was on Sunday, where 30 year old Timothy Wimpee was arrested on felony possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Following their arrests, they were all transported to the Wayne County Jail.
ROAD WORK SCHEDULED IN SEVERAL COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Several road work projects in Southeast Missouri will be starting today.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a section of Route JJ in Butler County, from County Road 417 to Route 67, will be reduced with a 10-foot width restriction while crews perform asphalt overlay on the road. The work will take place today through May 25th, from 6 am to 7 pm daily.
Part of Route JJ in Dunklin and Stoddard Counties, from Route J in Dunklin County to Route U in Stoddard County, will also be reduced today through May 7th while pavement repairs are underway, and the work will take place from 7 am to 4:30 pm each day.
Additionally, Route 61 in New Madrid County, between Route F and Route 162 near Portageville, will be closed today through October 5th while the bridges over a few drainage ditches are replaced.
