ICE STORM WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING

An Ice Storm warning has been placed into effect for parts of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas through Thursday evening.

According to the National Weather Service, a significant wintry precipitation event is expected to persist in the area through Thursday.

At this time, significant and dangerous ice accumulations are expected by Thursday morning, especially over parts of the Bootheel and Delta regions of southeast Missouri, as well as Northeast Arkansas. However, notable ice accumulation is possible over the remainder of southeast Missouri as well.

Weather officials say that power outages and tree damage are possible due to the ice as well as hazardous travel conditions.

ROAD OFFICIALS URGE AREA RESIDENTS TO DRIVE CAREFULLY DURING WINTER WEATHER

Winter weather can create treacherous driving conditions and Missouri road officials are urging residents to be cautious if they have to get on the roadways.

The Missouri Department of Transportation says that drivers should plan to double or triple their average commute times once winter precipitation starts.

The storm is bringing dangerously cold temperatures as well. If you’re going to be out, make sure you have a full tank of gas, extra blankets and gloves as well as provisions like water and snacks in the event of an emergency.

Keep your cellphone fully charged but never use it while driving. If you should slide off the road or be involved in a crash, stay inside your vehicle with your seat belt buckled until help arrives.

All current Missouri road conditions are available on the Traveler Information Map at Modot.org, or through MoDOT’s smartphone app.

RECTOR WOMAN DEAD FOLLOWING HEAD ON COLLISION IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

A Rector woman has died following a two vehicle wreck Monday in Northeast Arkansas.

According to the Arkansas State Police, 57 year old Janet Gunn was driving on US Highway 49 in Greene County when an oncoming vehicle crossed the center line and struck her vehicle head on.

Officials say that Gunn was killed in the wreck. The driver of the other vehicle was injured and transported to an area hospital.

FORMER POPLAR BLUFF POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR PRODUCING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

A former Poplar Bluff Police Officer has been sentenced for producing child pornography.

Officials with the United States Attorney’s Office tell KWOC News that 40 year old Brandon Hopper, of Poplar Bluff, pled guilty in October to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Hopper’s co-defendant Amber Longhibler used a mobile phone to take sexually explicit images of a child. Hopper was employed as a law enforcement officer with the Poplar Bluff Police Department at the time. Longhibler was sentenced last December to 20 years in prison for her role in the offense.

On Tuesday, Hopper was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the charge. Following his sentence, Hopper will be placed on supervised release for the rest of his life and be required to register as a sex offender.

TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TO DROP CLOSE TO ZERO THIS WEEKEND

Temperatures are expected to drop harshly toward the end of the week in Southeast Missouri.

According to the National Weather Service, overnight Thursday night the temperature in Poplar Bluff is expected to bottom out in the mid-teens, before dropping to the lower teens Friday night and then to less than 5 degrees over the weekend.

Warming centers have been set up at numerous locations in Southeast Missouri, including the Butler County Health Department and the Poplar Bluff Public Library in Poplar Bluff.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has also made a website available for finding warming centers in your area.

https://ogi.oa.mo.gov/DHSS/warmingCenter/

POPLAR BLUFF MAN SENTENCED ON STOLEN AMMUNITION CHARGE

A Poplar Bluff man is facing over four years in prison after being sentenced on a stolen ammunition charge.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 38 year old Christopher Darnell was sentenced Tuesday to 51 months in prison for one count of possession of stolen ammunition.

In April of 2019, Darnell was caught on security footage leaving an area sporting goods store carrying two pails of ammunition without paying for them.

While later speaking with Poplar Bluff police officers, Darnell admitted that he had stolen the ammunition from the store and resold some of it to a firearms dealer.

He pleaded guilty to the charge in September of 2020.