SECOND WAVE OF WINTER WEATHER DROPS UP TO FOUR INCHES OF SNOW IN SOME AREAS
Some areas of Southeast Missouri saw up to four inches of snow during the second wave of winter weather this week.
According to the National Weather Service, the Missouri Bootheel, along with southern Butler and Stoddard counties, as well as most of New Madrid County saw three to four inches of snow on Wednesday and Thursday.
The snow totals gradually declined moving north of that area.
The sunshine and warmer temperatures Thursday afternoon caused some snow that was left over on roads to melt, resulting in wet roads and standing water developing in some areas.
With temperatures falling into the single digits and lower teens overnight, the potential exists for some of this water to refreeze.
Officials are warning motorists to be on the lookout for black ice during your morning commute.
36TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT TO MOVE TO OPERATING PHASE THREE NEXT WEEK
The circuit court that serves Butler and Ripley Counties will be upgrading its COVID-19 Operational Phase next week.
Michael Pritchett, presiding judge of the 36th Judicial Circuit, tells KWOC News that the court will move to Operating Phase three on February 22nd.
Phase three will see the court resume proceedings in compliance with local social distancing and occupancy limit protocols. Courtrooms and other public spaces will also be open with social distancing protocols.
SECOND WATER LINE BURSTS IN CORNING
A second water line has burst in the city of Corning.
A state of emergency was issued for the city on Wednesday after A water line on Stephens Lane burst. City officials say that the water line was restored, but then a water line on Cherry burst as well.
Last night officials posted on Facebook that water pressure in the system is building, but a boil water order will be in effect until they get test results back from the health department.
BLOOD DRIVE TO BE HELD THIS SUNDAY IN POPLAR BLUFF
A blood drive has been scheduled for this weekend in Poplar Bluff.
According to the American Red Cross, the blood drive will be held from noon to 5 pm on Sunday at the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce.
Those who give blood will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card.
According to officials, over 700 units of blood donations in our area have been cancelled due to the recent winter weather.
BOIL WATER ORDER ISSUED FOR PART OF PIEDMONT
Parts of a Wayne County city are under a boil water order.
The city of Piedmont issued a boil water order for the city’s public water system north of the Pit stop. Areas that are affected by the order include the Nursing home, Highway 49 North, Canyon Road, and Highway 34 east to the Eagles Club.
The order was issued because a facility experienced a water break and will be in effect until further notice.
TRAFFIC FATALITIES WERE UP LAST YEAR IN MISSOURI
Despite traffic volumes in the state being significantly down for much of 2020, Missouri experienced its largest number of traffic fatalities since 2007.
Preliminary reporting for 2020 indicates Missouri traffic fatalities increased by 12 percent compared to 2019. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 989 people died in Missouri traffic crashes in 2020, up from 881 in 2019.
In particular, there were notable increases in unbuckled and speed related fatalities, with both experiencing approximately a 25% increase from the previous year.
In addition, there were 126 pedestrians killed in 2020 –the largest number of pedestrian fatalities ever recorded in Missouri.
