MULTIPLE REPORTS OF DAMAGE IN CONNECTION TO SUNDAY STORM
A line of severe storms struck parts of Southeast Missouri Sunday morning leading to isolated damage.
According to officials with the National Weather Service, five to 10 trees were reported down across roads in western Wayne County.
In Butler County, power lines fell down on a house in the Wappapello area.
Power poles were snapped in Puxico along with several large trees broken on Highway 51 at the Bollinger and Stoddard County line. Officials say that there was also a camper and truck flipped over but no injuries.
MAN FACING STATUTORY RAPE CHARGE OUT OF PEMISCOT COUNTY
A man has been taken into custody in Pemiscot County on a statutory rape charge.
According to the Hayti Police Department, on June 16th officers received a report of an alleged sexual assault of a juvenile that had occurred over the span of several years.
This past weekend, an interview was conducted with the suspect, identified as Draven Craig, after which he was taken into custody.
Officials say that the Pemiscot County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed a formal charge of 1st degree statutory rape against Craig. No bond has been set in the case.
HIGHWAY PATROL PREPARING FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY TRAFFIC
With the Fourth of July coming up, troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol are preparing for an increase in travelers on Missouri’s roadways.
Officials tell KWOC News that the Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. over the July Fourth holiday weekend. All available troopers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways enforcing Missouri’s traffic laws in addition to being available to assist motorists.
During the 2021 counting period, seven people were killed and 532 injured in Missouri in 1,139 traffic crashes. Troopers also arrested 80 people for driving while intoxicated.
Troopers will also be working on the state’s waterways to enforce Missouri’s boating laws and provide assistance where needed. Missouri’s boaters are being asked to do their part by remaining alert for other boats and swimmers, and being courteous on the water.
Last year there were 12 boating crashes, which included eight injuries and one fatality during the holiday weekend.
The 2022 counting period for the July Fourth holiday will be from 6 p.m. on Friday to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 4th.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN GRADUATES FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY
A Poplar Bluff man is one of 25 people to graduate from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy last week.
Denny Smith, of Poplar Bluff, graduated from the 25 week long Academy on Friday and will report to duty in Butler and Ripley Counties on July 11th.
Southeast Missouri will be getting a total of four new troopers from the 113th Recruit Class.
In addition to Smith, Jaxton Edwards, of Harrison, Arkansas, was assigned to Dunklin County, while Gregory Bixler, of New Madrid, and Taylor Wiebe, of Wichita, Kansas, were assigned to Pemiscot and New Madrid Counties.
WOMAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN STODDARD COUNTY FOUR WHEELER WRECK
A Poplar Bluff woman was seriously injured in a four wheeler wreck last week in Stoddard County.
According to authorities, 24 year old Ashley McDonald was driving on Frank Street in Circle City Friday evening when the vehicle ran off the side of the road and overturned.
McDonald suffered serious injuries in the wreck and was flown to a St. Louis hospital.
PEMISCOT COUNTY ROAD CLOSED TODAY FOR CULVERT REPLACEMENT
Route K in Pemiscot County will be closed today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert under the roadway.
The section of roadway being closed is located from Elm Street to County Road 285 in Bragg City.
Work is scheduled to take place today through 5 p.m.
