WINDS UP TO 60 MILES PER HOUR POSSIBLE TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Some areas of Southeast Missouri could see wind speeds of up to around 60 miles per hour today.
The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for Butler, Stoddard, New Madrid, Bollinger, Mississippi, and Cape Girardeau Counties for 10 am through 8 pm today.
Weather officials say that south wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible in these areas. Some trees may be uprooted, and numerous large tree limbs will likely be knocked down. A few power lines may also be knocked down, but damage to power lines is more likely through trees and limbs falling.
High profile vehicles like semi-trucks may have significant difficulty traveling particularly on east-west roadways.
The southern portion of our listening area is also at risk for severe weather tonight, with the biggest concern being hailstorms.
MAN FOUND DEAD IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI DRAINAGE DITCH
A Wardell man was found dead Monday morning in a Southeast Missouri drainage ditch.
According to a drowning report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 71 year old Earl Hitchens was found shortly after 7 am in a drainage ditch near an unoccupied vehicle.
The ditch was located near Pemiscot County Road 248, three miles east of Wardell.
Hitchens was pronounced dead at the scene by Pemiscot County Coroner Bryan Irons.
TWO PEOPLE RESCUED FROM STUCK ELEVATOR AT POPLAR BLUFF BUSINESS
Poplar Bluff fire crews rescued multiple people over the weekend from a stalled elevator at a Poplar Bluff business.
According to the Poplar Bluff Fire Department, a report came in Saturday afternoon from Southern Bank of people that were stuck in an elevator.
When fire crews arrived on scene, an employee told them that the elevator was stuck near the second floor with two people inside.
The crews gained access to the elevator car, which was stalled halfway between the first and second floors, and helped the two occupants out of the elevator.
There were no reports of any injuries.
TWO ARRESTS MADE IN CONNECTION TO RASH OF BIKE THEFTS IN BERNIE
Updating a story we brought you earlier this month, two people have been taken into custody in connection to a recent rash of bicycle thefts in Bernie.
According to the Bernie Police Department, officers arrested 33 year old Janey Stoner and 31 year old Timothy Vaughn, both of Bernie, on Friday.
In early February, Bernie Police Chief Rick Cook encouraged bike owners to take steps to protect their vehicles following an increase in bicycle thefts.
The investigation into the thefts led to the arrests of Vaughn on three city ordinance warrants for stealing and Stoner, who has been formally charged with receiving stolen property/stealing.
CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR MULTIPLE ROAD PROJECTS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Multiple contracts were awarded last week for road improvements in Southeast Missouri.
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a 1.18 million dollar contract for bridge replacements over Taylor Slough near Kennett and Drainage Ditch 72 near Bragg City.
An 886 thousand dollar contract was awarded for a bridge deck and substructure replacement over Ditch Number 12 in Dunklin County.
An over 560 thousand dollar contract was awarded for scrub seals on Route A in Carter and Wayne Counties as well as Route 162 in New Madrid County.
Additional information, regarding timelines and impacts to traffic, will be released prior to the start of construction.
LIGHTING REPLACEMENTS COULD CAUSE DELAYS TODAY IN STODDARD COUNTY
Route 25 in Stoddard County will be reduced today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace roadway lighting.
The section of roadway to be reduced is located from Lighthouse Road to the commuter parking lot in Dexter.
Weather permitting, work is scheduled to take place today through 2 p.m.
