SEATS ON POPLAR BLUFF CITY COUNCIL AND MULTIPLE AREA SCHOOL BOARDS TO BE DECIDED TODAY
Voters from across Southeast Missouri will be going to the ballot box today for municipal elections.
In Poplar Bluff, voters will determine who will represent Ward 5 on the City Council, Robert Louis Smith or Spencer Jones. In Neelyville, John Knowles is taking on Rhonda Burson for the position of Mayor. Qulin voters will decide between Charles Galbraith and Brayden Sentell for the Ward 1 Alderman seat.
Multiple school districts will also be holding Board of Education elections today, including Poplar Bluff, Neelyville and Twin Rivers.
Four people are challenging for three spots on the Poplar Bluff School Board, including Anthony Curnutt, Dave Elledge, Larry Kimbrow, and Mike Price. Raymond Webb is also appearing on the ballot, but he confirmed with KWOC News that he is no longer running for the seat due to other obligations.
There are seven candidates for three spots on the Neelyville School board; Robert W. Burgett, Berley Wayne Willcut, Amanda Christine Wolfram, Adam Couch, Chuck Reinbott, Marco Antonio Gavino, and Harley Paul Petty.
For the Twin Rivers School Board, voters will choose between three of Brandon Vancil, Bobby King, Joshua Johnson, Jennifer Morse, and Kade McBroom.
DAMAGING WINDS AND TORNADOS POSSIBLE DURING THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT
Chances of severe weather are once again returning to Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there is the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms late tonight through tomorrow afternoon.
Officials say that damaging winds and tornadoes will be the primary severe weather hazards, though large hail is also possible.
Parts of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas are classified as having an enhanced risk of severe weather as a part of this storm system.
STODDARD COUNTY MAN CONVICTED OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER
A murder trial has come to an end for a Stoddard County man
According to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith, Melvin Anderson, of Advance, has been convicted of the charges of second degree murder, armed criminal action, second degree domestic assault, and unlawful use of a weapon while intoxicated.
Smith says that in June of 2019, Shyla Anderson was domestically assaulted by Melvin Anderson in the Advance area. When Shyla’s brother Tristan Davis came to her aid, Melvin Anderson killed him with a shotgun.
The defendant was intoxicated by drug use at the time.
A unanimous jury found Anderson guilty of the charges on Friday following a three day trial.
Sawyer added that a sentencing hearing will be held in a few weeks.
TWO AREA SHERIFF’S OFFICES TO RECEIVE GRANT MONEY FOR JAIL SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS
Two local Sheriff’s departments have been chosen to receive a part of $10 million dollars from the state.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced on Monday that the Missouri Department of Public Safety has approved a total of over $9.9 million in grants to 43 sheriff’s offices across the state for security and other improvements to local jails.
In Southeast Missouri, over $34,000 was awarded to the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office and over $87,000 was awarded to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.
Jail improvements include cell door lock upgrades, video surveillance equipment, full-body scanners, HVAC improvements, and other maintenance and improvement projects. The funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act and was part of Governor Parson's Fiscal Year 2023 budget plan.
OVER 2,500 TURKEYS HARVESTED DURING YOUTH WEEKEND IN MISSOURI
Young hunters in Missouri took over 2,500 turkeys this past weekend.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, preliminary data shows that Missouri youths harvested 2,550 birds during the youth weekend on April 1st and 2nd.
Wayne County was the top county in our listening area, with 27 birds harvested.
Officials say that the regular spring turkey season runs from April 17th through May 7th.
NEW MADRID COUNTY ROAD REDUCED THIS WEEK FOR BRIDGE REPAIRS
Route M in New Madrid County will be reduced to one lane both today and tomorrow as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform bridge repairs.
The section of roadway being reduced is located from County Road 403 to County Road 425 near Marston.
Weather permitting, work will take place both days from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
