FIVE CONFIRMED DEAD FOLLOWING TORNADO IN BOLLINGER COUNTY
Multiple people have been confirmed dead in connection to an early Wednesday morning Tornado in Bollinger County.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a damaging tornado was confirmed near Glenallen at around 3:45 am Wednesday morning.
Bollinger County Sheriff Casey Graham has confirmed that there were five fatalities and names are being withheld until family members have been notified.
Later on Wednesday, a survey team found what looks like high end EF2 tornado damage in the Glenallen area. Weather officials estimated peak winds to be 130 miles per hour.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson assessed the damage Wednesday afternoon and spoke with local leaders and emergency response personnel.
MULTIPLE REPORTS OF DAMAGE FROM STORMS IN MALDEN
Weather officials have received multiple reports of damage in the Malden area from Wednesday's thunderstorms.
According to the National Weather Service, there were numerous uprooted trees around the Downtown Malden area. Multiple homes suffered roof damage as did a funeral home in the area.
Officials say that a shed was also destroyed. No injuries have been reported.
POPLAR BLUFF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS PERFORM NATIONAL ANTHEM BEFORE CARDINALS GAME
A group of Poplar Bluff students put on a performance Wednesday in St. Louis.
The Poplar Bluff Middle School Honor Choir performed the National Anthem before the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves.
The Choir’s performance appeared to inspire the Braves more than the Cardinals however, as Atlanta jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on their way to a 5-2 victory.
You can watch the Honor Choir’s performance on the KWOC Facebook page.
PBHS BETA CLUB WINS SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR COLLECTING BOTTLE CAPS
Poplar Bluff High School is celebrating another cap collecting championship.
According to school officials, the Poplar Bluff High School Beta Club has been awarded $6,000 for placing first in the Collect the Caps promotion over a five-state region for the second year in a row.
The contest is a partnership between Dr Pepper and Pepsi MidAmerica and has helped provide a budget for the PBHS Beta Club, beginning in 2019 when Poplar Bluff won $2,500 for placing third, bringing the grand total to $14,500 in the last four years.
Pepsi MidAmerica marketing manager, Taylor McDermott, says that the total weight of the PBHS collection was nearly eight pounds compared to the second-place winner, which turned in under two pounds worth of the teal caps.
DUNKLIN COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO OVER A DECADE IN PRISON FOR DRUG AND FIREARM OFFENSES
A Kennett man is looking at over a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to drug and firearm charges.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 32 year old John
Schoolcraft, was sentenced Wednesday to serve 15 years in federal prison for the offenses of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
At a guilty plea hearing in January, Schoolcraft admitted that beginning in May of 2022, and continuing through June 23, 2022, he and others were involved in distributing methamphetamine throughout Dunklin County.
The case culminated in the execution of a search warrant at Schoolcraft’s residence in Kennett where officers seized over four pounds of methamphetamine, a loaded semi-automatic pistol, and $2,785.00 in U.S. currency.
FORMER MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION COMMISSIONER HONORED IN CARTER COUNTY
A former Missouri Department of Conservation Commissioner was honored earlier this week in Carter County.
According to MDC officials, a dedication ceremony was held on Tuesday for the Don C. Bedell Unit of the Peck Ranch Conservation Area.
Bedell, an avid conservationist and enthusiastic sportsman, served two six-year terms on the Missouri Conservation Commission through 2021.
During his time serving on the Conservation Commission, Bedell saw the MDC accomplish numerous feats, including the historic restoration of once-native elk at the Peck Ranch Conservation Area in the Missouri Ozarks.
On Tuesday, the MDC recognized this connection by designating nearly 6,000 acres of newly conserved forestland as the “Don C. Bedell Unit” of the Peck Ranch Conservation Area.
Officials say that the property, formerly known as Chilton Creek Research and Demonstration Area, contains some of the most biologically important woodland habitat in the Midwest and is surrounded by the Peck Ranch Conservation Area, Rocky Creek Conservation Area, and Ozark National Scenic Riverway.
The area will be open to the public and managed for multiple uses under certification through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
ROADSIDE WORK SCHEDULED FOR TODAY ON INTERSTATE 55
Northbound Interstate 55 will be reduced to one lane today in Southeast Missouri as contractor crews perform roadside work.
Officials with the Missouri Department of Transportation say that the work zone will be located between mile markers 40 and 41 near Marston.
Work is scheduled to take place today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
