PLUNGING TEMPERATURES TO FOLLOW WINTER WEATHER TO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
A winter weather system could potentially drop multiple inches of snow on Southeast Missouri this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there is a forecast for accumulating snow beginning during the day on Sunday and continuing throughout the night and into Monday. Snowfall totals could reach around four inches.
This will be accompanied by rapidly falling temperatures, with overnight lows getting close to zero early next week and wind chill values falling below zero.
Multiple warming shelters will be available in Butler County. The Bread Shed will be opening on Sunday when temperatures fall below 20 degrees and will remain open through 7 am. The Butler County Health Department will be available as a warming shelter during the day beginning on Monday, from 8 am to 5 pm.
Additional warming center locations are available on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website.
RAINY AND WINDY CONDITIONS FORECAST FOR TODAY
Rainy and especially windy conditions are expected today in Southeast Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there will be widespread 40 to 60 mile per hour wind gusts, with the highest winds expected from the late morning through the afternoon and early evening hours.
A high wind warning has been put in place until midnight tonight for certain areas in extreme Southeast Missouri. The rest of the region is under a wind advisory.
In addition, rainfall totals between one and two inches could lead to some flooding issues. There is a possibility that some areas receive over three inches of rain.
ROBBERY REPORTEDLY LED TO DOUBLE SHOOTING IN POPLAR BLUFF
Additional details have been released concerning the fatal shooting that happened this week in Poplar Bluff.
According to a Probable Cause Statement, the shooting occurred during an attempted robbery on Tuesday at a location on North Main Street.
One of the subject’s arrested, Antonio Whitehorn, of Poplar Bluff, allegedly worked in concert with another person to lure one of the victims to a residence to rob him. During the altercation, the victim and the person Whitehorn was working with got into a gunfight which resulted in both of them being shot.
Whitehorn has been charged with two counts of murder 2nd degree as well as a single count of robbery 1st degree.
A second person arrested, Stormy Ward, of Poplar Bluff, has been charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence. Ward allegedly fabricated statements to police and deleted text messages off of her phone that were pertinent to the investigation.
Lieutenant Josh Stewart with the Poplar Bluff Police Department says that additional arrests are expected and anyone with information relating to the investigation is asked to call 573-785-5776.
NEW MADRID COUNTY SHERIFF TO STEP DOWN AT THE END OF THIS YEAR
The citizens of New Madrid County will soon need to select a new sheriff.
New Madrid County Sheriff Bud Cooper has announced on Facebook that he is withdrawing his bid for reelection.
Cooper cited medical issues as the reason for the withdrawal. He plans to complete his current term, which will come to an end on December 31st of this year.
Cooper was appointed to the position in 2020 after the resignation of Sheriff Terry Stevens. He then was elected to the post during the 2020 elections.
WINTERFEST KICK OFF SET FOR THIS WEEKEND
A kick off to winterfest event has been set for this weekend in Poplar Bluff.
The Winterfest Kick-Off will begin at 10 am on Saturday at Hendrickson Park. There will be sledding, snowball fights, food trucks, a hot chocolate stand, and more.
The event will continue until 2 pm and then move to the Black River Coliseum beginning at 4 pm for a pool party.
Winterfest, presented by Missouri Highlands Health Care will be held in downtown Poplar Bluff at the BRC from January 15th to the 19th.
Winterfest will include an ice skating rink, community resource tables, crafts, winter activities, and vouchers for a free popcorn and hot chocolate per visitor.
BATTLE IN THE BLUFF SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 13TH
Over 350 cheerleaders will be gathering in Poplar Bluff this weekend for the Battle in the Bluff, presented by Mossy Oak Properties Mozark Realty and Southern Bank.
Poplar Bluff Cheer and Tumbling is hosting the 2nd annual competition at the Black River Coliseum on January 13th, beginning at 9 am.
Multiple teams will be competing against each other with a trophy going to the top team in each division.
Admission is $10 and children two years old and under will get in for free.
