ALUMINUM SMELTER IN NEW MADRID COUNTY TO NO LONGER REQUIRE MOST EMPLOYEES AFTER JANUARY 28TH
Employees at an aluminum smelter in New Madrid County could be without jobs before the end of the month.
Magnitude 7 Metals told their employees on Wednesday that most employees will not be required after January 28th.
Operations at the plant will be curtailed over the next few days due to the abnormally cold weather that have impaired operations.
According to the company's website, Magnitude 7 Metals employs over 400 people and is one of the last aluminum smelters in the United States.
DENSE FOG CAUSING LOW VISIBILITY THROUGHOUT MUCH OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Dense fog will cause dangerous driving conditions this morning in Southeast Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service, a Dense Fog Advisory is in effect for multiple counties, including Butler, Ripley, Carter, and Wayne counties until noon.
Visibility in some areas will be less than a quarter of a mile. Drivers are reminded to slow down and leave plenty of distance ahead of your vehicle.
Motorists should also use their low beam headlights while driving.
ARREST MADE IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION
An arrest has been made in connection to a Southeast Missouri Homicide investigation.
At around 4 am on January 1st, officers with the Charleston Department of Public Safety responded to a report of shots fired in the 500 block of West Ada Street. At the scene, officers found 20 year old Malik Jones, of Caruthersville, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Jones died a short time later.
An investigation resulted in the arrest of 18 year old Jimmy Hudson III, of Cape Girardeau, on charges of murder 1st, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of a controlled substance. Hudson is being held on no bond.
Officials say the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Charleston Department of Public Safety at 573-683-3737.
KENNETT MAN CONVICTED ON DRUG DELIVERY AND CHILD ENDANGERMENT CHARGES
A Dunklin County jury deliberated for less than an hour Tuesday before handing down a conviction in a drug delivery case.
Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain tells KWOC News that a jury has found 42 year old Joshua Webb, of Kennett, guilty of delivery of a controlled substance and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree.
In June of 2019, officers found a 20-gram bag of methamphetamine, a set of scales with suspected drug residue, and small baggies often used to package drugs for sale inside a Kennett residence.
Webb was arrested for possessing drugs with the intent to distribute and for endangering the welfare of a child, as two children lived in the home where he possessed the drugs.
Jain says that Webb is a prior and persistent offender and faces five to fifteen years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the drug delivery charge and three to ten years in prison for each endangering the welfare of a child count.
Sentencing was scheduled for February 28th.
PRIORITY DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID
The priority deadline is quickly approaching for future and current college students to complete their free application for federal student aid for the 2024-2025 school year.
According to StudentAid.Gov, students should complete the FAFSA application by February 1st to receive priority consideration for federal and state grants and scholarships.
Applications will be accepted through April 1st.
Poplar Bluff High School will be hosting a FAFSA Frenzy event on Wednesday, January 31st to help Poplar Bluff students complete their FAFSA.
The event will be held from 5 to 7 pm at the Senior High School cafeteria.
MULTIPLE BRIDGES TO BE REPLACED IN RIPLEY COUNTY
The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced that multiple bridges will be replaced as early as next year in Ripley County.
According to MoDOT officials, four bridges will be replaced as a part of the project. The bridges are located on Route 142 over Drainage Ditch 2 and Harris Creek as well as on Route W over Drainage Ditches 1 and 3.
Construction to replace the bridges could begin as early as spring of 2025. The roadway will be closed in the vicinity of each bridge for approximately three months during this time.
Comments and questions may be submitted online at modot.org/form/ripleycountybridges. Comments must be submitted by February 10th.
Any person affected by these projects may request that a public meeting be held in regard to the proposed improvements.
