FIRST WINTER STORM OF 2025 POSSIBLE THIS WEEKEND
Southeast Missouri is bracing for our first look at winter weather this year during the upcoming weekend.
According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm with mixed precipitation types is likely late Saturday night into early Monday morning.
Senior Forecaster Keith Cooley with the National Weather Service tells us more.
“The wintry mix will include freezing rain, sleet, and snow, while some locations may end up seeing most of the precipitation fall as rain. The best chance of that happening will be closer to the Tennessee border in western Kentucky and the Arkansas border in Southeast Missouri.
Anyone traveling across the four state region will need to keep a very close eye on the forecast as we head into the weekend and especially into early next week. Before traveling this weekend make sure you check the local forecast, look into your local road conditions, and be sure to tell others your route and anticipated travel time.
It is also a good idea to make sure you have an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle. “
Following this storm, winter air will start to filter into the area next week, dropping temperatures into the teens overnight and wind chill values could possibly reach around zero degrees.
AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING A REPORT OF SHOTS FIRED FROM A VEHICLE IN RIPLEY COUNTY
Authorities in Ripley County are investigating a report of shots being fired from earlier this week.
According to the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, at around 9:35 am on Tuesday, deputies responded to a report that shots were fired from a vehicle on Ripley 142E-20 the night before.
Witnesses told deputies that they believed that the shots had been fired from a pickup. No injuries or damage was reported.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
FIVE FILE FOR SPOTS ON POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOL BOARD
Five people have put in their candidacy for a spot on the Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education.
According to school officials, there are two school board spots that will be voted on during the municipal election on April 8th.
Current Board Members Cynthia Brown and Roger Hanner have both filed to run for reelection and they are being joined by newcomers Heather Rommel, Mike Moss, and Lynn McCormack.
MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION APPROVED FOR SOME SOUTHEAST MISSOURI COUNTIES
President Joe Biden has approved a major federal disaster declaration for multiple counties in Southeast Missouri.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson has announced that the president approved his request for a major federal disaster declaration to help local governments and nonprofit agencies in 14 counties respond to the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred from November 3rd through November 9th, resulting in significant damage to public infrastructure.
The declaration makes federal public assistance available for the repair of damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure as well as reimbursement of associated emergency response and recovery costs. The Governor’s November 26 request included nearly $45 million in qualifying expenses already identified.
Southeast Missouri counties listed in the declaration include Carter, Oregon, Reynolds, and Shannon counties.
The disaster declaration also makes assistance available statewide through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Program, which assists with cost-effective measures to reduce the potential for future damage to public infrastructure as a result of natural disasters.
MAN IN CUSTODY ON MURDER CHARGE IN KENNETT
A Kennett man is in custody on a murder charge.
According to Kennett Chief of Police Kenny Wilson, shortly before 7 pm on December 31st, officers responded to a location on Lynndale Drive in reference to a suicidal male subject that was armed with a gun.
At the scene, officers found 67 year old Linda Lloyd deceased from a single gunshot wound.
A suspect, identified as 44 year old Tommy Lloyd, was taken into custody at the scene.
Lloyd is being held on charges of 1st degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon at the Dunklin County Jail.
He was scheduled to appear in a Dunklin County courtroom Thursday morning.
POPLAR BLUFF PARKS AND RECREATION TO RING IN NEW YEAR WITH 5K RUN
Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation will be celebrating the beginning of 2025 this weekend with a 5k run.
The Resolution Rush 5k will begin at 10 am on Saturday at McLane Park. Check-in will start at 9:30 am and the cost is $10.
More information is available at PbParks.org.
