MISSOURI STATEWIDE TORNADO DRILL CAUSES CONFUSION AFTER TEXT ALERT GOES OUT

An inadvertent text alert caused confusion during the Missouri Statewide Tornado Drill yesterday.

During the drill, an alert was sent to some people’s phones that said a Tornado Warning was in their area and they should take shelter. The alert did not mention that it was part of a drill.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there were no active tornado warnings and the Wireless Emergency Alert was unintentionally activated.

The National Weather Service in St. Louis posted on Twitter that new code implemented last week for their software that sends warnings to the Wireless Emergency Alert system mistakenly allowed the test to go out over WEA as an actual warning.

The NWS went on to say that the software was fixed immediately and apologized for any confusion caused.

ONE DEAD FOLLOWING KENNETT SHOOTING

One person has died following a fatal shooting over the weekend in the Missouri Bootheel.

According to the Kennett Police Department, someone in a vehicle fired several shots into the victim’s vehicle while both were travelling on 1st street Sunday night.

A passenger in the victim’s vehicle, Tahmiius Mitchell, of Kennett, suffered a fatal injury during the incident. The driver received minor injuries.

Officials are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Kennett Police Department at 573-888-4622.

WAYNE COUNTY WOMAN KILLED IN SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK

A Wayne County woman was killed in a single vehicle wreck over the weekend.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 29 year old Joshua Kelsoe, of Williamsville, was driving on US Highway 67 Saturday night, when his vehicle ran off the roadway and struck a ditch.

A passenger in the vehicle, 47 year old Judy Thompson, also of Williamsville, was pronounced dead at the scene by Madison County Coroner Collin Follis.

There were no injuries reported for Kelsoe.

MULTIPLE BASKETBALL DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS HELD THURSDAY NIGHT

Multiple district basketball champions were crowned last night in Southeast Missouri.

Starting with the Girls Class 2, Holcomb defeated Hayti 64-44 to win District 1, while Ellington beat Neelyville 60-55 in District 2. In the Girls Class 3 District 1 finals, Twin Rivers claimed the district championship after their 51-37 victory over Thayer. In the Class 3, District 2 final, Woodland beat Scott City 66-48.

On the boys’ side, Gideon defeated Scott County Central 61 to 55 to win Class 1, District 1. For Class 2, District 1, Campbell was victorious over Bernie 55-41. In Class 2, District 2, Alton defeated Van Buren, 52-37.

State sectional play for the boys will begin on March 2nd, with the girls following on March 3rd.

IMMIGRANT LEAVES ST. LOUIS CHURCH AFTER OVER THREE YEARS

An immigrant has left a St. Louis church after living there for over three years to avoid deportation.

Alex Garcia left Christ Church United Church of Christ in suburban St. Louis on Wednesday after Immigration and Customs Enforcement declared it would not pursue his detention or removal.

Garcia is a married father of five who was slated for removal from the U.S. in 2017 before the Maplewood Church gave him sanctuary.

Prior to that, Garcia had lived in Poplar Bluff for over a decade.

THREE ARRESTED IN WAYNE COUNTY DRUG BUST

Three people have been taken into custody in connection to a drug bust in Wayne County.

Wayne County Sheriff Dean Finch tells KWOC News that deputies responded to a residence in Wappapello in search of Keith Atnip.

The subject was located at the residence and arrested on a felony warrant for possession of a controlled substance.

While searching the residence, deputies also found methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia.

This led to the arrests of Peggy Valeck and Bernardo Hood.

Finch says that Valeck and Hood were booked into the Wayne County Jail on a 24 hour hold pending arrest warrants.

MAN CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER IN CONNECTION TO STODDARD COUNTY SHOOTING DEATH

Updating a story we brought to you yesterday, one man has been charged with 2nd degree murder in connection to the death of a Bernie man.

According to the Stoddard County Major Case Squad, 62 year old Timmy Carwile, was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound Sunday morning in his apartment.

18 year old Anthony Jenkins Sr., of St. Louis, was taken into custody at the scene and has been charged with Murder 2nd degree, Armed Criminal Action, and Tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution.

Officials say that Jenkins is being held at the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office and no bond has been set.

ONE DEAD, FOUR INJURED, FOLLOWING SHOOTING IN KENNETT

An investigation is underway following a fatal shooting over the weekend in Kennett.

Kennett Police Chief Kenny Wilson tells KWOC News that at approximately 12:25 Sunday morning, officers responded to the American Legion building in reference to someone shooting a firearm.

A total of five people were shot and one later died from his injuries. The victims were transported to different area hospitals for treatment. The identities of the victims were not released.

Wilson says that the incident is currently being investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kennett Police Department. Anyone who has information concerning the incident can contact the Kennett Police Department at 573-888-4622.

SECOND WAVE OF WINTER WEATHER DROPS UP TO FOUR INCHES OF SNOW IN SOME AREAS

Some areas of Southeast Missouri saw up to four inches of snow during the second wave of winter weather this week.

According to the National Weather Service, the Missouri Bootheel, along with southern Butler and Stoddard counties, as well as most of New Madrid County saw three to four inches of snow on Wednesday and Thursday.

The snow totals gradually declined moving north of that area.

The sunshine and warmer temperatures Thursday afternoon caused some snow that was left over on roads to melt, resulting in wet roads and standing water developing in some areas.

With temperatures falling into the single digits and lower teens overnight, the potential exists for some of this water to refreeze.

Officials are warning motorists to be on the lookout for black ice during your morning commute.

WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR MISSOURI BOOTHEEL

A winter storm warning remains in effect for the Missouri Bootheel and Northeast Arkansas through this evening.

According to the National Weather Service, New Madrid, Dunklin and Pemiscot Counties in Missouri along with Clay and Greene Counties in Arkansas could see heavy mixed precipitation through 6 pm this evening.

A winter weather advisory is also in effect for Butler, Stoddard, Ripley and Scott counties in Southeast Missouri through 6 pm tonight.

Officials say residents should plan on slippery road conditions that could impact the morning commute.

You can find road conditions online by using MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org, or through MoDOT’s free smartphone app, available for iPhone and Android phones.

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FOR MISSOURI BOOTHEEL

A winter storm warning is in effect for the Missouri Bootheel and Northeast Arkansas through this evening.

According to the National Weather Service in Memphis, heavy snow is expected with total snow accumulations of four to six inches possible. The Winter Storm Warning is expected to be in effect through 6 pm Thursday.

The National Weather Service in Paducah says that the rest of Southeast Missouri is under a Winter Weather Advisory until noon today.

Total snow accumulations of one to three inches are expected, however up to 4 inches of snow accumulation cannot be ruled out in a few locations closer to the Missouri and Arkansas border.

SECOND WINTER STORM EVENT OF THE WEEK POSSIBLY BEGINNING TOMORROW MORNING

The first major snow storm of the year blanketed Southeast Missouri on Monday.

According to storm reports from the National Weather Service, snow measurements ranged from five inches to 12 inches across the region with multi foot snow drifts also reported.

Weather officials are also continuing to track a potential winter system that will impact our area on Wednesday and Thursday.

Officials say that there is the potential for significant wintry precipitation however, the exact types and amounts are yet to be determined. The potential is generally moderate for at least four inches of snow and/or sleet.

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING

A winter storm warning is in effect for most of Southeast Missouri until 6 am Tuesday morning and for Northeast Arkansas and the Missouri bootheel until midnight tonight.

According to the National Weather Service, the storm system will bring heavy snow to the region with total snow accumulations of six to 12 inches possible. Many areas received minor snow accumulations last night and early this morning.

Weather officials are expecting the heaviest snow to start falling later this morning.

In addition to the snow, north winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts of 20 to 30 mph will likely cause blowing and drifting of the snow as well as bitterly cold wind chills. Wind chill values will range from 0 to negative 15 degrees.

Weather officials say that another storm is taking aim at the area later this week. This storm system is expected to bring significant amounts of precipitation Wednesday and Thursday, mainly in the form of snow in Southeast Missouri.

BITTERLY COLD TEMPERATURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY SNOWFALL EARLY NEXT WEEK

Bitterly cold temperatures are going to fall over Southeast Missouri this weekend.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, temperatures will drop to the single digits early Sunday and Monday mornings with the wind chill ranging from zero to negative 10.

Officials say that prolonged exposure to this kind of cold could result in frostbite if precautions are not taken.

Starting early Monday morning we also have chances of snow returning to the area. Weather officials say that they are monitoring two winter weather systems for next week. The first should be Monday into Monday night with the second forecasted for next Wednesday into Wednesday night.

According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook, accumulating snow and travel impacts are possible with these systems.

ICE STORM WARNING CONTINUES THROUGH THIS EVENING

Freezing rain and sleet blanketed Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas yesterday causing numerous school and business closures as well as treacherous road conditions.

According to the National Weather Service, an Ice Storm Warning will continue to be in effect today through noon for Northeast Arkansas and the Missouri bootheel and through 6 pm for parts of the rest of Southeast Missouri.

Weather officials say that additional ice or sleet accumulations are possible today. These accumulations could result in some tree damage and power outages.

ICE STORM WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING

An Ice Storm warning has been placed into effect for parts of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas through Thursday evening.

According to the National Weather Service, a significant wintry precipitation event is expected to persist in the area through Thursday.

At this time, significant and dangerous ice accumulations are expected by Thursday morning, especially over parts of the Bootheel and Delta regions of southeast Missouri, as well as Northeast Arkansas. However, notable ice accumulation is possible over the remainder of southeast Missouri as well.

Weather officials say that power outages and tree damage are possible due to the ice as well as hazardous travel conditions.

WINTER STORM WATCH TO BE IN EFFECT WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY

The National Weather Service is urging area residents to be prepared for winter weather that is coming this week.

KWOC News spoke with Rick Shanklin, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Paducah, about the upcoming system.

“That chance of wintery precipitation really is going to continue through much of the week, actually to Wednesday night, possibly even into at least Thursday morning across the area. Our main concern is the midweek system. Possibly beginning by late Tuesday night, certainly during the day Wednesday, and then especially Wednesday night.

That’s when we could see the greatest accumulations of ice across the region. Some areas, possibly even a quarter of an inch or more. Also look for some updates regarding that midweek system including a potential for some headlines here over the next day or so. And then we expect much colder air to arrive this weekend.

In fact, the coldest air of the entire winter season will be with us this weekend, so certainly any wintery precipitation we receive this week will be hard pressed to leave over the days following.”

A winter storm watch is currently set to be in effect from midnight tonight to noon on Thursday.

CHANCES OF FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW THIS WEEK

The past weekend’s winter weather could serve as a preview of what is to come later this week.

According to the National Weather Service, there is a chance of freezing rain on Tuesday night and early Wednesday, followed by the possibility of snow showers Wednesday night and Thursday.

Temperatures are going to be dropping along with these weather systems as well. Overnight lows are currently projected to fall into the low tens Thursday and Friday night, followed by getting as cold as 6 degrees over the weekend.

MINOR KILLED IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS WRECK

One person has died following a wreck Tuesday in Northeast Arkansas.

According to the Arkansas State Police, a vehicle was travelling west on Clay County Road 406 at around 1:30 pm when the vehicle lost control and travelled into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

A passenger in the first vehicle was killed in the wreck. The drivers of both vehicles as well as a passenger in each vehicle were injured and transported to a Paragould hospital.