SURVEYS ONGOING FOR LONG TRACK TORNADO THAT STRUCK ARKANSAS, MISSOURI, AND KENTUCKY

Surveys are ongoing for a large tornado tract that hit parts of at least four states on Friday.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, preliminary surveys suggest this tornado began in northeast Arkansas, crossing the Missouri Bootheel, northwest Tennessee, and across western Kentucky, resulting in significant destruction to portions of the region.

The tornado is estimated to have peak winds of 158 to 206 miles per hour with a max width of three-quarters of a mile.

GOVERNOR SAYS THAT DEATH TOLL MAY EXCEED 100 FROM TORNADOS IN KENTUCKY

Kentucky's governor says tornadoes have killed at least 80 people in the state and the death toll may exceed 100.

Governor Andy Beshear said Saturday that a twister had touched down for more than 200 miles in the state Friday night.

In Mayfield, rescuers are picking through the ruins of homes and businesses, including a candle factory that was bustling with night-shift employees when it was flattened.

SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE TONIGHT

Parts of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas are under an enhanced risk of severe weather tonight

According to the National Weather Service, most of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas will have at least a slight risk of severe thunderstorms tonight. Areas to the south and east of a line from Poplar Bluff to Northern Cape Girardeau County are classified as being under an enhanced risk of storms.

According to a hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service, the main hazards will be damaging winds and isolated tornadoes, possibly including a couple strong tornadoes.

SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY

We could be seeing higher chances of severe weather tomorrow.

According to the National Weather Service, The Storm Prediction Center has issued an outlook that most of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas will have a slight risk of severe thunderstorms late Friday afternoon into Friday night.

Officials say that the main concern appears to be damaging winds along with the possibility of tornados.

FIREFIGHTER STRUCK BY A VEHICLE WHILE WORKING ACCIDENT

A firefighter in northeast Arkansas has died after being struck by a vehicle.

According to the Black Rock Volunteer Fire Department, Wes Adams, of the Sedgwick Volunteer Fire Department, was working the scene of a motor vehicle accident Monday night when he was struck by a vehicle.

The fire department later posted on Facebook that Adams died on Tuesday.

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE SEEKING WHEREABOUTS OF WANTED MAN

Police in Poplar Bluff are seeking the whereabouts of a wanted man.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, 33 year old Shawn Vega is wanted for a parole violation.

Vega is described as a white male, six feet tall, weighing 195 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.

MAN IN CUSTODY AFTER SHOOTING AT LAW ENFORCEMENT

A Southeast Missouri man has been taken into custody after allegedly shooting at law enforcement.

Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain tells KWOC News that 28 year old Patrick Skelton, of Senath was arrested Thursday evening.

A Dunklin County Deputy was responding to a domestic assault on Highway Z, near Kennett, where he found Skelton’s girlfriend and her 4 year old child.

RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE SET IN POPLAR BLUFF

The Poplar Bluff area set a new record high temperature yesterday.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, temperatures reached 78 degrees at the Poplar Bluff Airport at around 2:20 pm.

The previous record for December 2nd in Poplar Bluff was 73 degrees which was set way back in 1956.

MAN SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES IN POPLAR BLUFF

An investigation is underway after a man was shot multiple times in Poplar Bluff.

Lieutenant Danny Hicks with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC News that officers responded to a report of a gunshot victim Tuesday evening near Munch N Pump on Sycamore Street.

At the scene, officers found an 18 year old male who had been shot multiple times. The victim was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital with what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

JUVENILE RECOVERING AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A VEHICLE IN DEXTER

A juvenile is recovering after being hit by a vehicle last week.

According to the Dexter Police Department, on November 26th, a seven year old male juvenile ran out onto Stoddard Street and was struck by a car.

The juvenile suffered injuries to his abdomen, left arm, and face. He was treated on scene by EMS and transported to a local medical facility.

SUSPICIOUS DEATH INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY IN DEXTER

Authorities in Stoddard County are investigating a suspicious death.

Dexter Chief of Police Hank Trout tells KWOC News that officers responded to a location on Condor Drive Monday for a medical assist call of a cardiac arrest.

The 49 year old male victim was transported to a Dexter hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The victim’s identity is being withheld until the next of kin can be notified.

ONE DEAD, THREE INJURED, FOLLOWING BUTLER COUNTY WRECK

A Doniphan woman has died following a two vehicle crash in Butler County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the wreck occurred shortly after 2 pm Friday on US Highway 67 at County Road 323, when a vehicle pulled into the path of another vehicle.

AREA MAN IN CUSTODY ON MULTIPLE COUNTS OF CHILD MOLESTATION

An area man is in custody following his arrest on multiple counts of child molestation.

According to Missouri Case Net, a warrant was served over the weekend for Alvin Burns, of Fisk, on three counts of 2nd degree child molestation.

MAN FACING ASSAULT AND WEAPON CHARGES FOLLOWING OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING

A Lilbourn man is facing multiple charges in connection to an incident over the weekend.

According to a probable cause statement, 31 year old Jordan Courtois, is alleged to have refused to stop for a traffic stop in New Madrid County on Saturday, November 20th.

A pursuit continued until Courtois stopped his vehicle at his father’s residence and exited the vehicle with a 12 gauge shotgun. A deputy shot four times at Courtois, striking him in the left hand, right arm, and right calf.

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI MAN CONVICTED OF ASSAULTING MSHP INVESTIGATOR

A Southeast Missouri man is facing the possibility of life in prison after being convicted of assaulting an officer.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 20 year old Zerak Brown, of Viburnum, was found guilty of two counts of assaulting and resisting an officer and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

NAME RELEASED OF MAN KILLED IN OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING

Updating a story we have been following for you this week, authorities have released the name of the suspect who was involved in an officer involved shooting in Poplar Bluff.

Sergeant Clark Parrott with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tells KWOC News that they are investigating an officer involved shooting at the request of the Poplar Bluff Police Department.

MAGNITUDE 4.0 EARTHQUAKE SHAKES SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

A strong earthquake shook most of Southeast Missouri Wednesday night.

According to the United States Geological Survey, a magnitude 4.0 earthquake was recorded at 8:53 pm.

The earthquake was centered just over four miles southeast of Williamsville and had a depth of over nine and a half miles.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS WRECK LEAVES ONE DEAD, TWO INJURED

A wreck earlier this week in Northeast Arkansas has resulted in one death.

According to the Arkansas State Police, a vehicle driven by 19 year old Eli Campbell, of Jonesboro, failed to stop at a stop sign on a rural County Road and struck another vehicle early Monday morning.

DEFENDANTS TO STAND TRIAL FOR MURDER IN SEPARATE CASES

Defendants will stand trial on murder charges in separate cases in Southeast Missouri.

According to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver, the 1st case is for the November 5th, 2021 homicide of Frank Morris, near Dexter.

Boyd Lippoldt has been ordered to stand trial on charges of murder in the first degree, armed criminal action, driving while intoxicated resulting in the death of another, possession of a controlled substance, and tampering with physical evidence.

ONE DEAD, TWO INJURED, FOLLOWING COLLISION IN BLOOMFIELD

A crash Friday afternoon in Bloomfield has resulted in one death.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the wreck occurred at around 4:45 pm on Highway 25 at Griffin Road when a truck, driven by 36 year old Christopher Tormino, of Campbell, was crossing the road and was struck by a car.

A passenger in the car, identified as 44 year old Roy Bell, of Bloomfield, was transported to a Dexter hospital where he was pronounced dead.