HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT, TEMPERATURES COULD REACH AROUND TO 100 DEGREES

A heat advisory is in effect for most of the area due to excessively high temperatures.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, temperatures of around 100 degrees and heat index values of up to 110 degrees are possible for portions of Southeast Missouri. The heat advisory will be in effect until 7 pm on Saturday.

You should remember to take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening and also drink plenty of fluids.

ONE DEAD FOLLOWING SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH IN STODDARD COUNTY

One person has died following a single vehicle crash in Stoddard County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 23 year old Lydia Derossett, of Matthews, was driving on Route Y near Aquilla Monday afternoon, when her vehicle ran off the roadway, struck a utility pole, and overturned.

Derossett, who was reportedly not wearing a safety device, was transported to a Sikeston hospital where she was pronounced dead.

STATE FIRE MARSHAL INVESTIGATING POPLAR BLUFF STRUCTURE FIRE

A Missouri State Fire Marshal is investigating a structure fire from over the weekend in Poplar Bluff.

According to the Poplar Bluff Fire Department, crews responded to a building fire late Saturday night on Iron Bridge Road. At the scene, crews found a structure mostly involved in fire.

EIGHT YEAR OLD CHILD DROWNS IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

A young child died while swimming over the weekend in Northeast Arkansas.

According to Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole, an eight year old boy was swimming with friends in the St. Francis River at Cottonwood Point on Saturday when he went underwater and did not come back up.

His body was found around four hours later.

The Clay County Sheriff's Department, Dunklin County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas Game and Fish Officers, Missouri Department of Conservation Officers, Arkansas State Police, Clay County Emergency Task Force, and Clay County Coroner all responded to the area to provide assistance.

SUSPECT IN CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO QULIN BANK ROBBERY

A suspect is in custody following a bank robbery Thursday morning in Butler County.

Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that the Southern Bank in Qulin was robbed at gunpoint at approximately 9:10 am Thursday.

The suspect was taken into custody later Thursday without incident.

REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION IN CONNECTION TO BUTLER COUNTY DEATH INVESTIGATION

A reward has been offered for information about a Butler County homicide from 2020.

The body of 29 year old Jessica Mackenzie Holland, was found in the area of Butler County Road 612 on September 17th, 2020,

An autopsy revealed that Holland had been shot multiple times.

Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that an investigation into the death is ongoing and his office is very close to having it solved.

HOT AND HUMID TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

Excessive heat and humidity are expected to cause dangerous conditions today in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.

According to the National Weather Service, heat index values could reach as high as 114 degrees today in portions of our listening area.

The extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.

POPLAR BLUFF STREET DEPARTMENT TO OVERLAY MAIN STREET THIS WEEK

Poplar Bluff street crews will be doing work on Main Street this week.

According to the Poplar Bluff Street Department, crews will be overlaying Main Street between Harper and Pershing Streets today and tomorrow.

Northbound traffic on Main Street will be detoured west onto Harper Street and southbound traffic will be detoured at Davis Street. Eastbound traffic on Harper Street will be detoured onto Mill Street.

POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOL BUS INSPECTOR HONORED AT STATE CONFERENCE

A Poplar Bluff school bus inspector has been honored at a state conference.

According to Poplar Bluff R-1 School District Transportation Director Jon McKinney, a group of the school’s transportation professionals recently attended the 58th Annual Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation conference in Springfield.

During the conference, Poplar Bluff bus driver trainer and bus inspector, Jason Davis received 3rd place overall in the Best Technician and Inspector Competition.

COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI TO RETIRE

The man who has led the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Southeast Missouri for the past four years will be stepping down.

According to Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Highway Patrol, Captain Philip Gregory, Troop E commanding officer, will retire on August 1st, after 30 years of service.

Captain Gregory grew up in Fredericktown and graduated from Fredericktown High School. Before his appointment to the Patrol, he served as an officer with the Cape Girardeau Police Department, the Chaffee Police Department, and as a paramedic.

ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING TO BE HELD TODAY AT DONIPHAN SCHOOLS

Law enforcement will be on the Doniphan School campus today to conduct active shooter training.

According to Sergeant Clark Parrott with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, state troopers will be joined by the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office and the Doniphan Police Department for the training.

Residents may hear gunshots coming from the area of the school during the exercise as the officers will be using training rifles loaded with blanks.

DONIPHAN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE SELECTED IN THE MLB DRAFT

A Doniphan High School graduate has been selected in the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft.

Missouri State University’s Jake Eddington was selected in the 7th Round by the Philadelphia Phillies.

During his time with the Doniphan Dons, he was a two time all state selection and was Missouri’s top ranked player in the class of 2020.

POCAHONTAS MAN FACING ATTEMPTED MURDER AND FIREARM CHARGES IN CONNECTION TO SHOOTING

A Pocahontas man was charged Monday morning with attempted murder in connection to a shooting over the weekend.

According to the Pocahontas Police Department, on Saturday, officers were dispatched to a residence on Archer Street in reference to a male subject with a gunshot wound.

Pocahontas Police Officers and Randolph County Sheriff’s Deputies quickly apprehended a suspect in the shooting, 28 year old Corey Garrett Jr.

NUMEROUS DRUGS, INCLUDING ECSTASY, COCAINE, AND LSD RECOVERED DURING SEARCH OF BUTLER COUNTY RESIDENCE

Numerous drugs were seized during a search of a Butler County residence.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs tells KWOC News that his department conducted a search warrant on Thursday at the residence of Samuel Moore on Butler County Road 5351.

During the search, investigators found 33 pounds of high-grade marijuana, six pounds of ecstasy pills, three ounces of cocaine, and over 200 tabs of LSD.

CHANCES OF SEVERE WEATHER TO RETURN THIS WEEKEND IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Chances of severe weather are expected to return this weekend to Southeast Missouri.

According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service in Paducah, there are chances of thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight with lightning and brief downpours being the main hazards.

Officials say that there is a good chance of thunderstorms on Saturday. A few storms could be severe with damaging winds. Locally heavy rainfall and lightning will also be possible with any thunderstorms over the weekend.

ANNUAL DEXTER GRILLE IT UP SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEKEND

Multiple attractions are scheduled for the 7th Annual Dexter Grille It Up this weekend.

The two day event will begin at 5 pm on Friday and at 8 am on Saturday at East Park in Dexter.

There will be a car show, mud volleyball tournament, cornhole tournament, and cook off contest, along with numerous vendors and live music, among other attractions.

RIVER RADIO BLOOD DRIVE IN POPLAR BLUFF SET FOR FRIDAY

Reservations are now being accepted for the next River Radio Blood Drive in Poplar Bluff.

The Blood Drive has been scheduled for noon to 5 pm this Friday, July 7th, at the Larry Hillis Dodge Showroom on North Westwood Boulevard.

Anyone wanting to donate can call 1-800 Red Cross or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the code RiverRadio to schedule an appointment.

DANGEROUS HEAT CONDITIONS TO BEGIN TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

Excessive heat conditions could pose danger to many residents in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.

River Radio Chief Meteorologist Dan Holiday tells us more about what we can expect over the next couple of days.

“We've been hearing a lot about the really hot weather down in Texas and that is due to a strong high pressure system in the upper levels of the atmosphere. It's been over the southern part of the country for quite a while now but it's finally going to be lifting Northeast, and that's why we are going to be affected by it. So temperatures will be above 100 degrees on Thursday.

EXCESSIVE HEAT TO BLANKET THE AREA BEGINNING ON THURSDAY

Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas residents are being encouraged to prepare for oppressive heat that will blanket the area Thursday and Friday.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, dangerously hot conditions are expected with heat index values of 105 to 115 degrees possible. Highs are also forecast to get above 100 degrees.

FOUR STRUCTURES AND 25 VEHICLES DESTROYED IN FIRE

16 separate departments responded to the scene of a fire Sunday in Southeast Missouri.

According to the Northern Reynolds County Fire Protection District, at around 4 pm on Sunday crews were dispatched to Ellington for a commercial fire.

At the scene, three buildings as well as multiple vehicles were on fire.

Crews worked on the fire until 9 pm and mutual aid was requested for manpower, engines, and tankers from surrounding departments.