QULIN MAN SENTENCED ON MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES
A Qulin man will be spending two decades behind bars for his part in a fatal motorcycle crash from 2023.
According to Missouri Case Net, Travis Vincent, of Qulin, pleaded guilty in February to two counts of 1st degree involuntary manslaughter as well as single counts of driving while intoxicated resulting in the death of two or more people and operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner involving an accident.
EF-1 TORNADO TRAVELLED NEAR QUILIN ON APRIL 2ND, DAMAGING OVER A DOZEN HOMES
Tornado surveys continue to come in from the storm system that crossed the area earlier this month.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, an EF-1 tornado touched down near the Arkansas border in far southern Butler County on April 2nd and then tracked northeast passing a few miles southeast of Qulin.
TWO SCHOOL FUNDRAISING ISSUES REJECTED BY VOTERS IN BUTLER COUNTY
Voters have rejected two separate issues that would have helped raise funds for schools in Butler County.
In the Poplar Bluff School District, voters rejected a question by an over two to one vote, that would have issued bonds to build or improve school facilities in the district, including expanding the Early Childhood Center.
It was a little closer for Twin Rivers Proposition C.A.R.E, which would have seen the district borrow eight million dollars to build a new Junior High on the Broseley campus and improve the Qulin and Fisk Elementary Schools. That measure was defeated 314-226.
TWO BUTLER COUNTY SCHOOL ISSUES TO BE DECIDED DURING TODAY’S MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Voters from across Southeast Missouri will be going to the ballot box today for municipal elections.
Voters in the Poplar Bluff School District will decide on a bond question for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, renovating, repairing, furnishing and equipping new and existing school facilities in the district, including expanding the Early Childhood Center.
Twin Rivers R-X is asking for the public’s approval to borrow eight million dollars for the purpose of providing funds for the site development, construction, equipping, and furnishing of new classrooms on the High School campus to serve as the new Junior High as well as for improvements and repairs at the Qulin and Fisk elementary schools, among other projects.
MAJOR FLOODING REPORTED THROUGHOUT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
The heavy rains from last week caused flooding throughout Southeast Missouri.
Numerous water rescues were reported, including in Carter, Ripley, Butler, and Doniphan counties, among others.
According to the National Weather Service, rainfall estimates for the four day period ranged from 10 to 15 inches in the New Madrid area, six to eight inches in the Poplar Bluff area, and four to six inches in the Piedmont area.
BLACK RIVER IN BUTLER COUNTY TO BE UNDER A FLOOD WARNING THIS WEEKEND
The Black River in Butler County is one of multiple rivers that will be under a flood warning.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a multi-day heavy rain event is expected to last through Saturday.
As of right now the Black River at Poplar Bluff is forecast to rise to a maximum value of 21.5 feet Saturday evening which is half of a foot above the Major Flood stage.
The Flood warning will be in effect for Black River in Poplar Bluff from late Friday night through Monday morning.
LARGE STORM SYSTEM BRINGS SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND LARGE TORNADOES TO THE AREA
A large storm system crossed Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas Wednesday evening and early Wednesday night bringing with it multiple tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.
Tornadoes were reported in the Qulin area in Butler County, near Cardwell in Dunklin County, as well as in the Advance area in Stoddard County.
A confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was spotted by weather spotters in the Bay and Lake City area of Northeast Arkansas.
STORM SYSTEM EXPECTED TO HIT THE AREA TODAY BRINGING WITH IT CHANCES OF SEVERE WEATHER
We are once again looking at possibilities of severe weather beginning today.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a very active and potentially very dangerous weather pattern will set up today and continue into the weekend.
Officials say that the entire region is at risk of severe thunderstorms today. All severe weather threats will be possible, including large to very large hail, widespread damaging winds, and potentially strong tornadoes.
Numerous rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to produce multiple inches of rainfall through Saturday night.
HEAVY FLOODING POSSIBLE WITH UPCOMING STORM SYSTEM
Weather officials are preparing for a possible severe weather event this week.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a very active and potentially very dangerous weather pattern will set up by Wednesday and continue into the weekend.
Officials say that the entire region is under an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms on Wednesday. All severe weather threats will be possible, including large to very large hail, widespread damaging winds, and potentially strong tornadoes.
TORNADOES, HAIL, AND WIND DAMAGE REPORTED DURING WEEKEND STORMS
Sunday afternoon’s storm system brought tornadoes, hail, and wind damage to areas of Southeast Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service, golf ball sized hail was reported near Doniphan and Qulin. There were also reports of hail in Carter, Dunklin, Stoddard, and Wayne counties.
Preliminary storm reports indicate that two tornados touched down between 4:50 pm and 5:17 pm Sunday, in Ripley and Southern Butler counties, causing damage including a barn roof being blown off. Winds were estimated to be between 65 to 75 miles per hour. Additional reports of trees and power lines were down along Highway 142 in Butler County.
No injuries were reported from the severe storms on Sunday.
SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE WITH UPCOMING STORM SYSTEM
A line of storms crossing the area on Sunday is bringing with it the possibility of severe weather.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there is the potential for a line of severe storms to produce large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes as it moves across the area Sunday afternoon into the evening hours.
Officials say that winds could gust up to 35 miles per hour ahead of the storms.
Most areas have a chance of seeing a half inch or more rain Saturday, although officials added that flooding concerns are low.
MULTI AGENCY RESOURCE CENTERS TO BE AVAILABLE TODAY AND FRIDAY FOR TORNADO VICTIMS
Events will be held today and tomorrow to assist families that were affected by the tornados earlier this month.
According to the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, Multi-Agency Resource Centers are being coordinated with volunteer partners, faith-based organizations, and other state and local agencies. MARCs are one-stop shops that pull together recovery resources in communities impacted by disasters.
The events will be held from noon to 7 pm today and tomorrow at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff.
Impacted residents are encouraged to attend the MARC to receive in-person information and support services, including insurance information, food stamp replacement, emergency financial assistance, and legal services.
Attendees are asked to bring proof of address and a photo id.
ENFORCEMENT OF REAL ID TO BEGIN IN MAY
Anyone who will be taking a flight in the latter half of this year will need to make sure that their ID is Real ID compliant.
According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, the federal Real ID enforcement deadline is May 7th.
Officials say that 41 percent of the Missouri Department of Revenue’s total document holders have a Real ID.
While a final rule issued at the federal level allows federal agencies to utilize a phased-in approach to card-based enforcement for up to two years beyond the May 7 deadline, the Department is encouraging Missourians to be prepared for all possible scenarios.
Individuals will soon be required to present a REAL ID-compliant document for official purposes including, but not limited to, accessing federal facilities and boarding federally regulated domestic flights.
If you plan on flying in the future but do not want to apply for a REAL ID, you can present another Transportation Security Administration approved acceptable form of ID such as your U.S. passport.
A Missouri-issued REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card will have a star in the upper right-hand corner.
You can find more information at dor.mo.gov.
FREE MEDICAL CLINIC TO BE OFFERED IN KENNETT
A free medical clinic will be offered in Kennett next month.
Footsteps Medical Missions and FCC Behavioral Health will be presenting the clinic from 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday, April 5th at the Methodist Church on College Avenue in Kennett.
Services provided will include general health screenings, blood pressure and diabetes checks, vision and hearing exams, and more.
If you want to attend, you are encouraged to pre-register at FootstepsMedicalMissions.org. Walk-ins will also be welcome.
CLASSES AT POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOLS CANCELLED FOR THIS WEEK
Preparations are underway for Poplar Bluff Kindergarten students to move to the Mark Twain school, however it will still be another week before the move can be done.
Superintendent Aaron Cornman tells KWOC News that the Poplar Bluff school district will not be holding classes this week while staff is working to get everything ready for students.
School will resume on Monday, March 31st.
SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED FOR EF-3 TORNADO THAT KILLED TWO PEOPLE IN WAYNE COUNTY
Survey crews have released their report for a tornado that killed two people in Wayne County last week.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, an EF-3 tornado with peak winds of 165 mph began at around 10:28 pm seven miles south of Van Buren.
The tornado traveled into Wayne County and caused severe damage in the Leeper area where several homes were nearly completely destroyed.
Two people were killed when their camper was thrown into the Black River.
POPLAR BLUFF KINDERGARTEN CENTER TO BE CLOSED FOR REMAINDER OF SCHOOL YEAR, KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS TO BE RELOCATED TO MARK TWAIN SCHOOL
Plans are starting to be formalized regarding how Poplar Bluff schools will move forward after a tornado significantly damaged multiple school buildings.
Superintendent Aaron Cornman says that the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center will be closed for the remainder of the school year. Engineers have deemed it safe to continue to use the Early Childhood Center. The O’Neal Elementary FEMA Safe Room also sustained roof damage, but adjustments are being made to allow students to stay there during the repairs.
When school resumes, all Kindergarten Center students will be relocated to the Mark Twain School campus on North Main Street.
MISSOURI GOVERNOR BEGINS PROCESS OF OBTAINING FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR TORNADO VICTIMS
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has announced that the state has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency participate in joint preliminary damage assessments for Individual Assistance in numerous counties throughout the state.
A total of 25 counties were a part of the request, including Butler, Carter, Dunklin, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Stoddard, and Wayne County, following the severe storms and deadly tornadoes that devastated Missouri this past weekend. Officials say this request begins the process of obtaining federal disaster assistance.
EF-3 TORNADO DESTROYS SEVERAL HOMES IN CARTER COUNTY
A tornado in western and northern Carter County caused significant damage Friday night.
According to a damage survey from the National Weather Service, the EF-3 tornado destroyed several homes in the area of Fremont and also picked up a steel trailer and lofted it several hundred yards.
The tornado had peak winds of 165 miles per hour and a path width of 500 yards, uprooting or snapping hundreds of trees.
AT LEAST NINE PEOPLE KILLED IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI DURING FRIDAY NIGHT STORMS
Numerous violent tornadoes and high winds caused multiple deaths and extensive damage throughout Southeast Missouri Friday night.
According to officials, at least eight people were killed during the storms Friday night in Wayne County while one death was reported in Butler County.
Initial reports indicate there were up to 19 tornadoes of varying strengths that impacted 25 counties across the state. At least six of the tornadoes were in Southeast Missouri alone.
