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.

ONE DEAD FOLLOWING CRASH IN BUTLER COUNTY 

One person has died following a crash early Saturday morning in Butler County. 

Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC News that the multi vehicle accident occurred on US Highway 60, two miles west of Fisk. 

The deceased has been identified as 37 year old Nathaniel Smith, of Scott City. 

A crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol says that crash occurred when a vehicle struck the rear of another vehicle. Smith, a passenger in the first vehicle was ejected, and then struck by a freightliner. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.   

The driver of the second vehicle suffered minor injuries and was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital. No injuries were listed for the driver of the freightliner.

DEER SEASON BEGINS ON SATURDAY 

Hunters from across Missouri will be heading to the woods this weekend for the beginning of deer season. 

Officials with the Missouri Department of Conservation say that the November portion of the firearms deer season runs from November 16th through the 26th and the opening weekend is the most popular two days for most deer hunters in Missouri. 

Hunters who harvest a deer from certain counties in the CWD Management Zone during the opening weekend must take their deer to a designated CWD sampling station. 

You can find more information about deer season as well as regulations online at mdc.mo.gov.

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI MAN FACING OVER FOURTEEN YEARS IN PRISON ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGE 

An area man has been sentenced on a child pornography charge. 

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 40 year old Justin Wade Welker, of Bollinger County, pled guilty in August to one count of child pornography. Welker was sentenced Tuesday to 179 months in federal prison. 

The investigation began after officials were alerted that Welker was uploading images and videos of child pornography to his phone. 

Officials say that after serving his 179-month sentence, Welker will be placed on supervised release for a period of 20 years. Welker will also be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

MOTORISTS WARNED TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR DEER 

With temperatures starting to drop, Missouri motorists are being advised to watch for deer. 

Officials say that deer are more active and create hazards for Missouri motorists at this time of year. 

The majority of deer strike crashes occur in November each year, with most happening in the 6 to 7 am and 6 to 9 pm timeframes. 

Last year, drivers in Missouri experienced 3,591 traffic crashes where deer-vehicle strikes occurred. In these crashes, there were four fatalities and 420 people were injured. 

Drivers are reminded that an attempt to avoid striking a deer could result in a more serious crash involving oncoming traffic. As soon as you see a deer, the best course of action is to reduce your speed gradually while watching other traffic around you. 

If you do strike a deer, move your vehicle to a safe location and call 9-1-1 or *55 on a cell phone and report it.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS EVENT TO BE HELD IN POPLAR BLUFF 

A disaster preparedness event has been scheduled for today in Poplar Bluff. 

The Butler County Emergency Management Agency and University of Missouri Extension will be hosting the event from 2 to 3:30 pm at the Main Branch of the Poplar Bluff Library. 

There will be door prizes provided by the Butler County EMA.

ONE DEAD FOLLOWING OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING NEAR POPLAR BLUFF 

One person is dead following an officer involved shooting near Poplar Bluff. 

Sergeant Clark Parrott with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tells KWOC News, a robbery had occurred in Ripley County on Tuesday afternoon. Officers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department located the suspect vehicle on Highway M near Highway 67. A pursuit ensued and the vehicle wrecked on Highway 67 near PP Highway. The suspect allegedly fired his gun towards officers. The suspect was shot during the incident. 

Sergeant Parrott added the suspect succumbed to his injuries late Tuesday evening. The investigation is being conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control. At this time no names are being released. 

KWOC News will continue to provide more updates as they become available.

NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING OPENS FOR UPCOMING ELECTION 

Missouri voters no longer need a reason for submitting an absentee ballot. 

No excuse absentee voting begins today for the General Election, which is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5th. 

An absentee ballot can be requested from your local election authority. 

November’s general election will feature the race for the White House, as well as local and statewide races, including several Missouri constitutional amendments. 

Butler County Clerk Donna Hillis tells KWOC News that the Butler County Clerk’s office will be open during the lunch hour through Election Day.  

More information is available at sos.mo.gov.

DONIPHAN MAN KILLED IN SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH 

A Doniphan man has died following a single vehicle crash Saturday afternoon in Ripley County. 

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 35 year old Joseph St. Cin was driving on Route U, south of Doniphan, when his vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway and overturned. 

St. Cin, who was reportedly not wearing a safety device, was ejected during the wreck. He was transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

POPLAR BLUFF MULES FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE SET FOR THIS WEEKEND 

The Poplar Bluff Mules football team will be kicking off the fall season this week. 

The Maroon vs White Gatorade game will be held Saturday at 7 pm at Poplar Bluff High School. Poplar Bluff Athletics Director Kent Keith tells KWOC News that admission is one bottle of Gatorade or other sports drink. 

Today’s Talk KWOC will be covering the scrimmage live Saturday beginning at 6:45 pm on the KWOC Facebook page and the River Radio YouTube channel.

STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE THIS EVENING OVER SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 

Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible this evening in Southeast Missouri. 

According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by the National Weather Service, a good chance of thunderstorms is forecast for southeast Missouri this evening and overnight. 

A few strong to severe storms with mainly a damaging wind threat will be possible, with locally heavy rainfall and lightning also being primary concerns. 

In addition to possible severe weather, high temperatures are forecast to reach the mid 90’s and will combine with high humidity to yield peak heat index values from 105 to 110 across a large portion of the region this afternoon. 

Remember to take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning and drink plenty of water to replenish lost fluids. Also remember to never leave a child or a pet in a hot vehicle, even for a short period of time.

HEAVY RAINFALL POSSIBLE TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 

We could see some heavy rain today in Southeast Missouri. 

According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service, locally moderate to heavy rainfall is expected today, which may lead to isolated flooding of poor drainage and flood-prone areas. 

Most of Southeast Missouri is expected to receive one half of an inch to two inches of rainfall. Most of Butler, Carter, Ripley, and Wayne Counties could see up to three inches of rain. 

Weather officials say that any thunderstorms that develop today are expected to remain below severe limits.

TWO SACRED HEART TEACHERS AWARDED AS NATIONAL EDUCATORS OF EXCELLENCE 

Two educators at a Poplar Bluff school are being recognized as National Educators of Excellence. 

KWOC News spoke with Subrina Berger from Sacred Heart School about the award. 

Subrina Berger: 

“Miss Casey and I are co-sponsors for the Sacred Heart Catholic School beta team. We have had our beta team active now for 3 years.  Miss Casey actually brought it to us, her children are involved in the beta team at their school at St Teresa's in Glennonville and their sponsor Miss Gwen has been a keystone in helping us build up our club and meet the standards that we both have, which are very high.”

“We want to do everything and we want to win as much as we can, but we want the kids to do the work and take us there. In Beta there are four pillars and they are leadership, service, academics, and achievement, and those four pillars are the the reasons that we give so much authority to the children, to the students.” 

“We received an email from National Beta and it said congratulations you have achieved excellence as an educator in the state of Missouri and then it wasn't just for the state of Missouri but it was for the entire country and so each state that has a club is eligible and so each Club is eligible through meeting four different requirements.”

“You just sort of go through the year trying to get through it, you know, doing what you need to do to compete at State and then take your winners from state to national competition and then we have leadership summits for our office holders, our president and vice president for the club, and these are all the students doing all of this. When you achieve the four requirements which are earning School of Distinction.” 

“The second is becoming a school of Merit and then having some of our students attend the State Convention, the Leadership Summit, or the National Convention, and then our club must provide 50 hours per Club member as a minimum and if you do all of those things you achieve an educator in excellence award and surprisingly we were the only two that did it in the state of Missouri.” 

According to a press release, only 121 of over 20,000 sponsors received the honor this year nationwide.

MISSOURI POLICE OFFICERS TO CRACKDOWN ON RESIDENTS NOT WEARING THEIR SEAT BELT 

A new seat belt enforcement campaign is set to begin next week in Missouri. 

Statewide law enforcement will be participating in a high visibility click it or ticket seat belt mobilization from May 20th through June 2nd to help increase seat belt use among residents and reduce highway fatalities. 

According to officials, more than 6 out of l0 people killed in 2023 Missouri traffic crashes were unbuckled. Even with all the advancements in automobile safety, a seat belt remains a person's single greatest defense in the event of a crash.

THIS WEEK IS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 

Police officers are in the spotlight this week for National Police Week. 

National Police Week is dedicated to remembering and honoring those who gave their lives in the line of duty. 

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. 

According to Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the names of newly fallen officers are engraved on a memorial site every year in Washington DC. On this list, there are countless names from all branches of federal, state, and local law enforcement: over 23,700 and growing. 

A Candlelight Vigil was held over the weekend in honor of those who lost their lives and in support of their surviving friends and family.

AREA MAN ARRESTED IN NEW MADRID COUNTY FOR DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 

Authorities in New Madrid County have arrested an area man on multiple drug related charges. 

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 40 year old Darren Williams was taken into custody Wednesday evening on charges of delivery of a controlled substance - methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Williams is also facing charges of failure to register a motor vehicle, displaying the plates of another, and no seatbelt. 

Following the arrest, he was held in the New Madrid County Jail.