ST. JOSEPH, Mo. –The Missouri Department of Transportation said Monday that much of the southern half of Missouri has seen extensive flooding, devastation and closed roads. Some road surfaces and bridges have simply been washed away by the intense flooding. It is unknown at this time how extensive the damage is or when roads may be repaired and reopened.

Commuters are facing difficult and longer travel times. Interstate 44 is closed between Rolla and Lebanon and is expected to close in the St. Louis area early this week. Many other numbered and lettered routes are also closed. Motorists should check the Traveler Information Map at modot.org or the MoDOT app from their app store to check flooded and closed routes before they travel.

Northwest Missouri has a few routes closed due to water over the road. See the list below for the list of closed roads.

Not all flooded roads will be barricaded. Situations can change quickly, especially during flooding. More roads could flood without warning. Motorists are reminded to stay alert and to not drive through any water over the roadway. MoDOT said it only takes six inches of water or less to lose control of your vehicle and possibly be swept into rising floodwaters. Any time there is water over the roadway, there may be unseen damage to the road surface below. Do not drive through water over a roadway or around construction barricades. MoDOT encourages all motorists to Turn Around! Don’t Drown!

NOW CLOSED:

Carroll County

Route 10 southwest of Carrollton between County Road 221 and County Road 231 (Moss Creek)

Chariton County

Route D between Route 5 and Route DD (Mussel Fork)
Route E between Rothville and Route JJ (West Yellow Creek)
Route J south of Dalton between Route MM and Namrash Road (Chariton River)
Route O between Route DD and Route 129 (Chariton River)

A St. Joseph man is facing a felony for allegedly hitting another man in the head with a golf club.

Levester Harvey, 53 is charged in Buchanan County with a felony of third-degree domestic assault.

According to court documents, Friday officers responded to an altercation in an apartment in the 1000 block of Faraon.

“The defendant and the victim reside in the same residence and were in a verbal argument.  the defendant walked away and returned with a golf club,” said Det. Doug Loehner with the St. Joseph Post Department. “The defendant struck the victim in the back of the head causing serious injuries.  The defendant approached the victim from behind before hitting him in the head.”

Harvey is accused of being intoxicated at the time of the offense.

Harvey is currently being held without bond.  He’s due in court Tuesday for an arraignment.

An Amazonia man is accused of fleeing a traffic stop in St. Joseph on a motorcycle with a passenger to avoid arrest.

Bryan Russell, 36 is charged in Buchanan County with a felony of resisting/interfering with arrest.

According to court documents, last Tuesday Investigator Mike Smith with with the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force saw Russell when he passed him on a motorcycle near Faraon and Frederick around 11:30 a.m.

“I attempted to conduct a traffic stop of Mr. Russell for an active felony warrant. Mr. Russell failed to stop, fleeing at a high rate of speed, with a passenger on the motorcycle, to avoid being arrested,” Smith said.

Smith said Russell was arrested later in the day for the active warrant and had methamphetamine in his possession at that time. Court documents state Russell has two prior felony convictions for theft and distribution of a controlled substance as well as an active revoked operator’s license.

Russell is being held on $10,000 cash only bail. He’s due in court Tuesday for an arraignment.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held last week in Wathena to celebrate the opening of a new restaurant.

Diner 36 has opened for business in the former Pizza Hut building along 36 Highway on the west side of town. According to a news release from the Doniphan County Chamber of Commerce, the diner is owned by Tony and Tina Alimi and managed by Vikki Fowler. The couple also owns a similar restaurant, Diner 71, in Savannah.

The Chamber held a ribbon cutting ceremony last Monday. The restaurant located at 1000 US 36 is now open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CLICK HERE for more information.

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Motorists on southbound U.S. Route 71 will want to use extra caution beginning this week.

Construction of a new ramp from 285th Street to southbound U.S. Route 71 will mean drivers will now be merging differently than they have done in the past.

Right now, traffic from Route V/Business U.S. 71 uses an outer ramp and flows directly into the right-hand or driving lane of southbound U.S. Route 71. Southbound through traffic uses the passing or left-hand lane, making merging unnecessary.

Beginning Monday, May 1, crews will begin work on the right shoulder of the ramp and onto a portion of U.S. Route 71. This work will move drivers on that outer ramp towards the left side of the ramp, putting them into the passing lane when they join U.S. Route 71, causing a merge point that previously did not exist.

Signs will be posted for motorists on both the outer ramp and the through lanes, warning them of the upcoming merge. All motorists are urged to use caution and politely allow traffic ample room to merge.

This work and traffic change is scheduled to be in place for approximately two months. All work weather dependent and schedules could change.

Work will also be done this week on the intersection of Business U.S. 71 (Main Street) and Route 46 (1st Street) in Maryville. To minimize the inconvenience to motorists, signal crews are planning to work on the signals during the night this week.

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 3, signal crews will work on the in-pavement detection system at the intersection. They plan to do all work between 2 and 4 a.m. There will be intermittent 15-minute closures during that time.

MoDOT encourages all motorists to slow down, buckle up, eliminate distractions and drive safely to ensure everyone is able to Arrive Alive.

For more information call 1-888-ASK-MODOT or visit www.modot.org/northwest.

A male in his 20s is in St. Joseph Police custody for investigation of several charges after a high-speed pursuit that began in Atchison, Kansas.

Sgt. Greg Gilpin said the man was driving a stolen vehicle at high speeds up U.S. Highway 59 and then onto I-229 early Sunday morning. The vehicle exited the interstate at St. Joseph Ave.

Sgt. Gilpin said an officer was able to deploy spike strips, but the motorist continued for several blocks before he had to stop near Highland Ave. He said the suspect was taken into custody on several investigation charges.

At 2:31 a.m., police activated the Nixle alert system warning motorists to avoid the intersection.