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Bootheel town of Kennett losing third major employer in two years

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Southeast Missouri’s Kennett has lost its third major employer in three years. Missourinet affiliate KBOA in Kennett reports industrial hose manufacturer Parker Hannifin is closing by the end of September – putting 90 full-time workers out of jobs.

Last year, the town of roughly 10,000 lost Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center and 300 jobs. In 2017, semitrailer maker Manac Trailers also closed its doors.

Mayor Chancellor Wayne says there is nothing he could do to change the company’s mind.

“I sat down with them and they discussed their reasons for closing, which was just basically pure business,” Wayne told KBOA Radio.

Economic Development Director Jim Grebing says they have had discussions to see about keeping the closure from happening.

“For now, we’ve had ongoing discussions with the Department of Economic Development and workforce partners around trying to see how to move forward from here,” Grebing said.

Radio station KBOA reports workers were offered severance packages, while others will relocate to other Parker-Hannifin facilities.

The company released this statement to Missourinet this afternoon:

The Hose Products Division of Parker Hannifin announced a plan to close a manufacturing facility located at 1200 Ely St, Kennett, MO 63857. The Kennett manufacturing operations will be transferred to other existing locations in the United States by the end of September 2019, affecting 92 full time employees. The Kennett facility manufactures yarn reinforced rubber hose and will continue its manufacturing and assembly operation until all product lines are operational in their new locations.

This was not an easy decision to make given the impact it has on our team members. This was the only viable option as the demand for the products manufactured at the Kennett facility can no longer support the operating costs.

We are grateful for our team members hard work and dedication and the consolidation in no way reflects their performance. We are committed to easing the transition for all affected team members and we will be offering employment opportunities across Parker, as well as separation packages that include severance pay and outplacement support.

Throughout this transitional period, the Parker Hose Products Division is committed and focused on doing our jobs safely and effectively, while maintaining the high standards for quality and service that our customers expect from us.  

KBOA Radio in Kennett contributed to this report.

I-55, other roads could close with Christmas night SEMO blizzard

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The Transportation Department is discouraging travel in Southeast Missouri while a winter storm blows through the rest of tonight through tomorrow morning.

The National Weather Service is forecasting blizzard conditions in Southeast Missouri and parts of neighboring states that the Transportation Department says could close roads, including I-55. (Photo courtesy, National Weather Service.)

The National Weather Service is predicting blizzard conditions with that storm. State Maintenance Engineer Beth Wright says that would mean highways could be closed.

“We’re very concerned about I-55 with this storm. The Weather Service is forecasting somewhere between 7 and 9 inches of snow and that isn’t the largest issue. What we’re also hearing is we’ll have sustained winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour gusting up to 40 and that’s when people will see blizzard-like conditions, so that’s our greatest concern at this time.”

For the Department to make the decision to close a road, Wright says a storm must be making it difficult for snow plow drivers to see other traffic.

“They’re a larger vehicle, they’re higher, they generally have better visibility, so we know that when they have a difficult time seeing, that especially small passenger cars have a very difficult time seeing. That’s when it’s just best for none of us to be traveling on a roadway and we try to pull our folks off so that we’re safe and everyone else is safe, and then as the storm system dies down a bit and we have better visibility, then we get out.”

The Department is advising motorists to avoid traveling in southeast Missouri and has issued a No Travel advisory until condition simprove tomorrow.

Those who do atttempt to travel are advised to bring a mobile phone and winter survival supplies.

The Department offers a Traveler Information Map and the Highway Patrol offers an emergency phone number for people needing assistance, at (800) 525-5555 or *55 from a cellular phone.

Christmas night blizzard for the Bootheel, travel discouraged

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A blizzard is in the forecast for the state’s Bootheel region tonight through tomorrow morning.

This map shows the National Weather Service’s latest snowfall predictions for a winter storm expected to hit Southeast Missouri and neighboring states Christmas evening through Wednesday morning. (Graphic courtesy, National Weather Service.)

The National Weather Service has increased its snowfall predictions, now saying nearly 11 inches of snow could fall in Cape Girardeau county, with 7 to 10 inches across the region. A blizzard warning includes 11 Missouri counties until noon tomorrow.

Meteorologist Christine Wielgos explains why the predicted snowfall amounts for Southeast Missouri have increased.

“I think we’re getting more and more confident as the actual track (of the storm) becomes more certain, as to which way this low pressure system that’s right now down in west-central Louisiana and is slated to move into Tennessee by later tonight into tomorrow morning, and usually your heaviest snows are on the northwestern side of a low pressure system and that looks to be setting up right over Southeast Missouri up into Southern Illinois at this time.”

Visit  the National Weather Service’s Paducah office website for warning information.

The updated track of the storm has the brunt of it now passing south of the St. Louis region, with heavy snowfall expected as far north as a Farmington to Salem, Illinois line.

Winds are predicted to be sustained at 25 miles per hour with gusts of 35 to 45 miles per hour. That could lead to blowing and drifting of snow and completely eliminate visibilities.

Wielgos says it is likely some roads in Missouri and neighboring states will become impassable during the storm.

“It’s just going to be a very treacherous night and early tomorrow morning to be out driving out on the roadways.”

The Missouri Department of Transportation has issued a No Travel Advisory for the region, advising motorists to avoid travel in that region.

The Department says in a statement, “Motorists should be advised that travel during this type of storm is very dangerous. Should you attempt to travel, bring your mobile phone and winter survival supplies. If you do become stranded, stay with your vehicle and call 911. Be aware that emergency responders may have difficulty reaching you.”

The Department urges Missourians to use its online Traveler Information Map for travel condition updates. The Highway Patrol also offers an emergency phone number for people needing assistance, at (800) 525-5555 or *55 from a cellular phone.