THREE RIVERS COLLEGE BOARD HEARS PROPOSAL CONCERNING RODEO PROGRAM

A local organization made a presentation to the Three Rivers College Board of Trustees Wednesday concerning the TRC Rodeo program.

In July, it was announced that the college had discontinued rodeo as an official college-designated athletic program.

On Wednesday, Tara Looney with Friends of TRC Rodeo made a proposal to college officials during the TRC Board Meeting about a possible path forward for the program, which would include strong community support along with the use of college scholarships and program revenue in an attempt to create a self-supporting program.

SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

Southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas are under a threat of severe weather today. 

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a complex of thunderstorms may move into the southern portion of southeast Missouri this evening, bringing a slight chance of severe weather to the area. 

The primary hazards would be damaging winds and large hail.

AT LEAST 29 MORE SCHOOLS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI TO BEGIN SCHOOL YEAR TODAY

School opening week in Southeast Missouri continues today with at least 29 more schools welcoming back students.

The school year will begin today for kids in the Twin Rivers, Neelyville, Doniphan, Malden, Holcomb, Kennett, and Campbell school districts, among others.

At least nine more schools will start on Wednesday, including Dexter, Van Buren, Puxico, and Bloomfield.

MANY SOUTHEAST MISSOURI SCHOOLS TO RETURN TO CLASS TODAY  

Numerous schools around Southeast Missouri are set to return to classes today.  

At least 20 area school districts will hold their first day of school today, including Poplar Bluff, Shady Grove State School, Westwood Baptist Academy, Greenville, Naylor and Portageville. We have a full list of Missouri schools opening today on our website. 

Three Rivers College, Southeast Missouri State University, and Mineral Area College will also be having the first day of classes for the Fall Semester today. 

More area school districts will begin classes on Tuesday, including Twin Rivers, Neelyville, and Doniphan.

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY SHERIFF ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION  

Mississippi County Sheriff Britton Ferrell has announced that he is stepping down from office effective Thursday. 

Ferrell made the announcement in a social media post, citing changing family circumstances and health concerns as reasons for his decision. 

In his statement, Ferrell thanked those he has worked alongside during his time in office and said it had been a privilege to serve the people of Mississippi County. 

Ferrell won a special election for sheriff in 2019 and was sworn into office several weeks later.

POPLAR BLUFF WOMAN SENTENCED ON FELONY GUN CHARGES  

A southeast Missouri woman has been sentenced to federal prison after being caught with a firearm following a methamphetamine investigation. 

Officials with the United States Attorney's Office tell KWOC News that 50 year old Dorothy Neeley, of Poplar Bluff, was sentenced Wednesday to serve 40 months in prison for one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to her plea agreement, the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force and the Butler County Sheriff’s Department searched Neeley’s home on December 3rd, 2025, after she had recently sold a small amount of methamphetamine to someone working with the Task Force. 

Neeley was arrested on an unrelated warrant and turned over about five grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine. 

The case was investigated by the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force and the Butler County Sheriff’s Department.

SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER FOR OUR AREA THIS EVENING  

Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas are looking at a slight risk of severe weather this evening. 

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, there is a risk for scattered thunderstorms, including winds up to 60 miles per hour and 1 inch hail. 

Officials say that isolated tornadoes are also possible, however the tornado risk is low.