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.

POPLAR BLUFF CITY COUNCIL VOTES 6-1 TO ENTER MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH ICE

The Poplar Bluff City Council voted 6-1 to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement related to the 287(g) program.

City officials say the agreement is needed in order for the Poplar Bluff Police Department to apply for related grant funding.

Poplar Bluff Police Chief JR Keirsey says that being a part of the ICE program is a prerequisite for the Bridging Immigration-Related Deficits Experienced Nationwide grant program.

Keirsey says that the Department is applying for grants through the program to replace the department’s tasers, to acquire two drones, and join Axon Era, which would allow their newest body-worn cameras the ability to translate languages while on scene with a citizen, and a report writing program.

POPLAR BLUFF CITY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER ENTERING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH ICE DURING MONDAY MEETING

The Poplar Bluff City Council will be voting on a proposed agreement concerning ICE during its regular meeting on Monday.

The official agenda for the Monday regular meeting says that the council will consider entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement relative to the 287(g) Program.

According to the ICE website, the program allows ICE enforcement and Removal Operations to partner with state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to identify and remove criminal aliens who are amenable to removal from the United States.

POPLAR BLUFF MULES GATORADE GAME SET FOR THIS WEEKEND

The Poplar Bluff Mules football team will be kicking off the fall season this week with the annual maroon/white scrimmage.

The Mules Football Gatorade Game will be held Saturday at 7 pm at Poplar Bluff High School. Officials say that they will be taking sports drink donations at the door for admission.

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

BONESTOCK RETURNS THIS OCTOBER TO POPLAR BLUFF

A Southeast Missouri music tradition is returning this fall.

Bonestock 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, October 3rd at Ray Clinton Park in Poplar Bluff.

The full lineup of bands that will be performing at this year’s Bonestock will be announced at a special event starting at 5 pm tonight at Haffy’s in Downtown Poplar Bluff.

A portion of proceeds from this year’s Bonestock will go to benefit the Animal Welfare Alliance.