WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2025
POPLAR BLUFF DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD VOTES TO DISSOLVE
A board established to help chart the future of the downtown area of Poplar Bluff is no more, as city officials reorganize efforts for the future.
The nine member Downtown Poplar Bluff, Inc Advisory Board voted unanimously Tuesday afternoon to dissolve, with remaining funds going towards expanding the Farmer’s Market.
KWOC News spoke with Poplar Bluff City Manager Robert Knodell about what this means for the future of Poplar Bluff and the downtown region.
“ Yesterday, a meeting of the downtown Poplar Bluff Advisory Board made a decision to dissolve downtown Poplar Bluff Incorporated. And we will see efforts as it relates to downtown redevelopment, the promotion of what we all consider to be a treasure jewel of our community, which is our downtown area, and we wanna see it preserved and revitalized.
That that effort will continue. And certainly the events that people here locally and across the region have come to love, that bring people together. Downtown will continue and you'll see holiday celebrations this weekend and throughout the holidays and efforts. While structures and governance may change, the focus will not change.
And certainly the city is committed to doing everything that it can to strengthen, promote, and to grow our downtown core. Though structure and governance may change. You know, I think it's worth recognizing Steve Halter and Morgan McIntosh at the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce and Morgan's longstanding involvement in downtown development.
Though they may not be formally wearing those hats in the future, with some of the changes, they certainly deserve our gratitude and appreciation for the incredible work that's gone on to promote our city. Are downtown and culturally architecturally, receiving grants and funding for projects, structures, attractions, and events that would not have taken place and would not exist without their help.
And they're still going to be involved and they're still from the purview of the Chamber of Commerce going to be promoting downtown Poplar Bluff just in different ways, and as a new format takes shape.”
AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN BUTLER COUNTY
The Butler County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol are investigating an incident where shots were fired early Tuesday morning in Neelyville.
According to Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs, at around 2:30 am, officers were dispatched to old 67 Highway in Neelyville where they were confronted with an armed suspect inside the house.
The suspect had a knife to the throat of the reporting party. Dobbs says that shots were fired by the officers and the suspect used the victim as a human shield.
The suspect, identified as 26 year old Jordion Bell, of Neelyville, was struck several times and transported to a Memphis area hospital.
The victim was transported from the scene by EMS for injuries that appeared to be non-life-threatening.
We will keep following this story for you and bring you updates as they become available.
CLARKTON MAN APPEARS IN COURT TO FACE STATUTORY RAPE CHARGE
A Clarkton man had his initial court appearance Tuesday after being charged with statutory rape.
According to a probable cause affidavit, 23 year old Daryus Reed is accused of having inappropriate contact with a juvenile.
The affidavit says that the victim had been reported as a missing juvenile out of Poplar Bluff and was found at a residence with Reed.
Reed has been charged with felony statutory rape - 2nd degree and endangering the welfare of a child - creating substantial risk - 1st degree.
TRAIN DERAILS TUESDAY MORNING NEAR CAMPBELL
A train derailed early Tuesday morning in the Missouri Bootheel.
According to the Campbell Volunteer Fire Department, the train derailed on US Highway 62 west, approximately three miles west of Campbell.
Officials say that Highway 62 west was closed Tuesday, between Highway B and the Arkansas state line, while crews worked to clean up the derailment site.
No information was available on what caused the derailment or if there were any injuries.
MAN FACING ARSON CHARGE FOLLOWING CHURCH FIRE
A fire at a church in Campbell has led to arson charges for an area man.
According to a Probable Cause Affidavit, a Campbell Police Officer was alerted on the evening of November 27th that the old General Baptist Church Building was on fire.
A witness told the officer that they were driving near the church when they observed Derrick Rice, of Campbell, standing on an elevated concrete ramp on the east side of the building and holding a flaming object.
The witness stated they observed Rice throw the flaming object inside the doorway and run down the ramp away from the building.
During the course of the investigation, another witness told investigators that Rice recently said he would burn the building within 30 days to prevent it from being developed into a drug rehabilitation facility.
Rice denied setting the fire during an interview.
A warrant was served earlier this week for Rice, charging him with felony arson - 2nd degree.
STATE OFFICIALS INVESTIGATING CASE OF BULL ELK POACHING IN CARTER COUNTY
State officials are investigating a case of elk poaching in Carter County.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, a bull elk was recently poached and left to waste at Peck Ranch Conservation Area.
Anyone who visited the conservation area on November 25th or 26th is asked to call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-392-1111.
Officials say that a reward will be available for information that leads to a conviction.