Friday, February 20, 2026
EUGENE FIELD ELEMENTARY NAMED NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL DAYS BEFORE PROGRAM WAS DISMANTLED
An elementary school in Poplar Bluff was named as a National Blue Ribbon School right before the program was eliminated.
According to school officials Eugene Field Elementary received official confirmation that all measurable objectives had been met to become a Blue Ribbon School just days before learning that the U.S. Department of Education had dismantled the program.
The Blue Ribbon Program was established in 1982 for top schools to share best practices. Eugene Field is the third elementary school in Poplar Bluff to earn the honor.
In lieu of receiving the blue flag that can be seen hanging at Lake Road and Oak Grove, Eugene Field was presented with large wooden plaques to commemorate their exemplary status for being among the state’s eight Gold Star Schools, the precursor to the national program through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
AUTOPSY REVEALS THAT MAN WHO WAS STRUCK BY A TRAIN IN POPLAR BLUFF HAD SUFFERED MEDICAL CONDITION BEFORE INCIDENT
An autopsy has been completed on a man who was struck by a train Tuesday night in Poplar Bluff.
Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC News that 66 year old Charles Lynn Gibson, of Hope, Arkansas, was struck by the train at around 8:45 pm on Tuesday.
Witnesses at the scene reported that Gibson was lying on the train tracks and did not move when the train conductor was blowing his horn.
Akers says an autopsy was conducted that showed that Gibson was alive prior to the situation but had suffered a medical incident.
The investigation is being conducted by the Butler County Coroner’s Office, the Poplar Bluff Police Department, and Union Pacific Railroad.
Anyone who has had contact with Gibson over the past few days is asked to contact the Coroner’s Office at 573-686-7884 or the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
2026 THREE RIVERS COLLEGE RAIDER REUNION SET FOR THIS WEEKEND
The 2026 Three Rivers College Raider Reunion is coming up this weekend.
The festivities will start tonight with the Raider Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Westwood Center.
A full day of activities is planned for Saturday on the campus of Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff.
Events include a pancake breakfast, alumni art exhibit, Baseball double-header vs Kankakee Community College, Raider of the Year recognition, and both Lady Raiders and Raiders basketball games versus Mineral Area College.
More information is available at trcc.edu.
BIG WEEKEND AHEAD FOR POPLAR BLUFF BASKETBALL
A big weekend is ahead for the Poplar Bluff Mules Basketball team.
Officials say that tonight is homecoming night for Poplar Bluff, The boys JV game against the Charleston Blue Jays will begin at 6 pm, with the varsity game scheduled to start at 7:30 pm.
On Saturday, the Mules will be honoring Poplar Bluff’s own Wheatley High School by wearing the Wheatley Tigers uniforms during their home game against Cape Central.
The JV game on Saturday will begin at noon, with the varsity contest following at 1:30 pm at Poplar Bluff High School.
Both varsity games along with the homecoming festivities will be carried live on Today’s Talk KWOC 93.3 FM and 930 AM as well as live on the KWOC Facebook page and River Radio Youtube page.
MISSOURI 5TH GRADERS ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT POSTER FOR 2026 DRINKING WATER WEEK CONTEST
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Section American Water Works Association are holding a poster contest for students in the fifth grade in celebration of Drinking Water Week.
According to officials, this year’s poster theme is “Save It, Don’t Waste It!” and posters should show ways to save and conserve drinking water.
Entries will be judged on three criteria: How original the entry is, how well the concept is executed and how well the poster relates to public water supplies.
Drinking water week will be held from May 3rd to May 9th and entries will be accepted through the end of the month.
More information is available at dnr.mo.gov.
MODOT CREWS TO CLOSE STODDARD COUNTY ROAD TODAY FOR CULVERT REPLACEMENT
Route Z in Stoddard County will be reduced today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can replace a culvert under the roadway.
The section of roadway being reduced is located from County Road 709 to Dayton Street in Bernie.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.