Friday, February 6, 2026
RESIGNATION OF POPLAR BLUFF CITY MANAGER ROBERT KNODELL ACCEPTED BY CITY COUNCIL
Robert Knodell has resigned from the position of Poplar Bluff City Manager.
The Poplar Bluff City Council met in a closed session on Wednesday where the council unanimously accepted Knodell’s letter of resignation.
Knodell has been on leave since early December after he admitted to being charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
In the letter of resignation, Knodell said he has been overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of support, prayers, and kindness from so many people in the community and beyond.
According to a press release, Lori Phelps, current City Clerk, Treasurer, and Assistant City Manager, will continue to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the Office of the City Manager until a permanent replacement is duly appointed.
OFC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT TO BE BROADCAST ON KWOC FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE PAGES
The 2026 Ozark Foothills Conference basketball tournament is set to begin this afternoon
The tournament, featuring eight area schools, will begin with four Junior Varsity games today at Naylor High School starting at 4:15 pm. A full slate of eight games is scheduled for Saturday
The championship games will be played on Friday, February 13th at the Libla Family Sports Complex on the campus of Three Rivers College.
Every game of the tournament, including boys’ varsity and junior varsity games along with girls’ games, will be broadcast live on the Today’s Talk KWOC Facebook page at facebook.com/TodaysTalkKWOC and the River Radio Youtube page at youtube.com/RiverRadioPB.
ONE DEAD FOLLOWING CRASH ON HIGHWAY 53 IN BUTLER COUNTY
A Qulin man has died following a crash Thursday morning in Butler County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at around 6:20 am on Highway 53 when a truck ran off the roadway, overturned, and struck a tree.
The crash scene was located five miles north of Qulin.
Butler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC News that the driver, identified as 60 year old Robert Wade Sullivan, of Qulin, was flown from the scene and pronounced dead at a Paragould hospital.
FIVE NAMED TO THE THREE RIVERS COLLEGE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Five new inductees have been named to the Three Rivers College Athletic Hall of Fame.
According to college officials, Sam Weaver, Stephanie Dorris-Miller, Jack Childress, Alan Mahaffey, and Danny Jake Baehr have been chosen as the 2026 inductees.
The college will host a banquet honoring the inductees on February 20th at the Westwood Center in Poplar Bluff.
Located in the Libla Family Sports Complex, the Hall of Fame will be open for viewing during the TRC basketball games at the annual Alumni Reunion on February 21.
WAYNE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT WARNING RESIDENTS TO BE AWARE OF A PHONE SCAM
Authorities in Wayne County are advising area residents to be aware of a phone scam that has been reported in the area.
According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, do not give any information to someone who calls you, claims to be employed by the Sheriff’s Department, and says you have a warrant.
Officials say that Sheriff’s Department employees will never call to advise you have an active warrant.
If you do receive a call like this, attempt to get the phone number they are calling from and notify the Sheriff’s Department at 573-224-3219.
SUPPER AND AUCTION FUNDRAISER SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEKEND TO BENEFIT WARDELL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Wardell Volunteer Fire Department will be presenting their 35th Annual Supper and Auction this weekend.
Officials say the event has been scheduled for Saturday at the Wardell High School Gym. The supper will be from 4 to 6 pm with the auction following at 6 pm.
Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door.
More information is available on the Wardell Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook page.