Thursday, May 21, 2026
PHELPS TO SERVE AS ACTING POPLAR BLUFF CITY MANAGER THROUGH 2026
Lori Phelps will continue serving as acting City Manager for the city of Poplar Bluff through the end of this year.
City officials announced Wednesday that the city council plans to begin their search for a permanent City Manager this fall.
Phelps has served as the acting city manager since the resignation of Robert Knodell in February.
Phelps will also continue in her role as City Clerk and Treasurer.
CORNING MAN CHARGED WITH BATTERY IN CONNECTION TO WEEKEND SHOOTING
Updating a story we have been following for you, a Corning man has been charged in connection to a weekend shooting.
According to Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole, shortly after 4 pm on Saturday, authorities received a 911 call of a shooting at Baker Sawmill Company in Corning.
At the scene, officers found two people with gunshot wounds and learned that the suspect fled the scene on foot.
The two victims were transported to local hospitals and later transferred to medical facilities in Little Rock and Memphis for further treatment.
Deputies and Corning officers apprehended the suspect, 52 year old William Donald, of Corning, at a nearby residence. After the subject was in custody, officers learned he had also been shot.
According to the Arkansas State Police, Donald was transported to a local hospital for treatment and, upon release, was taken into custody and booked into the Clay County Detention Center on two felony counts of first-degree battery
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
POPLAR BLUFF STREET TO BE CLOSED IN EARLY JUNE
North 5th Street in Butler County will be closed for the first part of June as contractor crews perform pavement repairs.
According to officials, the closure will be located from Business 60 to Oak Street in Poplar Bluff.
Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, June 1 through Friday, June 12 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
SUSPECT BEING HELD ON NO BOND IN CONNECTION TO BOLLINGER COUNTY SHOOTING
Updating a story we have been following for you this week, authorities say that a man is being held on no bond in connection to a shooting in Bollinger County.
According to the Bollinger County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday officials were dispatched to a residence on Kel Tec Lane for a report of a female with a gunshot wound to the head.
The victim was found at the scene and transported to an area medical facility. Officials say that the victim remains in critical condition.
Justin Freeman, the son of the victim, was identified as a suspect. Officials say that Freeman was taken into custody in Stoddard County later on Monday.
On Tuesday, a warrant was issued for Freeman, charging him with assault 1st degree, armed criminal action, and burglary 1st degree. He is being held on no bond.
Freeman also had three active arrest warrants for unrelated criminal offenses prior to the assault against his mother.
THREE RIVERS COLLEGE TO HOST RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR NEW POPLAR BLUFF CLASSROOM
A ribbon cutting ceremony has been scheduled for today to celebrate the opening of a new Three Rivers College classroom.
TRC and Farm Credit Southeast Missouri will be hosting the ribbon cutting for the new Farm Credit Ag Classroom at 10 am this morning in room 102 of the Crisp Technology Center on the Three Rivers College - Poplar Bluff campus.
The classroom is part of a partnership that will include new agriculture education classrooms built at Three Rivers locations in Poplar Bluff, Dexter, Kennett, Fairdealing, and Sikeston.
FEED AND SEED EVENT SCHEDULED FOR TODAY
New Day Ministry in Poplar Bluff will be hosting a feed and seed event today.
The event is from 3 to 5 pm and is first come, first serve, with packs limited to one per household.
New Day Ministry is located at 703 Franklin Street in Poplar Bluff. For more information, call 573-718-4578.