Friday, May 22, 2026
POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2026 RECEIVES DIPLOMAS
The Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2026 received their diplomas Thursday night.
The PBHS Graduation Ceremony was held last night at the Black River Coliseum.
The 2026 graduating class includes 309 students, with Marcus Tabanera being the valedictorian and Selina Shi being the Salutatorian.
RIVER RADIO’S ROAD TO 250 BEGINS ON SATURDAY
In celebration of our great country turning 250 years old, River Radio and our corporate parent Max Media, are launching a new program honoring the people, places, ideas, inventions, sacrifices,
triumphs and defining moments that shaped the American journey.
Beginning this Saturday and continuing through the 4th of July, listeners across all River Radio stations will hear five daily stories of America as a part of the Road to 250.
In addition to the on-air features, listeners will be able to stream and subscribe to the Road to 250 Podcast, featuring every story on demand. You can find the podcast at TheRoadto250.com.
Sean Rhoads, Executive Vice President of Sales for Max Media, says that the initiative is a celebration of the American Spirit, that highlights the stories of courage, innovation, resilience, music, culture, community and the moments that continue to shape who we are as a nation.
PBHS SENIOR SELECTED AS HONORABLE MENTION FOR 2026 MISSOURI SCHOLARS 100 PROGRAM
A Poplar Bluff High School senior is being honored for his achievement in academics.
Poplar Bluff High School Principal, Dr. Valerie Ivy, tells KWOC News that Landon Thomas has been selected as an "Honorable Mention" in the prestigious 2026 Missouri Scholars 100 program.
This initiative recognizes outstanding academic achievement, honoring Missouri's top 100 graduating students.
To qualify, students must meet stringent criteria, including a minimum ACT score of 29, ranking in the upper ten percent of their class, and enrollment in high-level courses in mathematics, science, English, and foreign language. Exemplary attendance, outstanding citizenship, and active participation in school activities are also essential.
School officials also announced Thursday that PBHS Senior Claire Funke has been named the Missouri School Boards’ Association FutureBuilders Regional Scholarship winner for Region 11. Funke was nominated by the Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education and
selected based on academic achievement, leadership, and future goals.
Regional winners receive a $1,000 scholarship and are then eligible for the statewide scholarship, which includes an additional $1,500 award.
HIGHWAY PATROL ENCOURAGES DRIVERS TO HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Memorial Day weekend is upon us and the Missouri State Highway Patrol wants the public to make safety a priority.
Officials tell KWOC News that every available trooper will be on the road or the water, enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists during the long holiday weekend.
Troopers will focus their attention on hazardous moving violations, speed violations, and impaired drivers.
Over the 2025 Memorial Day holiday weekend, 4 people died and 356 were injured in 868 traffic crashes across Missouri.
Motorists or boaters in need of assistance or who want to report a crime can use the Highway Patrol's Emergency Assistance number at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone.
CEREMONY FOR FALLEN SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN TO BE HELD AT VETERANS MEMORIAL WALL
A special program will be held on Memorial Day in Poplar Bluff.
According to Larry Kimbrow, the 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony is scheduled for 11 am on Monday at the Butler County Veterans Memorial Wall in front of the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff.
The event is free and open to the public. The ceremony will pay tribute to the nation's servicemen and women who have fallen in service to their country.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the VFW Post #6477, next to the United Gospel Rescue Mission.
MOTORISTS ASKED TO USE CAUTION IN THE AREA OF THE 100 MILE YARD SALE
Traffic is once again a concern as the annual 100 mile yard sale kicks off in Southeast Missouri.
The Memorial Day weekend event begins in Kennett and runs along Route 25 all the way to Jackson.
Motorists should remember that there is more traffic and more congestion along Route 25 this weekend than any other and drivers should be alert and look for pedestrian traffic.
YOUTH TENNIS CLINIC TO BE HELD THIS SUMMER IN POPLAR BLUFF
Registration is underway for a youth tennis clinic in Poplar Bluff.
The USTA Youth Tennis Clinic is scheduled for various dates in the month of June and is for boys and girls in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Officials say that the fee is $20 along with a can of unopened Penn or Wilson tennis balls to be turned in on the first day of the clinic.
The deadline to register is May 22nd.
You can register online at pbparks.recdesk.com. You can also find more information on the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
MISSOURI SQUIRREL AND BLACK BASS SEASONS TO BEGIN ON MAY 23RD
Missouri squirrel and black bass seasons are set to begin at the end of this week.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the hunting season on eastern gray and fox squirrels runs from May 23rd through February 15th of next year.
The daily limit for hunting, including the use of cage-style traps, is ten and the possession limit is 20. Hunters must have a permit valid for hunting small game or be exempt.
Anglers may catch-and-keep black bass, such as largemouth, smallmouth, spotted and Kentucky bass, from May 23rd through February 28th of next year. Black bass can be found statewide but have a closed season part of the year in most streams south of the Missouri River.
In most state waters, the daily limit on black bass is six. Fish taken from most rivers and streams must be 12-inches long. Additional regulations may apply to specific waters or areas. Anglers must have a valid fishing permit or be exempt.
More information is available at mdc.mo.gov.