Friday, May 29, 2026
COUNTRY FEST IS THIS WEEKEND IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
A new music festival is coming this weekend to Southeast Missouri.
The gates will open for Clear 94’s Country Fest at noon this Saturday at The Midway in Fairdealing.
Five acts will take the stage, including the John D. Hale Band, Joe Bateman, and Maddy and the Monarchs.
Tickets are available today for $25 at River Radio in Poplar Bluff and at Clear94.com/Countryfest. Tickets will also be available for $30 at the gate on Saturday.
Part of the proceeds from Country Fest will go to 18 Fore Life, a local organization that raises funds and provides support for families fighting cancer.
You can find more information at Clear94.com/Countryfest.
CITY OF POPLAR BLUFF TO HOST FISCAL FORUM ON JUNE 4TH
The City of Poplar Bluff will be holding a public forum next week to discuss particulars of the city’s finances.
The Poplar Bluff Fiscal Forum is scheduled for 6 pm on Thursday, June 4th at the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
Poplar Bluff city department heads and staff will give a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, along with an overview of services provided, key accomplishments, and future goals.
Officials say that the public is encouraged to attend, participate, and ask questions.
MULTIPLE SOUTHEAST MISSOURI FIRE DEPARTMENTS CHOSEN TO RECEIVE GRANTS
Multiple southeast Missouri communities will be getting extra money to help fight fires.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety has awarded a total of over $1.4 million to 108 fire departments across the state to bolster the firefighting capabilities of small volunteer departments.
The Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant provided up to $15,000 for the purchase of equipment to small volunteer departments with annual operating budgets of $50,000 or less.
Area Fire Departments chosen for the grants include Advance, Bell City, Cardwell, Cooter, Grandin, Portageville, Qulin, Van Buren, and Wappapello.
Officials say that the most requested items were firefighter turnout gear, extrication equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus, and interoperable radios and repeaters for communication. There was also strong demand for basic supplies like hoses, nozzles, power tools and saws.
KIDS FUN DAY SET FOR JUNE 6TH AT LOST CREEK POND
The US Army Corps of Engineers is preparing for the annual Jack Miller Memorial Kids Fun Day.
According to officials, the fishing event, for children ages 5 to 14, will be held from 7:30 am to 10:30 am on Saturday, June 6th at Lost Creek Pond. Fishing rods and reels, along with life jackets, will be supplied by the Corps of Engineers.
There will also be prizes and a cookout after the activities.
Registration is available at the Visitor Center and the Wappapello Lake Management Office.
For more information, call 573-222-7500.
MISSOURI HUNTERS CAN APPLY FOR ELK AND BEAR PERMITS THIS MONTH
Time is running out for Missouri hunters to apply for bull elk and bear permits.
The Missouri Department of Conservation will offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall with at least one permit designated for qualifying landowners that own property in Carter, Reynolds, or Shannon counties and the remaining permits being for qualifying Missouri residents.
MDC has designated the elk archery portion to run from October 17th through October 25th and the elk firearms portion to run from December 12th through December 20th.
Missouri has an estimated 325 free-ranging elk under MDC’s elk restoration and management program. Hunters harvested three bull elk during the 2025 season.
The MDC will also offer 2000 permits for the taking of a maximum of 60 black bears during the 2026 Missouri black-bear hunting season this fall, from October 17th through October 30th.
Missouri hunters harvested nine black bears during the 2025 season with two being females and seven being males.
There are multiple ways to apply for each permit before the end of the month, including by calling 1-800-392-4115 or by going online to mdc.mo.gov/buypermits.
PAVEMENT REPAIR PROJECT UNDERWAY ON INTERSTATE 57
Southbound Interstate 57 in Mississippi County will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction through next week so construction crews can perform pavement repairs.
Officials say the work zone is located from mile marker 10.2 to mile marker 8.4 near Charleston.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Friday, June 5.