Thursday, May 7, 2026
CHRISTINA FISKE NAMED POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR
A Middle School teacher has been honored as the 2026 Teacher of the Year for the Poplar Bluff School District.
School officials tell KWOC News that Christina Fiske has been named the Teacher of the Year for PBMS, the Intermediate Grade-Span, and the entire District.
The district is also recognizing more teachers of the year, including Michelle Bates for Oak Grove Elementary School, Angela Calloway for Poplar Bluff Junior High School, Chris Carpenter for the Technical Career Center, Amy Ethridge for O'Neal Elementary, Alexa Everett, for Eugene Field Elementary, Amanda Johnson for Lake Road Elementary, Jessica Michel for Poplar Bluff High School and Secondary Grade-Span, Laura Powell for Mark Twain School, Jeanna Tipton, for the Early Childhood Center and Elementary Grade-Span, and Cody Tyler for the PB Kindergarten Center.
MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER AND BATTERY CHARGES IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
A man has pleaded guilty to murder and battery charges in Northeast Arkansas.
Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Sonia Hagood tells KWOC News that in November of 2023, officers with the Paragould Police Department were dispatched after reports that Matthew Jaimes was waving at and striking vehicles. Jaimes told officers that his grandfather was having a seizure.
When officers arrived at the residence, they discovered two victims suffering from gunshot wounds inside the home. One victim was lying on the floor and was able to tell officers that Jaimes had shot both victims. A second victim was found unresponsive in the hallway and was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Jaimes later made incriminating statements regarding the shootings during an interview.
Hagood says that although Jaimes was 17 years old at the time of the offenses, the State elected to prosecute him as an adult due to the violent and heinous nature of the crimes.
Jaimes has been sentenced to 40 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction after pleading guilty to one count of murder in the first degree and one count of battery in the first degree.
UNITED GOSPEL RESCUE MISSION TO HOST NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER BREAKFAST AND CHURCH SAFETY MEETING TODAY
The United Gospel Rescue Mission in Poplar Bluff will be hosting multiple events today.
The Rescue Mission will be the site for a free breakfast for the National Day of Prayer through 8:30 am this morning.
At 9 am, the Rescue Mission will be hosting a church safety and security meeting featuring the Butler County Emergency Management Agency.
Local churches are encouraged to attend the meeting to discuss ongoing church safety and security issues.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER OFFICER FINDS OVER 75 GRAMS OF METHAMPHETAMINE IN VEHICLE
Authorities in Northeast Arkansas seized over 75 grams of meth during a stop on Tuesday.
According to the Rector Police Department, an officer made contact with a subject in an area parking lot and detected the odor of marijuana coming from the van and driver. The officer also confirmed that the license plate on the vehicle was expired.
When asked about the marijuana, the driver admitted to an ounce of marijuana in the center console.
After placing the subject in custody, the officer found 2.64 grams of methamphetamine on the subject in his pants pocket. A further search of the vehicle yielded 2.3 ounces of marijuana, almost 30 schedule four narcotic pills, scales, a box of sandwich bags, a full bag of syringes, and a large bag containing 75.48 grams of methamphetamine.
The man also had over $1,100 in cash in multiple denominations.
Officials say that the subject will be charged with multiple felonies, including possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of controlled substances.
DEADLINE IS FRIDAY TO PURCHASE TAGS FOR BULKY ITEM PICKUP
Friday is the final day for Poplar Bluff residents to purchase tags for this month’s Bulky Item Pickup.
Residents can purchase bulk item tags from the City Collector’s office at City Hall for $20. The tags entitle you to the removal of four bulk items, such as couches or refrigerators.
No construction materials or small items will be picked up and the program is for residential areas only.
Friday is the final day to purchase item tags at City Hall to be included in next week’s pick up, which will be conducted on Tuesday, May 12th.
TWO WEEK ROAD PROJECT UNDERWAY IN GREENVILLE
Route 67 in Wayne County will be reduced to one lane with a 13-foot width restriction for two weeks as construction crews perform pavement repairs.
The work zone is located from Route 34 to Front Street in Greenville.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Friday, May 15.