Thursday, June 4, 2026

CITY OF POPLAR BLUFF TO HOST FISCAL FORUM THIS EVENING

The City of Poplar Bluff will be holding a public forum this evening to discuss particulars of the city’s finances.

The Poplar Bluff Fiscal Forum is scheduled for 6 pm 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.

POPLAR BLUFF'S ROBBIE MYERS APPOINTED TO MISSOURI STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

The Butler County Emergency Management Agency Director is joining a state board.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe tells KWOC News that Robbie Myers has been appointed to the Missouri State Board of Education.

Before serving as the Butler County EMA director, Myers previously worked as the vice president of administration and government affairs at Three Rivers College and served as a Butler County commissioner for over a decade.

Myers was also a gubernatorial appointee to the Missouri 2020 Complete Count Committee, a member of the Missouri Community College Association's Presidents and Chancellors Council, and a board member of the Missouri Health Care Coalition.

FAIRDEALING MAN ARRESTED ON SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND CHILD MOLESTATION CHARGES

An investigation in Ripley County has led to the arrest of a Fairdealing man.

According to the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, on Tuesday, 51 year old Stephen Morrow was booked into the Ripley County Jail on charges of child molestation 4th degree and sexual misconduct 2nd degree.

Few details surrounding the arrest have been released, however officials say that the charges stem from an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control.

MISSOURI SCHOOL BUS INSPECTION RESULTS RELEASED

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced the results of the Driver and Vehicle Safety Division's 2026 annual school bus inspection program.

As a part of the program, buses found to have no defective items are rated as "approved.” Buses having one or more defective items which do not constitute an immediate danger are rated as "defective.” Buses with any defective items which constitute an immediate danger are rated as "out-of-service.”

In Butler County, Poplar Bluff R-1 had 48 of the district’s 52 buses listed as approved and four were listed as defective.

13 of the 16 school buses for Twin Rivers R-X were approved, two were rated as defective, and one was placed out of service.

Neelyville R-4 had all 15 buses approved.

Over 90 percent of 11,371 buses statewide were rated as approved.

MAN FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES FOR MAKING A BOMB THREAT AT A SOUTHEAST MISSOURI BUSINESS

Authorities in Malden arrested a man earlier this week after he allegedly made a bomb threat at an area business.

According to the Malden Department of Public Safety, 59 year old Reece Wade, of Marston is facing felony charges of 1st degree terroristic threats and 1st degree harassment.

According to a probable cause affidavit, on Monday Wade said that he had a bomb and would blow up himself and a worker at the business if the worker did not cash his hand written check. He then repeated the statement.

Police were alerted and when approached, Wade stated that it was a joke before he was taken into custody. His bond was set at $65,000, cash only.

Officials say that the building was evacuated and no devices were located during a search.

AUTHORITIES ARREST MAN ON SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGE IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

Authorities in Northeast Arkansas have arrested a Paragould man on a sexual assault charge.

According to a warrant affidavit, on March 27th, the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline and Paragould Police Department

received a report in reference to a juvenile who had made a disclosure of sexual abuse.

During the investigation, the victim named 21 year old Devin Northern, of Paragould, as the offender. The affidavit says that Northern is accused of inappropriately touching the victim.

Northern was arrested this week on a charge of sexual assault - 2nd degree. His bond was set at $250,000.

MINGO JOB CORPS TO HOST COMMUNITY MEETING TODAY

Anyone wanting to learn more about the Mingo Job Corps will have the opportunity to attend an event today.

The Mingo Job Corps quarterly Community Relations Council meeting will be held at noon today at the Mingo Job Corps Center outside of Puxico.

This will be an opportunity to visit the center, speak with staff, and hear about recent activities. For more information, call 573-222-3537.

PAVEMENT REPAIR PROJECT BEGINS TODAY ON ROUTE TT IN WAYNE COUNTY

Route TT in Bollinger and Wayne counties will be reduced beginning today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.

Crews will be working from Route E in Bollinger County to Route Z in Wayne County.

Weather permitting, work will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Tuesday, June 9.