Thursday, July 16, 2026
AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING SUSPECTED LOOTING IN REYNOLDS COUNTY
As Reynolds County continues to recover from the historic flooding it received, authorities are investigating a suspected looting incident.
According to the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office, authorities are trying to identify the owner of a vehicle that is wanted in connection with a looting incident that occurred Tuesday evening at River’s Edge Campground in Lesterville.
Anyone who has information regarding the vehicle, its owner, or its current location, please contact the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office at 573-648-2491.
Residents are asked to not approach the vehicle or its occupants.
THREE RIVERS COLLEGE PRESIDENT RELEASES STATEMENT CONCERNING DISCONTINUED RODEO PROGRAM
Three Rivers College President Dr. Wesley Payne has released a statement to KWOC News addressing some of the public's concerns after the announcement that the college is discontinuing its Rodeo program.
In the statement, Dr. Payne says that the decision does not affect the college’s agriculture or forestry programs. Likewise, the College farm in Fairdealing will not be sold.
The existing partnership with Central Methodist University will also continue. Every student who committed to Three Rivers to participate in rodeo has been contacted individually and presented with options that allow them to continue pursuing both their education and collegiate rodeo.
Students who remain at Three Rivers may continue competing as individual participants, and the College will honor the commitments made in their letters of intent, including travel support, entry fees, boarding of stock, and use of the farm facilities.
Students who wish to compete as members of a collegiate team have been offered a place on Central Methodist University’s rodeo team. CMU has also agreed to provide scholarship assistance so that students’ costs remain equivalent to what they would have been at Three Rivers. Dr. Payne’s full statement is available on our Facebook page.
DATE ANNOUNCED FOR VETERANS HONOR TOUR SEND OFF PARADE IN QULIN
The Veterans Honor Tour will depart for their annual Washington DC trip in September and a local community is stepping up to give the veterans the send off they deserve.
Qulin Mayor Justin Parks tells KWOC News that the city of Qulin will be hosting theIR second annual Veterans Honor Tour Send-Off Parade on Wednesday, September 23.
Additional details will be posted on the City of Qulin Facebook page.
ESTATE PLANNING COURSE TO BE HELD TODAY AT POPLAR BLUFF LIBRARY
The University of Missouri Extension in Butler County will be conducting an estate planning course today.
Area residents can learn about estate planning from 6 to 8 pm at the main branch of the Poplar Bluff Library.
This course will provide resources, tools, and educational materials to assist with estate, farm, and business succession planning.
Attendees will also gain a better understanding of wills, trusts, and power of attorney access needed to secure assets and manage transitions efficiently.
RIPLEY COUNTY DETENTION CENTER TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM
Officials in an area county have announced that they are participating in a federal program with the Social Security Administration.
Ripley County Sheriff Rad Talburt tells KWOC News that the Ripley County Detention Center will participate in the SSA Prisoner Reporting Program.
The program suspends benefits for prisoners while they are in jail and diverts some of the savings to the detention center to help offset the County’s cost of housing the prisoner.
Talburt stressed that benefits for families and dependents are not affected.
Talburt also thanked Congressman Jason Smith for his help getting their participation in the program approved.
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.