Friday, July 17, 2026
INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED FOR 2026 POPLAR BLUFF SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS
The inductees have been announced for the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame class of 2026.
Hall of Fame President Brian Rosener tells KWOC News that Tyler Hillis, Ken Marler, Maurice Moss, Stacey Nolen and Harvey Reynolds will be honored at the 38th Induction Banquet on Thursday, September 17.
Among their many accolades, Hillis won the individual state title in golf as a freshman, Marler led Poplar Bluff’s Senior Legion baseball team to a championship, Moss rewrote the Mules record book in sprinting events, Nolen was the second 1,000-point scorer in Mules basketball history and Reynolds, a state champion bareback rider, won professional rodeos.
They will not be the only ones honored, as the new Sam Giambelluca President Emeritus Award will also be presented to Dan Coffman, Dr. Jerry McLane Family, J.P. McLane, Bill Swafford, and Dr. Austin Tinsley. The new award honors individuals for their contributions to sports in the community.
WAYNE COUNTY JAIL TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN, INMATES TRANSFERRED TO MADISON COUNTY
A Southeast Missouri community jail is currently closed due to lack of staffing.
Wayne County Sheriff Kyle Shearrer announced this week that on July 8th he made the decision to shut down the Wayne County Jail and transfer inmates to Madison County.
At this time, Madison County is housing 15 of Wayne County’s inmates at $35 a day per inmate.
The sheriff says that the decision came due to a lack of jail staff and that the inmates safety is a priority. He says that the move also helps protect Wayne County, and its citizens, from civil and legal liability.
Shearrer added that he expects this to be a very temporary move that will give him time to hire and train new jailers.
TEEN INJURED IN CRASH NEAR BLOOMFIELD
A teenager was transported to an area hospital Wednesday afternoon after being involved in a crash near Bloomfield.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 17 year old boy, from Oran, was driving on Highway Y in Stoddard County when his vehicle slid into the path of another vehicle and was hit.
The teen suffered serious injuries in the crash and was taken by ambulance to a Cape Girardeau hospital.
No injuries were listed for the driver of the second vehicle.
REGISTER THIS WEEK FOR FALL YOUTH BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL IN POPLAR BLUFF
You are running out of time to register your team for fall youth baseball and softball in Poplar Bluff.
According to Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation, today is the final day for teams to be registered for the Poplar Bluff baseball and softball fall leagues. Leagues for youth baseball and softball will be available for children from 7 to 12 years old.
Rosters must have 11 to 14 players per team.
More information is available at pbparks.recdesk.com and the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
LOW INTEREST FEDERAL DISASTER LOANS STILL AVAILABLE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY LAST YEAR’S SPRING STORMS
Area business owners can still apply for low interest loans if they were affected by the late March and early April storms from last year.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, low-interest federal disaster loans are still available to small businesses and private non profit organizations to offset economic losses caused by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding occurring between March 30 and April 8, 2025.
The disaster declaration covers 41 Missouri counties including Butler, Carter, Dunklin, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Stoddard, and Wayne, as well as nine Arkansas counties including Clay, Greene, and Randolph.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for businesses and 3.625% for private nonprofits with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The deadline to apply is July 22nd.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster.
DUNKLIN COUNTY OFFICIALS WARNING RESIDENTS OF SCAM PHONE CALLS
Officials in a Southeast Missouri county are warning area residents to be careful about scam phonecalls.
Officials with the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office say they have received reports of individuals calling residents while falsely claiming to be law enforcement officers.
You are reminded to not send money, purchase gift cards, or provide personal or banking information over the phone.
The Sheriff’s Office will never demand payment or request gift cards to resolve warrants or legal matters.
If you receive one of these calls or have any questions, contact the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office at 573-888-2424.