Monday August 24, 2026
MANY SOUTHEAST MISSOURI SCHOOLS TO RETURN TO CLASS TODAY
Numerous schools around Southeast Missouri are set to return to classes today.
At least 20 area school districts will hold their first day of school today, including Poplar Bluff, Shady Grove State School, Westwood Baptist Academy, Greenville, Naylor and Portageville. We have a full list of Missouri schools opening today on our website.
Three Rivers College, Southeast Missouri State University, and Mineral Area College will also be having the first day of classes for the Fall Semester today.
More area school districts will begin classes on Tuesday, including Twin Rivers, Neelyville, and Doniphan.
MOTORISTS ASKED TO WATCH FOR STUDENTS ON THE ROADWAYS
With Missouri students returning to school this week, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding drivers to watch for students.
Drivers should expect a change in traffic patterns ─ school buses and parents taking their children to school and many young drivers will join other motorists on the road and affect the morning and afternoon commute. Also expect an increase in pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Missouri law states that on a two-lane road, if a school bus is stopped and displaying warning signals while loading or unloading children, drivers must stop when meeting and following the bus. However, it is only necessary to stop on a four-lane highway when following the bus.
Drivers, when you see a stopped school bus, stay alert and follow the law. Children may not be aware of traffic and dart unexpectedly into the roadway.
Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about riding a bus, walking, or driving to school in a safe manner.
35TH ANNUAL OLD GREENVILLE DAYS SET FOR NEXT MONTH
A major community event will be coming next month to the Greenville area.
According to the Wappapello Lake US Army Corps of Engineers, the annual event has been scheduled for September 19th and 20th at the Greenville Recreation Area.
Officials say the free event will include arts, crafts, history, music, and other activities for the entire family.
For more information, call 573-222-7500.
NEW COACH HIRED FOR POPLAR BLUFF BASEBALL TEAM
A new coach has been selected for the Poplar Bluff High School Baseball team.
Poplar Bluff R-1 Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman tells KWOC News that Tyler Mathys was hired by the Board of Education during Thursday night’s meeting.
Mathys graduated from Three Rivers College with an Associate of Arts degree in 2017 before continuing his education at Southwest Baptist University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Sciences in Secondary Education in 2020.
He also played baseball throughout college and was an MIAA All-Conference infielder for the Bearcats in 2018. During his time at Southwest Baptist, Mathys started all 100 games.
He later served as an assistant coach at Southwest Baptist during the fall of 2019 and coached both softball and baseball at Liberty High School during the 2020-2021 school year.
Mathys currently teaches science in the Special Education Department at Poplar Bluff High School. He has spent the past five years as an assistant coach with the Poplar Bluff Mules baseball program and has also served as an assistant softball coach at PBHS for the past three years.
Dr. Cornman added, “We are looking forward to seeing Coach Mathys lead the Poplar Bluff Mules baseball program and continue building a strong team dynamic on and off the field.”
AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER CAMPAIGN
Area law enforcement agencies are reminding everyone to not drink and drive as we get closer to Labor Day.
Law enforcement agencies across Missouri and Arkansas are participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement period through September 7th.
The high-visibility enforcement effort is designed to deter impaired driving and prevent avoidable tragedies in the leadup to and during the Labor Day holiday weekend.
MULES FOOTBALL KICKS OFF REGULAR SEASON THIS FRIDAY AGAINST JEFFERSON CITY
The Poplar Bluff Mules Football team is looking to get the 2026 football season off to a great start this week.
The Mules will host Jefferson City on Friday, with kickoff set for 7 pm. It will be the first game for each team this season.
The Mules went 3-7 in the regular season last year before falling to Fox in the Class 5, District 1 Quarterfinals. The Jays finished the 2025 campaign with a 4-6 record.
Today’s Talk KWOC 93.3 FM and 930 AM will be providing live coverage of the game on Friday over the radio as well as video coverage on the Today’s Talk KWOC Facebook page and the River Radio Youtube page.