Recent photo galleries

In the second year of a new tradition, the halls of O’Neal Elementary School were lined with students who were excited to see the third grade’s Box Parade. All third grade students took boxes of various sizes and made their own Christmas-themed float to take through the halls, to the delight of their younger peers. Some faculty and staff who walked in the parade gave out candy to students — making it feel even more like a genuine parade experience.

Approximately 100 children gathered next to Walmart customer service in eager anticipation to do some Christmas shopping with local first responders Saturday morning.

As a way of remembering the fallen, the Poplar Bluff Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution welcomed a grateful public to the Wreaths Across America ceremony at 11 a.m., Saturday. The theme of this year’s event, “Live with purpose,” is designed to encourage communities to support Gold Star and military families and express gratitude for their service and sacrifice. The organization, founded in 2007, has grown to include more than 4,700 participating locations and more than 7,000 sponsorship groups nationwide. During the event, Mo. Rep. 150th district Cameron Bunting Parker and Mo. Rep. 152nd district Hardy Billington presented a proclamation — as did Poplar Bluff Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Armes Parson — recognizing Dec. 14 as Wreaths Across America Day.

Christine Walker’s third grade class at Oak Grove Elementary School shared their Christmas wishes and drawings of their holiday inventions with the Daily American Republic.

Approximately 2,000 adults and children showed up at the Black River Coliseum Tuesday night for the 2024 Santa Land program. In all, 28 vendors were on hand to help everyone kick off a good start to the holiday season.

Students at the Kindergarten Center in Poplar Bluff celebrated Thanksgiving in multiple ways Friday. Students in Tammy Whelchel’s class ate together in the classroom while wearing their turkey hats. Students in Brittany Robertson’s class celebrated by having their own quiet balloon parade as they marched down the halls with the balloons they decorated for the holiday.

Grades Kindergarten through third saw 32 children participate after school for the second annual cheer camp at Twin Rivers Schools Tuesday night. The little cheerleaders are scheduled to perform Tuesday, Nov. 16 at the Gatorade Game at Twin Rivers High School.

Poplar Bluff Middle School students lined campus roads by the hundreds on Monday morning to cheer for veterans. This year’s annual Veteran’s Day Parade included the Poplar Bluff High School JROTC, PBHS “Sho-Me” Marching Band, cheer teams, PBMS Honors Choir, Poplar Bluff Fire Department, Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Marine Corps League Detachment #1473, and more. Over a dozen veterans and their families drove the parade route as well.

The Poplar Bluff Lions Club held its annual Chili Day, sponsored by Kraft, Miles, & Tatum LLC. Volunteers said at noon they had already cooked between 1,200 and 1,300 servings of chili, or around 150 gallons. Approximately 800 servings were delivered during that time frame as well. This year's lunch was held in the Knights of Columbus Hall on Grand Avenue.

Poplar Bluff Schools students of all ages will be performing the Wizard of Oz soon. Tickets are $5 and sold at the Box office at Kay Porter Theater- cash or checks are accepted. Dates are November 14th, 15th and 16th at 7Pm and November 16th @ 1pm and November 17th at 2pm. There will be two shows on Saturday.

Thursday afternoon saw an eclectic mix of superheroes, witches, cartoon characters and more as numerous families arrived at the Butler County Health Center for the Halloween Trunk or Treat. The event started at 3 p.m. and numerous area agencies were on hand to distribute confectionary delights.

Floats featuring churches, schools and community organizations lined the Broseley Homecoming parade route Saturday. Car and tractor enthusiasts took the opportuntity to shine up their prized possessions for the parade, as well as the car and tractor show. Booths featuring crafts, plants and fall produce were available to shoppers. A petting zoo kept everyone entertained. A silent auction was held to benefit the Broseley Senior Center, which also served food during the event.

Saturday was a perfect autumn day for Neelyville’s annual Tiger Fest. The celebration kicked off with a parade of students and Neelyville residents, followed by a talent show, costume contests for pets and children, and culminating in the crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Tiger Fest for junior and senior high. Eli Stotts and Mallory Cassinger were named Mr. and Miss Tiger Fest 2024 for the high school, while Brendan Adams and Nora Beaird took the junior high crowns.

Pink out was held Oct. 11 at Poplar Bluff High School, with vendors setting up before the Mules home football game.

Downtown Poplar Bluff was awash with people over the weekend for the annual Iron Horse Festival’s roster of events, vendors, and activities. Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce Director of Downtown Development Morgan McIntosh said the festival, now in its 15th year, is a huge booster for the area.

Several classic cars were on display Saturday during the Cruise-In Car Show in downtown Poplar Bluff.

The city of Fisk held its annual Fall Festival on Saturday, beginning with a morning parade.

Poplar Bluff was the place to be this past weekend as skaters of all ages flocked to September Slam at the Skate Plaza for a day filled with excitement, tricks and community spirit. The Saturday event, which featured competitions, free skate sessions, and plenty of food, brought together skaters and spectators alike for a celebration of the town’s vibrant skate culture. Crowds gathered under tents to relax, chat, and watch as their friends and family took part in the action.

Three Rivers College hosted the inaugural Rocky's Fun Fest Sunday afternoon at the Libla Family Sports Complex.

The Women Aware Conference was held at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff and started Thursday morning and ran throughout the day. There were various activities and breakout sessions where women could exchange ideas. The keynote speaker was Elizabeth Smart.

A large number of people came to the Black River Coliseum throughout the weekend to participate in comic book convention known as Semocon. Several people were there to participate in cosplay competition.

Battle of the Bulls was held Saturday at Ray Clinton Park. This event is hosted by the Three Rivers College Rodeo team and sponsored by Farm Credit Southeast Missouri. In addition to the bull riding, the event also featured bounce houses for the kids and food trucks.

Tables were crowded at the Daily American Republic's Difference Makers banquet, held Thursday night. This year's auction proceeds went to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and the Difference Maker of the Year was Rev. Sandy Mick-Shockey of Recycling Grace.

The Union Pacific Big Boy visited Poplar Bluff in August 2021 and these images were captured by DAR staff of the crowds that came with it. The Big Boy is set to be in Poplar Bluff again in the afternoon of Sept. 12, with an overnight stay. It will leave at 9 a.m. Sept. 13 for Piggott, Ark.

The realm of academia is once again surging with life as classes begin for the new semester at TRC. As weather has started to cool, more and more students are finding reasons to spend more time outside.

It was a morning of controlled chaos as children, grades kindergarten through 8th arrived for the first day of school at the campus in Fisk. Some were happy to see their friends and others appeared sad to be leaving their parents. The school year has officially started.

PBHS was filled Thursday night with parents and children as they went from room to room to meet with teachers and discuss schedules for the upcoming year.

Many dignitaries were on hand Thursday morning to officially dedicate the Vietnam memorial in front of the Black River Coliseum. The memorial contains 26 names of individuals from Butler County who died in the Vietnam War.

More than 70 groups, businesses and individuals signed up and brought more than 140 vehicles to participate in the Daily American Republic's Independence Day Parade. We want to thank everyone for their hard work in making July 4th special for more than 6,500 people who turned out for the parade. Winners of the DAR's parade float contest are: first place, Northpoint Nazarene Church; second place, Baby Miss Butler County, and third place, Sleep In Heavenly Peace.

Round Springs Cave is open for tours. Read the full article here: https://www.darnews.com/story/3046569.html

Despite the summer heat, crowds gathered from Whiteley Park to the courthouse for the Daily American Republic Independence Day Parade. This year’s parade brought in approximately 80 entries, and voting for the best floats and vehicles is live on the DAR Facebook page through Thursday, July 11. Entries with the most likes will win a prize package.

Alley Spring is best known for its namesake, a natural waterworks pumping millions of gallons per day from deep underground. Last weekend, fire ecologist Jamie Ladner with park rangers Josh Chilton and Hailey Blackburn introduced hikers to the importance of fire in conserving the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Read the article at https://www.darnews.com/story/3043426.html

First place in the 2023 Daily American Republic Independence Day was claimed by Day One Chiropractic, with its Freedom Isn’t Free float, receiving 169 votes. (Photo provided) Second place was Girl Scouts Unit 762, with 86 votes. (DAR/Samantha Tucker) RNR earned the third spot with 67 votes. The Daily American Republic wants to thank everyone who participated in the parade, voted on the floats or helped the city celebrate Independence Day.