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ST. LOUIS — Several area cheerleading squads punched their tickets to the state championships with strong performances at the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association regional competition last weekend. The Poplar Bluff High School cheerleaders took second place in the Class 4A small division, while the Poplar Bluff Junior High squad finished third in the junior high large division. In Class 1A, Van Buren’s squad took second place in the small division, one spot ahead of Neelyville, who finished third. All four squads now will compete at the MCCA state championships, which will take place Dec. 10-11 at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.

The 25th annual Senior Health Fair organized by the Americorps Seniors Volunteer Organization was held at the Northside Nutrition Center Tuesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. During the event, many area business and health organizations took the opportunity to give back to the community. Vendors provided health screenings, eyeglass adjustments, vaccinations and community services as well as health education. Over 50 area businesses were in attendance of this years event. AmeriCorps Seniors is one of the largest volunteer networks in the nation for people 55 and older and they are constantly involved in the betterment of the surrounding community. If you are interested in upcoming events or volunteering your time you can contact them at goaging.org.

Hundreds came out Saturday for the annual Iron Horse Festival, which featured booths offering a variety of handmade crafts, as well as fall and holiday-themed items. A car show with new and classic vehicles, food trucks and business open house events were also held, along with a skateboard competition and kids zone with bounce houses.

Local residents, as well as some visiting from out of state, took to the concrete at Poplar Bluff’s local skate park to practice their sport and enjoy a sunny Sunday afternoon with friends. The skate park will soon be filled with eager skateboarders looking to participate in a competition being held by Dirty Skateboards. According to event flyers, at noon Saturday, skaters will gather to compete. The cost to enter the park jam is $5 and it will begin at 1:30. This is a more adult-oriented event, according to organizers. Prizes and cash will be awarded. For more information on this and future events check them out on Facebook at www.dirtyskateboards.bigcartel.com/ or visit the skate park located at 332 S Moran St. in Poplar Bluff, Mo. The event coincides with the Iron Horse Festival, which will be held downtown Saturday with food trucks and vendors.

Veterans in Defense of Liberty and the Liberty Riders of America hosted the 4th annual Missouri Vietnam Wall Run in Perryville. The event was also co-hosted by Bikers on the Square. The event included a 2-day motorcycle rendezvous ride that started Friday morning for riders to all join together and cruise to Perryville. Riders joined together on several different routes including Springfield, St Louis, Illinois, and Indiana.

The Butler County Democratic Club held its annual Truman Day Rally Saturday at the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff.

Poplar Bluff Cheerleading Kiddie Camp was held Sept. 12-14. The performance for the camp was at the Poplar Bluff Junior High stadium on Sept. 15. During the Camp students from the age of three, all the way to seventh grade were in attendance. The students learned cheers, dances, jumps, and even some stunting.

The Month of September is recognized as suicide prevention and awareness month. Volunteers and employees of FCC Behavioral Health took to the streets of Poplar Bluff to raise awareness about the epidemic of suicide Wednesday. The group was met by those passing with many honks and waves. Coroner Jim Akers stated he knew the number of suicides in Butler County “by heart,” 13 to-date.

Larry Cotrell, former Poplar Bluff coroner, is one local resident that is thankful for Tuesdays early opening of the new Hilliard Bridge on W Highway. “It is hard to be unhappy with the bridge out when you see how hard these guys have worked,” said Cotrell. “If I am going east of town, I take (County Road) 542 which is gravel for about three miles and I come out on NN, but if I am going to this side of town, I have to take O and that is the 23 miles,” stated Cotrell. “It is going to be wonderful.” He went on to add, “You know, it is amazing how many people we have met that live on O that we never knew about, now they come up here about 6 in the evening to see what’s been done with the bridge.” Cotrell rolled up to the newly constructed bridge Tuesday on his blue tractor loaded with iced beverages to celebrate the event local residents have been eagerly awaiting for some time. Christy Pierce, local resident and DAR employee said, “It has been a very long summer, having to go around any direction we went was at least a 30-minute drive ­— we are really appreciative that it is opening ahead of schedule, those guys worked very hard to get that finished.” The approach guard rails to the bridge were installed Monday and the striping was completed Tuesday afternoon. The bridge opened to traffic as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to contractors. Boat ramp access to the river will likely remain closed until the end of the month so crews can finish up underneath the bridge according to Travis Slayton, project manager for Robertson Contractors Inc. “We can’t say enough about how these guys worked hard, a lot of weekends and long hours. We’re very proud and the bridge is officially open as of 5 p.m.” said Slayton.

MALDEN, Mo: The remnants of a building thought to be built in the mid 1800s smolders here Saturday. Firefighters worked throughout the night to extinguish the blaze at the corner of Decatur and LaClede Streets.

Champion longbowman Joshua Miller of Poplar Bluff is in Terni, Italy for the 3D World Archery Championship 2022. He is sending exclusive updates on the competition to the Daily American Republic. “After day 1 of shooting I am currently in 10th place. I’m pleased going into tomorrow as it’s a new day. We have one more day of shooting tomorrow then the top 22 archers go into the shoot offs the following day. It is single round elimination of 4 arrows between 2 archers. Highest score moves on,” Miller wrote. More information on the competition is available at 3dworldarchery2022.it.

"Day 1 of practice is in the books. We have one more day of practice and the opening ceremony will also be tomorrow. Then the competition will start the following day," wrote champion longbowman Joshua Miller of Poplar Bluff on Sept. 3. He and his teammates are in Terni, Italy for the 3D World Archery Championship 2022. Miller is delivering exclusive updates on the competition to the Daily American Republic. More information on the competition is available at 3dworldarchery2022.it.

The 2022 Veterans Honor Tour made a stop at Neelyville School before departing for Washington, D.C. Thursday. Students at Neelyville honored the veterans with decorated walls and snack bags.

Congressman Jason Smith along with Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, Senetor Jason Bean and Representative Herman Morse stopped at Harty Duck Farm Thursday. The stop was part of Smith's annual Farm Tour in Missouri. Kruz Harty, the 9 year old daughter of Aaron and Toni Harty, showed the guest around the Duck Farm. Krus operates the farm mostly on her own. Her mother, Toni, assists her with the five gallon buckets of water used to provide water to the birds and runs her Facebook page used to conduct business for the farm.

In a performance sure to be practically perfect in every way, “Mary Poppins the Broadway Musical” premiers Friday at the Tinnin Center. Show times are 7 p.m. Sept. 2, 3, 9 and 10; and 2 p.m. Sept. 3, 4, 10 and 11. Tickets are $10 and available online, at the Tinnin Gallery and Three Rivers Student Accounts. Tickets will also be sold at the door if any remain. Suzy Abney is directing this production by The Center Stage with special guest The Dance Company. The expansive set and toe-tapping musical numbers are sure to delight audiences. This is according to Mary Poppins herself — according to actress Hilary Widener, “It’s the perfect family show. It’s going to be just a wonderful time for your whole family.” For more information and online ticket purchases, visit trcc.edu/events/mary-poppins/.

Happy first day of school Neelyville! DAR staff visited the Neelyville campus this morning where students and staff are ready for the new year! Parents don't forget PB Realty and the DAR are hosting a Back to School Photo Contest with $ prizes! Just share your back-to-school pics in the post pinned to the top of the DAR Facebook page.

Students in the Twin Rivers School District returned to school on Tuesday, Aug. 23. Families arrived early at the Fisk campus to drop students and return to classes.

Students across Poplar Bluff packed their book bags for the first day of school. At the Kindergarten Center some new students were excited, some were nervous, and there were a few tears from parents. Across town at O'Neal Elementary, returning students settled into their classrooms and first graders got a tour of their new school. Both schools reported their staff are excited for the new year.

The Daily American Republic's Difference Maker 2022 has kicked off at the Black River Coliseum with more than 400 guests here to honor our 10 Difference Makers. The Difference Maker of the Year will be announced at the conclusion of tonight's banquet.

The 2022 Puxico Homecoming was held this past week in Puxico. The event featured carnival rides, games on the midway, food, music and more,

The 2022 Puxico Homecoming was held this past week in Puxico. The event featured carnival rides, games on the midway, food, music and more,

The Stage Company is in dress rehearsals for the world premier of “Roofman,” a comedy taking place entirely on one rooftop. Shows are 7 p.m. Aug. 19, 20, 26, and 27, and 3 p.m. Aug. 21 and 28. The venue is The Method Playhouse at First United Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff.

To purchase photos from this gallery for personal use, call 573-388-3620 and ask for Sharon or Renda.

Adalynn's shoe drive Saturday was a big success. She estimates that the drive was able to provide close to 400 pairs of shoes for people in need! If you would like more information on this event visit her Facebook page, L.O.L. (Live Out Love) with Addie at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1445177199195253/.

Students from several area schools attended Jo Nell Seiferts' final Children’s Theatre Drama Camp for the summer at the First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff. The week-long program gives students the opportunity to participate in the theatre experience with other local kids.

Photographers once again flocked to the Margaret Harwell Art Museum for the 35th Annual Pictures By The People competition. MHAM received 140 entries from across Southeast Missouri, 32 in the Junior Division and 108 in the Adult. The $75, $50 and $25 first, second and third place prizes went to Amanda Vasquez, “Anticipation”; Ethan Hoggard, “Painted Bunting Singing”; and Dan Jackson, “Fountain Fun.” Jackson also won the $100 Grand Prize, a.k.a. the Purchase Award, and his piece “Spokes” will become part of the museum’s permanent collection. The top prizes in the Junior Division went to Ella Rushin, “Doc’s Medicine Cabinet”; Palyn Patrick, “Step it Up”; and Olivia Jones, “Hard Days Work.” More prizes went to the best photos in the Selfie, Patriotic, Wildlife/Nature, Black and White, Architecture and Cutest Pet categories. Among the remaining pieces, 22 received honorable mentions. The exhibition opens with an ice cream reception 1-4 p.m. Aug. 6 and runs through Aug. 28. It is sponsored by Minit Print and the Margaret Harwell Art Museum.

Local election results are in from Carter, Dunklin, Reynolds, Stoddard and Wayne counties.

Bushwoods celebrated its grand opening Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Co-owners Shanna and Derek Rahlmann along with Heather and Ted Liszewski stand at the entrance of the building with employees, customers and friends to cut the ribbon on the new business.