News

Dec. 7, 1923 • Neelyville was visited by its second disastrous fire in the last six weeks at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, when the explosion of a gas tank in the rear of Alex Eastwood’s mercantile started a fire which destroyed his store and the Amusu Theater, also owned by Eastwood. The blaze resulted in a $16,000 loss. Volunteer firefighters were able to save the new Eastwood Hotel from the flame, and Eastwood plans to re-open the mercantile and theater at the earliest possible time...

FISK — Two people were injured, one seriously, in a one-vehicle accident at 7:43 p.m. Tuesday on Highway 60, one mile west of Fisk. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Jessie W. Clayton, 29, of Gideon was operating a 2017 Ford Escape eastbound when it struck an abandoned trailer in the road, then ran off the road and into the median...

With Christmas less than three weeks away, a diverse assortment of holiday activities dominate this week’s MAIN EVENT. For those who enjoy running, McLane Park will be the site of the Eggnog Jog at 10 a.m. Saturday. The cost is $10 and participants can register at 9:30 a.m. Saturday...

Community members can enjoy a Christmas meal and support a local landmark this weekend. Funds raised at the Wheatley Historical Preservation Association’s annual formal Christmas Fundraiser Dinner will maintain the school and museum. The event begins with a social hour at 5 p.m. Saturday and dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by entertainment featuring Christmas songs. The theme is “This Christmas.”...

Rick Batton served his country in the Army during the Vietnam War. Today, the 74-year-old gives back to his fellow veterans two or three days a week, volunteering to transport them to and from medical appointments. Likewise, 72-year-old Sam Gullett, who served in the Air force in Vietnam, volunteers several days a week to transport veterans...

Dec. 6, 1923 • R.C. White, general superintendent of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, spent an hour or two today in Poplar Bluff en route back to St. Louis from the south. He was traveling in his private car and spent the time he was here in a brief inspection of property and a conference with division officials...

Editor’s note: This article was edited for use in the Daily American Republic. MILLINGTON, Tenn. — Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Scallion, a native of Doniphan, serves aboard USS Carney (DDG 64), currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations...

Community members began filing Tuesday for municipal and school board seats that will be open in the April 2 election. Candidates must file in person. Filing remains open until Dec. 26. Those interested should check with the district or governing agency involved about specifics regarding business hours...

A proposed $15.2 million budget for the city of Poplar Bluff would include funds to demolish the former city complex on Second Street and final payments on technology debt. The council discussed the 2024 budget Monday and is expected to approve it Dec. 18...

100 years ago Dec. 5, 1923 • K.R. Becker, vocational agricultural teacher at the high school, will conduct another of his popular short-course sessions Thursday night (Dec. 6) at the Ashcraft School. The subject of study will be insect control. Becker will probably enlist the aid of some of his older boys from his classes who live in the country, who by studying certain subjects in the high school during the week may disseminate his knowledge to area farmers...

Dr. Tom Lawson’s death Monday at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center left the community in shock. Everyone described the 91-year-old retired educator and community leader as a dedicated public servant, gentleman and true leader. “Dr. Lawson was a leader,” said Bill Robison, who worked with Lawson on the Highway 67 project. “He knew how to lead. He knew how to bring people together to accomplish what we’ve accomplished with Highway 67 north and to lay out a path for 67 south.”...

BROSELEY — Two men were seriously injured in an ATV accident at 5:40 p.m. Saturday on County Road 629, one mile north of Broseley. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Tyler R. Cowan, 22, of Broseley was operating a 2023 Can-Am Maverick eastbound when it began skidding and sliding, then overturned...

Prospective firefighters have until Dec. 15 to apply for the Poplar Bluff Fire Department Scholarship to Three Rivers College Fire Academy. Classes start in January. “Our department is going to grow in the next few years,” said Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Mike Moffitt. ...

Poplar Bluff students competed in the Southeast Missouri District Band competition on Nov. 7 at Jackson High School. The students played an audition against hundreds of other schools around the district, and those with the highest audition scores were selected for the district band. The students were then able to participate in the district band concert on Nov. 18 at Cape High School...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Saint Francis Healthcare System will recreate the scene of Jesus’ birth with its fifth annual outdoor Live Nativity. The public is invited to come and experience the true reason for the season on 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at the Saint Francis Cancer Institute (Entrance 6) in Cape Girardeau...

Dec. 2, 1948 • Pressure is coming from many sources on Butler County school boards to convince the boards a Home Economics department in their high schools is of utmost importance. At the bi-monthly meeting yesterday (Dec. 1) of the Butler County Home Economics Extension Clubs, the women had as their chief topic of discussion the subject of “The Great Need of Home Economics in Our Butler County High Schools.”...

Dec. 1, 1923 • Butler County prosecuting attorney R.I. Cope said it will be necessary to analyze the contents of the six bottles of home brew taken in a raid on the Midway bar late Friday afternoon (Nov. 30) to determine the alcoholic contents of the bottles before making a state charge against Pete Taylor, proprietor of the place. The raid was one of three conducted yesterday by Poplar Bluff Chief of Police Ward Hendrickson and Butler County Sheriff’s Deputies...

Donations are still being accepted for annual Shop with a Hero event in Poplar Bluff Saturday, Dec. 16, to help make the holiday brighter for area youngsters. “Shop with a Hero is the day we get kids together whose families can’t normally afford Christmas,” said Poplar Bluff Police Detective Shonna Grobe. ...

Crossroads Ministry will have it’s first fundraiser banquet Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Black River Coliseum, 301 S. Fifth St., Poplar Bluff. The doors open at 3 p.m. and the banquet will start at 5 p.m. There will be both live and silent auctions and live music. The $15 tickets include food and drinks, as well a chance to win the door prize. Youngsters under 7 eat free with an adult...

Filing will open Tuesday for three spots on the Poplar Bluff City Council. The positions will be for wards 2 and 4, as well as the unexpired term of an at-large spot. Filing will remain open until Dec. 26 for school and municipal elections to be decided in the April 2 election...

Franklin “Denny” Roth has announced his candidacy for Missouri’s 8th Congressional District. He is running on the Democratic ticket and his focuses include poverty, the opioid epidemic and rural health care...

Santa Claus will visit the Mo-Ark Regional Railroad Museum three times in December. He will talk with children from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16. Parents may take photos of their children with Santa at various areas in the museum, the red Missouri Pacific caboose or anywhere outside, weather permitting. Candy will be given to the children...

“Silver Bells” has a new ring to it this year with the Poplar Bluff Museum’s 25th annual Christmas Tree Forest. Each year a theme is chosen and through school art classes, the students create the tree decorations relating to the theme. This year’s theme is “Christmas Carols.”...

Cattle farmer, small business owner, and dedicated community leader, Keith Elliott, has officially declared his candidacy for the Missouri House of Representatives in the 153rd District, encompassing parts of Ripley, Carter, Oregon, Shannon, Wayne, and Howell counties. As a Conservative Republican, Keith brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to addressing the pressing issues facing the people of Missouri...

Kathern Harris had special words for the four students waiting at their computers. “You are all winners, you’re champions...You’re four out of hundreds of students,” she said, adding their schools, classes and parents were already proud of them. These students represented the top 1% of math students in the Poplar Bluff School District, and a two-minute test would determine which was the 2023 4th Grade Math Counts champion. ...