News

Mingo Job Corps is celebrating its 60 anniversary and part of that includes sharing what it does for students with the region.

Shea D Johnson pleaded guilty to all amended charges of multiple sex crimes and obtained the designation of “predatory sexual offender” Wednesday afternoon. According to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith, the original case was filed Aug. 2020 and was scheduled to proceed to a jury trial Sept. 24-27 before Circuit Judge Robert N. Mayer.

“I would encourage each and every one of you to believe in happiness. Take the time to enjoy your life.” Those were the words of advice given by Elizabeth Smart as she delivered an unapologetic message of hope to the women attending the 2024 Women Aware conference Thursday afternoon.

This was the biggest conference in Women Aware’s 37 years, even before keynote speaker Elizabeth Smart took the stage at 3 p.m. Thursday. “It’s going great,” said Director Cindy Morgan. The conference sold all of its 450 regular tickets before the early bird pricing expired, and over 50 more tickets were purchased just to hear Smart. Attendance was so high, organizers were utilizing Black River Coliseum’s second-story seating...

Details have been released regarding the Tinnin Fine Arts Center’s 2024-25 season program to the Board of Trustees Wednesday afternoon. Among the headline shows will be the Oct. 3 Broadway Fright Night and the Nov. 16 Vienna Boys Choir.

Law enforcement victories and setbacks were a running theme in this date’s headlines. The years 1924 and 1949 both saw arrests and prosecutions, including a counterfeiting ring in Shannon County. However, police and firefighters in 1974 struggled with the old City Hall facility’s disrepair and disorganization. Discussions of new headquarters are underway...

Real estate agent and Downtown Poplar Bluff business owner Stephanie Knoppe has been recognized for her work to help this historic heart of the city. Knoppe was named the 2024 Downtown Game Changer by Downtown Poplar Bluff Inc. She was presented the award Wednesday by Downtown Poplar Bluff Advisory Board Chair Beverly Roach, Steve Halter, President of the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce and DPB AB Director, and Executive Director of Downtown Poplar Bluff, Inc. ...

Following a hectic week of high anxiety in school systems throughout the Southeast Missouri region, authorities have detained two juveniles for specific threats made against Poplar Bluff schools. According to information provided by Chief Juvenile Officer Sierra Elliott, the juvenile was found after investigations across multiple school districts...

A Poplar Bluff Schools bus was involved in a motor vehicle crash early Wednesday morning north of Poplar Bluff. According to Poplar Bluff R-1 Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman, the bus and a passenger vehicle collided on Highway 67 North at Township Line Road...

The Missouri Area Council of Boys & Girls Clubs of America celebrated exceptional leadership and dedication at their annual conference Tuesday night in St. Charles, presenting two prestigious awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Heartland...

By SAMANTHA TUCKER Assistant Editor Stolen goods from separate crimes in two counties were recovered during this week in 1924, and one case led to the arrest of a family of five for multiple burglaries. Local news was sparse in 1974, but Daily American Republic readers weren’t starving for recipes thanks to a full page on cuisine. Walnuts and Jell-O salad, anyone?...

BROSELEY — The Twin Rivers R-X School Board reviewed the most recent testing data, which shows how students in the district are performing compared to the state average. The numbers were encouraging. “I’m very pleased to see that our early elementary grades tested very well,” Superintendent Rob Brown noted. “In many instances, they tested above the state average in the advanced and proficient categories.”...

KENNETT, Mo. - A Kennett man was charged Wednesday, Sept. 18 with six felonies and two misdemeanors after a Tuesday night high-speed pursuit through city streets. Four victims jumped from the fleeing vehicle as it sped through Kennett, police said. Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain charged Allen Isla Miguel Cannon, 22, who has listed a a Slicer Street address, with a myriad of felonies including four counts of felony second degree kidnapping; felony aggravated fleeing a stop or detention; felony driving while intoxicated; misdemeanor careless and imprudent driving; and misdemeanor failure to maintain financial responsibility, according to charging documents.. ...

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources determined that last week’s fire at North American Tie and Timber did not reach the holding tank containing creosote, according to an Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson. After inspecting the site, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources did not request federal assistance from the EPA for the fire...

The first official day of fall is this weekend and our region is ready in this week’s MAIN EVENT. There are five festivals, bazaars and contests to choose from on Saturday alone. Fisk will hold its annual Fall Festival with a parade at 10 a.m. and more throughout the day, including a car and truck show, pageant and children’s games...

Did you know that George Washington was president of the Constitutional Convention, but he didn’t speak during the process? Were you aware there was a motion within the government to abolish the Senate in 1876? Butler County Senior Judge Michael Pritchett knows such things, and shared that information — and more — as the speaker Tuesday afternoon at the Constitution Day Luncheon...

VAN BUREN — A celebration will be held Sept. 28 in honor of the 100-year anniversary of Missouri’s first state park, Big Spring. Now part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, it was also the first public recreation land in the Current River watershed, park rangers said in a press release...

In its fifth year of presenting the awards, the Poplar Bluff Elk’s Lodge Post 2452 is seeking to raise awareness about its Student of the Month, Outstanding Students, and Student of the Year honors. Exalted Ruler Donnie Trout said the process, in one form or another, has existed as long as he can remember. However, the lodge stopped giving out the award at some point in the past due to a lack of interest...

Everyone needs a snack and a new outfit occasionally, but most people don’t opt to steal cheese and an old pair of pants. This was what burglars chose at a Poplar Bluff store in 1924, however, eschewing more valuable items. Headlines from later decades covered railway strikes and the search for a new police chief.

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center has welcomed Tony Torres as its new chief operating officer, effective Sept. 9. Torres joins PBRMC with years of operation experience, most recently serving as the market assistant chief executive officer for the AllianceHealth Durant and Madill hospitals in Southeastern Oklahoma, according to a press release...

Downtown Poplar Bluff is about to get spooky — Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation, Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, Downtown Poplar Bluff, Inc. and Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce are hosting the first annual Downtown Strawman Competition.

“It is a constant reminder,” James Warren said Monday morning at the unveiling of the new Prisoner of War/Missing in Action commemorative honor chair at the John J. Pershing Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center.

It started 10 years ago as an opportunity for enthusiasts to come together at comic book stores, and it is now one of the larger regional comic book-related events.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump wasn’t harmed by Sunday’s apparent assassination attempt as he golfed near his Florida club. The second attack on his life is likely to further unsettle an election cycle already marked by upheaval...

SIKESTON — Several posts by local women circulating on social media in recent weeks have claimed a man was following them in the Sikeston Walmart. A few individuals have shared and posted stories to warn people about the man and even informed Walmart managers about him...