Stories from Monday, December 19, 2011

The Ozark Foothills Recycling Center and the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce encourage area residents to participate in Boxing Days, Dec. 23-29. After opening Christmas presents, residents are urged to flattened all the cardboard boxes and take them to the cardboard only bin in the Walmart parking lot or to the recycling center in the Poplar Bluff Industrial Park...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A contest has developed in the April 3 election for two three-year terms on the Poplar Bluff R-1 School District Board of Education. Robert Rowland, who filed Friday, will challenge the two incumbents, Mike Price and Hardy Billington. Both were elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2009...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Officials with Fortis Plastics have filed an application for Trade Adjustment Assistance on behalf of the 140 workers who lost their jobs when the company's Poplar Bluff, Mo., location closed Friday. If approved, TAA benefits provide workers who have lost their jobs as a result of increased imports or shifts in production outside the United States with additional assistance in finding a new job, retraining or unemployment benefits...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A contest has developed in the April 3 election for two three-year terms on the Poplar Bluff R-1 School District Board of Education. Robert Rowland, who filed Friday, will challenge the two incumbents, Mike Price and Hardy Billington. Both were elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2009...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer A Tennessee couple's house burning to the ground as firefighters looked on has sparked debate on the necessity of paying fire dues, and what departments should do if rural fire dues are not paid. The couple, who lived in rural Obion County, Tenn., had neglected to pay a $75 rural fire protection fee. The local fire department responded to the scene of the Dec. 5 fire, but did not attempt to extinguish it...

Greenville High School students of the month are Alyssa Richelle Reed and Hunter Lee Norden. Reed, 18, the daughter of Rex and Diane Brown of Greenville, is a member of FCCLA, Prom Committee, FBLA, Pep Club (president), YEA!, Art Club, high school band, Spanish Club, high school choir, yearbook editor, honor roll and she is an A+ student...