Stories from Thursday, August 3, 2023

Editor’s note: This is part of a regular series looking at today in Poplar Bluff’s history through the pages of the Daily American Republic and its early predecessors. 100 years ago today Aug. 3, 1923 • Vice President Calvin Coolidge becomes president after taking the oath of office at 2:47 a.m. in his father’s farmhouse. His father, by the light of an oil lamp, read Coolidge the words of the oath of office, and he left for presidential duties in Washington at 7:30 a.m...

CAPE GIRARDEAU — The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that Jammie Renfro, 35, of Kennett was sentenced to serve 130 months in federal prison for the offenses of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. Renfro appeared for his sentencing hearing Thursday before United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. at the federal courthouse in Cape Girardeau, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office...

KENNETT — A murderer and two child molesters were sentenced to prison in Dunklin County. Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain said in a press release that Steven Michael Kirkwood, 38, of Malden was sentenced to life in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the Aug. 22, 2020 shooting of Ryan Lehnig in Malden...

Sunday, July 2 was the start of a new era for First United Methodist Church on 500 N. Main St. Acting as Liturgist, Church Council Chairman Sandie Price made an announcement to the congregation. “We are very blessed to have Pastor John Gregory and his wife Diane here today,” she said...

The smiles on the faces of 450 people attending the fourth annual National Night Out block party at the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority office reflected a spectacular evening. “Every year keeps getting bigger and better. It was definitely a fun evening for everyone,” Tammy Harper, Poplar Bluff Housing Authority office manager, shared of the event that was held Tuesday...

William Lawrence “Bill” Burge of Puxico, Missouri, son of the late Arlie Angus and Elsie (Harris) Burge was born Dec. 9, 1941, in St. Louis, Missouri, and went to be with the Lord July 31, 2023, at his home at the age of 81 years 7 months, and 21 days...

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT Jeff Qualls reported at 8:04 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, an adult male threw a concrete block through the door of his residence in the 1900 block of Greenwood. An employee at Ozark Federal Credit Union reported at 9:56 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, a check deposited by a customer on July 11 was returned as a bad check...