Stories from Thursday, May 2, 2024

The Cotton Belt Railway in Southeast Missouri could be on the hook for $20,000 over a $100 bill. Two lawsuits in 1924 allege the company’s accusations of counterfeiting resulted in unjust arrest and inconvenience for three travellers. In later news, Poplar Bluff tries to revive its namesake tree, and Doniphan hosts a massive regional sewing contest.

The following divorces were finalized in Butler County in April. Jacob Butterfield v. Jeri Butterfield Steve Herrmann v. Angela Herrmann Amanda Farmer v. Joshua Farmer Misty Brown v. John-Edmund Brown Veronic Brassfield v. Adam Brassfield Lovie Kolwyck v. Richard Kolwyck...

Grant Alan Miller, 49, of Poplar Bluff, passed away April 3, 2024. Grant was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ruth Ann Miller, and life partner, Renee Gordon. Grant is survived by daughter, Aubrey Miller; bonus-daughter, Alexis Gordon; sister, LeeAnn Lee; brother Jimmy Miller; and many more family and friends...

Gatherings were held Thursday at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and Butler County Courthouse for the National Day of Prayer. At PBRMC, the Rev. Randy DeProw, director of behavioral health and a local pastor, prayed for the hospital and its nurses. Local pastors Wes Tayloe, Shawn Stricklin and Chris Dodd also led prayers...

Transparency has become a buzzword for those who spend our tax dollars. Especially for those who are running for an elected position that controls how those tax dollars are spent. They promise to be a watchdog and cut out wasteful spending and be up front and public with their decisions. Some follow through, others push to the side those thoughts once they’re elected and in charge of the purse strings...

If you see something, say something. That is the overwhelming sentiment regarding safety issues everywhere — and most recently in the local public school system. “We always encourage the students to say something,” Poplar Bluff R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman remarked. “That’s kind of the mantra we’ve instituted at every level, and we’re happy to see that our students will say something.”...

Fire struck twice Tuesday at 910 N. D St., which ignited an investigation by the Missouri State fire marshal. According to Battalion Chief Jeffrey Hale, three stations responded at 3:45 p.m. in three apparatus to a vacant house fully involved in fire. Attack lines were pulled off a truck to extinguish the fire...

Jesse Thurner, 36, of Poplar Bluff was arrested at 12:39 a.m. Thursday, May 2, on B Street. Thurner was booked on a Butler County warrant for failure to appear on possession of controlled substance (bond $10,000) and lodged in the Butler County jail...