Stories from Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Butler County University Extension is leaping into spring by offering opportunities for students ages 8-18 to become involved in gardening and crafts through 4-H. Missouri Master Gardeners are organizing a new Youth Gardening Club, which will meet at 4:30 p.m. every other Thursday beginning March 25...

John Derrial Wells, 70, of Ellsinore, passed away Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. John was born October 21, 1950 to Melvin and Iva (Friend) Wells in Gideon, Missouri. He and Naomi Ritchey were married October 14, 1983. She survives...

ST. LOUIS — Eric Greitens, the former Navy SEAL officer who rose quickly to become governor before scandal forced him out of office just a year and a half into his tenure, announced Monday he will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by fellow Republican Roy Blunt...

SIKESTON, Mo. — The entertainment lineup is official for the 2021 Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. Rodeo chairman Jeremiah Quick announced the performers Friday afternoon at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Grounds for the 69th annual event. The rodeo runs from Wednesday, Aug. 11, to Saturday, Aug. 14...

KENNETT, Mo. – Tyrese Tate, 20, and Darrion Carter, 26, both of Charleston, face charges stemming from last month’s shooting at the American Legion Building in Kennett, which left one dead and four others injured. Dunklin County Prosecutor Nicholas Jain charged both with murder in the second degree, armed criminal action, and four counts of unlawful use of a weapon on Friday, according to a press release from Jain’s office. ...

The goal of designating a stretch of U.S. Business 60 (Pine Street) in Poplar Bluff as Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Boulevard is moving closer to reality. Kevin Ellis, from the organization People United To Save Urban America (PUTSUA), and several citizens from the community are partnering with the City of Poplar Bluff to recognize one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders...

Downtown Poplar Bluff’s Skate Park is now more inviting to its large base of users after lights recently were installed at the facility. “Somewhere around March 8 or 9, Shawn Adams called me and asked ‘Is there any way I can donate some solar lights to the park,’” said Parks and Recreation Director Lanny Corcimiglia. “I told him, ‘let me get a hold of utilities first.’”...

One person was seriously injured in an accident involving a motorcycle shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday on Highway 60, one mile west of Ellsinore. Christopher C. Carter, 27, of Ellsinore was westbound on a Kymco motorcycle when a 2019 Ram 2500 crossed lanes, according to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Carter’s motorcycle went into a skid and overturned, ejecting the driver, troopers report...

Missouri agriculture ranks in the top 10 nation wide in nearly a dozen areas, Gov. Mike Parson said Tuesday when he announced the state would celebrate National Agriculture Week March 21-27. It is second in the nation for its number of farms. The Daily American Republic also wanted to recognize the important role our farmers, ranchers and others in agriculture play in our region...