Stories from Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Fern Conover Saulsbery, 91, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed to her heavenly home on July 10, 2021, exactly six months to the day her beloved husband, Buck, left this earth. They were together for 73 years and are now together again forever. Fern was born on February 24, 1930 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Coburn and Essie Conover. ...

Editor’s note: this is the first part of a two-part story. Part two will run in the Thursday edition of the Daily American Republic. ASCENSION ISLAND — Poplar Bluff native Lara Christy spent many years trying to find the right balance between work and life. Now it looks like she may have found it in the middle of the south Atlantic Ocean, on one of the world’s most remote islands...

Missouri will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the day it became a state on Aug. 10. To commemorate the occasion, some Poplar Bluff businesses and organizations are participating in a celebration called the Bicentennial Block Bash. There will be games, music, crafts and ice cream...

Angela Derby 48, of Poplar Bluff, died July 18, 2021 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born on Jan.25, 1973 in Joliet Illinois To Sheral and Patricia Bailey. On May 27, 1994 she was united in marriage to Michael Derby in Godley Illinois, he survives...

Sandra Kaye Lowrey, 75, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Sandra was born on April 5, 1946, to Charles and Henrietta (Warax) Morse in Poplar Bluff. She married Charles Edward Lowrey on July 5, 1974, in Poplar Bluff. Sandra attended Palace of Praise Church. She enjoyed working outside and keeping her yard manicured. She loved cooking, especially for family gatherings. Her biggest joy in life was her grandchildren...

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT Kerr’s Express manager Robyn Brookreson Saturday, July 10, reported cash stolen from a deposit bag. Mylynn Truong of the 800 block of Wilcox Road reported Tuesday, July 13, cash was stolen from her vehicle while it was parked at her residence...

Wilma Darlene Perren, 71, of Harviell, Missouri, went to be with her Lord in the presence of her family on June 23, 2021, in Sikeston, Missouri, following a struggle with cancer. Darlene was one of the most joyful people you could ever know. She always made others feel welcome and cared for. She will be greatly missed...

Frank Montgomery, 89, of Piedmont died Monday, July 19, at his residence. Visitation is at 11 a.m. Friday, July 23, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service will follow at noon, also in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial is in Montgomery Cemetery, Silva...

Poplar Bluff student Kaitlyn Baucom’s drawing of a lion captured a second place win earlier this month at the National Junior Beta Competition at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. This year was the third time she’s won first place in the state event and the right to compete at nationals. In Savannah, Georgia, two years ago, Baucom placed 10th in the nation. Last year, COVID-19 canceled nationals in Oklahoma...

Highway 142 in Butler County will be closed as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert beneath the roadway. This section of roadway is located between County Road 265 and County Road 341. Weather permitting, work will take place Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m...

Poplar Bluff City Council members voted 5-2 in closed session Monday to reinstate a mosquito abatement program. The effort is expected to start this week and run through the end of September, according to city manager Matt Winters. The 5-2 vote approved expenditures of $10,070 to provide a mosquito sprayer truck Monday through Friday...

Poplar Bluff City Council members have tabled a motion to allow utility vehicles on city streets. Council members expressed concern during a meeting Monday both that it wouldn’t be a significant benefit to the city and that it would be a possible liability in cases of possible traffic accidents...