Stories from Saturday, June 11, 2022

Twin Rivers School board recently held a special meeting to replace former board member Donna-Sue Ashcraft Fincher. Fincher was a long-time member of the board holding her position for 16 years. She resigned her role as a board member May 3, after starting her own restaurant in the Qulin area, according to school officials...

Three new businesses are coming soon to downtown, according to Downtown Poplar Bluff Executive Director Morgan McIntosh. The new ventures were announced Thursday during the Dining for Downtown fundraiser McIntosh confirmed the Haff Whiskey Saloon, created by Haffy’s founders Lisa and Larry Hafford, is opening soon at 309 S. Broadway, near the Poplar Bluff Skate Park. Additionally, Second Street will soon host twin businesses owned by Ben Clayton: a sandwich shop and a speakeasy...

Poplar Bluff’s first female mayor, Betty Absheer, will be honored for her servant’s heart when the Altrusa Room is dedicated in her memory at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, in the Twin Towers, 506 Bartlett St. The 85-year-old community leader died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. She was quoted as saying, “I have always been taught to serve, volunteer and help people.” She made her life an example of a servant’s heart by sharing her talents with the community, those who knew her said...

The Take Off Pounds Sensibly TOPS Mo. 347 group gathers at 5:30 p.m. each Thursday at the Palace of Praise Church, 1400 Herschel Bess Blvd. The meetings begin with weigh-ins, pledge to the flag as well as the TOPS pledge and song. The group has recognized several successes at recent meetings, and offered encouragement, as well as suggestions and tips to all of its members, according to club reports...

I love farming and have been doing it all my life, but I told my kids not to come back to the farm, because there’s no future in it. That’s the sad truth. Over the last year on Capitol Hill, there have been multiple hearings and bills and even an executive order to address what is going on out here in rural America, but little to nothing is getting done. ...

This week, I wanted to discuss one of my most important legislative responsibilities – education. In our state, schools are not just another line item in our budget. They are so important that these words are forever enshrined in our Constitution: “A general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence being essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people, the general assembly shall establish and maintain free public schools for the gratuitous instruction of all persons in this state within ages not in excess of twenty-one years as prescribed by law.”. ...

America’s form of democracy is supposed to be one where the consent of the majority rules. But is it? This question could not resonate any louder than when it comes to passing sensible gun control measures to stop the mass killing of unsuspecting citizens with military style weapons...

Poplar Bluff High School graduate Emily Lovette has been awarded the $1,500 Mary Lynn Wolpers Scholarship, designated for a Poplar Bluff student entering a four-year university or technical school. Lovette plans to major in social work at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, and then attend law school, ultimately working in family law with children in the foster care system. ...

BROWN CHAPEL AME CHURCH is passing out toilet paper, paper towels and personal hygeine items Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., or until supplies are gone, at the Wheatley Park pavilion on Benton St. _ TRINITY SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH, 6076 Highway 142, Poplar Bluff, will host the Southern Gospel Quartet Joyful Noise at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 11. A love offering will be taken and light refreshments to be served following the singing...

The National Weather Service has issued the following advisory: HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM CDT SUNDAY... Kentucky, including the counties of Fulton, Hickman, Carlisle, Ballard, and Graves. A portion of extreme southwest Illinois, including the counties of Pulaski, Alexander, Union, Jackson,...