Stories from Friday, June 30, 2023

Dry weather conditions may be causing a spike in woods fires and county fire officials are warning the community not to burn anything. Butler County Fire Chief Bob Fredwell explained it’s not his firefighters’ jobs to determine of the origin of a fire, but crews have fought three woods fires this week...

The National Weather Service reports that parts of the region are anywhere from 1-4 inches below normal rainfall, an impact that could most directly hurt Southeast Missouri. Butler and its surrounding counties are currently considered in moderate drought, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources...

SEMO Civic & Social Club is gathering in Poplar Bluff this weekend to reminisce, picnic and unveil Garfield Historic District’s new marker. This year marks the 54th iteration of the SEMO Civic & Social Club Annual Celebration Poplar Bluff Days, kicking off Friday in the group’s home community...

When Jeremy Roth and his business partner went dirt track racing at Poplar Bluff Motorsports Park in late 2021, Roth joked that they should buy the place after seeing a “For Sale” sign displayed. Not long after, Roth’s friend brought up the idea and it wasn’t much longer that the pair had purchased the facility in Jan. 2022...

An ousted Fisk alderman says he does not dispute the court’s decision to remove him, but maintains he was unaware there would be an issue with his candidacy. Raymond Stewart Jr. is stepping back from city government but has raised questions about city finances...

Belinda Flanigan has been named Teacher of the Year at Neelyville’s Hillview Elementary School, where she has been teaching Early Childhood Special Education since 2004. She has spent 20 years in the field. Flanigan, a dedicated educator and mother of two, expressed her delight in witnessing her own daughters thrive within the Neelyville school system since their early childhood years...

Brent Michael Welch, 15, of Van Buren died Thursday, June 29, 2023 in Van Buren.

Supply chain delays and the hottest day of the year could not stop the Wheatley Historic Preservation Association from unveiling a historic marker in the Garfield Historic District of Poplar Bluff. Most of the dedication ceremony was held indoors at Wheatley School to avoid the punishing heat. ...

Butler County Sheriff Joshua Lester Crouch, 32, of Qulin was arrested Thursday, June 29, on a failure to appear warrant for possession of a controlled substance. He was booked into the Butler County jail. _ Jared Fletcher Kennedy, 42, who is homeless, was arrested Thursday, June 29, for violating an ex parte/full order of protection. He was booked into the Butler County jail...