Stories from Friday, October 20, 2023

Plans for a new downtown facility for the Poplar Bluff R-I School District offices ended Thursday as the school board voted to sell the building rather than pursue an expensive renovation plan. The building saw cost estimates balloon to around $6 million after internal demolition revealed structural issues requiring further work. The project was postponed earlier this year after those bids came in...

The story of how Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar came to Poplar Bluff started more than a decade ago when David Vernon headed off to college in Springfield. “While living in Springfield, I was a frequent customer at multiple Big Whiskey locations in the area,” said Vernon, who co-owns the new Poplar Bluff restaurant with Zach Bacon and Jacob Lorenzana. “I fell in love with the food and atmosphere.”...

Sandra Kay Pflum, 74, of Shelbyville, Missouri, passed away Oct. 19, 2023 at Clarence Care Center in Clarence, Missouri after a short battle with cancer. Sandra was born Nov. 30, 1948, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the daughter of Robert and Carlene (Wright) Kearbey. She was united in marriage to Larry Pflum Sept.18, 1993 in Clarence...

A 60-year-old Campbell man was killed in a one-vehicle accident at approximately 6:12 a.m. Friday in front of Ozark Border Electric Cooperative. Pedestrian Cecil L. Thacker was struck in the roadway by a 2003 Chevrolet Astro Van driven by Lester W. Knox, 42, of Naylor, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Anthoney P. Burton, 51, of Poplar Bluff was arrested at 8:36 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, in Butler County on a Butler County warrant for failure to appear for driving while revoked and on suspicion of driving while revoked, no insurance and no valid plate. He was booked at the Dunklin County jail...