Stories from Tuesday, May 21, 2024

New coffee competition is coming to town with the planned opening of a Ziggi’s Coffee franchise in the fall of 2024.

“It’s great to be down here in Butler County,” said Missouri Speaker of the House Dean Plocher while visiting the Butler County Courthouse on Monday morning, “You’ve always had great leaders down here.” State Rep. Hardy Billington and Sen. Jason Bean were also in attendance to speak about the accomplishments of the state legislature at the conclusion of the 2024 session...

One Poplar Bluff mother’s concerns and prayers about helping young girls in need guided her and others in her community to create an event called MAYDAY. The first MAYDAY — Mentors Actively Yielding Direction Assisting Youth — event is Saturday, May 25, at Wheatley School and registration is already full...

The Poplar Bluff City Council workshopped several zoning items with City Planner James Sisk on Monday. The council unanimously approved all measures to move to the June 3 voting session. Member Mark Massingham was not in attendance.

Several Cedargate Healthcare long-term employees were honored during National Skilled Nursing Care Week, May 12-18.

The Daily American Republic issued a timeless warning in 1949: Never trust anyone claiming their new business venture “practically prints money.” 100 years ago May 21, 1924 • Plans are being laid for a new concrete highway. State Division No. 10 engineer Frank Newton told The Interstate American to expect a road linking eastern Butler County to a bridge across the St. ...

Cape Girardeau Public Schools officials are assessing the security and reviewing their response following a shooting at Cape Central High School’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 19, that sent hundreds into a frenzy. A single gunshot echoed through the Show Me Center’s auditorium from the upper concourse near a concession stand as a student was addressing the crowd. Two victims were injured and taken to the hospital, and the alleged perpetrator, identified Monday, May 20, as 20-year-old Kris E. Owens, was apprehended and arrested on multiple felony charges. ...

Paul Matthew Stephens of Naylor passed away May 18, 2024, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. A memorial visitation will be May 25, 2024, starting at 9 a.m. with service starting at 10 a.m. all in the Naylor Pentecostal Church in Naylor, Missouri...

Benjamin Wade Phyfer (Ben, Benny P, Phyfe), 54, died May 14, 2024 in Madeira Beach, Florida. Ben was born in Mexico Missouri, but he loved to leave off the Missouri part and tell you he was born in “Mexico.” Ben grew up in Poplar Bluff Missouri, on the bank of the beautiful Black River, but the Current River was his true love. He played baseball, football, and tennis growing up and had many friends who were his teammates in those sports...

Louie M. Wright, 73, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Monday, May 20, 2024 at his residence in Poplar Bluff.

Three Rivers College hosted emergency responders and the general public from noon-3 p.m. Tuesday in recognition of National EMS Week.

Marlin Baker reported at 7 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, a mirror and a window on his truck were damaged while it was parked in the 2000 block of Holloway Drive. _ Charles Kendle, 50, of Poplar Bluff was arrested at 7:01 a.m. Tuesday, May 2, in the 1500 block of Coolidge Street. Kendle was booked on Poplar Bluff warrants for traffic offenses (bond $2,000) and lodged in the Butler County jail...