Stories from Friday, May 3, 2024

Emily Kinder Wolpers died Monday, April 29, after a short illness, leaving her family, friends and her beloved community in shock. She grew up the daughter of a publisher whose family owned and operated the Daily American Republic for 72 years until its sale in 1988. Wolpers’ retirement goal was to return to her hometown Poplar Bluff and give back...

Celebrating the good in our community is the highlight of the Daily American Republic’s Difference Makers campaign every year. It’s a time to push the bad news to the back burner and concentrate on the positive. Our employees look forward to sharing with our readers the many volunteers we have in our area that make a difference in the lives of others. Without their contributions, many programs and organizations wouldn’t exist...

Small-town politics turns a standard city council meeting into an overnight affair in 1949, as councilmen and the mayor haggle for hours over police commissions. 100 years ago May 3, 1924 • A toddler is almost completely unscathed after falling from a second-story window this morning...

To the Editor, My name is Ulysses Neal II. I was born in Memphis, Tennessee. I moved to Sikeston with my father to try and get my life together, without success. So my father took me to the Poplar Bluff treatment center at the VA since I am a veteran. I ended up getting a job at the VA...

Emily Kinder Wolpers, 79, died Monday, April 29, 2024, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center after a short illness. Ms. Wolpers was born Nov. 22, 1944, in Poplar Bluff. She was a 1962 graduate of Poplar Bluff High School where she was a member of the yearbook staff, pep band, Spanish Club, a Bluff Maid of Honor, and the National Honor Society...

Hanz Eric Maahs, 49, passed away April 28, 2024 with his wife and son by his side. Hanz resided in Gilbert, Arizona with his loving wife, Heather Maahs, devoted son, Lawson Maahs and Lawson’s fiance, Taylor Wilcken. Hanz was preceded in death by his adoring parents Ivan Leroy Maahs and Ruth Ann Powers Maahs. ...

Mary Lerma McMillian of Springfield, Missouri entered the Kingdom of Heaven at 6:16 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2024 surrounded by family. Mary was born Jan. 27, 1949 to Ignacio “Felix” Lerma and Luz Gonsalez Lerma. She married Donnie Lee McMillian Sr. Nov. 11, 1972. Mary and Don owned and operated Plumber’s Supply (later Janitorial Supply) in Poplar Bluff, Missouri from 1986 until 2008. During this time, they were active members of Memorial Baptist Church...

Poplar Bluff men are encouraged to shave like it’s 1849 in preparations for Butler County’s centennial celebration. Other headlines from decades past reveal a string of safe-cracking robberies and a farmer’s theatrical business venture. Saturday 100 years ago...

From snakes to migratory birds, Neelyville’s fourth graders made lifelong memories learning about the great outdoors at Sam A. Baker Park. Fourth-grade math teacher Becky Turner said park naturalist Michelle Soenksen crafted an exciting itinerary of stations for the students to rotate through...

CAPE GIRARDEAU – A Poplar Bluff man on supervised release for the sale of heroin has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for repeatedly selling methamphetamine. Joshua E. Forbes, 31, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. Forbes also received an additional two years for violating his supervised release...

William Moore reported at 2:40 a.m. Friday, May 3, property damage to his vehicle while it was parked in the 800 block of Poplar Street. Moore advised the suspect knocked out one of his vehicle windows with a baseball bat. The case is under investigation...