The first three months of 2023 were marked in Poplar Bluff by many announcements of good news, including the new openings of businesses, and the expansion of efforts by groups to help improve the community.
New or expanded locations for businesses included Krabby Daddy’s, The Prom Closet and Poplar Bluff Realty.
Boys & Girls Club of the Heartland announced plans for a $10 million teen center to serve the region, while Recycling Grace Women’s Center opened a new facility to help women in recovery.
New awards were also announced recognizing the contributions of former police chief Danny Whiteley and the late Ed DeGaris, who served as a city police officer and city council member.
A look back:
Jan. 3
• Violet Zuri was the first baby of the New Year, born at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center at 12:19 a.m. Jan. 1. She is the daughter of Kim Watts of Doniphan and Kalob Summer-Umfress of Campbell.
• Irish-born Mairead Ryan-Anderson shares her love of creating through yarn.
Jan. 4
• Butler County personal property taxes generated over $27 million for schools, emergency services and infrastructure in 2022. Seven school districts — Poplar Bluff, Neelyville, Twin Rivers, East Carter, Doniphan, Naylor and Greenville — received 82% of personal and property taxes collected in the previous fiscal year.
• Attorney Devin Kirby is sworn in Dec. 28 as associate circuit judge, replacing the retiring Judge David Swindle.
Jan. 5
• A man who was shot in the throat just after 2 a.m. Jan. 4, has to knock on several doors in the 300 block of West Henry Street before receiving help. He was sent by Air Evac to a St. Louis hospital.
Jan. 6
• The owner of a new Poplar Bluff restaurant, Krabby Daddy’s, shares how a family tradition of sharing seafood boils was the inspiration for the restaurant chain. Poplar Bluff marked its third location.
• Rickey B. Holt of Bunker is sentenced to eight years in prison for the beating death of a Brick’s Off-Road patron in 2018. Joe Girard of Oak Ridge died as a result of the incident.
Jan. 7
• Incumbent Chris Taylor steps down from the race for an at-large Poplar Bluff City Council seat.
• The Three Rivers College men’s basketball team bus is struck by an 18-wheeler Jan. 6 while returning from a game at John A. Logan College in Illinois. No serious injuries were reported from the TRC bus.
Jan. 10
• Neighbors who responded to the cries of an abandoned child are commended by police for their quick actions. The infant was found just after 3 p.m. Jan. 7 outside a home in the 700 block of West Davis Street.
• Luanne Free of Dexter helps bring joy to 800 seniors by providing gifts to nursing homes.
• The Poplar Bluff Mules wrestling team celebrates 50 years.
Jan. 11
• The Daily American Republic marks the start of its 155th year.
• Retiring Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Director Sue Crites Szostak is honored for her many years of dedication.
• The Prom Closet marks the opening of a location in Downtown Poplar Bluff.
Jan 13
• Jon Miller and Chad Bell are named Poplar Bluff Firefighter of the Year and Officer of the Year for putting their lives in danger to rescue a victim trapped May 23 in a burning vehicle.
Jan. 18
• Poplar Bluff Realty marks the opening of its Downtown Poplar Bluff location.
Jan. 19
• Three Rivers College announces it is seeing enrollment rising again for the first time in 10 year.
Jan. 20
• The new Battle of the Bluff brings 1,600 spectators and 330 athletes to Poplar Bluff to compete in cheer and tumbling events.
Jan. 21
• Outstanding Farmers are honored at Ag Connect, with the Chad and Amelia Buttrey family being named Outstanding Farm Family.
Jan. 24
• Southern Bank assets top $4.4 billion, currently operating 65 facilities following the completion of a merger.
• Poplar Bluff High School cheerleaders finish 14th out of 28 teams in the Intermediate Small Varsity Crowd division at nationals over the previous weekend, Jan. 21-22.
Jan. 25
• Parker Family Kitchen marks its opening under new ownership at 4803 West Blvd.
• Charges of second-degree murder are sought against Willie “Eddie” Sipes, 43, of Poplar Bluff following the death by blunt force trauma of Leslie Nicole Crook, 36, of Hiram at Sipes’ residence.
Jan. 31
• Larry and Lisa Hafford are named Citizens of the Year by the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 1
• Medical anthropologist and Poplar Bluff native Kanwal Haq shares details about her new book, “Taking Care of You: The Empowered Woman’s Guide to Better Health.”
• Brooke Sweet of Earth & Water Bathhouse talks about a new line of spa products made in Poplar Bluff which were picked up by a New York resort.
Feb. 3
• Basketball player Tyler Hansbrough is slated to be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 5.
• The Greater Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce shares details about an award named for a former city council person, the Ed DeGaris Ambassador of the Year Award. The first recipient was Amber Christian.
Feb. 7
• A statue is unveiled at the Libla Family Sports Complex in honor of former Raiders basketball coach Gene Bess.
Feb. 9
• Work is underway at Myrtle’s Place to renovate the Downtown Poplar Bluff restaurant, adding an outdoor seating area and improving the interior.
• Danisha R. Price, 32, of Doniphan is convicted of first-degree involuntary manslaughter in the death of her next-door neighbor, Bruce Ehrenberg Sr.
Feb. 11
• The family of Marcus McFarland talk about their efforts to join the Adopt-A-Highway program in his memory, adopting a segment of Westwood Boulevard.
• The Doniphan Donettes claim the Ozark Foothills Conference title against the Lady Tigers.
• The Greenville Bears win in the OFC tournament against the Dons to claim the title.
Feb. 15
• Poplar Bluff sales tax collections for the 1-cent general fund sales tax top $6 million for the first time. The information is included in the 2021 audit, discussed by the Poplar Bluff City Council.
Feb. 18
• Boys & Girls Club of the Heartland shares plans to build a $10 million new facility on the campus of Poplar Bluff High School, where teen members will be served.
• Programs at Poplar Bluff Municipal Library details of coded quilts used to help people move safely on the Underground Railroad.
Feb. 22
• Bids are received for the construction of a new Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center culinary arts training facility.
Feb. 24
• Plans are announced to close and renovate Redman Creek East Campground, a $1.9 million project.
• Law enforcement discusses increases in fentanyl overdoses after finding five victims at one scene amid suspected fentanyl overdoses. Narcan was used to revive the victims.
Feb. 28
• The East Carter Lady Redbirds claim their first district title since 1999, with a win in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 championship.
• The Lady Tigers win their first title since 2020 during the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 championship.
MARCH
March 1
• The Phillips family opens The Midway at Puxico with a coffee shop, old-fashioned mercantile and more.
• Circle Fiber discusses the opening of its Poplar Bluff retail store.
• Sterling Taylor looks back at 40 years working at Hefner Furniture as he retires.
• The East Carter Lady Redbirds move onto the final eight with their win of the MSHSAA Class sectionals.
March 3
• Patricia Jo Boyers is recognized as one of 10 recipients of the second annual Lieutenant Governor’s Women of Achievement Award.
March 4
• The Butler County Community Resource Council recognizes Lanny Corcimiglia as its 2022 Person of the Year. Corcimiglia is the director of the Poplar Bluff Parks & Recreation Department.
March 10
• Former Missouri Rep. Mark Richardson is recognized with the inaugural Taste of the South Award from Sen. Jason Bean.
• Volunteers with Rodgers Theatre discuss ongoing renovation efforts after the marque is struck by a passing truck.
March 11
• Boys & Girls Club of the Heartland announces Harley Stilwell as Youth of the Year and Delanie Faughn as Junior Youth of the Year.
• Boys & Girls Club is announced as the Daily American Republic’s Difference Makers charity for 2023.
March 14
• Bobby Wicker is honored by Butler County Fire Department upon his retirement.
March 15
• Boys & Girls Club of the Heartland and Three Rivers College announce the expansion of the Great Futures Program, which allows teens to graduate high school with up to 18 college credits or an electrical process technician certification, all at no cost to the student.
March 21
• Lt. Joe Ward is given the inaugural Danny H. Whiteley Dedicated Service Award during the annual Elks Law and Order Night.
• Poplar Bluff Detective Joey Woodruff is honored as Elks Officer of the Year at the annual Elks banquet.
March 22
• Williem A. Taylor, 19, of McGee is sentenced to 30 years in prison for first-degree murder in the shooting death of his 13-year-old brother Ricky.
March 24
• The Lady Raiders season ends during the first round of the NJCAA Division 1 women’s basketball tournament in Lubbock, Texas.
March 29
• Recycling Grace Women’s Center leadership discusses the planned opening March 30 of a new eight-bedroom facility.
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