Photos & Video

Independence Day was celebrated in Poplar Bluff Saturday as people lined the streets of downtown Poplar Bluff for the annual July 4th parade held as part of the Butler County Fair. The fair's pageant also was held at the Black River Coliseum.

The Butler County Fair wrapped up Saturday night with a fireworks display to celebrate the July 4th holiday and a demolition derby at Ray Clinton Park.

A large crowd turned out Friday night for the Butler County Fair's tractor and lawn mower pulls and rodeo at Ray Clinton Park.

Neelyville prom was held Monday, June 29, 2020, in Poplar Bluff.

The African American community in Poplar Bluff gathered Saturday afternoon to celebrate Juneteenth with food, activities and fireworks.

Photos from the 2020 Poplar Bluff High School Prom held Saturday, June 20, 2020, at the Black River Coliseum.

Twin Rivers High School held its 2020 commencement ceremony at the Black Rive Coliseum.

Wappapello Lake's swim beaches reopened Saturday after an extended closure because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Twin Rivers High School held its 2020 prom Thursday evening at the Westwood Center in Poplar Bluff.

The Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department is holding a youth tennis camp this week and next at Hillcrest Park.

Protestors made their way from Wheatley School to the Butler County Courthouse Saturday, June 6, to ask up against violence and discrimination the black community faces.

A multi-vehicle accident occurred after 5 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 67 between the Doniphan exit and Neelyville. It involved at least two semitrucks and a black Honda. Extraction was necessary for a woman in the Honda, who received medical treatment on the scene before being transported for additional care. Missouri State Highway Patrol and Butler County Fire Department were among the agencies that responded to the scene. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, another crash occurred in the southbound lane and three women were injured. They were transported to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center with minor to serious injuries.

The Poplar Bluff High School trap team and Poplar Bluff Gun Club hosted an ATA registered trap shoot Saturday, drawing dozens of shooters from around the region.

These 20 students were expected to compete at the 11th Annual Three Rivers College Regional Spelling Bee in the hopes of winning the regional spot at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. They earned their spots after competing against hundreds of other area youth at school bees across Southeast Missouri. Both events were cancelled in the wake of COVID-19, but TRC organizers say they want to recognize the students' accomplishments.

Candidates for the June 2 Poplar Bluff City Council introduced themselves to citizens Thursday during a virtual event hosted by the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.

A special graduation was held May 10, 2020, for two Twin Rivers High School seniors who will leave for basic training before a formal graduation can be held for the Class of 2020. The full commencement has been rescheduled for June due to restrictions in the face of COVID-19. Family and friends of Jordan Rose and Alayna Stokan helped the pair celebrate Sunday before a vehicle parade with all of the 2020 seniors left from Broseley, with stops in Qulin and Fisk.

Twin Rivers High School seniors participated Sunday, May 11, 2020, in a vehicle parade through Broseley, Qulin and Fisk, celebrating their graduation in advance of a formal ceremony that has been rescheduled for June.

A "honk for hugs parade" was held Friday outside the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center.

The Daily American Republic covers community celebrations of Easter every year and included here are some of our photographs for the past 20 years. We wanted to share these again, as community celebrations were not possible in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Several Poplar Bluff residents spent their Good Friday bringing the message of Jesus to passers-by on the city's streets during a revised, socially-distanced version of the annual Carry the Cross event