News

With requests ranging from fluffy blankets for a 12-year-old girl to shoes for an 8-year-old boy, Project Christmas Promise is once again in full swing as organizers try to ensure every Butler County child has a merry holiday. More than 1,000 children in need have already made it onto their lists...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Staff Writer GREENVILLE — A Piedmont man recently preempted his trial by pleading guilty to molesting a pre-teen girl and was sentenced to prison. Kaleb Shaver was sentenced Nov. 25 to 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections after he earlier pleaded guilty to the Class C felony of third-degree child molestation before Circuit Judge Kelly Parker, according to Wayne County Circuit Clerk Darren Garrison...

Commemorative Christmas ornaments are being sold for $15 to support Rodger’s Theatre. All money goes to support the restoration of the theatre, according to organizers. For information, call 573-785-0699 or 573-429-0416.

Poplar Bluff High School senior Alexandria Rainwater, 17, isn’t waiting until she graduates to start pursuing her dreams. Rainwater recently threw her hat into the talent ring. She traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, in November to try out for the first level of “America’s Got Talent,” the one without celebrity judges...

Everyone is invited to the free 2019 Christmas Community Dinner at the First United Methodist Church beginning at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11. Last year approximately 1,000 enjoyed the dinner. This year, the cooks expect to feed even more people. Church members are making a shopping list and checking it twice. There has to be enough food, since they invited everyone to join them for the banquet celebrating Jesus’ love...

Diana Frazier and Christie Bell add the final touches the Poplar Bluff Junior High tree for the annual Christmas Tree Forest at the Poplar Bluff Museum, which opens Sunday. Trees are decorated with ornaments crafted by local school children. Votes will be taken through 3:45 p.m. Sunday for the People’s Choice Award. The winner will be announced at 4 p.m...

In fifth grade, Wyatt Russom convinced his mother to get him a yo-yo after a presentation at school turned into a hobby through high school.

A 53-year-old Hayti man was seriously injured in a one-vehicle crash at 4:55 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, on Highway AA, three miles west of Broseley. According to the report, Anthony K. Cooley was injured when his vehicle ran off the left of the road and struck a ditch...

Photo provided Front row (from left): Terrance Pullam, Christopher Lewis, Raven Smith, Jarett McKuin. Back row (from left): Jacen Litterst, Nicole Akers, Principal Aaron Burton, Brayden Newcomb, Carlee Hopkins.

SIKESTON – The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded contracts for Southeast District projects during its regular meeting on Dec. 4. Awarded contracts include bridge replacements and pavement improvements.

BLOOMFIELD — A Poplar Bluff man was ordered Thursday afternoon to stand trial for robbing the Southern Bank branch at Essex. Accompanied by his attorney, Rance Butler with the Public Defender’s Office, Glenn Hamilton appeared before Associate Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield for a preliminary hearing on the Class A felony of first-degree robbery...

After a one year hiatus, the kindergarten and first grade basketball league is returning to Poplar Bluff’s First United Methodist Church. “We did it for 20 years,” said the church’s David Stewart, “but with staff changes and new flooring, it didn’t work out last year. We’re back up and running this year.”...

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) has introduced legislation for the Senate to amend its Rules of Procedure and Practice When Sitting on Impeachment Trials, according to a press release from Smith’s office. Smith says he is calling for members of the United States Senate who are actively running for President of the U.S. and campaigning against President Trump to recuse themselves from the Senate’s impeachment proceedings...

FREE ACCESS: Authorities are searching for an Ellsinore woman who allegedly escaped Thursday morning from the custody of a Carter County deputy as she was being released from Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. After her arrest at about 6:35 a.m., Samantha Jo Freeze, 33, was taken by ambulance to the Poplar Bluff hospital after she complained of injuries from a previous incident, explained Carter County Sheriff Rick Stephens...

A reception will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at Margaret Harwell Art Museum for the December and January show, a display from the Missouri Star Quilters. The reception will have a Victorian Christmas theme, said Steve Whitworth, museum director. Hot cider punch and cookies will be served...

The Poplar Bluff Animal Control shelter is located on Butler Street and is open for adoptions from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. For more information call 573-686-8635.

QULIN — Carlon Breckenridge started hunting deer near Fort Leonard Wood in the early 1950s, and at 91 years old, he’s still enjoying it, and finding success, to this day. A native of Beech Grove, Ark., Breckenridge learned about the outdoors from his coon-hunting father and other relatives, taking an early interest in duck hunting before the deer hunting bug got to him...

Two area residents may face drug trafficking charges after local authorities conducted a traffic stop Wednesday night in Poplar Bluff and seized nearly 4 ounces of suspected crystal methamphetamine. Renee Katherine Taylor, 40, of Williamsville and William Joseph Kirn, 46, of Poplar Bluff were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking at about 8:45 p.m. Police Patrolman Billie Duckett stopped a Chevrolet Blazer driven by Kirn in the 200 block of South Westwood Boulevard...

The holiday season is now in full swing and there are lots of Christmasy-type events the whole family can enjoy this weekend. Check at the end of this column for some nifty gift wrapping hacks that are easy and super cute. Remember, there are only 20 days left until Christmas. Are you ready?...

Experience the sights and sounds of the first Christmas during a free “A Walk Through Bethlehem” Dec. 13-15 in the gymnasium at the First Church of God, 3482 S. Westwood Blvd., in Poplar Bluff. Christmas today, with all it’s lights and tinsel, is so different from the first celebration when Jesus was born, said Pastor Ben Higgins of the First Church of God...

ELLSINORE — The annual Santa Run will be held on Saturday to raise funds for the maintenance for the Brodie Gargac Memorial Ball Field in Ellsinore and Brodie Gargac Memorial scholarships. Activities will begin at 8 a.m. at the ball park with a 5K run. The one mile fun run/walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. and reindeer dashes for the kids will kick off at 9 a.m. Males and females of all ages may compete for the Most Christmas Spirit award. Trophies and medals will be presented in the events...

COLUMBIA, Mo.– Scientific studies have declared the poinsettia harmless, but the plant is still dogged by its reputation as a grave menace to children and pets.

A small plane was forced to land in a field about 1 mile east of Poplar Bluff shortly after 11 a.m. this morning, according to officials. There were no injuries and no damage to the aircraft, said Gary Pride, director of the Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport...

Officers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department are increasing their presence this holiday season to help prevent the Grinch from ruining anyone’s Christmas. “As the holiday season is well upon us, the Poplar Bluff Police Department is working hard to protect you and your property,” Chief Danny Whiteley said in a news release...