News

Four people were injured – three of them seriously – in a two-car accident shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday on County Road 604, about a quarter mile east of Poplar Bluff shortly, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Two victims had to be evacuated from the scene by helicopter to St. Louis hospitals, according to authorities...

Nathan Bridges credits his mom for creating the necessity that mothered his invention. That’s because there were no handouts at the Bridges household. The 20-year-old Patterson furniture redesigner was told by his mom that if he wanted money to spend, he would have to find a way to earn it...

In the biggest drug bust in Stoddard County’s history, a Dexter man was arrested early Thursday morning as he returned home from California with 74 pounds of marijuana in a rented SUV, according to Sheriff Carl Hefner.

Award-winning country superstar Travis Tritt will return to the Black River Coliseum for a one-night show Saturday, April 10, it was announced Friday. Tritt previously played a show at the facility several years ago. “We’re trying to get things introduced again,” said Black River Coliseum Director Greg Smith of the show, the first at the coliseum since February 2020, when the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center hosted its annual VAlentines for Veterans concert...

A 27-year-old Poplar Bluff man was sentenced Friday to 120 months in prison for possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon. He was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew T. Schelp, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Southeastern Division...

The local Kiwanis Club’s 83rd annual Pancake Day will from 6 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 13, at the Poplar Bluff Junior High School. Proceeds will benefit the all-inclusive playground at Kiwanis Bacon Park. Pancake Project Chairman Matthew Sparks recalls pancake day has been a huge family event for most of his life...

The University of Missouri Butler County Extension office is presenting Healthy Living for Brain and Body as part of the Alzheimer’s Association series from noon - 1 p.m. Thursday, March 11. The class will be available both on Zoom and in person. “Attendees will learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these tips into a plan for healthy aging,” said John Fuller, human development and family science field specialist with the University of Missouri Extension.. ...

BLOOMFIELD — Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner reports on March 4, as a result of an ongoing drug investigation, his department, along with the SEMO Drug Task Force, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Dexter Police Department intercepted approximately 74 pounds of marijuana on Highway 60 near Grayridge...

For the pastoral team at Bluff First Assembly of God, their outlook on 2021 mirrors their church’s theme for this year: “The Best is Yet to Come.” The Poplar Bluff church, located on Katy Lane just off Westwood Boulevard, is led by T.J. Woodard, lead pastor, Max Southern, executive pastor, and Nathan Smith, worship and youth pastor...

Poplar Bluff Middle School will see a new assistant principal for the 2021-22 school year, though it’s one intimately familiar with the school and its students. “I am super excited. It’s something that I have looked forward to doing,” said Shelly Ridens, who was hired by the R-1 board to fill the assistant principal position during its Feb. 25 meeting...

Twin Rivers R-X students will have a very similar schedule for the 2021-22 school year as they did this year. The school board approved a calendar during their meeting last week, after delaying it due to incremental weather. Students are scheduled to be in class for a total of 1,045 hours over the course of the school year...

Dreams of planting vegetables may be filling one’s head, but you are not certain about taking the first step. The blooms and vegetables on the seed packets are enticing, but it’s been a few years since the garden plot has been plowed. The containers in the basement might feature alluring items, but do you really want to spend the time and money just relaying one your memory?...

Poplar Bluff has a special place in the heart of artist Leslie Pearson. A 1994 graduate of Poplar Bluff High School, Pearson’s art will be on display at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum starting Saturday and running through March 28. An opening reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the museum...

The Bank of Missouri is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Scott, of Branson, as regional bank president for southwest Missouri. With 16 years of banking experience and an understanding of both small and large business models, Scott brings a wealth of knowledge to the position. ...

Museum honors Butler County past, from one-room schools to Olympic athlete, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient

The April 15 deadline to file 2020 income taxes is more than a month away, but the tax season is already in full gear. Justin Carr of Drenda’s Fast Tax said earlier this week that his business has already done 500 returns this year and that he worked 107 hours the previous week...

Poplar Bluff city leaders expect to seek new bids for 25 acres of property on Shelby Road near the planned site of a new police department. One bid for a total of $45,000 was received for the property, which was packaged as five separate lots in a proposal published by the city at the beginning of February...

If you don’t have a computer, but want to register for the COVID mass vaccination Tuesday, March 9, at the Black River Coliseum, Butler County Health Center Administrator Emily Goodin offered answers during the weekly COVID briefing Wednesday. “If you don’t have access to a computer, you can call the COVID hotline,” Goodin said. ...

Calling all artists young and old, amateur and professional: “Art for Animals,” the popular annual fund raising event for the Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA) will start May 7 and end May 21! “Art for Animals” features 5-by-7-inch original creations by area artists. The public bids on-line for individual pieces of art during the two-week auction. Winning bids benefit AWA programs...

Voting will close April 1 on the first members of the newly-established Wayne County Hall of Honor, an effort to recognize those who have been important to the county’s history. The Hall of Honor has been organized by the Wayne County Historical Society...

As vaccinations become more available nationwide, area hospitals and pharmacies are working to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as they can. John J. Pershing VA Medical Center is no exception. To date, they have vaccinated around 3,000 veterans at the medical center and mass vaccination clinics in Marble Hill, Farmington, Cape Girardeau and other locations in Southeast Missouri. Vaccinations are by appointment only and the VA is contacting veterans as they become eligible for a shot...

The annual Three Rivers College Alumni Reunion Saturday, March 13, will provide opportunities to catch up with old friends and help support the college, as well as offer a helping hand to students through the Raiders Helping Raiders Food Drive. This is the first year those attending the event are encouraged to contribute to the pantry...

CAPE GIRARDEAU — Saint Francis Healthcare System will hold a Nurses Night career event from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, March 15, at Saint Francis Medical Center, Entrance 1, in Cape Girardeau. Saint Francis is actively recruiting nurses. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nursing students are invited to attend Nurses Night. ...