Stories from Wednesday, December 27, 2023

This day in history is marked for Poplar Bluff by prohibition arrests in 1923, as well as a study 75 years ago that found the city had less than half the police officers compared to the national average for communities this size. 100 years ago Dec. 27, 1923...

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...

The cause of a fire shortly after midnight Sunday, Dec. 24, at 818 Ash St. is being investigated by the Missouri State Fire Marshal since firefighters located what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail at the scene. According to Capt. Jonathan Miller’s report, seven Poplar Bluff firefighters responded to the reported structure fire, but no smoke or flames were showing from the street when they arrived. ...

Christine Thurman, 97, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing, in Dexter, Missouri. Mrs. Thurman was born Aug. 17, 1926 in Hoxie, Arkansas, daughter of the late Clarence and Mae Montgomery (née Flippo). On May 21, 1947, she married Vernon Thurman. He preceded her in death on July 15, 2009...

With 2024 just a few days away, this week’s MAIN EVENT is ringing out the old year and ringing in the new one. The Bootheel Youth Museum in Malden will celebrate the new year early with Noon Year’s Eve, which kicks off at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Join them for an early celebration of the New Year and a balloon drop at one second until noon. There will be noise makers, a DJ and dancing...

Spring of 2023 brought recognition for outstanding teachers, community partners and alumni. A Kindergarten Center educator was named Teacher of the Year for R-I, while the Poplar Bluff library celebrated a former Daily American Republic editor for his dedication to the facility and Three Rivers College applauded an area pastor as a Distinguished Alumni...

James “Ricky” Brigance, 76, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 at The Manor in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Brigance was born July 5, 1947, in Dexter, Missouri, son of the late Felton and Marie Brigance (née Pruett). On July 18, 1981, he married Patty Blakenship Brigance. With her came three boys; Rick was the only dad these boys ever had. He had a lifelong career as a truck driver...

Anthony “Tony” Rosener, 93, of Piedmont, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 19, at his residence. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 29, at Patterson Cemetery, Patterson. Burial will immediately follow. Online condolences:www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Poplar Bluff police and the Missouri State Fire Marshal are actively pursuing a suspect who reportedly admitted setting a fire early Wednesday morning. Firefighters from the three stations responded to 128 W. McKinley St. at4:24 a.m. to the structure fire. A crowd of about 20 onlookers also gathered at the scene...

POPLAR BLUFF FIRE DEPARTMENT Poplar Bluff firefighters responded to a possible gas leak at Casey’s Convenience Store, 700 Highway 53, at 3:42 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20. According to Lt. Joshua Buhler’s report, a tanker was delivering fuel. An employee who was outside told the firefighter they could smell the odor of propane. ...

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT An employee at Heartland Tool Works at 510 Ashcroft Road reported at 7:21 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, that someone broke into their garage and stole a utility vehicle. The stolen UTV was later recovered at a residence on M Highway...