Stories from Friday, December 29, 2023

DEXTER — Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., a leading national producer and distributor of shell eggs, announced today that it will establish an egg processing facility in Dexter, investing $13 million and creating approximately 96 jobs. To establish operations in Dexter, Cal-Maine will re-purpose an existing facility previously used for chicken processing, according to a press release from the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

The final day of 1923, 1948 and 1973 were chaotic ones, seeing everything from a moral crusade against houseboat residents to a fatal train crossing collision. There were lighter points, though — local theaters treated 2,000 children to free shows, and Cape police captured an armed robber without casualties...

As 2023 comes to a close, Butler County has seen big changes in its court system, celebrated state wins with area cheerleaders and saw major shakeups within the Neelyville School Board. The New Year promises to bring more change as contested races develop for many elected city and school positions...

More than 63% of those who responded to a district survey say they favor a four-day school week for Neelyville R-IV. The district is still gathering information and no decisions have been made, said Superintendent Heather Black. Neelyville received the preliminary results this month from a survey sent to families gauging outlooks on switching to a four-day school week in the 2024-2025 school year. ...

Poplar Bluff’s real estate agents spend the last days of 1948 hoping for a housing boom next year, and the Butler County sheriff plans to clean up gambling in 1974. Police and state troopers report relatively little mischief on New Year’s Eve aside from gunshots and train whistles, but the truly explosive year-end sendoff came from a Doniphan elementary school, when a malfunctioning propane furnace literally raised the roof...

POPLAR BLUFF FIRE DEPARTMENT Poplar Bluff firefighters responded to an alarm at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, at 2513 Sunset Terrace. According to Capt. Toby Tuggle’s report, after being dispatched the crew was canceled, but still responded. They learned a resident pulled the alarm...