January/February 2019: Libla complex opens at TRC, downtown 'flop house' shut down

The first two months of 2019 saw the opening of new the Libla Family Sports Complex at Three Rivers College and the groundbreaking of a new state-of-the-art learning resource center at the local VA medical center.

Authorities also shut down a “flop house” in downtown Poplar Bluff, evicting 26 from the property and safely disarmed a suicidal man after a 10-hour standoff at Dudley.

This is the first of a five-part series looking back at significant events for our region in 2019.

Jan. 2

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways at Van Buren was named the Park of the Year by the National Park Service Traffic Safety Coalition for 2018. NPS Park Ranger Daniel Newberry of the Big Spring District also received the Individual Ranger of the Year Award.

Jan. 3

Poplar Bluff, in its first swim meet for 2019, won every event in a duel with Farmington.

Jan. 4

Poplar Bluff Police Patrolman Zachary Tubb unzips the side of his outer carrier, which holds his ballistic vest, as he prepares to remove it. The vest is part of the new uniforms now being worn by police officers since January. DAR File Photo

The new year brought a new look for the officers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department as they are sporting what is described as a more comfortable and also cheaper uniform.

Jan. 5

Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Ralph Stucker was appointed to represent Southeast Missouri as a director on the Missouri Association of Fire Chiefs.

The Twin Rivers’ Royals outlasted the Doniphan Dons in a double-overtime classic and earned its 10th win of the season.

Jan. 8

Poplar Bluff is now home to the only emergency crisis shelter for children in Southeast Missouri. Great Circle opened a nine-bed facility to serve as temporary placement for children in foster care.

Jan. 9

Campbell senior Claire Parker becomes the first Lady Camel to score 1,000 career points.

Jan. 10

Former Poplar Bluff Firefighter Garrett Hendrix fulfills his longtime aspiration by becoming a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper.

Jan. 12

Shortcomings in revenue will necessitate the Butler County Sheriff’s Department eating into its dwindling reserves to cover a nearly $250,000 shortfall in its 2019 budget.

Jan. 15

An extended investigation into illegal housing and other activities at a building in the 200 block of South Main Street in downtown Poplar Bluff culminated with the execution of a search warrant. Authorities condemn what was described as a “flop house,” evicting 26 from the property.

Jan. 16

Poplar Bluff wrestler, Garrett McClure, earned his 100th career win.

Jan. 17

A Piggott, Arkansas, couple’s family doubled in size when Brandi Householder delivered triplets at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

A 10-hour standoff with a suicidal man inside a Dudley home ended when officers were able to safely disarm him.

Jan. 18

Lake Road Elementary School will expand to fifth grade next year after a vote by the Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education.

Jan. 22

The 33rd annual community celebration in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held at Wheatley School. From studying King’s life, keynote speaker Erin Moore Ceesay learned to “be a great leader, you must have a servant’s heart.”

Jan. 23

It has been 70 years since Paul McGhee took his bar exam and began practicing law in Stoddard County. At age 93, he is the most senior judge who still regularly presides over cases in Missouri’s court system.

Jan. 24

James Odell Johnson Jr. of Poplar Bluff pleads guilty in federal court to assault and weapons-related offenses in connection with the shooting of a local detective who was among officers attempting to serve an arrest warrant on him.

Jan. 29

Todd Richardson hugs his son Sawyer after being named the 2019 Citizen of the Year by the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce in January at the Black River Coliseum. Richardson was unaware his children were in the crowd until after the ceremony. DAR File Photo

Former Missouri Speaker of the House Todd Richardson was named the 2019 Citizen of the Year at the 81st annual Chamber Banquet.

Jan. 30

The Three Rivers Raiders win their final game at the Bess Activity Center, finishing with a record of 432-75.

Jan. 31

The Libla Family Sports Complex is set to debut with the Three Rivers Alumni Reunion, followed by both the men’s and women’s basketball teams facing State Fair.

Feb. 1

Poplar Bluff’s first P.E.O Chapter KB is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019.

The Neelyville R-IV School District scored a 100% on the 2018 Annual Performance Report for Missouri public school districts and charter public schools.

Feb. 2

Two safety latches should have prevented an accident with a wall-mounted table at the Poplar Bluff Early Childhood that officials say caused the death of a 4-year-old child.

Cindy Jackson steps down as Wappapello Lake’s project manager, ending a 38-year career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Feb. 7

Naylor alumna Callee Pickrell had her high school softball and basketball jerseys retired.

Feb. 8

High winds are believed to have caused a train to derail at the One Mile Road railroad crossing in Dexter. No injuries were reported.

Feb. 9

The Neelyville Lady Tigers win their 11th straight Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament.

Feb. 13

The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce embraces renewable energy by installing a solar-power system on its roof.

Feb. 16

The Poplar Bluff cheerleading team competed during the 2019 NHSCC National Championships in Orlando, Fla., reaching the semifinals of the Medium Varsity Division I semifinals.

Feb. 19

Saint Francis Healthcare System announces formal discussions have started to merge with Black River Medical Center and Poplar Bluff Pediatrics.

Feb. 21

Poplar Bluff’s Junior High cheerleaders finished 14th at nationals in Orlando, Florida.

Feb. 22

John J. Pershing VA Medical Center Director Dr. Patricia Hall details the new learning resource center to be constructed on the campus of the Poplar Bluff hospital over the coming year. DAR File Photo

Ground was broken for a new, state-of-the-art learning resource center on the campus of the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. It is expected to be completed in the spring of 2020.

Poplar Bluff’s Kiley Bess broke the Poplar Bluff girls career scoring record. A junior, Bess scored 23 points in a loss to Notre Dame, giving her 1,641 points for her career.

Feb. 23

A project to extend Interstate 57 past Sikeston along U.S. 60 to connect Chicago, Ill., to Dallas, Texas, took another step with the unveiling of the Future I-57 sign at Dexter.

Feb. 26

Hillview Assistant Principal Debra Parish is selected to fill the role of Neelyville R-IV superintendent beginning July 1.