This is the first of a four-part series on the events and issues that highlighted 2017 in Poplar Bluff and its surrounding areas.
JANUARY
8 - An iconic Poplar Bluff business, Rowland Stollen Bakery & Deli, closes. Joan Rowland opened the business 30 years ago and her stollens became a famous Poplar Bluff pastery.
10 - Bryan L. Hart, a former candidate for Ripley County sheriff, was federally indicted on multiple felonies, including Social Security fraud.
11 - Poplar Bluff Animal Control recorded the lowest euthanasia rate in its history.
12 - Michael L. Futrell, 58, of Doniphan was convicted of what prosecutors described as an execution death of a Doniphan resident when they argued during a going away party for friends.
17 - Lady Mules freshman Savannah Hicks returns to the court just six weeks after open heart surgery.
22 - The Rev. Dr. Ron Webb gives the benediction at Gov. Eric Greitens' inaugration.
22 - Josh Lewis and Tanner Dunivan win conference wrestling titles for the Mules.
25 - Citing structural flaws, Poplar Bluff closes its downtown parking garage. It opened 40 years ago.
27 - A Fairdealing woman and her two young children, ages 2 and 4, are dead in what Ripley County authorities are calling a double murder and suicide.
29 - J.P. McLane is named Citizen of the Year at Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet. Davine Conover was named volunteer of the year.
FEBRUARY
7 - Surrounded by workers at Poplar Bluff's Revere Plastics Systems, Gov. Eric Greitens ceremonially signed legislation officially making Missouri the 28th right to work state in the nation.
8 - An outbreak of flu closes Twin Rivers and Neelyville schools.
8 - Twin Rivers set two school records in a win over Greenville in the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament. The Royals shot 75 percent from the field, including 16 of 20 from 3-point range to set a mark for most 3-pointers in a game.
10 - Mules swimmer Taylor Norwood was named MVP of the conference swim meet.
12 - Doniphan's boys and Neelyville's girls win titles in the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament.
17 - Michael Owen is hired as Poplar Bluff High School principal. He had been the assistant principal.
19 - Mules swimmer Taylor Norwood added two all-state medals to her collection during the state swim meet.
24 - Puxico's girls won its first district title since its program was revived eight years ago. Neelyville's girls defeated Thayer by three points to win its district.
26 - Three Rivers College vice president Dr. May Lou Brown announces her retirement after nearly four decades in education.
26 - Austin Montague was named the Community Resource Council's Person of the Year for his work in the field of substance abuse.
28 - School resource officer Kenny Carpenter and other first responders are credited with saving the life of a woman who was stricken moments after dropping her child off at the Poplar Bluff Middle School.
28 - Kirk Chronister, who started the girls basketball program at Poplar Bluff before moving to Doniphan late in his career, officially retires after 41 years coaching girls basketball. His career mark of 770 wins is a state record.
MARCH
1 - A line of severe storms damaged businesses and took down trees and power lines across Ripley, Butler, Dunklin and Stoddard counties. One person was killed in Perry County and 6 miles of I-55 was closed after a tornado swept through the area.
2 - County and federal officials are searching for nearly 40 of the 50-plus firearms that were stolen in a burglary at Insta Pawn on N Highway. Video at the business identified a Poplar Bluff man and five other suspects. Four suspects were arrested in E. St. Louis. Others were still being sought.
2 - Neelyville's Lady Tigers advance to the quarterfinals of the state tournament.
3 - Dexter Lady Bearcats celebrate their 7th straight district championship.
5 - The Three Rivers Raiders defeated a short-handed Moberly team for its 22nd Region XVI title. The entire Moberly bench was ejected from the semifinal game and was thus ineligible to play in the final, leaving the Greyhounds with only five players.
7 - Unplayable greens at Ozark Ridge Municipal Golf Course cost it its biggest tournament of the year. SEMO Seniors, a local association of more than 200 golfers, cancelled its event that would have resulted in an estimated $10,000 in revenue.
7 - The Poplar Bluff City Council approves a 1 percent tax on all purchases made at Food Rite on Sycamore Street for the next 30 years so the store can pay for exterior repairs and improvements to the building and parking lot. Only one council member voted against it.
8 - Dexter's Lady Bearcats crush Pososi 72-30 to advance to the state quarterfinals.
12 - The Raiders lost to Highland 79-75, missing its best chance to return to the national tournament in Hutchinson, Kan., since 2012.
12 - The Lady Bearcats defeat Lutheran South 81-63 to advance to the final four in the state tournament.
14 - Victoria "Tori" Blackman was named Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Club.
15 - Long-time Poplar Bluff Junior High School Principal Bob Case announces he will retire at the end of the year after 33 years in education.
19 - An extensive search along the Current River area near Grandin finally ends with the arrest of an Rector, Ark., man.
19 - The Lady Bearcats fend off a late rally to defeat Carl Junction 47-38 to win third place in the state tournament.
22 - A 23-year-old Campbell man who committed five armed robberies, including Motel 6 twice, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison.
23 - Candace Warren replaces retiring Bob Case as principal of Poplar Bluff Junior High School.
26 - High school teacher Gayla Fritts was named the R-1 School District's Teacher of the Year.