December 28, 2019
Year in review May, June, July: Region celebrates new factory, marks two drowning deaths
The summer months of 2019 were marked by tragedy, celebration and many big moments. They included two drowning deaths in area rivers, the opening of the Shelby Road extension and a new Poplar Bluff factory, as well as announcements regarding the final closures of two area medical facilities...
The summer months of 2019 were marked by tragedy, celebration and many big moments. They included two drowning deaths in area rivers, the opening of the Shelby Road extension and a new Poplar Bluff factory, as well as announcements regarding the final closures of two area medical facilities.
May 1
The Lloyd Miler Award is presented to Rick Shanklin of the National Weather Service by Butler County Emergency Management Agency Director Robbie Myers.
May 2
Keith Boyles is sentenced to life for the murders of four elderly Ripley County residents
May 7
Poplar Bluff schools put coach Lance Bell on paid administrative leave.
May 8
Empire Comfort Systems is announced as a new factory for Poplar Bluff.
May 10
Poplar Bluff resident Katie Wylie Ray, author of a book on the 1927 downtown tornado, hosts an event at Poplar Bluff Municipal Library on the 92nd anniversary of the devastating event.
May 11
An extension of Shelby Road opens with remarks from Poplar Bluff city leaders.
May 14
Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpls. J.T. Wilson, Shayne Talburt and John West, trooper Lee Hughes and Sgt. Douglas McDaniel were honored recently by the patrol for lifesaving awards.
May 21
A divided Poplar Bluff City Council accepts on May 20 the second lowest bid, from Robertson Contractors of Poplar Bluff, for wastewater treatment plant upgrades.
May 21
The Ellington Whippets advance May 20 to the MSHSAA Class 2 quarterfinals on a walk-off.
May 23
Poplar Bluff Mayor Robert Smith hosts a mayoral prayer breakfast with 11 former city mayors in attendance.
May 24
Poplar Bluff Villas opens on Eugene Boulevard. The controversial low income housing project is operated by the Missouri National Guard Foundation.
May 25
The Poplar Bluff Excel Center graduates its first class of students, helping adults receive their high school diplomas.
June 1
The Ellington Whippets claim the MSHSAA Class 2 championship, winning 9-0 against Seymour on May 31. It was the Whippets first ever state championship.
June 4
Rodgers Theatre celebrates its 70th anniversary June 1 with downtown activities.
June 8
Poplar Bluff R-I teacher Gretchen Pendley is named as one of the winners of the 2019 outstanding biology teacher award for Missouri from the National Association of Biology Teachers.
June 12
It’s announced a Ripley County hospital in Doniphan will not reopen. It had closed Oct. 15 and board members had sought a way to re-open the facility.
June 18
The late Lonnie Davis is honored June 16 during an event at Wheatley School.
June 19
It is announced Oak Grove Elementary is one of only eight schools in the state to receive a Gold Star School Award, recognizing high academic performance or a school that performs at high levels while serving a significant proportion of disadvantaged students.
June 19
It is announced Municipal Utilities received the Charlie Burgett Electric Reliability Award, with average system availability index of 99.99% in 2018.
June 22
One person is killed in a storm June 21 that caused a tree to fall on a boat on the Current River, north of Van Buren.
June 28
Philip Gregory is announced as the new commanding officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop E.
June 29
The Butler County Health Department celebrates its 70th anniversary with activities June 28.
July 3
It is announced three Poplar Bluff Police Department officers are on paid administrative leave during a review of a use of force report.
July 5
A state audit report announces the city of Greenville has made strides to improve oversight of government funds after a former city clerk is accused of misappropriating $150,000.
July 9
Poplar Bluff city officials report a growth in residential construction, up from less than $243 million in 2000 to $422 million in 2018.
July 10
Dexter resident Barbara Reese drowns July 7 while swimming in the St. Francis River at Broseley.
July 10
Bernie’s Coach Brad Botsch steps down to become the school’s junior and senior high principal. He is the winningest coach in Bernie High School basketball history.
July 13
Lanny Corcimiglia is hired as the new director of the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department.
Poplar Bluff High School graduate Kameron Misner signs with the Miami Marlins as the 35th overall pick in the amateur draft.
July 16
Poplar Bluff City Council members approve a 500-foot buffer for medical marijuana facilities relating to minimum distance from schools, churches and state-licensed daycares. It was approved after several discussions regarding a 1,000-foot buffer zone.
July 17
Butler County Coroner Andy Moore announces an autopsy confirms that the death of Donald Ray Herrold in the Butler County jail was from natural causes.
July 19
It is announced that a fundraiser to fix the roof of Rodgers Theatre reached its goal of $45,000 to match grant funds totaling $336,900 from the state.
July 23
It is announced that Butler County Coroner Andy Moore is under criminal investigation for past business dealings. Moore denied all accusations.
The Poplar Bluff location of Scotty’s Brewhouse closes approximately one year after it opened as the parent company battles bankruptcy.
July 25
Trenton Crane, 16, of Pevely, Missouri, drowns in the Current River at Blue Spring on July 23.
July 26
It is announced that charges will not be sought against Stoddard County Clerk Cecil Weeks in an election inquiry into the certification of the April 2 election results.
July 27
Longtime Poplar Bluff Park Department Director Clark Allen discusses his 32-year career with the city.
July 30
Six Ripley County residents face charges after authorities recover the burned body of Daniel Richardson, 44, of Ripley County.
July 30
Benjamin Michael Ruhl is sentenced to 20 years in prison in the 2017 shooting death of his brother-in-law.
July 30
It is announced that Black River Medical Center’s emergency room would close Aug. 9 as part of a merger with Saint Francis Healthcare System.
July 31
William Taylor, 15, of McGee is charged as an adult in the October shooting death of his 13-year-old brother.
July 31
Williamsville resident Craig Wood, 43, is charged in the 2017 disappearance of his wife.
July 31
A report finds that Butler County pharmacies prescribed enough pain pills between 2006-2012 that every resident could have received 100 pills per year. The report looked at the opioid pain pill epidemic.
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