December 29, 2020
Area says good-bye to community leaders with loss, retirement
The months of April, May and June were marked by the loss of community leaders who had held key roles for decades. The passing of longtime judge Steve Sharp, of the 35th Judicial Circuit, was announced, as was the retirement of Three Rivers Coach Gene Bess after 50 years and 1,300 wins...
The months of April, May and June were marked by the loss of community leaders who had held key roles for decades. The passing of longtime judge Steve Sharp, of the 35th Judicial Circuit, was announced, as was the retirement of Three Rivers Coach Gene Bess after 50 years and 1,300 wins.
It also meant election filings for county offices that created contests, city action regarding a new police department and major changes for the Twin Rivers School District.
April 1
• Candidates are finalized for the August primary, including contests for Butler County eastern district commissioner, coroner and public administrator.
April 2
• Steven Don Rick, 48, of Poplar Bluff is captured after a second police stop, having eluded authorities during the first attempted stop.
April 7
• It is reported the Poplar Bluff City Council took action on funding for new Poplar Bluff Police Department costs for the Shelby Road location.
April 8
• Twin Rivers R-X Superintendent Jeremy Siebert announces he is leaving the district for a job with the Charleston R-I district after six years.
April 11
• The Butler County Sheriff’s Department reports a juvenile was accidentally shot in the back of the head with a .22-caliber rifle by another juvenile. The injured juvenile was taken to a St. Louis hospital for treatment.
April 14
• Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Ralph Stucker talks about a life-threatening complication to surgery after being injured on the job. Stucker was set to return to work the following week.
April 15
• The passing of longtime judge Steve Sharp, of the 35th Judicial Circuit, is announced.
April 16
• Area residents are recognized for their work on Community Acts Day of Caring and Service, in which food is provided to those in need and work is done to clean areas of the city.
April 21
• The body of missing Poplar Bluff man John Bishop, 36, is recovered from the Black River, authorities report.
• The deaths of Angela Lemonds and 6-month-old daughter, Brooklynn Lemonds, are reported in an apparent murder-suicide. Authorities later say health-related factors may have contributed to Lemonds state of mind.
• A new bridge is reported open on South 11th Street.
April 22
• A small plane makes a safe emergency landing in a field after experiencing engine failure.
April 23
• A grain truck fire on Highway 67 stalls traffic for hours on April 22.
• Stoddard County officials report they are investigating a fatal house fire in Dexter.
April 24
• Twin Rivers R-X reports hiring former superintendent Mike Stevenson to serve as interim superintendent during the search for a new person.
April 25
• Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Jeff Johnson talks of receiving the Distinguished Service Award for his work as a liaison officer between the patrol and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
April 28
• Poplar Bluff Street Department officials talk about efforts to replace the city’s old pillar-style street signs with more commonly used reflective signs.
• Information is released regarding Catholic priest Father Gary Carr, who previously served in the region and was accused in sexual abuse cases.
April 29
• Lake Road and O’Neal elementary schools are recognized as two of four Missouri schools to receive recognition for excelling in the Capturing Kids Hearts program.
May 5
• A straight line wind storm damages area homes and businesses May 4.
May 6
• Damage from a train derailment is reported at Campbell due to the May 4 storm.
May 7
• Officials report four officers are injured after a police chase May 6 in Dexter.
May 8
• Ozark Border Electric Cooperative reports recent storms caused the worst damage it has seen since the 2009 ice storm.
May 9
• Three Rivers College basketball coach Gene Bess announces his retirement after 50 years and 1,300 wins.
May 13
• The Butler County Sheriff’s Department announces layoffs due to budget shortfalls.
May 16
• Three Rivers College baseball coach Stacey Burkey announces his retirement after 27 seasons, 604 wins.
May 20
• Robert Allen Chavez is sentenced to 50 years in prison for sex abuse charges involving a teen.
May 21
• Twin Rivers R-X announces it will hire Dr. Ben Johnson as the new superintendent.
May 27
• It is reported Carr Vernon aces a par-4 hole at Westwood Hills Country Club.
June 2
• Poplar Bluff sees peaceful, small protests tied to the Black Lives Matter movement.
June 3
• Steve Davis and Chris Taylor are elected to the Poplar Bluff City Council when municipal elections postponed from April are held June 2.
June 6
• The drowning of a 9-year-old Naylor boy June 4 is reported.
June 9
• Students at Neelyville High School graduate after a postponed ceremony.
June 11
• Members of law enforcement meet with community members to discuss issues of race and “bridging the gap.”
June 16
• Students at Twin Rivers High School graduate June 14.
June 17
• Poplar Bluff City Manager Mark Massingham announces his retirement, effective July 10.
June 18
• It is reported Eric Wyatt has been sentenced to life for the 2019 murder of his fiance’s grandmother.
June 23
• Poplar Bluff City Planner Matt Winters is hired June 22 as the new city manager.
June 24
• It is announced Christy Frazier-Moore will be chair of the Three Rivers College Endowment Trust.
June 27
• It is reported Tyler Smith will be the new Three Rivers College baseball head coach.
June 30
• Poplar Bluff Municipal Library reports a new branch is open on Kanell Boulevard.
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