The end of 2021 saw the loss of two great community leaders but also the announcement of a new employer for Poplar Bluff and funding for new projects that will take place in 2022.
Here are some of the significant stories of the end of 2021.
Nov. 2
• Friends and family share memories of Poplar Bluff leader Betty Absheer, who died Oct. 30, after a short illness.
• Authorities release information on the arrest of Arnold Felton, 55, of Poplar Bluff, who faced charges related to a weekend exchange of gunfire that hit an unoccupied home in the 1000 block of Nooney.
• The East Carter Redbirds finish fourth Oct. 30 at the MSHSAA Class 1 state championship in Springfield.
Nov. 3
• The results of the Nov. 2 election are reported, with a use tax for Butler County failing for a third time, with a vote of 794-2004.
• Pepsi MidAmerica names a building at its location in Butler County after retiring employee Mike Jarrell. • Poplar Bluff Mules swim team wins first Nov. 2 at the SEMO Conference swimming and diving championships in Cape Girardeau.
Nov. 4
• Three Rivers College holds a ribbon cutting ceremony Nov. 3 at the expanded Harry Crisp Sr. Technology Center.
• The owners of Forum Fifty Fifty talk about their renovated downtown building, the opening of their concert venue and plans for an indoor skate park.
Nov. 5
• Members of the Poplar Bluff Historic Depot talk about plans to use a $60,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to continue renovations at the downtown building.
Nov. 6
• Restoration starts on the Rodgers Theatre marquee.
• The Poplar Bluff Housing Authority is awarded a $239,000 grant that will help fund a coordinator to help residents with various needs.
Nov. 9
• Local officials talk about a Nov. 7 appearance on “60 Minutes” to talk about the Second Amendment Preservation Act.
•The Van Buren girls cross country team wins a team first place title Nov. 6 at the MSHSAA Class 1 championships. Nov. 10
• Kayln Trasell Johnson of Poplar Bluff is sentenced Nov. 9 to 35 years in prison for his role in the January 2020 shooting death of another man.
• Friends and family share memories of community leader Evelyn Whitworth, who died Nov. 6 at the age of 93.
Nov. 13
• An announcement is made that all of Poplar Bluff’s lower elementary buildings have been named ‘Best Elementary Schools’ by U.S. News & World Report, with three campuses placing among the top 15 schools in Missouri — Eugene Field, Oak Grove and Lake Road.
Nov. 16
• Poplar Bluff native Jim Bidewell is inducted Nov. 14 into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. The former Portageville coach ended with a career record of 542-170 over 28 seasons.
Nov. 18
• Bennie D. Foster, 55, of Poplar Bluff is killed Nov. 17 in an officer-involved shooting on Highway 53. Poplar Bluff police officers were responding to a burglar alarm at a business, reported the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which took over the investigation of the shooting. Foster was armed when confronted by officers and behaving in a “threatening manner,” officials said.
• The area is rattled Nov. 17 by a magnitude 4.0 earthquake with an epicenter near Williamsville.
Nov. 20
• Former funeral home owner and former Butler County coroner Andy Moore is arrested Nov. 18 on felony charges of receiving stolen property.
Nov. 23
• The annual Snow Ball on Nov. 20 for the Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland raises $38,000.
Nov. 24
• An anonymous donor gives $20,000 to help restore the Rodgers Theatre marquee.
Nov. 27
• Missouri Highlands Health Care announces plans to construct a new central office on Barron Road.
• Neelyville Superintendent Debra Parish announces she will retire in July.
Nov. 30
• Joshua Koonce pleads guilty to the 2018 stabbing death of Jimmy Casey in a Stoddard County court.
Dec. 2
• Poplar Bluff police discuss the investigation into a Nov. 30 shooting on the east side that left one man injured. No suspects had been identified at the time of the report.
• Kahlil Gregory Smith of Poplar Bluff is sentenced to 18 years in the 2019 shooting death of a Thayer man. Dec. 7
• Poplar Bluff city officials predict a balanced budget for 2022.
Dec. 10
• The Poplar Bluff Heroes team is recognized for being one of four in the nation to reach a $250,000 fundraising goal for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Dec. 14
• Local residents begin to organize donations and assistance for those impacted by the Dec. 10 series of tornadoes that struck sections of Missouri, Kentucky and other states.
Dec. 15
• Neelyville and Poplar Bluff cheerleaders earn state honors bringing home first place wins in their divisions.
• Cindy-Lou Morgan of Poplar Bluff is named the recipient of the Three Rivers College Alumni Star award.
• Poplar Bluff Mules’ Justin Mitchell and Gatlin Taylor reach 100 career wins.
Dec. 16
• Thomas Woodham, 38, of Poplar Bluff is sentenced to 60 years in prison on multiple counts of child sex abuse. The charges stem from a 2017 investigation by Poplar Bluff police.
Dec. 17
• True Manufacturing announces it will build a new facility in Poplar Bluff that will include a $21 million facility and 175 new jobs.
Dec. 18
• Elaine Libla is honored in December by Gov. Mike Parson for her 31 years of service to the Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society.
Dec. 21
• The Butler County Sheriff’s Department releases information on an officer-involved shooting which occurred Dec. 19 while responding to a 911 call regarding a sexual assault on Highway N. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is called in to investigate, which is standard procedure in such cases, officials report.
Dec. 22
• Members of The Stage Company discuss plans for the Method Playhouse, the new location where productions will be held. Renovations are ongoing in the space at First United Methodist Church.
Dec. 23
• Members of the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department discuss planned upgrades at Whiteley Park that include new soccer fields and parking.
• The Doniphan Donettes win the 24th Lady Royals Christmas Classic in Broseley.
Dec. 24
• Poplar Bluff native Coy Rahlmann, 20, talks about earning a world ranking at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo held in Las Vegas in early December.
Dec. 28
• A gift of $30,000 is given to Recycling Grace Women’s Center to help with construction of a new facility.
• The RU Recovery Program of Westwood Baptist Church makes plans to open a resale shop to help fund programs.
• A new record high of 77 degrees is set for Poplar Bluff on Christmas Day.
Dec. 30
• David John Young of Ironton is sentenced to life for his part in the 2017 murders of an Ellington couple at their home.
• The 34th Poplar Bluff Showdown is won by Fayetteville on Dec. 29.