POPLAR BLUFF SUPERINTENDENT SAYS HE IS EXCITED FOR SCHOOL TO BEGIN TODAY
Students are returning to class today in Poplar Bluff and school administrators say that are excited for school to begin.
We spoke with Poplar Bluff R-1 Superintendent Scott Dill ahead of today’s school opening.
“Today is the day of days, the first day of school, and we are extremely excited to have our kids back. It's been a long summer up here at the school and we're excited to have all of our kids come back to us today. You know it was nice to have the luxury of just working on school stuff this summer.
The facilities are great and we're so thankful to the community for entrusting those to us but at the core of everything I do I'm a teacher and so it was really nice to focus on teaching and learning this summer and sharpen our efforts there to ensure that we were ready to go academically for the kids this fall. The main thing, I would just ask this of everyone involved, just be patient give yourself extra time understand the traffic will be heavy these first couple weeks probably but particularly Thursday and Friday the traffic will be rough.
Our buses, the routes we have planned out, those are approximations. We hope that we hit that schedule, but I would ask that everyone is patient. We know that there's probably going to be some problems out there tomorrow, we anticipate that, and we will adjust accordingly. But we want to do the best we can and our primary goal is to get the kids to school safe and then get them back home just as safely.
One of our main focus areas for this school year has been the reinvigoration of our professional learning communities and simply put that means that we are recommitting ourselves to the good work of recognizing that we are a public school and we openly embrace every student that walks through our door.
And for our purposes all means all and we want to ensure that all of our students are learning at high-levels. So we will commit ourselves to doing whatever it takes to ensure that happens for all of our kids as we move through this school year.”
POPLAR BLUFF, TWIN RIVERS, AND DONIPHAN TO BEGIN CLASSES TODAY
Numerous schools around Southeast Missouri will be opening their doors to students today.
Schools beginning class today include Advance R-4, Bloomfield R-14, Campbell R-2, Cooter R-4, Crowley Ridge State School, Current River State School, Doniphan R-1, Hayti R-2, Kennett, North Pemiscot R-1, Poplar Bluff R-1, Senath Hornersville, Shady Grove State School, and Twin Rivers R-10.
On Friday, both Clarkton and Holcomb will be beginning their school year.
TWO POPLAR BLUFF RESIDENTS ARRESTED ON METH AND MARIJUANA CHARGES IN BUTLER COUNTY
Two Poplar Bluff residents have been taken into custody on meth and marijuana charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, on Wednesday 44 year old Bridgette Alcala and 41 year old Randy Stegall were each arrested on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.
Both Alcala and Stegall are also facing charges of possession of marijuana 11 to 35 grams and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Following their arrest, both were held at the Butler County Sheriff’s Department.
AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING BURGLARY AT STEELE PHARMACY
Authorities in Steele are investigating a burglary at an area business.
Steele Chief of Police Billy Joe Stanfield tells KWOC News that during the early morning hours of August 15th, officers were dispatched to Greene Pharmacy in reference to a burglar alarm being activated.
Officers arrived on scene and found the front door had been forced open. Stanfield says that pharmaceutical drugs and several hundred dollars’ worth of change were taken during the burglary.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and Pemiscot County Sheriff Department are assisting the Steele Police Department with the investigation and anyone who might have information is asked to call Steele Police at 573-695-3411.
TWO STORE MANAGERS SENTENCED ON FEDERAL CHARGES INVOLVING FOOD STAMP FRAUD
Two Sikeston residents have been sentenced on federal charges involving food stamp fraud.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 63 year old Larry White Senior, and 35 year old Erica White were sentenced Wednesday on charges of misusing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Officials say that Larry White was manager of Stop-n-Go Fish Market in Sikeston, and his daughter Erica White was manager of Stop-n-Go Mini Mart Store in New Madrid.
Both admitted that they illegally redeemed up to $549,000 in SNAP benefits between December 2010 and March 2014 by exchanging SNAP benefits for cash and other items.
Both pled guilty in May to multiple felony counts of unauthorized use of SNAP benefits and conspiracy.
Larry White was sentenced to 33 months in prison, while Erica White was sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in prison.
STARS AND STRIPES MUSEUM TO HOST PROGRAM ON MISSOURI POOR FARMS
The Stars and Stripes Museum and Library in Bloomfield will be hosting a program later this month about Missouri Poor Farms.
The program, by Dr. Courtney Kisat, Assistant Professor of History and Secondary Social Studies Education Program Coordinator at Southeast Missouri State University, is free and open to the public.
Dr. Kisat has visited many genealogy rooms throughout Missouri and conducted research on Poor Farms in Missouri. The program has been scheduled for 6:30 pm on Monday, August 28th.
The Stars and Stripes Museum also recently celebrated their 75,000th visitor on Wednesday, August 2nd.
