FORMER POPLAR BLUFF MAYOR ED DEGARIS PASSES AWAY
A former mayor of Poplar Bluff has died.
According to Poplar Bluff city officials, Ed DeGaris passed away Wednesday night.
DeGaris served as Poplar Bluff mayor from 2011 to 2017 and sat on the Poplar Bluff City Council from 2009 to 2020.
Prior to his work on the City Council, DeGaris reached the rank of Lieutenant in the 33 years that he served in the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
In addition he served on multiple area boards including for Downtown Poplar Bluff and the Butler County Community Resource Council.
Outside of work, DeGaris also was a founding member and helped build Grace Christian Fellowship from its start in 1993.
BODY FOUND IN MISSISSIPPI RIVER NEAR PORTAGEVILLE
Authorities are investigating a body that was found Thursday in the Mississippi River.
According to the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department, at around 12:30 pm Thursday, the sheriff’s department received a call that a body was found in the river next to a barge near Portageville.
Both Sheriff’s Deputies and the New Madrid County Coroner responded to the scene and located the body.
No information was available about the identity or possible cause of death of the deceased.
Officials say that an autopsy is pending.
We will keep following this story for you and will provide updates when they are available.
DATE SET FOR ST. JUDE VIP BANQUET IN POPLAR BLUFF
A date has been announced for the 6th annual St. Jude VIP Banquet in Poplar Bluff.
The event has been scheduled for Friday, August 12th at the Black River Coliseum and will include food, raffles, games, live and silent auctions, and more.
Doors will open at 5:30 pm with dinner starting at 6:45 pm. Tickets can be purchased online at EventBrite.com.
STATE OFFICIALS ARE ASKING PUBLIC TO REPORT TURKEY SIGHTINGS
Missouri state officials are asking for the public’s help in monitoring the state’s wild turkey population.
The Missouri Department of Conservation is asking community members to report wild turkey sightings through the Wild Turkey Brood Survey.
MDC has conducted an annual Wild Turkey Brood Survey every year since 1959 to determine the success of the hatch.
You can find more information on how to report turkey sightings at mdc.mo.gov.
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR FUTURE INTERSTATE 57 PROJECT IN BUTLER COUNTY
A contract has been awarded for upgrades to US Highway 67 in Butler County.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a $7.4 million dollar contract was awarded contingent on receiving the additional funding from the partnering entity to H.R. Quadri Contractors, for Phase 1A of the Future Interstate 57 project.
The project will upgrade U.S. 67 from Route 160 to County Road 360 in Butler County.
Phase 1A received $2.7 million dollars in funding through Governor Mike Parson’s cost share program and will receive funding from the city of Poplar Bluff.
The contract was one of many awarded for various Southeast Missouri projects during the regular meeting of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission on Thursday.
OXLY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT TO HOST FISH FRY THIS WEEKEND
A Fire Department in Ripley County will be hosting a fish fry this weekend.
The Oxly Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry will be from 2 to 6 pm on Saturday at the Oxly Fire Department. Food to be served includes fish, hush puppies, fries, and more.
All proceeds will go to assist the Oxly Fire Department with everyday operations and station improvements.
