When I talk to individuals throughout the district, many have heard about the Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to use 40-plus-year-old laws to close coal power plants, regulate puddles of water and restrict how children can help on family farms. This week, I am focusing on how another 40-year-old law, the Endangered Species Act, is increasingly used to erode private property rights, restrict how farmers use their land and water, and could destroy Missouri’s timber industry. Most everyone agrees there is value in preventing species from extinction. The problem with the Endangered Species Act is that it does not fulfill its mission of recovering species. Since the law was enacted, more than 1,500 U.S. domestic species and sub-species have been listed
- Oct 03,
POPLAR BLUFF - The cobblestone streets practically echo Poplar Bluff’s past when downtown was the center of the city’s economic life. During October, two big events are scheduled to draw people in to the downtown area. First is the Iron Horse Festival, to be held Saturday, October 4. Later in October, the Iron Mountain Market Fall Festival will be held Saturday the 25th. Iron Horse Festival This year’s Iron Horse Festival will include perennial favorite events like the Grape Stomp Fundraiser for Cape Arrowhead. Three-person teams are behind organized, those wishing for information or to register for that event may call Judy at 573-686-1141. A Lucille Ball Look-Alike Contest will also be held there. Another highlight of the Iron Horse
Oct 03,JEFFERSON CITY - District 25 Missouri state Sen. Doug Libla Wednesday expressed surprise and disappointment regarding the Missouri Public Service Commission's (PSC) decision to deny a rehearing for Noranda Aluminum in its ongoing feud with Ameren Missouri. Noranda and about 40 other entities requested the rehearing, reports show. Many of the organizations were not heard from in Noranda's initial request to the PSC for a rate decrease from the utilities giant, according to official documents. Records indicate Ameren increased rates statewide by 43 percent since 2008 and the electric powerhouse now seeks an additional 9.6 percent hike. That equals nearly $10 more on ratepayers' monthly bills if the appeal receives an affirmative nod from the PSC. Ameren's own records, which
Oct 02,POPLAR BLUFF – There is just something about autumn that invites a good scare. Maybe it’s the way the cooling wind whips through the baring trees, whispering in conspiratorial tones. Maybe it’s because you always hear that crunch of leaves, as if you are being followed. Subrina Berger loves that feeling. “It’s exhilarating to feel a little scared,” she explains. “Ever since I moved back to Poplar Bluff in 2004, I’ve wanted to do a haunted house. And I mean REALLY do a haunted house!” she exclaimed. She shared her scary dream, or nightmare, with Poplar Bluff’s Kiwanis Club and found support for the idea. “I’ve done other haunted themes, like with the Halloween Safe Zone and the Black River
Oct 02,We sat down with Heath Kaplan in the council chambers at city hall at 8:30 on Friday morning, September 19th, after his first 30 days on the job as Poplar Bluff’s new city manager. During our hour and a half interview, Kaplan was forthright, knowledgeable and assertive. There wasn’t any issue we touched upon that he didn’t have a well thought out answer for. One cannot help but be impressed by his passion and drive. Kaplan’s now a Poplar Bluffian and talks as though this is his hometown now. Given you’ve been on the job 30 days now, what are your impressions of Poplar Bluff? I’ve been very pleased with the city. There is no shortage of individuals here who
Oct 01,