support@semo.net
1573 686-9114​​​​

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Noranda, an aluminum smelter based in New Madrid, is the largest employer in Southeast Missouri with over 888 employees. Located in the St. Jude Industrial Park, the plant covers over 3000 acres with more than 40 acres under roof. Electricity is one-third of all operational expenses for Noranda; last year they paid Ameren $160,000,000 for electricity. Ameren’s rate to Noranda has increased by 40% since 2007, and more than $44M since 2009. Noranda requested the Public Service Commission to reduce their electric rate from Ameren stating that without a reduction it would be difficult for them to keep the factory open. There’s been an epidemic of aluminum smelter shutdowns over the recent years as 32 smelters

On 08-10-14 at approximately 2:30 am, Officers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department were dispatched to the 300 block of Roxie Dr in reference to shots fired into a residence. Witnesses reported that Christopher Gainwell (25 years old, of Poplar Bluff) demanded entry to a residence in the 300 block of Roxie Dr. When the residents refused to let him in, Gainwell produced a handgun and fired three shots into the residence, through a window at the front of the house. No injuries were reported. At the time of this report, Christopher Gainwell was also wanted on outstanding warrants for unrelated felony charges. Christopher Gainwell should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with knowledge of Gainwell's whereabouts is encouraged to

Kids young and old get excited as they pack their cars with lawn chairs and blankets to head off toward a night under the heavens to watch a movie. The concept is as American as it gets, with the first drive-in theater opening in June 1933 in New Jersey. By 1950 the invention made its way to the Mark Twain National Forest as Clark Davis from Ellington built the 21 Drive-in Theater. The theater is located 10 miles northeast of Van Buren, 16 miles west of Ellsinore and 16 miles south of Ellington along Highway 21, but that didn't stop the crowds from coming out and enjoying this new way to watch the movies. Three years later, Mr. & Mrs. Jeffries,

Photo: MINIs parked while their owners refuel on Hayden’s Pink Lemonade and BBQ Sandwiches Poplar Bluff, Mo. - The MINI TAKES THE STATES tour for Mini Cooper owners passed through Poplar Bluff on a last-minute detour between Memphis and St. Louis on Monday, August 4. When the Mini Coopers pulled out of Memphis earlier that day, over 450 vehicles were on the tour which began in San Francisco on July 26 and makes a jagged-route across the states to Boston by August 9. John Clark, owner of Hayden's BBQ on Maud Street, got word late last week that Hayden's ranking on TripAdvisor.com caused the tour to select Hayden's for their lunchtime stop. The local favorite rolled out the pink carpet

Poplar Bluff, Mo. - The Poplar Bluff City Council voted 5-2 to approve a one-year contract for City Manager with Heath Kaplan this evening. On Wednesday of last week, at a special session of the city council, members approved 7-0 to hire Mr. Kaplan.  On Friday, the city issued a press release introducing their new city manager. Tonight's vote was whether to issue Kaplan a one-year contract laying out the duties, salary, termination procedures, benefits and allowances. Council members Betty Absheer and Ed Degaris voted no. Mayor Pearson, Mayor Pro Tem Rushin, along with councilmen Brannum, Tinsley and Johson voted yes for the contract. At the beginning of the meeting during the citizen input portion, former city councilwoman McVey challenged the council for