People throughout Southeast Missouri are talking about the Haunted Depot at the Poplar Bluff Historic Train Depot in Downtown Poplar Bluff. A huge group of volunteers have come together to put on a fund raising event to help raise funds for the restoration of the Depot. Chairman of the Haunted Depot committee Rick Carl Woolard tells us, “We have some great folks who have given there time and energy to create an awesome haunted attraction that will scare you.”

Poplar Bluff, MO October 20, 2011 This week the Open Access Petition Group traversed a major milestone by gathering their 2000th signature for the Open Access Petition. Leaving “roughly 900 signatures” to go, says Brian Becker, the Group’s coordinator. "Roughly 2,900 signatures" are needed to place this on the ballot acknowledged Doug Bagby, City Manager, in the Daily American Republic.

Jack Becker, a fifth grader, saw an opportunity after visiting his uncle's pumpkin patch last weekend. The two struck a deal and Becker had secured a quality product at the time when demand is high. After a quick trip to the local stores of Poplar Bluff, Becker established a price of $3 for medium-sized pumpkins and 3 small pumpkins for $5.

The Open Access Petition group got a surge of signatures over the weekend, pushed well past the 1/2 way point and now have less than 1300 signatures remaining to put the Open Access issue to a vote of the people. Poplar Bluff City Manager, Doug Bagby, was reported in the Daily American Republic on June 6 as saying, "'roughly 2900 signatures' are needed to put the issue on the ballot." Brian Becker, owner of semo.net, stated, "Our group gathered more than 300 signatures in under 10 hours this weekend. The support for this being on the ballot is amazing."

PRESS RELEASE: Doug Libla, Republican candidate for State Senate in the 25th District, announced today that his campaign raised $180,020 during the 3rd quarter reporting period that ended September 30th, and has $172,787.50 in cash on hand. Those figures exceeded the campaign’s goals and far outpaced typical early fundraising for first-time Senate candidates. “Our campaign is very appreciative and humbled by the outpouring of support we’ve received in the few days of entering this race,” Libla stated. The 3rd quarter total is especially remarkable considering that Libla joined the race and established his committee on August 25th, giving him barely over one full month—37 days—to raise funds during the 92 day quarter.

We are looking to hire a couple more people for $100 for 10 hours of work this weekend: Saturday (11am to 5:30 with lunch) and Sunday (1:30pm to 5:30). Qualifications that are helpful for the positions are good communications skills, willing to walk door to door, a good listener and a great heart. Must be 18 years of age or older. Contact brian@semo.net for more information or call 573.686.9114 and press 7.