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Emily Parks wants to be Butler County’s new County Collector. She feels she has both the experience and the desire to do an outstanding job in the position. “I’m a sixth generation Butler Countian,” said Parks. She knows the county well, and with a degree in business administration from the University of Missouri, she feels that she is well-equipped for the position. Since graduating with that degree in 2004, she has held three different positions. She started her career as an account manager in political fundraising, and in 2008 she was appointed by then Missouri Matt Blunt to fill a vacancy of the position of Circuit Court Clerk in Butler County. Then in 2010, she became the Director of Development

Chris Michel says not only can he do the job as County Collector for Butler County, he already is. “After Brenda Fox died, the Office of Commissions in Jefferson City contacted me within the week, and asked if I would take this position. I agreed, and I hit the ground running,” said Michel. That was September 18, and since then Michel said he knows he has already done much to improve the office, and he would like the opportunity to continue bringing a technological and professional edge to the office. “I’m really not a politician,” he explained. “I’ve got 30 years of business experience.” He started back in 1982, operating one of the first One-Hour Photo Labs in the country. His experience with computers goes even

Poplar Bluff High School Principal Mike Kiehne recently presented senior Namara Haq a letter of commendation on behalf of the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program. Haq joins about 24,000 commended students throughout the nation for her exceptional academic promise, placing among the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million students who took the 2013 Preliminary SAT qualifying test.

Several Poplar Bluff High School students under the instruction of vocal music director Joshua Allen were named to the All-District Choir during an audition on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Cape Central High School. The students will participate in a concert on Saturday, Nov. 8, in Cape Girardeau. In addition, the upperclassmen will to eligible to audition to perform with the All-State Choir.

POPLAR BLUFF – When long-time Butler County Collector Brenda Fox died in August, she left not only many mourning friends and family but also a vacant county post. In November, Butler County voters will have the opportunity to elect a new county collector. Three names are currently in contention for the post: Chris Michel, Emily Parks, and Tammy Marler. CHRIS MICHEL - DEMOCRAT Michel believes he can bring “exceptional service” to the post through both customer service and teamwork at the Butler County Courthouse. “Eight years ago, I lost my wife to cancer and at that point I really needed to concentrate on being both a mom and a dad to my sons,” said Michel. But now the boys are