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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

It was the 76th Annual Meeting of the membership of the Ozark Border Electric Cooperative. There was important business conducted, but it was not a typical a business meeting. It had an atmosphere of a family reunion or old time church meeting. Blue Grass music and gospel music filled the Bess Activities Center on the Three Rivers College Campus. Old friends greeted one another; everyone finding time for the picnic lunch and registering to win prizes in the drawing that would be held later. Stanley Estes, General Manager for Ozark Border, says that's exactly the way this meeting is supposed to feel. “Ozark Border is unique. Our customers are actually our members, and it feels like family because many of these people

It's been fifty years since Neelyville last passed a bond issue for its school district. According to Neelyville Superintendent Brad Hagood, never has the need for funding been more desperate. Neelyville voters are being asked to pass a $1.5 millon bond issue. If approved, the money would go to such things as building a new safe room and replacing roof. He says the district's buildings are showing their age, with damaged ceiling tiles having been replaced again and again. The money would come in the form of an increase in property tax, an increase of about 33 cents per $100 assessed. The current tax rate is $3.04, the new rate if the bond passes would be $3.37.  Though the amount

UPDATED 7/29 - PB City Council voted unanimously to allow for up to one year contracts for City Manager position. Mayor Angela Pearson announced after a 1hr and 45min closed session that Heath Kaplan was offered the position of City Manager and he has accepted the position. Kaplan is currently Finance and Management Services Director for Muskegon County, Michigan. A special meeting of the Poplar Bluff City Council is being held tonight (7/29) at 6pm with two agenda items. First, the council will discuss (and possibly vote) on amending the city's ordinances: WORKSHOP ITEM: The City Council will review an amendment to the Code of Ordinances relative to term of office for the City Manager position. And then the Council

In a letter dated June 25, Stephens addressed Dr. Randy Grassham of the college's Board of Trustees, requesting that the board grant his sabbatical request. The sabbatical would take effect immediately and continue through November 30, 2014. “During this period, I will be available as directed by the Board to perform consulting services to the college in matters related to grants, construction, legislative, and/or funding matters,” wrote Stephenson. He further requested that at the end of the sabbatical period, he be released from his obligations under his employment agreement with the Board of Trustees. “I understand we are both legally obligated under this employment agreement, however, I am requesting termination of the agreement by mutual consent,” he further wrote. Stephenson