Stories from Friday, March 22, 2019

SILVA, Mo. — Paul Elmer Pigg, 96, of Greenville, Mo., died Wednesday, March 20, 2019 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 22 at New Hope General Baptist Church, Silva. The funeral will be at noon Saturday, March 23 at New Hope General Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Greenville Cemetery, Greenville...

United Country Real Estate, the largest seller of land and recreational properties nationwide, recently announced its new partnership with Realtree, the world’s leader in camouflage design, marketing and licensing. The companies combined forces to create a new service called Realtree United Country Hunting Properties, specifically catering to buyers and sellers interested in hunting, outdoor recreation and conservation properties. ...

The Boy Scouts of America has partnered with the school district to provide students a hands-on opportunity to explore programs offered at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center that they may later be interested in pursuing. “Students, along with their parents, explore local careers and learn about the educational opportunities we have to offer,” explained Charles Kinsey, TCC director. “We plan to work through every program, which is 11 in total.”...

Dozens of Poplar Bluff High School band and choir students received exemplary ratings at the Three Rivers MSHSAA District Musical Festival held Saturday, March 9, at the Tinnin Center, earning spots at next month’s state festival in Columbia. Receiving one ratings were choir members Eva Bedell, Molly Berry, Ross Dare, Jayvon Holloway and Allison Knowlton for their vocal solos; Isaac Reid, Jayvon Holloway, Jacob Joseph, Michael Joseph, Michael Thom and Michael Allen Ward Jr. ...

Joyce Lynn (Hall) Brenner, of Buckeye, Ariz., died unexpectedly Monday, March 18, 2019 in Arizona. A service will be held at Midland Church in Poplar Bluff at 6 p.m. on March 27. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be sent to Mac’s Mission Rescue www.iampitbullstrong.com or PO Box 444, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702.

Hydro Adventures of Poplar Bluff will be hosting the 2nd Annual FREE Community Egg Hunt Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. This family-friendly event is the perfect way to hop into spring. Activities will include egg hunts, egg races, face painting, crafts and more. While most activities on the day are free, donations benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of $2 and $5 will be requested upon entry to the event...

By HARDY BILLINGTON The House may soon consider bills dealing with two controversial educational issues – charter schools and education savings accounts. Before voting, I would like to hear your thoughts. The charter school bill is HB 581. Currently, charter schools are only operating in the Kansas City and St. ...

After nine years of hard work, Lake Road Elementary made being known as “that school” something positive. Lake Road earned the status of being named a National Blue Ribbon School last October. This program recognizes schools where students achieve at very high levels or that make significant progress in closing the achievement gap. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program sets a standard of excellence for all schools striving for the highest level of achievement...

Transparency is a pretty word that people in public service like to throw around to show they are one of us, that they are working for every member of the general public. Most find it’s a lot harder to “walk the walk,” when it comes down to handling new situations, “gray areas” and issues that are just plain uncomfortable...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Gerald Lynn Rains, 71, of Piedmont, Mo., died Thursday, March 21 at his home in Piedmont. Visitation will be Sunday from 1 p.m. at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff with the funeral following at 3 p.m. Interment will follow at Kearbey cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Three area men face drug trafficking charges after local, state and federal authorities seized a total of about 13 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and nearly 1 pound of heroin, with a street value in excess of $500,000. On Tuesday, Poplar Bluff Police Detective Corey Mitchell said, the department received information about suspected ongoing drug activity at Gino Wells’ Doniphan residence...

Eugene Field Elementary students shined with empowerment in front of community leaders to inspire others, leaving several in tears of joy Friday during the school’s annual Leadership Day. Students welcomed a gymnasium full of school administrators, business leaders and visiting school representatives from the area to show the community “This is Us!”...

City firefighters responded at 6:57 p.m. Thursday, March 21, to motor-vehicle crash at the intersection of Shelby Road and Kanell Boulevard. According to the report, firefighters assessed the vehicles’ occupants for injuries and helped with extrication...

Steel support piles stretched three stories high Friday afternoon at the site of a Poplar Bluff Industrial Park overpass project, as those involved in the four-year effort discussed its progress. Those support piles mark where the bridge deck will go when work is completed on the retaining walls that sit on either side of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. About 25 trains a day pass through this section of farmland southwest of the industrial park...