Stories from Wednesday, October 23, 2019

A Poplar Bluff facility hopes to receive state approval to transition to memory care assisted living units and a separate assisted living senior community, part of a $10 million investment. Owners of RiverMist Assisted Living are applying for approval of a certificate of need, explained Heather Westenhaver, development assistant with Americare Senior Living. The Sikeston-based Americare operates the Poplar Bluff location...

VAN BUREN — A community’s faith and willingness to work together with government agencies continues to improve the lives of Van Buren residents after the 2017 flood. Pastor Dave Truncone of the First Assembly of God Church in Van Buren and his congregation, like many others in the area, pray for ways to help in the continued recovery...

About 20 teenagers from across Southeast Missouri are participating in a pilot program designed to boost their interest in law enforcement careers. The teens are members of an Explorer Post established in Troop E by the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 2017...

The Greenville R-II school district has named its junior and senior high honor rolls for the month of October. Eighth grade Lily Bettis, Madelyn Boshell, Trevor Bratton, Billy Bunyard, Selena Cato, Syntheria Crawford, Brianna Despain, Christian Elston, Easton Evans, Abigail Fox, Wyatt Friley, Drake Gann, Anna Kneir, Jaxon Leach, Sophia Leach, Talan McDaniel, Jace Moore, Kaytlin Payne, Trey Porter, Robbie Rennick, Micah Rhea, McKenna Smith, Sierra Smith, Cole Steward, McKynlie Taylor, Chaney Thiele, Ashlyn West, Journy West, Riley Yokel.. ...

Dear Editor, A bright early fall day awaited the area Veterans Honor Tour last week (Sept. 27). Thirty veterans and 20 some leaders and guardians made the three-day trip. They represented all branches of the military from Poplar Bluff and several towns in SEMO, including Greenville, Bloomfield, Malden and Wardell. ...

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Letter from Birmingham Jail on April 16, 1963 “A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice.” – Sermon in Selma, Alabama on March 8, 1965 These are the words of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and these two quotes were also shared by LeBron James on Twitter to celebrate MLK Day in January of last year. ...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Daniel R. Hill, 21, of Poplar Bluff was arrested at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and unlawful use of a weapon. He was booked at the Butler County jail...

City firefighters responded at 1:47 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, to a report of a natural gas smell at the 1210 Pershing St. residence occupied by Sharron Birkemeir. According to the report, firefighters checked inside and outside the residence, but found no odor or presence of natural gas...

One good opportunity deserves another and I have certainly been privileged to experience two grand history tours recently. I took a walking tour of Main Street in Danville, Virginia. Danville, population a little over 42,000 and an independent city under Virginia law, sits on the Dan River...

“Russia Assumes Mantle of Supreme Power Broker in the Middle East,” proclaimed Britain’s Telegraph. The article began: “Russia’s status as the undisputed power-broker in the Middle East was cemented as Vladimir Putin continued a triumphant tour of capitals traditionally allied to the US.”...

Last week, U.S. Attorney General William Barr told a University of Notre Dame Law School audience that attacks on religious liberty have contributed to a moral decline that’s in part manifested by increases in suicides, mental illness and drug addiction. ...

Fourth grade honor Ivy Benson, Angel Garver, Addison Johnson, Ronnie Lowe, Mattie Musgraves, and Keegan Stratton. Fourth grade merit Landry Benson, Riley Cartmill, Payton Edelman, Kaytlin Hoeltzle, Isabella Johnson, Libby Johnson, Kye King, Emilynn LeGrand, Marlee Musgraves, and Jason Parks...

[mail] Dear Speak Out, people complained about four people deciding where the city hall was to be built. Yet, they are letting one person say where the police station should be located. Something is wrong with this picture. Thank you DAR for your articles covering the council. Am sure it helped getting people to go to the meeting that changed the vote...

To the person who identified herself as a Dexter teacher at (a Friday) football game: You showed zero class on Friday night. All the spectators - students and adults - learned a lesson from you and that is how not to behave. Your rude behavior is exactly what this country needs less of. ...

Poplar Bluff firefighters are on the scene of a house fire at 1408 Grove St. They were called around noon Wednesday, by a Poplar Bluff police officer already on scene. Members of Municipal Utilities were also called. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available...

WAPPAPELLO — After 48 long years, the Wappapello Bass Masters Club is calling it quits and disbanding, and while the remaining members are saddened, they also are happy knowing they will be helping local youths through their support of another local organization...

It’s almost hard to believe, but Missouri’s fall duck seasons are just around the corner. The state’s North and Middle zone youth duck seasons are scheduled for this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday. Fortunately, it looks like there are plenty of ducks in the region, thanks to some cooler weather lately...

Wesley Cord Lewis, 58, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Wesley was born March 26, 1961 in Poplar Bluff to the late Lonnie B. Lewis and Olivia D. (Shaw) Lewis. He grew up in Poplar Bluff and attended Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church...

The first of several alcohol compliance checks of local businesses recently resulted in three being found in violation for selling alcohol to underage patrons. On Sept. 20, Poplar Bluff Police Department conducted its first of several upcoming alcohol compliance checks of local businesses, police Capt. Darron Moore said in a press release...

DONIPHAN — Claudia Renee Payne,52, formerly of Ripley County, died Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 in Owensboro, Ky. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with a memorial service to follow at 1 p.m. A private family burial will take place at a later date in Oak Grove Cemetery...

Shannon L. Hurst, 46, of Poplar Bluff, passed away on Oct. 22, 2019 at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis. She was born on June 29, 1973 to Norman and Harriett (Carpenter) Richmond in Poplar Bluff. Shannon graduated from Doniphan High School in 1991 and then graduated from Arkansas State University in 1993 as a registered nurse. She enjoyed playing the piano as well. Her greatest love was for her dog, Candy...

Sacred Heart Catholic School has announced its October students of the month. Isaias Martinez has been named the pre-K student of the month for October. He is in Mrs. Miller’s pre-K class at Sacred Heart. Isaias’ family consists of his mom and dad and sister and brother, Jasmin and Diego. He enjoys hugs and watching movies with his family...

For the second time this week, Poplar Bluff firefighters were called to the scene of a fire involving a vacant home. Just before noon Wednesday, a fire was reported at 1408 Grove St., said Chief Ralph Stucker. When the first truck arrived, firefighters found a “boarded-up house. It had a tremendous amount of smoke pouring out of every corner of it,” Stucker explained...

Local needy families are being given another option to help make sure their children get proper sleep.