Stories from Friday, March 13, 2020

I hate to admit it, but I frequently get busy and focus on what I am doing while forgetting life is much bigger than what is happening to me. It is very easy to overlook what is important when running at top speed to get through our daily “to do lists.”...

Tax season is a time scam artists try to separate individuals from refund money, but area senior citizens will have an opportunity to learn how to avoid the scammers’ fraudulent ways. Whitney Quick with the Better Business Bureau will talk about fraud from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, in the Altrusa Room at the Twin Towers...

A Poplar Bluff toddler and his sibling(s) were removed from their mother’s care Thursday after he tested positive for methamphetamine. At about 7:35 p.m., Poplar Bluff Cpl. Steve Nance responded to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center to meet with Missouri Children’s Division personnel...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Brittney R. Wallace, 24, of Kennett was arrested at 8:52 a.m. Friday, March 13, on a Dunklin County warrant for two traffic offenses. She was booked at the Stoddard County Jail. _ Steven D. McNeal, 35, of Poplar Bluff was arrested at 4:27 p.m. Thursday, March 12, on a Stone County failure to appear warrant for larceny. He was booked at the Butler County jail and released on bond...

City firefighters responded at 12:23 a.m. Friday, March 13, to assist police officers at 1706 Sanders St. According to the report, firefighters used a saw and pry tool to open a safe for officers, who were executing a search warrant. _ City firefighters responded at 1:56 p.m. Thursday, March 12, to a motor-vehicle crash behind Hefner’s Furniture and Appliance in the 2600 block of North Westwood Boulevard...

Authorities say a Poplar Bluff couple involved in a “rolling domestic” dispute Thursday morning caused a crash at the Mansion Mall and then fled the scene. The driver, identified as Goeffrey Donald Spears Jr., 31, later was found and arrested at his Spring Street apartment...

Trella A. Helm, 99, of Wappapello, Mo., passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville. Funeral service at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 15, 2020, Greenville Chapel...

Sophie “Dutch” Pruitt, 97, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Friday, March 13, 2020 at Westwood Hills Health Care Center in Poplar Bluff with her family at her side. “Dutch” was born Jan. 29, 1923 in Rhineland, Texas, the daughter of Fred and Margret (Wilde) Kuehler. She was married to J.H. Pruitt, who preceded her in death in 1993...

Poplar Bluff police officers executed a search warrant Thursday night, seizing multiple firearms and drugs, while arresting seven, who as convicted felons, were prohibited from possessing firearms. Arrested were Julius Hightower, 44, Kenny Jackson, 32, Mark Buchanan, 35, Alexa Ramos, 26, Gregory Leach, 30, and Drake Duquion, 22, all of Poplar Bluff, and Jervon Gibbs, 25, of St. Louis...

Community members came out for the seventh annual Eugene Field Leadership Day on Friday as students showcased what they’ve learned this school year.