Stories from Monday, May 18, 2020

PIEDMONT — Billy Eugene Holcomb Sr., 86, of Patterson passed away Thursday, May 14, 2020, at his residence. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 18, 2020, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2020, also in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial will follow in Masonic Cemetery, Piedmont...

Eleven-year-old rockabilly tribute artist Finley Watkins of Bernie, Missouri, was featured on NBC’s “Little Big Shots” on Sunday night, an appearance marking yet another milestone in his musical career. The television show is hosted by Melissa McCarthy and spotlights talented children from across the United States. ...

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center is urging the local community to seek emergency care when needed – without delay. If you experience a medical emergency such as chest pain that may be a heart attack or stroke symptoms, getting care timely will support the best possible outcome. As the hospital responds to COVID-19 it is taking extra precautions, going above and beyond all normal efforts, to keep the hospital clean and safe for patients and caregivers...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Chase A. Best, 30, of Dexter was arrested at 12:42 a.m. Monday, May 18, on suspicion of DWI and failure to drive on the right half of the road resulting in an accident. He was booked at the Stoddard County Jail. _ Kylea J. Hunter, 18, of Poplar Bluff was arrested at 2:28 a.m. Sunday, May 17, on two counts of possession of a controlled substance (heroin and Ecstasy) and second-degree drug trafficking. She was booked at the Butler County jail...

City firefighters responded at 5:20 p.m. Saturday, May 17, to an alarm at the Poplar Bluff Regional Center, 2503 Sunset Terrace. It was investigation only. _ City firefighters responded at 3:36 a.m. Monday, May 18, to a report of an unauthorized burn on Sutton Street...

Butler County has seen its second new confirmed positive case of COVID-19 since the state started reopening efforts.

Three Rivers College has two upcoming online information sessions, “Explore TRC, Virtually: Ag and Forestry” at 7 p.m. May 26, and “Explore TRC, Virtually: Paramedic” at 7 p.m. May 28.

Ruth Ann Berry-Austin, age 79, resident of Coweta, Oklahoma, formerly of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, went to be with her Lord and Savior Friday morning, May 15, 2020, in Coweta, Oklahoma, surrounded by her family. Ruth Ann was born Dec. 5, 1940, in Qulin, Missouri, and was the daughter of Arthur Wolters and Dorothy Margret (Garner) Wolters...

WILLIAMSVILLE — Chester Justin Bunyard, 41, of Williamsville passed away May 10, 2020. He was born Oct. 28, 1978, in Cape Girardeau to parents, William “Dale” and Theresa (Haddock) Bunyard. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Samuel and Fern Haddock of Lowndes, and grandfathers, John William “Bill” Bunyard and Raymon Cothern Sr...

FREDERICKTOWN — Judith Ann Kegley was born Dec. 6, 1942, at Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the daughter of Loyd Anderson and Rubye (Poole) Anderson Taylor, and passed away on May 13, 2020, at Evelyn’s House in St. Louis, Missouri, at age 77 years. Judy was preceded in death by her parents and stepfather, Lowell Taylor...

“I think we’re gong to have safer elections than we’ve ever had because we’re actually focused on this.” That’s the message Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft wants voters to know as the June 2 municipal election approaches, and others aren’t far behind in August and November...

Authorities investigated reports of two vehicles being shot in less than an hour while each was traveling on Butler County roads Friday night. The shots were believed to have been fired by an air rifle or pellet gun, and no suspects have been found. No injuries were reported...

The Poplar Bluff Veterans Council will not host its usual Memorial Day event this year because of concerns with COVID-19.

A previously controversial zoning change for a section of Katy Lane near Barron Road was approved Monday night after a compromise was reached between the city, owners and neighbors. It was one of five items approved by the Poplar Bluff City Council, including changes to the application process to sell liquor by the drink...

Butler County has two additional cases of COVID-19, with the total now at 33. The county has seen four new cases this week.

UPDATE 2 p.m. Sunday Butler County Health Department reported two new positive cases of COVID-19 on Sunday afternoon, bringing the county total to 37. The county has seen eight new...