Stories from Monday, August 24, 2020

A 27-year-old Jonesboro, Arkansas, man was killed in a one-vehicle crash at 7:47 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, on Highway 51, three miles south of Qulin. According to the report, Austin R. Pruitt was operating a 2005 Ford pickup southbound when it ran off the right side of the road and overturned...

A Poplar Bluff man was treated for a gunshot wound Friday afternoon after he accidentally shot himself. Butler County Deputy Derek House contacted a 66-year-old man at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center about the shooting, which had occurred at his home in the 1600 block of Cravens Road...

MALDEN — The search for a Malden man charged in connection with a weekend murder ended Monday morning when he was taken into custody without incident. Authorities had been searching for Steven Michael Kirkwood, 38, since Saturday night when he is accused in the shooting death of Ryan Allen Lehnig...

Daily American Republic Advertising Director Christy Pierce (left) presents Difference Maker nominee Rosa Johnson with her gift basket.

Clyde Odell Melton, 83, of Broseley, died Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020 at his residence in Broseley. Mr. Melton was born Thursday, July 1, 1937 in Qulin, Mo. On Nov. 2, 1959 married Doris Lawrence. She survives. Also surviving are three sons: Calvin Melton, Michael Melton, and Douglas and wife Donna Melton, all of Broseley; four grandchildren: Tammy, Matthew, Keri and Seth; and nine great-grandchildren: Peaches, Silver, Trison, Kay Lynn, Rachel, Johnny, Eddie, Little Man and Broklyn...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL A 63-year-old Puxico man was injured in a one-vehicle crash at 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, on Highway J at Highway F, three miles north of Aid. According to the report, Andy G. Ritz was operating a 2002 Jeep Liberty northbound when he failed to stop at a stop sign, and his SUV ran off the road and struck a ditch...

County firefighters responded at 5:20 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, to a grass fire at 764 County Road 638. According to the report, a small area, owned by Josh Ellis, burned. _ County firefighters responded at 8:10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, to a motor-vehicle crash on Highway 67 North at County Road 522...

Difference Maker Janet McNece (left) accepts her certificate and gift basket from Daily American Republic Advertising Director Christy Pierce.

Students in all three Butler County schools returned to in-person classes Monday afternoon while others started classes remotely.

Jordyn Frazier entered her Hillview Elementary kindergarten classroom Monday morning wearing a purple face mask with unicorns, and took a seat on the foam squares teachers will use to help the children socially distance. Kelly Thompson, wearing a Spiderman T-shirt for his first day of school, was taken to his Poplar Bluff kindergarten classroom Monday by school staff. ...

Michael W. Wills, 60, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. He was born April 28, 1960, in Poplar Bluff, to the late Leo and Evelyn (Switzer) Wills...

John Francis Willey, 75, went home to Heaven to receive the hug from God the Father his granddaughter, Lillian Grace, had prayed for Him to give from her when he arrived. He was under Legacy Hospice care with his wife, Cassie, at his side on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, when he transitioned to Heaven. The care he received at PBRMC rehab therapists and fifth-floor nursing care were so encouraging and compassionate...