Stories from Wednesday, September 23, 2020

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL A 58-year-old Advance woman was injured in a two-vehicle crash at 7:34 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, on Highway 25, two miles east of Delta. According to the report, Matthew J. Armstrong, 34, of Puxico was operating an eastbound 1999 Freightliner, which was stopped in the road for another vehicle. Armstrong’s truck allegedly was struck in the rear by a 2018 GMC Acadia being operated by Marla J. Delay...

Cardiac Cowboy Eldon Wheelis, 82, saddled up his 25-year-old horse Saturday to ride in Haven House’s 31st annual trail ride at Black River Ranch. The event, hosted by Dr. John Blaich and Dr. Rick Blaich, brought in $13,000 for the local shelter. Both Wheelis and the Blaichs share a long history of support for the shelter, which provides around the clock help, as well as an emergency hotline and advocacy, for survivors of domestic violence as they make tough decisions and struggle to leave abusive relationships behind to make a safer life for themselves and their children.. ...

Curtis Wayne Staten, 74, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, formerly of O’Fallon, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, at his home. Curt, the son of the late Jerl “Bud” and Wilma (Vermilye) Staten, was born May 8, 1946 in Detroit, Michigan. When he was young, the family moved to St. Louis, then later to Wentzville. Curt graduated from Francis Howell High School in 1964. He worked for 36 years at General Motors, where he was a proud member and Union Stewart for UAW Local 2250...

A Poplar Bluff man may face burglary and stealing charges after authorities caught him inside the local Parks and Recreation Department office early Wednesday morning. Just before 1:20 a.m., officers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department responded to an alarm at the park department office in the 400 block of North Second Street, Capt. David Sutton said in a press release...

Jackie Monroe Allen, 66, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. He was born Nov. 5, 1953 to the late Alvin Grear and Georgia Allen. He was a member of Black Creek Missionary Baptist Church of Poplar Bluff. He enjoyed the great outdoors while fishing and watching a good NASCAR race...

After almost 20 years serving local customers, Poplar Bluff’s Office Depot store will close this fall, and store officials could be seen recently hanging a sign on the building declaring the closure. The company’s corporate office announced in mid-May a restructuring plan, which included closing stores and laying off up to 13,000 employees through 2023...

One of the longest-running bass tournaments on Wappapello Lake will take place this weekend when the Chaonia Open Buddy Bass event is held. The event will take place Saturday and will be based out of Rich’s Chaonia Landing. A launch time of 7 a.m. has been set, and the weigh-in is scheduled for 2:30 p.m...

JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds anglers that a definition for “invasive fish” has been added to the Wildlife Code of Missouri and effects what type of fish is allowed for use as live bait. The definition includes a list of bighead carp, silver carp, grass carp, and common carp...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson tested positive for COVID-19. "Out of an abundance of caution, the First Lady was tested this morning after displaying minor symptoms. The governor was then tested as well and received a positive result," according to a statement released by the governor's office...

KENNETT — A Poplar Bluff woman pleaded guilty Wednesday afternoon to a murder charge stemming from a June 2017 house fire. Tara Janae Maxfield pleaded guilty as charged to the Class A felony of second-degree murder, according to Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor...

Charles Richard Mitchell of Naylor, Missouri, born to Charles Guy Mitchell and Alice (Phillips) Mitchell June 16, 1932, passed away Sept. 21, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Evelyn (Davis) Mitchell Sept. 29, 2008 after 46 years of marriage and two sisters, Virginia Million and Mabel Runner...

With the 2020 Census due date right around the corner, the results can have a long-term impact on the community.

FISK — The staff at Fisk elementary and middle schools are making gradual progress on an outdoor classroom, but still need help with it.