Stories from Tuesday, November 17, 2020

As Missouri lawmakers prepare to return to the Capitol in less than two months, huge decisions await us concerning the state’s Medicaid program. While I did not support the Medicaid expansion ballot initiative, I realize the actions we take this legislative session to implement it will impact the state budget, Missourians’ access to care, and our health care industry for decades to come...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Robert E. Williamson, 44, of Puxico was arrested at 2:49 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, on suspicion of felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked at Stoddard County jail...

Poplar Bluff City Council members hope a professional telecommunications auditing service can identify cost savings in the coming year. The council voted Monday to hire the Spyglass Group to review phone, internet, printing and other communications expenses for the city. The goal is to find cost savings, city manager Matt Winters said previously...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Kaylee D. Swyres, 30, of Ellington was arrested at 9:49 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, on suspicion of DWI and failure to signal. She was booked at the Carter County Sheriff’s Department. _ Teddy J. Lathum, 38, of Poplar Bluff was arrested at 7:57 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, on suspicion of DWI (drugs) and failure to drive on the right side of road with two or more lanes. He was booked at the Stoddard County Jail...

Poplar Bluff and Butler County firefighters work to put out a fire Tuesday afternoon involving a fifth-wheel camper on Old Highway B, across from the former Riggs building.

A Poplar Bluff toddler, who wandered away from his home, died Saturday after being found unresponsive in a creek. Butler County Coroner Andy Moore confirmed the child died, but is not releasing any further information about his death out of privacy for the family...

Letty Jean McDowell, 67, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. She was born in Poplar Bluff to the late Lloyd Surber and Inez (Mittlehauser) Surber. She was of the Methodist faith. As a longtime resident of Butler County, she was well known as a teacher in the Poplar Bluff School System as a math teacher at junior and senior high. ...

Jerry Stewart, 80-year-old resident of Doniphan, Missouri, departed this life Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. He was born Oct. 26, 1940 in East Prairie, Missouri to the late Howford and Mary (Myers) Stewart. Jerry was a familiar face in Doniphan serving for many years on the Doniphan Police force, from which he retired. Jerry enjoyed golfing, was a member of Doniphan First Christian Church, and served in the United States Navy...

Marilyn Harris, 64, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri entered into rest Nov. 13, 2020 at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Marilyn was born March 13, 1956 to Samual and Jerline (Buchanan) Jones in Dexter, Missouri. She married Nathaniel Harris Nov. 26, 2000...

Ralph Freeman Kirkman, 80, of Poplar Bluff passed away Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 at his residence. Ralph was born Sept. 27, 1940 to Milford “Buck” and Della Veta Patton Kirkman in Poplar Bluff. He married Elsie Marie Neal Jan. 20, 1968 in Poplar Bluff. She survives of the home...

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — Celesta Lucille Minehart, 76, of Russellville, Arkansas, passed away Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. The daughter of Lester Russell Mattingly and Jeanette (Evans) Mattingly, she was born Jan. 5, 1944 in Poplar Bluff. She married Carl D. Minehart Sept. 6, 1963 at Poplar Bluff and worked for many years as a bank teller...

Roger Dale Smothers, 68, of Poplar Bluff died Nov. 15. He is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years, Barbara Smothers (Chaffin); daughter, Carrie Franklin (Chris); son, Justin Smothers; and grandson, Riley Smothers. He was preceded in death by his sister, Sandra Smothers; father, Bartley Smothers; and mother, Retha Smothers (Wheelis)...

Thelma Fay Ward, 81, of Sikeston, Missouri passed away Nov. 15, 2020 at Hunter Acres in Sikeston. Thelma was born Aug. 9, 1939 to the late Everet and Nellie (Lipps) Green in Weldon, Arkansas. She married Wesley Eugene Ward Jan. 23, 1960, in Poplar Bluff...

Margaret Agusta Holland of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at St. Clare Hospital in Fenton, Missouri. Margaret, the daughter of Donald Dewitt and Estelle (Poole) Greer, was born Aug. 21, 1937, in Poplar Bluff, and was a graduate of Poplar Bluff Senior High School. ...

FISK, Mo. — Mary Mae Solomon, 82, of Fisk, Missouri, died Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Solomon was born May 11, 1938 in Hendrickson, Missouri, daughter of the late Fred Lingle and Mary Lingle Johnson. She had served in the United States Marine Corps. She was a registered nurse and had worked at Doctors Hospital in Labor and Delivery. She loved reading and family activities...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON Staff Writer Loosing a loved one to suicide is traumatic and often tough for a friend or family member to recover. International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is an event in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding and hope through their shared experience...