Stories from Thursday, December 17, 2020

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Mandy D. Spain, 38, of Puxico was arrested at 3:29 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, on a Wayne County warrant for non-support and on suspicion of driving while suspended and failure to register a motor vehicle. She was booked at the Stoddard County Jail...

City firefighters responded at 11:25 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, to a report of an unauthorized burn at 1814 Sanders St. According to the report, firefighters found a small unattended fire burning in the front yard and put out the fire. _____

The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center is expecting a preliminary supply of COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year. Officials say the first doses could arrive as early as next week. “Planning is underway at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center to deliver a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine when we receive our supply,” said Drew A. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU — A Carter County man will spend six months in federal prison for possessing a homemade silencer and thermal-imaging devices stolen from the Missouri Army National Guard. Darrel Doss was ordered to serve two six-month sentences on the felonies of possession of an unregistered silencer and receiving stolen government property, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Sorrell...

The courts in the 35th Judicial Circuit will continue to operate at phase zero for the rest of the year in both Stoddard and Dunklin counties. Presiding Circuit Judge Robert Mayer signed an order Dec. 2 lowering the circuit’s operating phase from one to zero due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in both counties and among court-related personnel. His order was in effect until Thursday, and it applied to all state and municipal courts in both counties...

Michelle Hoffmeister, 59, of Farmington, passed away peacefully at Missouri Baptist Dec. 15, 2020. She was born Sept. 25, 1961 to the late Sonny and Margaret Flowers. Michelle was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She is survived by her loving husband, Joe Hoffmeister; children, Chance (Danielle), Spencer and Bailey Hoffmeister; grandchildren, Alexa, Kenzie, Kyle, Taylor and Jaycee...

John Robinson John Ray Robinson, 79, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 at his residence, with his wife and son by his side. John, the son of Don Edward and Christine (Poet) Robinson was born Aug. 5, 1941, in Cape Girardeau. He grew up in Sikeston during WWII, where his father was a pilot trainer at Harvey Parks school. ...

ELIZABETHTOWN, Kentucky — Margie C. Durall, 86, of Rineyville, Kentucky, died Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 at her home. She was a native of Stoddard County, Missouri, retired from UARCO as an inspector, and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, where she won the chili cook-off last year. She was an artist and loved to paint. She was a mother figure to many people and enjoyed being with her family...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON Staff Writer Christmas for Kayden Keith arrived a week early this year. The Make-A-Wish Foundation helped Santa Claus Thursday by organizing the delivering of Bella, a 3-month-old chocolate lab puppy, to the 5-year-old Poplar Bluff student...

Substitute teachers with the Poplar Bluff R-I school district will see a salary change for the first time in several years.