Stories from Thursday, December 24, 2020

Greetings to my friends in Christ in this wonderful season of Christmas. Culturally, the Christmas season is a time of gathering with family and friends, of celebrating our family and cultural traditions, and, in the cold days of early winter, to find the warmth of a loving God in the midst of our loving communities...

Michael Endicott was a comedian. That’s what his sister Pat, three years his junior, remembers most about her big brother. She remembers one December when he was about 12 and the family was worried about affording a Christmas tree. Young Michael took off on his bike without a word. He came home later, and tied to the back of his bike was the biggest Christmas tree Pat had ever seen. It didn’t even come close to fitting inside their house...

While many experience joy and happiness during the holiday season, there are others who’s mental health suffers at this time of year.

The year 2020 has been challenging, but Butler County Emergency Management Director Robbie Myers said the goal is to put COVID in the rearview mirror.

Pistos ho kolan. This is the Greek form of Thessalonians 5:24. Translated it says, “The one who calls you is faithful.”

The recent conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn in a close visible proximity not seen from Earth in almost 800 years was referred to by many people on social media as “The Star of Bethlehem.” But what do we really know about the star referenced in Matthew’s nativity story?

Last month, a state commission recommended a pay increase of 5% for statewide officials and legislators. Previous pay increase proposals were shot down by the legislature, and I will strongly support a resolution to oppose this recommendation as well. When Missourians are suffering hardships, including job loss and economic insecurity resulting from the pandemic, the last thing we should be doing is using taxpayers’ dollars to give ourselves a raise.

We asked readers to share with us if they will take the COVID-19 vaccine.

City firefighters responded at 1:50 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, to reports of a kitchen fire at 808 Emma St. According to the report, there was a small oven fire that occupant Jacqueline Dennis extinguished with flour. Firefighters helped clear the home of smoke before leaving the scene...

Sheriff Victor Leslie Bagwell Sr., 91, of the 1400 block of Highway 53 reported at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, that two days prior his 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo was stolen from his residence. _ Burley Weldon Turner, 87, of Neelyville reported at 11:51 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, that two days prior somebody damaged the door to his shop and some of the equipment inside...

Imogene Sitzes, 90, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. She was born in Sikeston, Mo. to the late Reno Lambert and Flora Mae (Hunter) Lambert. She attended the Church of Christ. She married the love of her life, David Sitzes, Dec. 25, 1949 in Sikeston, Mo. They were blessed with four children from their union...

Rosie Glass, 64, of Broseley, died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020 at St. Claire Hospital in Fenton, Mo. Mrs. Glass was born November 16, 1956 in Poplar Bluff. On March 27, 1976 she married Gary Glass.He survives. Also surviving are her mother, Eva Emmons of Poplar Bluff; two daughters, Angie (Jeremy) Rideout of Poplar Bluff and Casey (Travis) Parson of Broseley; five grandchildren, Jackson, Cooper, Alexis, Alex and Quinten; two nieces who were like daughters, Lisa Wilson and Tamara Morse; one nephew, Billy Mosley; one sister, Theresia Wilson; and one brother, Tom Mosley.. ...

Deborah Sue Vinson, 58, of Poplar Bluff passed away on Dec. 23, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Deborah was born on Dec. 31, 1961 to Donald and Rose (Robinson) Vinson in Florida. She had been a secretary for Daeoc. Deborah is survived by children: Crystal (David) Skinner, James (Samantha) Rice, and Angel Rice; father Donald Vinson; stepmother, Jane Vinson; sisters, Pamela (Leon) Baker, Tina (Wayne) Powers; and brother Duane Vinson...

James “Ronnie” Upton, 72, of Piedmont, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, at his residence. Visitation will be held from 1-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 26, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service following at 5 p.m., also in the Piedmont Chapel. At the family’s request, masks are required at all times...