Stories from Tuesday, December 29, 2020

The months of April, May and June were marked by the loss of community leaders who had held key roles for decades. The passing of longtime judge Steve Sharp, of the 35th Judicial Circuit, was announced, as was the retirement of Three Rivers Coach Gene Bess after 50 years and 1,300 wins...

The first day of April saw Butler County’s first COVID-19 case. Schools and cities began trying to prepare for a short stint of precautions. By the end of June, schools had closed their year without returning and Butler County would see its first fatality...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Lisa A. Bratton, 51, of Wappapello was arrested at 8:20 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28, on suspicion of DWI and failure to drive on the right half of the road. She was booked at the Wayne County Jail. _ BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT...

County firefighters responded at 1:11 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28, to a grass fire at 1047 County Road 364. According to the report, a small area, owned by Martin Lotz and occupied by Eric Hodge, burned. _____

Butler County authorities say a Dexter man is slated for deportation after he serves a seven-year sentence for sexual abuse. Alejandro Flores-Martinez, 35, was sentenced earlier this month to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections after being convicted of the Class C felony of first-degree sexual abuse, according to Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor...

Harry Lee Blackwell, 78, of Naylor passed away Dec. 25, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Harry was born June 4, 1942 to Jim and Floy Turner Blackwell in Doniphan, Missouri. Harry joined the Missouri National Guard just before graduating from Naylor High School in 1960. He married his wife of 59 years, Vivian VanDover in Naylor during the summer of 1961...

PUXICO, Mo. — Leonard Eugene “Gene” Binford, 90, son of Samuel Leonard and Stella Davis Binford was born in Morehouse, Missouri, Feb. 22, 1930 and passed away at his home in Puxico, Missouri Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. Gene lived in Puxico most of his life. He was a lifelong farmer, enjoyed raising cattle, and was fond of square dancing as a member of the Puxico Country Squares. He was a charter member of the First General Baptist Church in Puxico...

PUXICO, Mo. — Edna Deloris (Lois) Allen of Puxico, Missouri, daughter of the late Levi and Orpha Dunn, was born in Acorn Ridge, Missouri Sept. 23, 1934, and passed away in her home in Puxico, at the age of 86 years. Lois has lived in Puxico all of her life. She was a faithful member of Corinth General Baptist Church for many years. She enjoyed Bible study, quilting, embroidery, crocheting, and most of all spending time with her grandchildren...

The Poplar Bluff R-I school district will purchase an additional 14-person bus, mostly using COVID-relief funding.

Walter B. Johnson, 88, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020. He was born Dec. 17, 1932 in Gravelton, Mo. to the late George Benjamin Johnson and Beulah Omega (Mullins) Johnson. He was of the Lutheran faith. He served for 26 years in the National Guard. ...

FISK, Mo. — Barbara Jean Chilton, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Monday, Dec. 28, 2020 at her residence in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Chilton was born Oct. 23, 1930 in Bloomington, Indiana, daughter of the late Samuel and Anna Pogue. On July 25, 1970, she married Laddie Chilton. He survives...

Jacqueline Lewis, 55, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. She was born Jan. 17, 1965 in Como, Mississippi to Geneva (Anderson) Mack and the late McGhee Mack. She was of the Baptist faith.

Community and business leaders chronicle Harry Lee Blackwell’s legacy to the Poplar Bluff community and the southeast Missouri region as one of giving and creating a positive impact. Blackwell, 78, of Naylor died Christmas Day. He and his family owned The Harry Blackwell family of dealerships in Dexter and Malden. He formerly co-owned a dealership in Poplar Bluff...