Stories from Tuesday, January 19, 2021

One person died in a single-car crash at 12:55 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, in Butler County, one mile east of Fairdealing on Highway 160. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Aaron N. Gawthrop, 21, of Poplar Bluff was operating a 2009 Chevrolet Blazer SUV when it ran off the roadway, struck two trees and caught fire...

Dr. Larry Thacker, a Poplar Bluff native who died in July, is remembered by local friends for his notable career as a public school administrator and love of the outdoors. Thacker, 79, died July 21, 2020, after complications from surgery at a hospital near his home in Seale, Ala...

With great sorrow, our family would like to announce the passing of our beloved, Cheryl Ann Ledbetter. Cheryl lost her long battle with lung cancer on the Thursday, January 14, 2021. Cheryl leaves behind husband, Michael D. Ledbetter; two daughters, Angie A Clayton and Staci L Clayton; her mother, Wilma J Key and brother, Dennis H Key. ...

To the Citizens of the Missouri 25th Senatorial District, During my two terms in the Senate, my mission was to represent the values of our district, protect our most vulnerable citizens and support legislation to sustain and attract jobs to southeast Missouri...

JEFFERSON CITY — A week into his new job as Missouri’s 25th District senator, Jason Bean has hit the ground running. Bean, a Bootheel native, was sworn into the 101st General Assembly on Jan. 6, and he’s been busy ever since. “We’ve been busy. We are getting things ready for when people from the district want to come up, and I promise there hasn’t been a lot of dust settled,” he said...

The COVID-19 vaccine is now being made available to the public here in Missouri. It is very important that we all get vaccinated. Taking the vaccine not only protects you, but also protects your family and friends from contracting the deadly disease from you...

Warren “David” Rainey, Sr, age 69, of Broseley, died Monday, January 18, 2021 at his residence. Mr. Rainey was born May 18, 1951, son of the late Warren Clayton and Juanita Lucille Rainey. He was an auctioneer and operated J&R Auction in Powe, Mo. and Jordan’s Flea Market for several years...

Charles Eads, 64, of Caledonia, died Sunday, January 17, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis. Visitation will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, January 21, at Word of Life Cowboy Church, Patterson. The funeral will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Word of Life Cowboy Church. Burial is in New Liberty Jacktown Church Cemetery, Clubb...

Frances Boyd, 95, of Poplar Bluff, died Tuesday, January 19, at The Manor, Poplar Bluff. Visitation will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 23, Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville Chapel. Funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Greenville Chapel. Burial will be in Greenville City Cemetery...

Registration is open for a mass vaccination clinic that will be held Friday in Poplar Bluff. It will be the first mass vaccination clinic held in Missouri, said Emily Goodin, director of the Butler County Health Department. Registration is required to participate in the drive-thru clinic, Goodin said. The clinic opens at 9 a.m. Friday at Hydro Adventures. The event is being held by the Missouri Army National Guard in coordination with the Butler County Health Department...

Four local elections face contested races in the upcoming April election.

A business license will be reinstated for a Poplar Bluff cab company that had an accident New Year’s Day with a police car. Jay Jay’s Cab Service will have a six month probation period and will need to meet other stipulations, but avoided a 90-day suspension of its license...

Paul Donald Barker Jr., 64, of Poplar Bluff, died Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at his residence. Mr. Barker was born January 7, 1957 in Rockford, Ill., son of the late Elnora (Prichard) and Paul Donald Barker, Sr. He is survived by two sons, Greg (Ashley) Barker and Adam (Brittney) Barker, all of Poplar Bluff; one sister, Tonya Hunter of Sarasota, Fla. and six grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Naomi Barker...