Stories from Monday, March 8, 2021

“A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google. In the male-dominated field of economic development those voices come from at least four women in Southeast Missouri, who play crucial roles in their communities and Southeast Missouri as a whole...

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri said Monday he will not seek reelection, making him the fifth Republican in the Senate to bow out rather than seek another term in a party searching for direction after President Donald Trump. Blunt, who turned 71 in January, was widely expected to seek a third term in 2022. Before election to the Senate he served seven terms in the U.S. House. He also served two terms as Missouri's secretary of state from 1985 to 1993...

Theresa Irene (Todt) Schlitt, 94 of Poplar Bluff, died on March 5, 2021 at home. She was born April 19th, 1926 to John and Bertha (Hoehn) Todt at Nokomis, Illinois. On June 17, 1950, Theresa married Robert Schlitt at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran, Missouri. They were happily married for 62 years. Robert proceeded her in death in 2012. Theresa was a loving wife and mother. She always placed the needs of her family ahead of her own...

Leon Virgil Young, son of the late Howard Glen Young and Genevieve Marler Young, was born on April 22, 1938 in Campbell, Missouri and departed this life on March 7, 2021 at his residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 82 years. Mr. Young was a former small engine mechanic for Rice Hardware and he had also worked for Paramount Headwear and Morgan Furniture. He was a member of the Dexter Evangelical Free Church and the Dexter Masonic Lodge...

The lives of Matt, Evangeline, and Lincoln would seem too short to many, but for those who were touched by their sweet lives, there is the realization that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which you live it. All three of them lived life to the fullest, and while they will be missed, they will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved them. ...

The crown, along with the spire and orb, rejoined the historic Rodgers Theatre’s tower Monday morning to once again light up downtown Poplar Bluff. The colored lights are now LEDs (light-emitting diodes) instead of being neon, said Chris Halcumb of Halcumb Construction Co., LLC...

Randy J. Foster, 48, of the 1200 block of North 5th Street, and Sheila F. Powell, 50, of the same address were both arrested at 9:09 a.m. Saturday, March 6, for domestic assault. They were booked in the Butler County jail. _ Jasmine Holloway, 24, of the 1500 block of N. ...

Harold Lee Sadler Sr., age 71, of Broseley, died Saturday, March 6, 2021 at his residence in Broseley. Mr. Sadler was born October 19, 1949 in Poplar Bluff, son of the late Roy and Thelma Sadler. He enjoyed fishing, arrowhead hunting, gardening and spending time with his family and friends...

William Ernest Powell ‘Ernie’, son of Bonnie Ann (Renner) Powell and the late Ernest Junior Powell, was born August 7, 1967 in Oak Park, Illinois and departed this life on March 7, 2021 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He had attained the age of fifty-three years and seven months...

Letha M. Skaggs, age 96, passed away Saturday, March 6 at her home near Silva, Missouri. Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Morrison Funeral Chapel in Greenville. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home chapel. Interment will be in the Friendship-Grassy Cemetery in Grassy, Missouri...

Joe Ronald Middleton, 81, of Piedmont, Missouri, passed away February 17, at Mercy Hospital South, St. Louis, Missouri. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, at Murphy Cemetery, near Piedmont. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Wilma Raddatz, 77, of Des Arc, Missouri, died Saturday, March 6, at her residence. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, at Mt. View Cemetery, Des Arc. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com

The smell of smoke was still heavy in the air Monday morning along 1700 South Broadway near Victor Street where fire destroyed two wooden structures and a portion of Quality Tech Transmission Saturday night. State fire investigators say the cause is under criminal investigation...