Stories from Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Robin Lynn Melton passed away February 13, 2021 at home in Wappapello. He was born February 14, 1959 in Florissant , Missouri. Robin lived in the Puxico area for the past 35 years and worked as an electrician. He is survived by a son, Ethan Melton of Cape Girardeau; his mother, Helen Melton Burris and her husband, Michael Burris; sister, Lana Kelley and husband, Patrick Kelley of Poplar Bluff; his brother, Derek Melton and wife, Michelle of Puxico; seven nephews and two nieces...

In November, there were record turnouts across the country during the presidential election. Tuesday’s vote by comparison will probably come nowhere near those numbers, according to numbers seen at the polling places. But when it comes to the hot button issues in Poplar Bluff, one item on the ballot seemed to be rather important to those that did show up...

Bobby Lee Lawrence, 77, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Tuesday, April 5, 2021. He was born September 2, 1943 in Poplar Bluff, to the late Earnest and Ruby (Guy) Lawrence. He was of the Baptist faith. Having a caring heart, Bobby worked many years at the Swift Creek Residential Care Facility in Poplar Bluff...

CAPE GIRARDEAU – Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to welcome Catherine M. Rapp, MD, MBA, FAAOS, orthopaedic surgeon, to Advanced Orthopedic Specialists. Rapp is an experienced orthopaedic surgeon specializing in complex problems of the adult shoulder and elbow, according to a press release. She joins Saint Francis from the Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Chesapeake, Virginia, where she practiced as an orthopaedic surgeon...

An individual wanted following a deadly shooting early morning on Clare Avenue turned himself in shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday at Poplar Bluff Police Station. Caleb Scowden, 36, was wanted for questioning in the shooting death of 25-year-old Terrance West of Poplar Bluff, formerly of Hayti. The shooting occurred shortly after midnight Tuesday...

Butler County may have set a new voting record Tuesday, for the lowest turnout. Butler County Clerk Tonyi Deffendall said she would need to confirm that the 6.61% turnout of active registered voters was the lowest in the county’s history, but that it was certainly the lowest in recent history...

Poplar Bluff voters rejected a use tax for certain internet purchases by the narrowest of margins Tuesday. They also re-elected an incumbent councilman for a second term in the city’s lone contested city council race. The use tax failed by four votes (381-377), or just over one-half of one percent Tuesday. Had it been enacted, it would have taxed certain internet purchases at the current city sales tax rate of 2.25%...

Butler County voters returned two incumbents to the Poplar Bluff R-I school board and one incumbent and one former member to the Neelyville school board. Tim Gaebler and Ken Davis received the most votes to secure their places for another term on the R-I board. Gaebler received 1,065 votes, while Davis collected 898 votes to keep his seat and Kevin Ellis netted 309 votes...