Stories from Friday, April 9, 2021

The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, in accordance with the SAVE LIVES Act, is offering COVID-19 vaccinations to all veterans, their spouses and caregivers. Angela Smith, public affairs officer and congressional liaison, explained this includes all veteran patients as well as all veterans who are not VA patients, their spouses and their caregivers...

When you first see it, you notice the paint job. After further inspection, you begin to appreciate the lines, form and design of the trike before you. The polished chrome on it reflects the big goofy grin on your face as you stare at it. You can’t help but notice how well it’s built, and you know that a lot of innovation and craftsmanship went into its creation...

The number of deciding votes for Poplar Bluff’s use tax measure shrunk even more Friday, when the certified election results were released. The unofficial count had four more ‘no’ votes than those in favor, but the final count took that to just a two-vote difference...

Sarah Margaret Gladden, of Fairdealing, Missouri, passed away, April 8, 2021 at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She was born December 20, 1946 at High Point, North Carolina. She is survived by her husband, Donald Gladden; two sons, Leonard Gladden and Clifton Gladden and wife, Michelle; as well as three grandchildren, Caitlyn, Nathan and Crystal and one great-grandson, Nicholas...

One person was injured Friday afternoon in a rollover accident on Shelby Road, near Roxy Road.

Poplar Bluff R-I names Burnett Teacher of Year Humbling, excited and privileged are words Cathy Burnett used Friday to describe being named Poplar Bluff R-I’s Teacher of the Year. Burnett will represent the district in the Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year contest for 2021-2022...

Crystal Laurel Cochran, 49, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Tuesday, April 6, 2021. She was born November 21, 1971 in Sacramento, California to the late Larry and Wilma (Dugger) Rosenthal. She was a friend to many but her grandchildren were her loves. Crystal is survived by a son, Joshua Cochran and one daughter, Destiny Wondrick of Poplar Bluff; two brothers, Samuel Dugger of Poplar Bluff and Jessie Rosenthal of St. ...

Tresa Jane Abney, 78, of Williamsville, passed away Thursday, April 8, 2021. She was born February 1, 1943 in Keysville, Missouri to the late Esli and Akla (Awalt) Price. She enjoyed doing business in the flea markets, though her true passions were collecting pig figurines and the like, feeding her hummingbirds, gardening and loving her grandchildren and great-grandchildren...

Recently my HB 69 passed the House by the amazing vote of 150-0. Very seldom does legislation pass unanimously. The key to success for the bill is the same for success in life: teamwork. One thing I have emphasized during my tenure is establishing good working relationships with all my colleagues and others involved in the legislative process...

It was an event 138 years in the making, Chief Danny Whiteley said Friday, as the city of Poplar Bluff broke ground on the first police station designed and built specifically to house its officers. When construction finishes in 2022, the city will have more than four walls and a roof, according to Whiteley. It will have a tool that strengthens the Poplar Bluff Police Department’s ability to serve the citizens, conduct investigations and protect witnesses, suspects and crime victims...

Several Poplar Bluff organizations teamed up Friday morning to plant three trees on Harper Street in celebration of Arbor Day. The Poplar Bluff Tree Advisory Board, the Poplar Bluff Parks & Recreation Department, the Poplar Bluff Garden Club and FosterAdopt Connect planted two redbuds and one dogwood on city property on West Harper Street across from the entrance to Bacon Park...