Stories from Friday, April 16, 2021

Although he recently retired from teaching Spanish at Poplar Bluff High School, Charley Harper is still helping local residents to learn a second language — in this case, English. Harper continues to lead a class at Fellowship Church in Poplar Bluff that helps native Spanish speakers improve and expand their English speaking skills...

Michael Lane Rankin, 61, passed away Sunday, March 28, 2021. He was born August 29, 1958, the first of four children to Earl and JoAnn Rankin who preceded him in death. He was married to Susan Rodriquez from 1982-2009. Surviving are two sons, Coty Rankin and wife, Maria; Brian Hughes and wife, Ashley; one daughter, Stacy Parish and husband, Justin; one stepson, Steven Wamble and wife, Melanie; one sister, Carol Brotherton and husband Dewayne; two brothers, Scott Rankin and Daren Rankin; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.. ...

Victoria Elizabeth Berry, 60, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Vicky was born on June 25, 1960 in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents were Walter and Shirley Sensmeyer. She married James Lee Berry on July 24, 2004 in Poplar Bluff...

Henry Leroy Hiles, Jr., 60, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Wednesday, April 14, 2021. He was born May 31, 1960 in St. Louis, Missouri, to Linda Olajean (Foust) Hiles and the late Henry Leroy Hiles, Sr. He was a lifetime resident of Poplar Bluff. Henry was well known for his love for all things Harley-Davidson. He looked for any excuse to ride. Aside from bikes, other favorite activities were camping and puttering around the house. His grandbabies were his pride and joy...

Hard work. Dedication. Sacrifice. Perseverance. Those words and more can be used to describe the Three Rivers College Raiders. The unbeaten team will begin play Monday in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s national basketball tournament in Lubbock, Texas. The 10th ranked TRC team will be aiming for its first national title...

After a hectic week of preparations, the Raiders got their sendoff celebration and relaxed in luxury on the way to Lubbock, Texas. “I thought it was great to see so many of the kids’ parents there, and so many of the faculty and staff there. It’s great for the girls to see how much the community and school support them,” Three Rivers coach Alex Wiggs said...

The opening of Taco John’s on Tucker Road near the intersection of Shelby Road and Kanell Boulevard on Monday morning marks the first of many new businesses to open here in Poplar Bluff. “That should be just a start to what’s to come down Shelby Road,” Poplar Bluff city building inspector Tony Chilton said...

Kristi Colette Richards, 59, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Friday, April 16, 2021. She was born October 27, 1961 in Paragould, Arkansas to the late Namon and Terasel (Parker) Johnson. She was of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed taking care of her home and family. Her hobbies included doing needlepoint and caring for her cats and the occasional stray...

Hazel Aileen Alexander, 86, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Thursday, April 15, 2021 at Westwood Hills Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Hazel was born on June 7, 1934 to William and Lila Barriner in Hendrickson, Missouri. She married J.W. Alexander Jr. on July 28, 1951, in Poplar Bluff...

In part one of a three part series, read the story of a couple who were the first two graduates of the new Carter County Drug Court. And the story of their journey on the road to redemption.

“It’s the best day of the year because the kids get to get out and show their stuff,” said Mindy Garrett, special services coordinator for Poplar Bluff R-I Schools, as she cheered on close to 80 athletes from her district who were competing Friday at the Southeast Area Special Olympics...

•• POPLAR BLUFF FIRE DEPARTMENT City firefighters responded at 6:33 p.m. Thursday, April 15, to a report of a fire alarm at Buffalo Wild Wings. According to the report, crews arrived and found no fire showing and were informed by the manager that a child had pulled the alarm. The manager reset alarm and crews cleared the scene...