Stories from Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Crews from at least three counties responded to an overnight fire that burned a popular Carter County business. The fire at The Landing in Van Buren was called in around 12:41 a.m., according to the Carter County Sheriff’s Department. The state fire marshal’s office has been called in, but it is believed the fire started in a kitchen area, according to sheriff’s department reports...

Van Buren police officers evacuated about 16 occupied rooms at The Landing shortly before 1 a.m., when a fire at the Carter County hotel and restaurant was called in. Personnel from the Carter County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol helped check the building while Van Buren Volunteer Fire Department responded with crews and trucks, said Curt Majors, fire chief...

VAN BUREN — Smoke still rose above the Current River on the west side of Van Buren Wednesday morning, hours after a fire destroyed The Landing, an icon in the community for decades. “We’re heartbroken, obviously, but we care as much for the community and how it impacts them. I’m at a loss for words,” said Matt Bedell, son of owners Tom and Della Bedell...

Paul Mondy, 76, and LaDonna Calene Mondy, 72, of Fisk, MO, died peacefully, surrounded by family, within 30 minutes of each other on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, in Poplar Bluff, MO. Mr. Mondy was born December 18, 1944 in Broseley, MO, son of the late Roscoe and Dorotha Mondy. ...

Reggie L. Johnson, 54, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. He was born Sept. 30, 1966 in Poplar Bluff to the late Robert and Evelyn (Johnson) Warren. He was a lifelong resident of the area. He worked as an auto detailer locally. He could also BBQ with the best of them. His favorite times were with family and friends...

Leroy Moss Leroy Moss, a star athlete at Poplar Bluff High School who went on to play football in college and professionally, died Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. He was 71. Inducted into the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame in 1990; Moss was a member of the 1966 undefeated Mules football team and a three-sport athlete in high school. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Matthew T. Schelp, sentenced Timothy Ossana to 45 months in prison Wednesday. The 53-year-old Doniphan, Missouri, resident pleaded guilty in November 2020 for felon in possession of a firearm. On Jan. 8, 2020, Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped a Chevrolet Blazer for an expired license registration offense in Ripley County, according to a press release from the U.S. attorney’s office...

The Three Rivers College Board of Trustees heard reports of well-attended student events and a positive financial report during their Wednesday meeting. Athletic director and head coach Brian Bess gave a rundown of Campus Beautification Day, where sports teams banded together to clean and landscape around campus...

A Carter County man currently serving time in prison on other charges has been charged with the 1987 murder of Thomas Ray Rowland. Uel Joe Freeman, 60, is charged with first-degree murder in the May 1987 shooting death of Rowland after newly-obtained evidence made the arrest possible. Authorities on Wednesday were not ready to say what the infortmaion was, but reference was made to new technology making it possible to charge Freeman with the crime...