Stories from Friday, January 6, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected death of our beloved Andres Arturo Mendez of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Andy, as many knew him, was born June 21, 1965 in Alice, Texas to Feliciano Mendez, Jr. and Patsy (Almaraz) Mendez. Aside from loving his family, Andy’s greatest devotion was proudly serving his country. ...

Rev. Peter M. Soens, 83, of Farmington passed away Jan. 4, 2023 at Camelot Skilled Nursing in Farmington. He was born Dec. 22, 1939 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. Pete was a member of the Missouri East Conference – United Methodist Church and Mineral Area Woodcarvers...

Darlene Weaver, 60, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away on Jan. 3, 2023 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Darlene was born on Jan. 10, 1962 to Richard and Lizzie Weaver in Poplar Bluff. Darlene loved to sit out on the porch and listen to music, cook/BBQ, and especially loved being with her family and friends...

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith remains four square behind Kevin McCarthy's quest to become speaker of the U.S. House, despite failing to win the job through 11 ballots cast since Tuesday, Jan. 3. Smith, who has represented 30 southern and southeastern Missouri counties in the House since 2013, released the following statement Thursday evening, Jan. 5, to the Southeast Missourian...

As important as sports can be to many, there are those times when life intervenes and allows for those involved to take a step back and evaluate just how much so. That happened late Thursday night when the Three Rivers College men’s basketball team was returning from its game at John A. Logan College in Illinois when it got struck by an 18-wheeler, sending players and staff flying inside their vehicle in some cases. Three Rivers director of public safety and safety projects Chuck Stratton said at approximately 9:45 p.m., witnesses saw a tractor trailer run a red light and struck the college’s bus on the driver side in Marion, Illinois.

Jimmy Ray Baucom, 82, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away on Jan. 5, 2023, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Jimmy was born on July 7, 1940, to George and Virgie Paralee (Tuttle) Baucom in Poplar Bluff. Jimmy enjoyed many things in life, such as fishing, gardening, playing Bingo, hunting, arrowhead and treasure hunting, as well as he was good at mechanic work...

Mary Ann Clark, 74, of Doniphan, Missouri, passed away on Jan. 05, 2023 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Mary was born on March 31, 1948 to Edward Fisk and Viola Rose (Lucian) Fisk in Belote, Wisconsin. Mary enjoyed her cats and video games and when she wasn’t at home with them you would see her with her family at the local bingo halls. ...

The light at the intersection of Shelby and Oak Grove roads has been repaired. A malfunction in the control module box of the stoplight prevented the light from working properly Tuesday. Poplar Bluff Street Superintendent Jerry Lawson explained the hold-up on repairs was largely due to shipping delays...

The 2022 Christmas Bird Counts in Southeast Missouri recorded a dip in bird diversity and populations around Poplar Bluff, but robust numbers and new species at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge and Big Spring. Big Spring and Mingo Wildlife Refuge held counts on Dec. ...

passes down gavel to an old friend Ripley County’s Judge Swindle retires As he steps down from the bench this month, retiring Ripley County Associate Circuit Judge David Swindle may hope to lay down his gavel in favor of a fishing pole. Before swearing in county officials Wednesday, Dec. 28, Swindle was heard making tentative plans with friends about fishing on Bull Shoals and wintering in Lake Okeechobee, Florida. He talked about his retirement in the simplest of terms...

The Missouri State Fire Marshal is investigating a fire at 741 N. 10th St. where Poplar Bluff firefighters spent three hours shortly after midnight battling a blaze. The cause of the fire is being investigated. A caller at 12:35 a.m. Friday reported a single story wood frame structure at 10th and Spring streets had heavy flames coming from both side of the building. A second caller minutes later said the fire was spreading to the house next door...

Winfred Crutchfield Winfred “Wink” Crutchfield, 83, of Greenville died Thursday, Jan. 5, at his residence. Visitation is at 6 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 8, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville Chapel. Funeral service is at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 9, also in the Greenville Chapel. Burial will be in Kime Cemetery, Greenville...

A candidate for Poplar Bluff City Council has dropped out, while another has announced a bid as a write-in candidate. Voters will decide in the April 4 election who will fill two at-large seats and that of the Ward 5 representative. Incumbent Chris Taylor had filed for re-election but announced Friday afternoon that she was leaving the race. Rob Duckett, who has previously run for council but has not served, has announced he will run as a write-in candidate...

Poplar Bluff Fire Department Poplar Bluff firefighters responded at 12:09 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, to Fairfield Inn & Suites, 3109 Oak Grove Road, to a carbon monoxide detector activation alarm. When firefighters arrived the panel had been reset. Maintenance said a dryer was the issue. The gas company was contacted to check for a possible gas leak, but nothing was found. The dryer was to be taken out of service until it was repaired and tested...