Stories from Monday, July 31, 2023

People living in poverty, in poor housing conditions, is a nationwide problem and certainly not unheard of in Ripley County. However, a group of folks on bicycles are riding 3,926 miles on a quest to try to help make a difference, one family or individual at a time...

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT A silver 2010 Ford Fusion was impounded at 12:40 p.m. Friday, July 28, and towed from a traffic stop on Highway PP after it was determined the registration was expired and the vehicle was not insured. The driver, Nathaniel Sansoucie, was issued traffic citations and released at the scene...

Jack G. Heaton, 81, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away, July 30, 2023, at his residence. He was born Sept. 15, 1941, at Bassett, Arkansas to the late Carl D. Heaton and Fennie Irene “Oaks” Heaton. On May 19, 1961, he was married to Mary Sue Davis at Poplar Bluff. She preceded him in death on July 4, 2021...

Jessie Dale Stratton, 59, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away July 26, 2023 at his home in Poplar Bluff. Jessie was born Feb. 13, 1964 to J.L. and Shirley Stratton in Dexter, Missouri. Jessie loved to be with his family, liked fishing, hunting, grilling outside. He liked all of the outdoors...

James William (Bill) McClure of Puxico, Missouri, the son of the late Don James Thomas and Ruby Mae (Barnes) McClure was born near Mingo, Missouri, March 16, 1944, and passed from this life peacefully at his home in Puxico July 27, 2023, at the age of 79...

A line of over 700 people wrapped around the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center on Saturday as families anxiously awaited entry to receive free school supplies, free haircuts and other resources for the incoming school year. This was the second year for the Back-To-School Bash, and turnout doubled, said organizer Rosa Johnson. ...

Ricky “Rick” Luke, 63, of Williamsville, died Sunday, July 30, 2023, at his sister’s home in Wappapello. Memorial service is at noon, Aug. 5, 2023, Ruegg Funeral Home, Williamsville Chapel. Funeral service is at 2 p.m., in Ruegg Funeral Home, Williamsville Chapel...

A Broseley man seriously injured in a three-vehicle accident Friday night is recovering at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Sherman L. Thomas, 82, of Broseley, was air evacuated to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau Friday and later transferred to Barnes, according to reports from law enforcement and family members. His wife, Virginia F. Thomas, 79, was a passenger in his 2010 Ford F 150. She had moderate injuries and was taken to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Michael J. Hensa, 52, of Poplar Bluff was arrested at 11:46 a.m. Friday, July 28, in Wayne County on suspicion of felony possession of methamphetamine, felony unlawful possession of a firearm, felony unlawful use of a weapon and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked at the Wayne County jail on a 24-hour hold...