Stories from Tuesday, August 1, 2023

100 years ago today Aug. 1, 1923 • It was announced that a mystery man would be appearing on Poplar Bluff residents’ door steps. The article stated that if a resident answers the door in a proper manner, the mystery man will gift them an item worth $7.50. Looking back, that must have been a rather expensive item considering $7.50 in 1923 estimates to about $131.73 in the year 2023. No further details were given about the mystery gifts aside from the value of the item...

Temperatures across the United States are rising and so are incidents of heat exhaustion. In fact, between 2016 and 2021, the number of patients diagnosed with heat exhaustion between the months of May and September rose by 53%. Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt. ...

Valarie Denise Simon, 68, of Biloxi, Mississippi, passed away Sunday, July 30, 2023, peacefully at her home surrounded by loved ones. Valarie was born Oct. 26, 1954 to John and Suezella Fisher in Roseburg, Oregon. Valarie attended high school at Sandpoint High in Sandpoint, Idaho...

Michael “Mike” Anthony Berry, 67, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Monday, July 31, 2023, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Berry was born Oct. 28, 1955, in Poplar Bluff, son of the late Miller and Therma Berry. Mike retired from Ozark Border Electric in Poplar Bluff Jan. 29, 2021, after a 37-year career as a lineman. He enjoyed hunting, camping, and spending time with his family...

Seven people have submitted letters of interest for an at-large spot on the Poplar Bluff City Council. The candidates were scheduled to speak Tuesday evening during a special city council meeting. Full coverage of the meeting will appear online and in the Thursday print edition due to an early press deadline...

Lewis Edward Miller, 74, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Monday, July 31, 2023, in the comfort of his home surrounded by his wife, children, and other loved ones. Mr. Miller was born in Fisk, Missouri, June 21, 1949, to the late Lewis Paul and Genell (Cox) Miller...

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT A black 2006 Chevrolet passenger vehicle was impounded and towed from the scene of an accident at 8:08 a.m. Monday, July 31, after it was determined the vehicle was not properly registered and the driver could not provide proof of insurance...

Betty Jo Head, 93, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, at Stonebridge Care Center in Marble Hill, Missouri.

Cape Girardeau, Mo. — SoutheastHEALTH today announced that it signed a definitive agreement with St. Louis-based Mercy to become a member of Mercy’s multi-hospital system. The two organizations have been finalizing details with respect to an affiliation since they announced in January they signed a letter of intent. By affiliating with Mercy, SoutheastHEALTH would become part of one of the largest health care systems in the U.S...

Bushwood’s has earned a reputation as a place to stop for sports-oriented entertainment and food. Now, it also has earned a reputation for giving back to the community. The sports bar and golf simulator recently organized a fundraiser for Shop With a Hero, giving 10% of its gross profits to the local charity, said Bushwood’s co-owner Ted Liszewski...

A Doniphan man is the first to be incarcerated in the new Ripley County Detention Center after shooting a man. Kevin Lee King, 35, is charged with first-degree assault, fourth-degree assault (special victim: law enforcement), armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, resisting arrest, and a felony of leaving the scene of an accident...

Boys & Girls Club of the Heartland will expand its services outside of Butler County this school year with the opening of a site in Malden. The new site will serve the districts of Malden, Risco and Gideon, with an eye toward helping more youth from Dunklin and New Madrid counties in the future, said Chris Rushin, chief executive officer...

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT A black 2006 Chevrolet passenger vehicle was impounded and towed from the scene of an accident at 8:08 a.m. Monday, July 31, after it was determined the vehicle was not properly registered and the driver could not provide proof of insurance...

Bobbie ‘Bob’ Blankenship Crane, 85, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, was called to his heavenly home Saturday, July 29, 2023, at his residence. Bob was born June 14, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan to Ora Blankenship and Alma Marie (Odell) Crane. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1956 to 1960. After serving in the military, he married the love of his life, Barbara Allen June 16, 1962, in Poplar Bluff...