Stories from Friday, January 11, 2019

DONIPHAN — Ripley County was her adopted home but during her many travels as an award-winning wildlife artist Eileen Melton was among our proudest ambassadors. Mrs. Melton passed away Dec. 28 in Doniphan at the age of 84. A self-taught artist, Eileen often said she inherited her God-given talent...

Area citizens, especially new donors, are encouraged to roll up their sleeves this weekend to help save the lives of friends, family and even strangers by donating blood. “What’s a better feeling than helping save lives,” American Red Cross Donor Recruitment Representative Tara Lincoln said. “You’re actually making an impact and being a superhero and saving lives.”...

Law enforcement and fire personnel frequently receive calls about or find evidence left behind from persons squatting in vacant homes and buildings in Poplar Bluff. “It was a daily thing (at times in 2018); we were getting calls about people squatting in houses that didn’t belong there,” said Poplar Bluff Police Lt. Bob Moore. “They’re finding their way in somehow through windows, through doors...

Quinton Frederick West’s recent graduation from nursing school left his father, Greg West of Poplar Bluff, speechless. Anyone who looked closely might have spotted a reflection of a tear in the elder West’s eyes. As Quinton crossed the stage at the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing in Columbia to accept his diploma, the dean read his dad’s name. Quinton turned, opening his robe to show he was sporting his dad’s favorite attire, overalls and a plaid shirt...

City firefighters responded at 10:21 a.m. Wednesday to provide lift assistance at 641 Lindsay St. ———— City firefighters responded at 8:52 a.m. Wednesday to a report of burning at the 929 Pershing St. residence occupied by Larry Rushing. According to the report, firefighters found an unauthorized burn and used 20 gallons of water to put out the fire. Firefighters also told Rushing about the city’s burn ordinance...

FISK, Mo. - Bobby Eugene White, age 91, of Fisk, died Thursday, January 10, 2019 at his residence, in Fisk. Mr. White was born November 15, 1927 in Flat River, Mo., son of late William Albert and Maudie M. White. He had served in the Navy on USS Arkansas during WWII and retired from General Motors in 1977. ...

Local musicians Pam Howard Becker, Cheri Dawe, James Todd and Kirk Mondy will present “A Little Night Music,” an evening of classical and popular music at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Rodgers Theatre to help raise the matching funds for the CDBG Grant recently awarded to Rodgers Theatre, Inc. to renovate the theater roof...

FISK, Mo. - Ronald Clarence Marler, age 75, of Bernie, Mo., died Friday January 11, 2019 at his residence. Mr. Marler was born May 4, 1943 at Poplar Bluff and was raised in Broseley. He was the son of the late Clarence and Juanita Marler. He was retired from MFA AgriServices in Bernie. ...

CAMPBELL, Mo. - Roger Maddox, 64, of Campbell, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Ill. Visitation will be from noon - 1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 14 at Landess Funeral Home in Campbell. The funeral will follow at 1 p.m. at Landess Funeral Home with Mr. Chris Shepard officiating. Burial will be in St. Teresa Cemetery in Glennonville, Mo. Online condolences may be made to: www.landessfh2@yahoo.com or www.landessfuneralhome.com...

UPDATED NOON Some icing and freezing rain is predicted for Butler County and the surrounding region in late afternoon and early evening Friday according to officials who participated in an 11 a.m. phone conference with the National Weather Service. The weather is expected to clear by Saturday morning.