Stories from Saturday, February 9, 2019

This week I was happy to welcome representatives from Ozark Border Electric to the capitol. General Manager David Schremp and several board members visited along with electric co-ops from across Missouri. I have been a member of Ozark Border Electric since 1980, and frankly I consider it the best in the state. It was good to have a chance to introduce my honored guests on the House floor...

BLOOMFIELD — Doyle Ronald Layton, 71, of Essex died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, at his home. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Charles Woodard of Advance officiating. Burial will be in the Link Cemetery near Bloomfield...

PUXICO — Gladys R. Bailey, 96, of Wappapello died Tuesday, Feb. 5, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation will begin at noon Tuesday at Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico, followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Kathleen Bryant officiating. Burial will be in Illinois on Wednesday...

Just days after being born, Mikel Foster earned the title “the little miracle baby with the unique heart” by a group of medical professionals at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Born Nov. 17, 2018, at seven pounds, nine ounces and only three days early, mother Leighann Foster, of Ellsinore, said “everything was good and everything was fine.”...

The Butler County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is declining to file charges at this time in connection to the November death of a Qulin man. Joshua Tutor Goins was fatally shot by a local man he struggled with after being offered a ride. “I feel terrible for the Goins’ family and express condolences for their loss, but after a thorough investigation by the Butler County Sheriff’s Department and reviewing all the evidence they provided, as well as the autopsy report provided by Dr. ...

Some observations from the past few weeks: Kudos to Steve Halter and the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce staff and board for a great job with your annual banquet on Jan. 26. A record crowd of 530 came out to celebrate another year of growth and prosperity for area businesses. ...

Three months after voters approved Amendment 1, or the Clean Missouri amendment, the Missouri House passed a bill this week that could cloud the state’s Sunshine Law. House Bill 445 would add to the records that can currently be closed from the public under the law...