Stories from Thursday, February 21, 2019

The long-awaited change to crappie fishing regulations anglers have sought at Wappapello Lake finally will kick into effect March 1. “I’m pretty excited to see the change,” said Department of Conservation Fisheries Management Biologist Dave Knuth, who’s overseen Wappapello’s crappie fishery for several years...

The Heartland Gobblers chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will celebrate its 26th anniversary when it hosts its annual hunting heritage banquet March 9 in Poplar Bluff. The doors to the event, which will be held at the Brown-Mabry American Legion Post 153 off Kanell Boulevard, will open at 5 p.m...

FISK, Mo. ­— Joyce Gaye Cochran, 85, of Doniphan, Mo., died Wednesday, February 20 at Current River Nursing in Doniphan. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Robert Hill Cemetery near Bloomfield with Kevin Faughn officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. Condolences: www.whitesandersfuneralhome.com...

Ground was broken Thursday for a new, state-of-the-art learning resource center on the campus of the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, which, officials believe, will be completed in the spring of 2020. The initial request for the project dates back to 2015 and will replace an existing house on the property, said Medical Center Director Dr. Patricia Hall...

The Poplar Bluff R-1 School District is continuing to focus on school safety. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amy Jackson presented the Board of Education with the district’s school climate and safety program evaluation during Thursday’s meeting with the ultimate goal and focus to ensure students, families and staff are safe and to provide an environment conducive to learning...

Closing arguments were to begin Friday morning in a Butler County courtroom in the trial of a former Poplar Bluff street department superintendent accused of shooting a woman during what began as a child custody dispute at his home.

WENTZVILLE, Mo. — Jack passed away on Feb. 15, 2019 at the age of 79. He was the beloved husband of Patricia (Losh) Flagg of Lake Saint Louis, Mo. for 59 years. The funeral was at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20 at Living Lord Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Mo. Interment was at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Living Lord Lutheran Church or Donor’s Choice in care of Pitman Funeral Home, P. O. Box 248, Wentzville, MO 63385