Stories from Friday, July 19, 2019

GREENVILLE — A Williamsville man was charged with the murder of a woman missing since February 2017. Craig Allen Wood, 43, was charged in Wayne County with the Class A felonies of first-degree murder and first-degree assault for attempted physical injury in connection with the disappearance of Rebecca “Becky” Alsup...

Updated at 10 p.m. Monday. George Robert Strahan turned himself in to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, Chief Danny Whiteley said Monday night.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Shirley Ann Smith, 79, of Poplar Bluff, died July 16, 2019 at Mark Twain Caring Center. A visitation will be at 10 a.m. Monday July 22 at Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Shelvie Stephens officiating.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Conway Merlin (C.M.) Wilson, 93, of Poplar Bluff, died Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Monday, July 22 at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. A graveside service with full military honors will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the City Cemetery with the Rev. Frank Chlastak officiating...

On July 20, 1969 man took the first steps on the moon. While most still know the quote, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” said by Neil Armstrong on that day, the magic the nation felt 50 years ago has faded. Children today have grown up since NASA’s last Space Shuttle mission in 2011. NASA is working toward sending Americans back to the moon by 2024 with future trips to Mars in the works...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Vivian Lucille (Whitmer) Sanner, formerly of Poplar Bluff, died on July 16, 2019. The visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, July 22 at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Frank Chlastak officiating.

At least two of three major medical providers in Poplar Bluff say their physicians will not become certified to prescribe medical marijuana. Both Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and Saint Francis Healthcare Systems are opting out at this time, while SoutheastHEALTH is still considering the matter...

It was a moment that could tear a community apart.  A new board of aldermen came in to find their town’s already tight budget in free fall. Bills weren’t paid and scary words like bankruptcy were thrown around.  Accusations flew between the new aldermen and outgoing city officials...