Stories from Friday, August 2, 2019

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Ouida Sue Alderman, 72, of Poplar Bluff, formerly of Aurora, Ill., died Saturday, July 27, 2019. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9 at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo. with Dr. Steve Proctor officiating...

Ezekiel D. J. Webb, of Ellsinore, has been awarded the Emory Melton Endowed Scholarship and the Ozarks Teacher Corps Scholarship from Missouri State University-West Plains. Webb, a 2018 graduate of East Carter County High School in Ellsinore, is a sophomore at Missouri State-West Plains who plans to pursue a degree in education...

Each year, the state offers a tax-free holiday during the first weekend of August for back to school. This year’s holiday will be on Saturday and Sunday. Certain purchases such as clothing, school supplies and computers are exempt from sales tax during the weekend...

“I didn’t want to waste my time making something I couldn’t keep,” remarks Delino “Del” Allie, when speaking of the model ships he has built over the past 40 years. “At first,” he points out, “it was just something to do in my spare time. Then, I found out girls liked the hobby,” he adds with a laugh...

John J. Pershing VA Medical Center leadership will change in August as the current director accepts a new position in Columbia. Dr. Patricia Hall will transfer to the Harry S. Truman VA Medical Center, serving as medical center director. Hall’s last day will be Aug. 23, said Angela Smith, public affairs officer...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Jeffery F. Morris, 39, of Fredericktown was arrested at 9:02 p.m. Thursday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated (prior offender) and driving while revoked. He was booked at the Wayne County Jail. _ Ronald J. Wilson, 34, of Doniphan was arrested at 5:50 p.m. Thursday on a Ripley County warrant for a weapon offense and on suspicion of no seat belt. He was booked at the Butler County jail...

City firefighters responded at 10:48 p.m. Thursday to a report of a possible structure fire at the intersection of Garfield and Valley streets. According to the report, firefighters found a couch on fire in the lot beside 830 Garfield St. and used 20 gallons of water to put out the fire...

City firefighters responded at 7:11 p.m. Wednesday to provide lift assistance at 2006 Lowery St. According to the report, firefighters were let into the home by a neighbor and found the homeowner had fallen while putting away groceries and was unable to get up without assistance...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL A 38-year-old Poplar Bluff woman was injured in a one-vehicle crash at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday on Highway M, south of County Road 462, in Butler County. According to the report, Jamie V. Smith was operating a 2007 Chrysler 300 westbound when it ran off the road and struck an embankment...

Just hours before a Malden teen’s 17th birthday on Friday, he was certified to stand trial as an adult in connection with a May drive-by shooting on Business 60, east of Poplar Bluff. Naaman Jahl Caldwell was charged Thursday with the Class A felony of first-degree assault, the Class B felony of unlawful use of a weapon and the unclassified felony of armed criminal action by Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Pansy Juanita Luck (Decker) of Broken Arrow, OK. Formerly of Poplar Bluff, died July 31, 2019. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. - noon on Tuesday, August 6 in the chapel at Moore Funeral Service, 1100 Iron Bridge Road, Poplar Bluff. Funeral service will follow at noon with Pastor Dave Parmley officiating.

City meetings City council The Poplar Bluff City Council will hold a public hearing at 6:45 p.m. Monday at the city council chambers in the Black River Coliseum. The regular meeting will follow at 7 p.m. Items on the public meeting hearing include a grant application for community block development funds...

DONIPHAN, Mo. — Virgil Eugene Pinkston, 75, of Doniphan, died Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at his residence. Visitation for Mr. Pinkston will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday, August 5 in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 6 at the funeral home with Pastor Ken Johnson officiating.

The Poplar Bluff Housing Authority is making final plans for a community block party taking place from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday on the grounds of the Poplar Bluff Head Start at 405 Karen Drive. According to event organizers, the party is in conjunction with the National Night Out (NNO) campaign taking place in communities nationwide. NNO promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to improve the quality of life, making areas safer for residents to live and work...

After the closure of Scotty’s Brewhouse in Poplar Bluff nearly two weeks ago, the Poplar Bluff Job Center will host an informational meeting for former employees.

CAMPBELL, Mo. — Ronald Gene Davis, 78, of Campbell, died Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019 at Ridgeview Living Community in Malden, Mo. Visitation will be from 2-3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5 at Landess Funeral Home in Campbell. The funeral will follow at 3 p.m. at the Landess Funeral Chapel with Rev. William Hill officiating...