Stories from Monday, September 9, 2019

An aggressive attack when fire broke out again at 201 S. Main Street early Monday morning may have saved the entire block of downtown buildings. “I sent (firefighter) Chad Bell and (Capt.) Blaine Murrell in,” said Battalion Chief Stacy Harmon. “They made a hell of an attack; they knocked it down and kept it from going anywhere. They saved the building.”...

A Dexter man was taken into custody Monday morning after he was sentenced to prison for recklessly causing the death of a local teenager who was killed in a June 2018 boat collision on Black River. Accompanied by his attorney, Dan Moore, Braden Parker Bollinger appeared before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett for sentencing after having pleaded guilty Aug. 13, to the Class C felony of first-degree involuntary manslaughter...

QULIN — Mary E. Shepard, 86, of Qulin, died Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 at her residence. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Qulin. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Bro. Calvin Ham Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Carola Cemetery in Qulin...

DONIPHAN — Jim J. Keel, 64, of Doniphan, died Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 in the chapel with John Cornelius III officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery...

JONESBORO, Ark. — Ruth Holloway, 95, of Jonesboro,, died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. The visitation will be held prior to the service on Tuesday starting at 1 p.m. The memorial service will start at 2 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro, Ark. on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Burial will be private.

Nearly 100 professional cowboys and cowgirls from across the United States competed last weekend in front of an estimated crowd 2,700 plus at the Black River Coliseum. “As far as the performance, a show with the spotlights, fire and everything else, this is the best all around rodeo we’ve ever had, best in attendance, best in performance,” said Bobby Wicker, first vice president of the Three Rivers Shrine Club...

The deadline is October 4 to nominate a former Three Rivers College student or graduate for its 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award and new Alumni Star Award.

Area businesses were recently honored with sponsorship awards from the Patrons of the Arts, a non-profit organization that supports the arts at Three Rivers College, at a kickoff event in August for the upcoming season of performances.

FISK — Artie Lloyd McGowen Jr., age 82, of Poplar Bluff, died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Vaughn Kirkman officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.

DONIPHAN — Paulson (Paul) Lee Varner, 72, of Doniphan, departed this life Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 at St. Clair Hospital in Fenton, Mo. Visitation for Mr. Varner will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with the funeral to follow at 12:30 p.m. Brother Delbert McLaughlin will be officiating. Burial will be in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield at 3 p.m.

Farming plays a vital role in Missouri’s economy, history, and identity. In the coming weeks, farmers across the state will be harvesting their crops. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers to share the road. Expect to see an increase in farm machinery traffic--especially on rural highways. Please obey all traffic laws and remain vigilant. Farmers and motorists alike are encouraged to be safe, courteous drivers...

Former Poplar Bluff real estate agent and broker Ruth Holloway, 95, died Saturday at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Holloway was a previous Citizen of the Year for Poplar Bluff and Woman of the Year in Corning, Arkansas, recognitions her family says she was very proud to receive...

FAIRDEALING — Charges were filed Monday afternoon against a Fairdealing man who is accused of shooting his wife outside a convenience store after arguing with her about a gallon of milk.