Stories from Thursday, September 26, 2019

CAPE GIRARDEAU — The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced that Saint Francis Healthcare System was awarded a RMOMS (Rural Maternity Obstetrics Management Strategies) grant. The grant, one of only three awarded nationwide, focuses on the six Missouri Bootheel counties of Dunklin, Stoddard, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot and Scott. The award totals more than $3 million. Programs in New Mexico and Texas also received funding...

VAN BUREN — Park rangers invite residents to join them for a B.A.R.K. Ranger hike from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 5 at Big Spring. This event is free and open to the public. It will include a short hike around Big Spring. Following the hike, all dogs will be officially sworn in as Ozark National Scenic Riverways B.A.R.K. Rangers and given an exclusive Riverways B.A.R.K. Ranger bandana...

A retired missionary, who began collecting English trains in New Zealand, desired to make a wonderful gift to the Moark Regional Railroad Museum. Before he died on Oct. 24, 2018, the Rev. Richard Brosseau arranged for his wife, HaeJa, of Silva, and son, Matthew, of Oakville, Ontario, in Canada, to donate his extensive collection of English trains and 16-foot long layout to the museum where he was a member...

The weekend is jam packed with all kinds of things in our area for the whole family to enjoy. The weather will remain summer-like through next week so keep those jackets and sweatshirts in storage for now. Make a point to get out and about in the ample sunshine. There are plenty of activities and goings-on in Southeast Missouri to keep you occupied...

City firefighters responded at 2:19 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, to an alarm at Briggs & Stratton, 731 Highway 142. It was investigation only. _ County firefighters responded at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, to a report of a gas smell at the Broseley Post Office. It was investigation only...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL A 51-year-old Marble Hill man was killed in a motorcycle crash at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, on Highway 72, four miles west of Patton, in Bollinger County. According to the report, Lester C. Chapman was operating a 1987 Suzuki Cavalcade eastbound when he lost control, and his motorcycle ran off the left side of the road. Chapman’s motorcycle then reportedly struck a driveway and overturned...

City firefighters responded at 2:34 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, to a report of a trash fire in the 900 block of Park Avenue. According to the report, firefighters found an unauthorized burn at the 839 Henderson Ave. residence owned by Jim Beam. Beam allegedly was burning trash in his back yard. Firefighters told him about the city’s burn ordinance and used 50 gallons of water to put out the fire...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL An 18-year-old Dexter resident was injured in a one-vehicle crash at 1:55 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, on County Road 607, five miles south of Dexter. According to the report, Harley C. Smith was operating a 1998 Dodge pickup southbound when it ran off the road and struck a tree...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Douglas M. Tisdal, 27, of Naylor was arrested at 10:44 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, no insurance, possession of marijuana, purchased vehicle without transferring title and driving while suspended. He was booked at the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Douglas M. Tisdal, 27, of Naylor was arrested at 10:44 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, no insurance, possession of marijuana, purchased vehicle without transferring title and driving while suspended. He was booked at the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department...

City firefighters responded to a report of an unauthorized burn at 12:35 p.m. Sept. 24 to the 613 Kinzer St., owed by Joseph Jones. According to the report, firefighters told Jones about city burning ordinances and used five gallons of water to put out the fire...

City firefighters were notified at 10:58 a.m. Sept. 23 about a cat stuck underneath a truck at the fire station on Barron Road. According to the report, firefighters found a cat on the coil spring of the vehicle. The cat was removed and turned it over to the Poplar Bluff Animal Control Shelter...

PUXICO ­— Mingo National Wildlife Refuge will host a family-friendly, free bat-themed event from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, Sept. 28 at the visitor center. Join us for an educational presentation by Heidi Mac at 10 a.m. Mac researches threatened and endangered bat species all over the country...

DEXTER — Maxine Daniel, 95, of Dexter, died Sept. 19, 2019 at the Winchester Nursing Center in Bernie. Visitation will be after 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter until time of services at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in the Dexter Cemetery in Dexter with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements...

NEELYVILLE — Kenneth Mitchell Petigo, 58, of Doniphan, died Monday, Sept. 23, 2019 at Westwood Hills Healthcare in Poplar Bluff. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at Fowler & Sons Funeral Home in Neelyville. The funeral will follow at 1 p.m. in the funeral home with Donnie Fowler officiating.

WEST PLAINS — It took about 80 minutes Wednesday for a Howell County jury to find a Poplar Bluff man guilty of the 2016 bludgeoning death of his fiancee’s grandmother. An eight-man and four-woman retired to begin its deliberations at 5:30 p.m. in the case of Eric Wyatt, after having heard testimony for about 10 witnesses for the state during the two-day trial. The defense did not call any witnesses...

CAPE GIRARDEAU — An O’Fallon, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday morning to multiple felonies in connection with a November armed robbery in Ripley County. James M. Judd pleaded guilty to the felonies of conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and a crime of violence and interference with commerce by robbery, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hahn...

NEELYVILLE ­— Wilma Louise Lundry, 77, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Sept. 25, 2019 at Westwood Hills Healthcare of Poplar Bluff. Visitation will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 in the Fowler and Sons Funeral Home in Neelyville. The service will follow at 6 p.m. in the funeral home.

**UPDATE** Suspect captured Saturday, according to police. ————— The Poplar Bluff Police Department is currently searching for suspect, Colton Howell, who reportedly escaped police custody on Wednesday after being arrested. A reward is being offered for information leading to his capture. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department at 573-785-5776...