Stories from Thursday, November 21, 2019

If you want Aunt Gertrude in California to receive her annual fruitcake from you in time for Christmas you need to plan ahead. According to the National Retail Federation nearly 3 billion packages were shipped during the 2018 Christmas season. Current projections are predicting that number will increase by almost 5% during this year’s holiday...

City firefighters responded at 7:41 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, to report of a structure fire at the 1515 S. 13th St. residence owned by Jason L. Whitson. According to the report, firefighters found smoke showing upon their arrival. Firefighters began knocking the fire down through a bedroom window, with additional firefighters forcibly entering the home to begin an interior attack...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Duane A. Hatfield, 41, of Leslie, Mo., was arrested at 4:51 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, on suspicion of DWI (chronic offender), speeding and no valid license. He was booked at the Wayne County Jail. _ Jeremy D. Morris, 43, of Piedmont was arrested at 12:03 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, on a Madison County warrant for a family offense and on suspicion of no seat belt. He was booked at the Wayne County Jail...

BLOOMFIELD — Virginia Lee Hampton, 82, of Bloomfield, died Nov. 20, 2019. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22 at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Tippen of Bloomfield officiating...

On Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, Edna Merle (Harrison) Smith passed from this life at the age of 95. She was born on Sept. 18, 1924, in Cardwell, Mo., to William and Myrtle Harrison. She graduated from Cardwell High School on May 20, 1943, and that very same day married the love of her life, U. ...

PIEDMONT ­— Ada Mae Burns, 77, of Piedmont, died Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 at the Clark’s Mountain Nursing Center in Piedmont. Visitation will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Morrison Funeral Chapel in Piedmont. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the Clay Cemetery near Piedmont...

Oak Grove has installed the first buddy bench of Poplar Bluff’s lower elementary schools upon successfully collecting over 250 pounds of plastic lids and caps in a student-led effort.

Collections for Operation Christmas Child will continue through the weekend at two Poplar Bluff drop off points, Temple Baptist Church and Second Baptist Church. The international effort provides school supplies, Christmas presents and faith-based materials to more than 11 million children every year...

Poplar Bluff’s Frisco Railroad is a big part of the city’s history, but one section of the old rail bed has become not only an eyesore, with trash and debris collecting in places, but a potential danger to motorists. “The old Frisco Railroad crossed the river, cut through a hillside, then became what is now Moran Street before it got to the depot,” said Poplar Bluff Street Department Superintendent Jerry Lawson. “As the town grew, they ended up having to make a roadway across it.”...

MALDEN — Charles Henry Workman, 81, of Campbell, died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 at his residence. Visitation will be at noon Friday, Nov. 22 at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. The funeral will follow at 1 p.m. at Bradshaw Chapel in Malden. Burial will be in Portageville Cemetery...

BLOOMFIELD — Emotions were high in the Stoddard County courtroom Thursday afternoon as a judge again committed a Bernie man to the Department of Mental Health after he pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to the stabbing death of his stepbrother...

The Poplar Bluff R-I School board discussed action taken by Gov. Mike Parson at its monthly board meeting Thursday night related to the rising use of vaping products in teens.