Stories from Thursday, December 12, 2019

The countdown has begun as we are only thirteen sleeps away from the big day. Celebrate the final days of the holiday season by following my list of good things to do in honor of the last twelve days of Christmas. Email or write me to share how you celebrated the 12 days of Christmas in your special way. I look forward to hearing from you. Enjoy!...

VAN BUREN — The superintendent for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways will retire Jan. 3, after 42 years of federal service. Larry Johnson has been superintendent for the Van Buren-headquarted park since 2015. A retirement luncheon will be held at noon Dec. 20, at park headquarters in Van Buren, according to a press release. Guests can R.S.V.P. by calling 573-323-4852...

Doug Kennedy, Joe Cornelison and Shawn Saale were selected to serve as officers of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education at its Dec. 11 meeting. Kennedy will serve as chair for the third consecutive year, according to a press release. He represents District 8 and is an attorney from Poplar Bluff. He was first appointed to the board in December 2013...

Residents living in Qulin and Puxico now have a way to safely dispose of unused or expired medications. Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health recently presented the Qulin Police Department and Puxico Police Department with permanent drop boxes to collect unused and expired medications...

A partnership between several county agencies has allowed Butler County Sheriff’s Department to replace failing dispatch equipment. The new radio equipment was recently installed, said Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs, who approached commissioners in June with concerns about how to pay for the upgrades...

FISK — Randy South, age 72, of Fisk, died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019 at Southeast Missouri Hospital, in Cape Girardeau. Mr. South was born Dec. 2, 1947 to the late William H. and Juanita Stuckey South. He had served in the Army during the Vietnam War and was a member of the VFW at Wappapello and American Legion Post 153 at Poplar Bluff. ...

FISK — Carol Lee Dillard, 74, of Chesterfield, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield. A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 at Clayton Community Church in St. Louis. Graveside services will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at Shain Memorial Cemetery in Fisk...

Patricia Ann Jones, 57 of Wappapello, passed peacefully early in the morning Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019 at Barnes Jewish Hospital accompanied by those she loved. Patty ‘Pattycakes’ Jones, was born on July 14, 1962 to the late Sharon Williams and Chester Dunlap in Cape Girardeau. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU —Albert C. Lowes, a legend of the legal community of Southeast Missouri, died peacefully on Dec. 9, 2019 of complication after a fall. He was 87 years of age. Albert could only be described as one of a kind. He was hard-charging, hard-working and cigar smoking. He peppered his speech with unique expressions and colourful language. He was also honest, loyal and an aggressive advocate for his clients and his community...

NEELYVILLE — Karen Jean Queshelle Foster, 31, of Doniphan, died Wednesday, Dec. 11 at her residence. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 Fowler & Sons Funeral Home in Neelyville. The funeral will follow at 1 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Antioch Cemetery in Oxly, Mo...

PIEDMONT — Nickey R. Jones, 60, formerly of Piedmont, died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 in Jefferson Colo. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Morrison Funeral Chapel in Piedmont. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial with military honors will be in the Clay Cemetery near Piedmont...

Over 80 local kids have received beds since fall, when the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) started.

It is a traumatic experience when a child is displaced from home, but hundreds of youth in Southeast Missouri go into foster care each year for their own safety. Many times, they only have the clothes they are wearing. The Poplar Bluff Kiwanis Club since 2008 has conducted the Pajama Rama project to provide them with sleepwear and this year, they’ve also added TOTES 2 TOTS...