Stories from Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Friday and Saturday will mark the 34th installment of the Heartland Agriculture and Natural Resources Expo (Ag Expo)at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Ag Expo has continued to grow and add new events each year to bring something fresh to the public, said Stephanie Milner, county engagement specialist. This event is in support of and sponsored Greenway Equipment and by the Butler County University of Missouri Extension Council and the Ag Club of Three Rivers College...

City firefighters responded at 7:43 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, to report of a fire burning near Ray Clinton Park off of South B Street. According to the report, firefighters found an unauthorized burn at the 542 S. B St. residence occupied by Maria Freeman...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL A 38-year-old Piggott, Ark., woman was injured in a two-vehicle crash at 3:40 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, on U.S. 62, three miles west of Campbell. According to the report, Edward F. Fuemmeler, 71, of Campbell was operating a 2014 Chevrolet pickup northbound when it pulled into the path of a 2003 Ford pickup being driven westbound by Melissa R. Underwood...

Genesis Home Care will have an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, at its new location at 1908 S. Broadway, Poplar Bluff. The business formerly was located at 3090 S. Westwood Blvd. The first 10 people will receive door prizes and drawings will be held every hour. Winners do not have to be present when their names are drawn...

Officials with Saint Francis Healthcare System announced Monday morning UnitedHealthcare has terminated its contract with the entity as the two negotiate rates for services provided at Saint Francis’ facilities. The situation would put Saint Francis facilities “out of network” for United customers, meaning customers would pay higher rates for services such as cancer treatment, surgery and laboratory testing provided at Saint Francis...

In a statement released Monday evening, UnitedHealthcare said its negotiations with Saint Francis Healthcare System are efforts to reduce the cost of health care for Southeast Missouri residents. “The cost of care at Saint Francis Medical Center is nearly two and a half times more expensive than the average cost of the hospitals in our network in the St. Louis metropolitan area, where more competition among hospitals has driven costs down,” the statement said...

Billy Ray Jenkins, 73, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020 at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center following a brief illness. Bill was born March 19, 1946 to Paul and Wilma (Adams) Jenkins in Butler County, Mo. A talented athlete, he competed in football, track and basketball while at Poplar Bluff High School, graduating in 1964. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU — The Associated General Contractors of Missouri will host an industry-focused economic forecast session on Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Century Casino in Cape Girardeau. Registration opens at 3:30 p.m., followed by a presentation/discussion from 4 to 5 p.m...

Over 75 breakout sessions were hosted for R-I faculty district-wide during the sixth annual PB Connect on collaboration day in what initially began as an internal technology camp for 1:1 buildings in 2015.

For more than 32 years, Clark Allen guided the operations of Poplar Bluff’s Parks and Recreation Department, enhancing existing parks, opening new ones and developing a trail system throughout the city, among other achievements. On Monday, Allen’s contributions to the city were recognized during the unveiling of a plaque in his honor...

The Super Bowl is Sunday and Ag Expo organizers are celebrating this unofficial national holiday by inviting attendees to wear their favorite sports jersey Saturday at the expo. Those who participate will be eligible to win a prize package of football party items provided by Walmart Supercenter. This event is part of a project promoting the upcoming census...

Roy Allen Risinger, 76, son of the late Ralph Jr. Risinger and Bernice DeSpain Risinger, was born on March 23, 1943 in Hollis, Okla. He departed this life on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, in St. Louis, Mo. Roy was the owner/operator of Risinger Construction Company until 2003 and was of the Methodist faith. Roy was united in marriage to Betty Lou Smith on April 6, 1963 in Orange, Calif. She survives of the home in Malden...

The Poplar Bluff R-I school board race is now uncontested and will not be on the April ballot.

Local law enforcement support efforts recently proposed in the Missouri General Assembly to reduce gun violence in the state by increasing punishments for weapons-related crimes. Three Republican senators proposed bills during a Senate judiciary committee hearing that aim to modify or increase penalties for crimes related to gun use. On the same day, House Democrats highlighted several bills to address firearm violence...

Judge W. Dean Million The following cases were disposed of in Municipal Court in December. Dollar amounts may be fines, court costs or any combination of the same. Jeremy Lee Sansoucie, 31, Dexter, possession of drug paraphernalia, $357; stealing, $307; no seat belt, $10...

Virginia “Ginger” Hopper, 79, of Poplar Bluff passed away Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Visitation will be held Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 from 6 p.m. until the time of service in the chapel at Moore Funeral Service, 1100 Iron Bridge Road, Poplar Bluff. A service celebrating Ginger’s life will begin at 7 p.m. with Pastor Deb Tracy officiating...

Robert Eugene Burkhart, 69, of Grandin, Mo. passed away Jan. 27, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving wife and children. Robert was born Nov. 22, 1950 to the late Edgar and Edna (Williams) Burkhart in Poplar Bluff, Mo. On Sept. 18, 1971, he married the love of his life, Carolyn Sue Ketchum in Poplar Bluff...

Two Poplar Bluff R-I schools will receive new milk dispensers next month, prompting the shift from milk cartons to cups.

Felicity Ray will retire Saturday as the executive director of the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission. She was honored Tuesday evening at a retirement reception. Ray is preparing to step into a consulting position so she may devote more time to her family and her health...

James Goff, 80, of Poplar Bluff, died Jan. 27, 2020. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, at Westwood Baptist Church, Poplar Bluff. Funeral following at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan 30, 2020, also at Westwood Chapel. Burial: Cool Springs Cemetery, Taskee...

Training for the Building Bonds Neighbor 2 Neighbor, a program by the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, will begin Wednesday morning at the Twin Towers. Volunteers to make and receive the calls are still being accepted.