Stories from Monday, April 27, 2020

This week, I held a call with over 50 of our local leaders from across southern Missouri to discuss plans for reopening our area’s economy. I believe that the best government is the one that’s closest to the people, which is why it was critical to brainstorm with them on ways to restart southern Missouri in the coming days...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri FFA Association recognized Tanner Robinson of the Poplar Bluff FFA Chapter as the Area 16 Star Farmer. His parents are Scot and Kristie Robinson of Poplar Bluff. His advisors are Dean Lackey and Kathryn Clark. Area Star Farmers are chosen based upon outstanding production agriculture in the student’s supervised agricultural experience program and active participation in FFA. Area 16 includes 20 chapters in the Southeast District...

A 24-year-old New Madrid woman was killed in a one-vehicle crash at 9:10 p.m. Sunday, April 26, on Highway 153, two miles north of Parma, in Stoddard County. According to the report, Kayla D. Atchley was operating a 1999 Buick Regal northbound when it ran off the right side of the road. Atchley reportedly overcorrected, which caused her car to run off the left side of the road, strike a ditch and overturn...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL A 19-year-old Essex resident was injured in a one-vehicle crash at 2:15 p.m. Friday, April 24, on Highway H, three miles east of Matthews. According to the report, Paige L. Builderback was operating a 2019 Kia Optima westbound when it ran off the road and struck an embankment...

City firefighters responded at 6:41 p.m. Sunday, April 26, to an alarm at the 2144 Autumn Road residence occupied by Roger Desgranges. It was investigation only. _ City firefighters responded at 6:39 p.m. Sunday, April 26, to a report of an unauthorized burn at 807 Lester St...

Registration opened for new and returning students on April 27 for Fall classes and online Summer classes at Three Rivers College. Students can register online, by phone, or by emailing an advisor.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — The case against a Patterson man is among the many federal cases on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. John Franklin Quigley is accused of possessing firearms he allegedly stole from the Poplar Bluff gun dealer where he was employed...

As the state prepares for the stay-at-home order to expire, school districts are starting to schedule regular end-of-year events that have been impacted by COVID-19. Poplar Bluff R-I High School principals are in the process of looking at dates for both prom and graduation. Marketing Director Tim Krakowiak said they should be able to share dates later this week...

SMTS Executive Director Denny Ward calls grant money from the federal government a boon for his public transit company that serves much of Southeast Missouri. SMTS (Southeast Missouri Transportation Service) is one of 30 rural agencies to receive grant money from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration, as part of President Donald Trump’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act...

A priest formerly assigned to the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau has been accused of physical/sexual misconduct, according to a release from the diocese. Father Gary Carr, who was assigned to St. Joseph’s Parish in Advance in 1987, has been accused of inappropriate physical/sexual contact with a male, who was 10 to 13 years old at the time of the incident. The male is now an adult...

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Meat isn't going to disappear from supermarkets because of outbreaks of the coronavirus among workers at U.S. slaughterhouses. But as the meat plants struggle to remain open, consumers could face less selection and slightly higher prices...

Citing favorable data, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said the state will reopen on May 4 with phase one of his “Show Me Strong Recovery” Plan. “With favorable data and approval from state health officials, we are ready to take another step forward in the recovery of Missouri,” Parson said. “Today, I am announcing phase one of our ‘Show Me Strong Recovery’ Plan, which will begin Monday, May 4 and extend through Sunday, May 31.”...

Richard Lee “Dickie” Morse, age 69, of Poplar Bluff, died Sunday, April 26, 2020, at his residence. There will be a private family visitation and funeral service Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. The funeral service will be live streamed at 3 p.m. on White Sanders Funeral Home’s Facebook page. Burial will be in Missouri State Veteran’s Cemetery at Bloomfield, Mo. Online condolences: www.whitesandersfuneralhome.com .