Stories from Monday, May 4, 2020

Churches across the state are making plans to resume in-person services on Mother’s Day after Gov. Mike Parson gave the green light recently. First United Methodist Church in Dexter plans to reopen for services on Mother’s Day. “That’ll be our start,” Pastor Larry Lawman said. “We’re going through and looking at what we need to do to keep everybody safe.”...

First responders are on the scene of a motorcycle accident on Pine Street in Poplar Bluff. The accident occurred shortly after noon in front of Rodgers Theatre. Traffic was stopped while crews assessed those involved for injuries. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available...

Three Rivers College has moved its annual event Big G’s Open Mic Night Fist Fight Poetry Slam to a virtual forum this year. The Poetry Slam will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. via Zoom, an online video service that attendees can sign into for free.

There were no issues on the first day of reopening businesses in Poplar Bluff. "We are giving restaurants a day or two to figure out the new normal and we'll go in (Tuesday) to start our normal inspections and we are still fielding questions," said Emily Goodin, Butler County Health Department administrator...

Martha Iva Lou Sparkman, 88, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Friday, May 1, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Sparkman was born April 16, 1932, in Orange County, California. She was a member of Westwood Baptist Church and was a homemaker. Mrs. Sparkman enjoyed being with her family, sewing, singing in quartets and cooking...

Karen Lynn Hurst, 71, of Madison, Mississippi passed away Friday, May 1, in Jackson, Mississippi. She was born on October 20, 1948 in Poplar Bluff. Her late mother was Sally Lavern Hillis and her late father was William Alfred Hillis, Jr., a WWII survivor of Midway...

Several downed trees and other damage have been reported in Butler County during Monday afternoon's storm. The area near the intersection of Highway 160 and Highway 158, west of Harviell, appears to have taken the brunt of the storm's fury, with trees reported down on a trailer, , another across the road near the Highway F and Highway 160 intersection, and along County Road 488...

A change is being considered to Poplar Bluff city regulations that could allow more alcohol sales by the drink in the downtown area. Businesses are currently required to make at least 50 percent of their sales by serving food, according to information presented Monday night to Poplar Bluff City Council members...

Ashley House didn’t expect a Facebook group for Twin Rivers seniors to get as popular as it has. After less than a week, the group has 330 members.

Because of the severe thunderstorm Sunday afternoon, Twin Rivers R-X had to postpone its recognition of seniors. However, the district has rescheduled the event for this weekend.

Betty Darlene Gillum age 58, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. She was a member of Seven Day Adventist Church and homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lucy Gillum, brother Melford Gillum, son Allen Landers and sister Vicky Gillum. Survivors include three children; Travis Landers, Jody Blackmore, and Cody Blackmore, her brothers Elvin, Larry, Henry, and Jerry Gillum; her sisters Sherry Kinder, Jeanette Burpo, Shirley Campbell, Cathy Gillum, Tammy Morrill, and Laura Taylor ; three grandchildren Jasmine, Travis and Troy Landers of Fisk.. ...