Stories from Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Voters will be asked June 2 to pick two at-large representatives for Poplar Bluff City Council from a field of eight candidates. The election was rescheduled from April due to COVID-19. The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a virtual candidate forum at noon Thursday. The event is not open to the public, but will be shared on the chamber’s Facebook and YouTube pages...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL A 69-year-old Waterloo, Illinois, man was injured in a one-vehicle crash at 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, on Highway O, 10 miles north of Poplar Bluff. According to the report, Bobby J. Huddleston was operating a 2016 Chevrolet box truck eastbound when it ran off the road and struck to guy wires and a utility pole...

City firefighters responded at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, to a motor-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 142 and Highway 53. According to the report, firefighters checked for injuries and used an absorbent to remove a hazard from the road. _...

The Agee Community Club ladies met at Dexter BQ on May 13. Hostess this month was Nadine Johnson. Club president Cathy Womack called the meeting to order. Invocation was offered by Jeanie Figgins. Devotional was from Philippians 4:9 “Stand Fast,” read by Womack. ...

The director of the Stoddard County Health Center, Ben Godwin, has confirmed the second COVID-19 related death in Stoddard County. “At approximately 5 p.m. last night (May 19) Stoddard County officials received word of the second death stemming from the Crowley Ridge Care Center outbreak,” said Godwin. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those lost.”...

Missouri lawmakers on Friday reached an impasse on legislation that would have enacted a statewide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), an electronic database that tracks prescriptions for controlled substances. The 2020 legislative session ended at 6 p.m. Friday...

SIKESTON – Business U.S. 60 in Stoddard County will be reduced as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform drainage repairs. This section of roadway is located from Locust Street to Mulberry Street in Dexter, Missouri. Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Tuesday, May 26 through Thursday, May 28...

Saturday is a big day for Missouri sportsmen — a sort of a kickoff to summer. That’s when the state’s squirrel and black bass seasons officially open. After a short break following the spring turkey season, hunters again will be able to hit the woods, this time in search of squirrels...

ROLLA — Many of the Mark Twain National Forest’s recreation facilities are beginning to open; however, availability of campgrounds, group sites, restroom facilities, trash services, and potable water will vary due to impacts from COVID-19. Recent flooding may affect availability of some sites. ...

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is accepting applications from rice field owners to enroll in its expanded Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement program. Landowners may receive as much as $150 per acre annually while still maintaining the current production of rice fields by following post-harvest guidelines and allowing permit-based hunts during waterfowl season on their properties. ...

JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is seeking initial public input on a proposed limited and highly regulated hunting season for black bears, which would be open only to Missouri residents. If approved by the Missouri Conservation Commission, a season could occur as soon as the fall of 2021. MDC is asking for initial public comments through June 5...

GREENVILLE — Civil and criminal dockets are being held in Wayne County this week as its courts began conducting more in-person proceedings. The courts in the 42nd Judicial Circuit, which includes Wayne County, have “gone to phase one,” said Associate Circuit Judge Christina Kime...

The Butler County Health Department is keeping its number of positive COVID-19 cases at 28 until further testing can be done. Since Missouri Governor Mike Parson reopened businesses throughout the state more than two weeks ago, Butler County has added two confirmed cases, with the most recent one occurring this past weekend...

Wearing a mask, Shanna Thornton dished up lunch at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center on Wednesday afternoon as staff followed social distancing guidelines as directed by the Centers for Disease Control. In another part of the hospital, environmental services team member Mary Champion cleaned railings on an inpatient floor and Peggy Teasdale checked patients in from behind a safety shield in a cardiovascular office...

The Twin Rivers R-X school district will have a new superintendent in July.

Three Rivers College students will have the chance this fall to complete three online degrees.

Georgia L. Webb, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Wednesday, May 20, 2020. She was born to the late George C. Smith and Anna L. (Shadle) Smith. She lived in Michigan for 50 years prior to moving to Poplar Bluff. Georgia was an avid reader, enjoyed her sewing and flowers...

Shirley Louise Hamilton, 84 of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at her residence with her family at her side. Shirley, the daughter of the late Clarence Elmer and Frona Jewell (Snow) Harris, was born April 10, 1936, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. She was of the Baptist Faith and a homemaker. Shirley enjoyed spending time with her family, reading and going to flea markets...