Stories from Tuesday, June 16, 2020

To the Editor: Well it has finally happened. Mister, or should I say, Coach Longevity, has finally decided enough is enough. After 50 years, just at Three Rivers College alone, and 1,300 victories, an icon is cutting down his final net. Legendary coach Gene Bess has announced his retirement from NJCAA basketball. The things I am about to write are from personal experiences with this man during the four great years of being the Voice of the Raiders...

Dear Editor: As parents, we’re prioritizing keeping our kids safe from the effects and spread of COVID-19 by keeping them at home, but we also must prioritize keeping them safe while they are in our own homes. Every year, nearly 350 children under the age of 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else; nearly 90% of those shootings occur at home...

Reggie Shawn Hopwood, 58, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 7, 2020, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was born Nov. 8, 1961, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to Margaret (Slayton) Hopwood and the late Glen “Hop” Hopwood. Reggie grew up in Malden, Missouri, and attended Malden High School. ...

Hydro Adventures has set a tentative re-opening date of July 1, according to an announcement this week. The date was chosen because of the most recent announcement by Governor Mike Parson and the “Show Me Strong Recovery Plan” full reopening of the state of Missouri beginning Tuesday, June 16, according to a press release from the business...

Poplar Bluff City Manager Mark Massingham has announced his decision to retire, effective July 10. The matter was accepted by council members during a closed session vote Monday evening, Massingham said this morning. The council will meet in a special closed session at 1 p.m. Thursday to discuss personnel issues, he said...

The Agee Community Club ladies met for a noon luncheon at Dexter BBQ in Poplar Bluff. Hostess for June was Jeanie Figgins. Club president Cathy Womack opened the meeting with the ladies repeating the club motto, “When the Heart is full of Love the world is full of Beauty”...

Brian Douglas Arndt, 54, of Fisk passed away on Monday, June 15, 2020, at his home in Fisk. Brian was born on Sept. 12, 1965, to Charles and Roberta Ann (Fears) Arndt in St. Louis, Missouri. Brian enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. He enjoyed four-wheeling in the outdoors when he was younger. He had worked in the family cabinet business for many years and had also drove a truck...

Editor’s Note: Information regarding this accident is running again in its entirety because details obtained by the Daily American Republic from the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s online report regarding the crash were incorrect. The online synopsis has since been changed to reflect the correct information. The patrol’s online reports are a brief synopsis of crashes and are considered unofficial reports. They are available on its website for use by the public and media...

Elvis L. Tison, 87, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away Friday, May 22, 2020. Born in Poplar Bluff, he was the son of William D and Ruby H. (Brake) Tison. Elvis served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1963. He retired in 1988 from General Motors, Corvette Bowling Green Assembly Plant. One thing he loved more than his family were his dogs. He was known by many as the dog man...

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, Ark. — Robert “Bob” Lamar Abernathy, 88 of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2020. He was born on Nov. 8, 1931, in Troy, Alabama, to I.W. Abernathy and Myrtle (Green) Abernathy. He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Wilma (Loyd) Wilson, Lois Abernathy, Rex Abernathy, Hester (Elrod) Larned, Jack (Betty) Abernathy, Glenna (Gordon) Jackson; and his first wife, Shirley (Morgan) Abernathy...

DEXTER — Officers with the Dexter Police Department recently participated in the annual nationwide Youth Alcohol Enforcement Crackdown “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” Officers issued 15 citations, along with 23 warnings, during the enforcement period between June 5 and Sunday...

Frank Daniel Hart, 76, of Poplar Bluff passed away at his home June 10,  2020. Frank was born Oct. 11, 1943, to the late Oscar and Grethel (King) Hart in Harviell. Frank had a love for the outdoors and enjoyed feeding birds and watching wildlife living near his home.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing and working on mechanical projects in his workshop...

VAN BUREN — The courts in the 37th Judicial Circuit, including Carter County, have been operating in phase two this month and may soon move to phase three. “We actually started phase two on June 1; we still have been continuing to have limited appearances, where people are waiting outside, and then, we just call them in as their case is called,” said Associate Circuit Judge Steve Lynxwiler...

A 16-year-old Sturdivant resident was seriously injured in a one-vehicle crash at 4:05 p.m. Monday, June 15, on Highway P, one and one-half mile west of Highway TT, in Wayne County. According to the report, the teenager was operating a 2006 Chevrolet pickup westbound when it ran off the right side of the road, struck a culvert and overturned...

GREENVILLE — Wayne County authorities continue to search for an O’Fallon, Missouri, area man who was reported missing more than two weeks ago. The disappearance of Patrick Norman Chapman “is suspicious at the least,” said Wayne County Sheriff Dean Finch...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL An 84-year-old Gideon bicyclist was killed in a crash at 9:45 a.m. Monday, June 15, on Highway F, two miles west of Conran in New Madrid County. According to the report, William E. Piatt was operating a Tricross bicycle eastbound at the same time Randal J. Brands, 64, of Portageville was operating an eastbound 2012 Ford pickup...

City firefighters responded at 4:09 p.m. Monday, June 15, to an alarm at Northwest Medical Center, 2210 Barron Road. It was investigation only. _ City firefighters responded at 12:46 p.m. Monday, June 15, to an alarm at Westwood Hills Health Care, 3100 Warrior Lane. It was investigation only...

Poplar Bluff Junior High School science eighth teacher Lori Dawson runs her classroom with kindness and passion, according to students, coworkers, parents and others who know the educator.

Darrell Deken died peacefully at his home on June 14, 2020, at the age of 69. Darrell was born on July 14, 1950, in Qulin, Mo., to Christina (Bader) and Clemens Deken. He graduated from St. Agnes Catholic High School in Springfield, Mo., in 1968 and from Southeast Missouri State in 1972 with a degree in Psychology and Philosophy...

Poplar Bluff City Manager Mark Massingham has announced his decision to retire effective July 10. The matter was accepted by council members during a closed session vote Monday evening, Massingham said Tuesday morning. The council will hold a special meeting at 1 p.m. ...

Scores from Monday, June 15, action in the Poplar Bluff Park Dept. baseball leagues.