Stories from Monday, June 29, 2020

JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded a $50,000 Small Community Engineering Assistance Program grant to the city of Van Buren to evaluate the city’s wastewater collection system. The grant offers funding to qualifying small communities to help cover engineering costs for evaluating water and wastewater system improvements...

After the death of George Floyd, Americans across the country were united in their calls for justice. Now, over a month later, the responsible calls for justice have been drowned out by violent mobs. Local leaders in major U.S. cities have demeaned their law enforcement officers so harshly over recent weeks that it’s harder than ever for them to respond to the chaos. ...

PIEDMONT — Patricia Sue (Froman) Mitchell, 67, of Patterson, passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2020, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Pat was born on June 6, 1953, to Eugene and Mildred (Massa) Froman in Collinsville, Illinois. She graduated from Clearwater High School in 1971. Pat worked in St. Louis for several years as a CNA for Jefferson Barracks Veteran’s Hospital...

A portion of the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Kanell Branch opened to the public Monday. Computers are now available for personal use, although this will be a contactless service, according to library staff. “The library staff and I are pleased to open a part of the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Kanell Branch for access to public computers,” stated library director Sue Szostak. ...

Eugene “Jack” Hart Mattox, 87, of Poplar Bluff, passed away peacefully Friday, June 26, 2020, at his home. Jack was born Nov. 14, 1932, in Jackson, Mississippi, to the late Wilson and Ruth Mattox. He married Margaret Kelley on June 27, 1997. Jack was a faithful member of Mount Calvary Powerhouse Church. ...

POPLAR BLUFF FIRE DEPARTMENT Firefighters responded at 12:09 a.m. Monday, June 29, to a report of an unauthorized burn at the 1050 Cole Ave. residence owned by Julius Hoghtower. Upon their arrival, firefighters found a large fire containing building materials and used 400 gallons of water to put out the fire...

Poplar Bluff police officers responded in recent days to three vehicle accidents involving multiple injuries, including one involving an ambulance. A Butler County EMS vehicle was traveling east on Kanell Boulevard at approximately 12:30 a.m. Sunday, June 21, when it was struck by a 2016 Nissan Altima, which failed to yield, according to police reports. ...

A resident from Oakdale Nursing Home Assisted Living in Poplar Bluff, who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, has died, according to Butler County Health Department.

Ruth Nelson, age 82, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Sunday, June 28, 2020, at her residence. Mrs. Nelson was born March 8, 1938, in Malden, Mo., daughter of the late Carl and Hazel Vineyard. She enjoyed outdoors activities and traveling. On Feb. 13, 1958, she married Charles T. Nelson. He proceeded in death on Jan. 12, 2016...

Christopher David Bowman, 34, of Williamsville passed away in his home from a massive heart attack. He was born, February 18, 1986, to David Bowman and Nancy Jean (Hofmann) Bowman in Poplar Bluff. Christopher was a life time resident of Wayne County. He was a self-employed carpenter. His fun times were spent riding his four wheeler and motorcycle and spending time on the water...

CAMPBELL — A Kennett man drowned in the St. Francis River Sunday evening while trying to cross the river with other family members near the Chalk Bluff Access. Roger Dale Luttrull, 22, was pronounced at 8:01 p.m. at the scene, about four and a half miles west of Campbell, by Dunklin County Coroner James Powell...

Billy (Bill) Joe Lawrence, 78, of Poplar Bluff, passed away peacefully with his wife Susan Lawrence by his side Friday, June 26, 2020. Bill was born May 14,1942 to Ernest and Ruby Lawrence. Bill was the proud owner of Missouri Diesel for 40 years. Prior to that he successfully owned Truck Rebuilders in Wyndotte, Michigan. ...

Charlotte Lynn McNece was born December 21, 1955 to Richard L. McNece and Gail Davis McNece in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She went to her heavenly home on June 25th, 2020 surrounded by her loved ones. Though born in Jonesboro, Charlotte was raised in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. ...

UPDATE 5 p.m June 29 Butler County Health Department will reopen to the public Tuesday, with services offered by appointment only. The department received negative COVID-19 tests for employees who had been exposed ...