Stories from Wednesday, July 1, 2020

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL A 22-year-old Piedmont man was injured in a one-vehicle crash at 3:06 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, on Highway 21, one mile south of Highway U, in Reynolds County. According to the report, Justin A. Wilkins was operating a 1999 Ford van southbound when it ran off the right side of the road and struck a ditch. Wilkins reportedly overcorrected, which caused his van to come to rest back on the road...

City firefighters responded at 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, to a report of a smoke detector malfunctioning at 906 Cynthia St. According to the report, firefighters found the detector was not malfunctioning, but it and the other three detectors in the home were found to be 20 years old. Firefighters told the homeowner the detectors should be replaced...

An apparent domestic dispute early Tuesday morning between a Fisk couple left one with multiple stabs wounds and his girlfriend in jail. Butler County deputies were called to a home in the 500 block of Fourth Street at about 2:45 a.m. regarding a report of a man “being covered in blood, acting erratic and screaming” for an ambulance to be called, Deputy Austin Dunlap wrote in his report...

The Wappapello Bass Circuit finally was able to get back on the water last weekend for its first tournament of the summer. The turnout, as you might expect after the long layoff, was good, with 84 teams fishing the event. Stringer weights also were pretty good...

EMINENCE — Ozark National Scenic Riverways, in partnership with the Ozark Riverways Foundation and Current River State Park, will be offering free paddling clinics each Sunday from July 5 through Aug. 9. These free clinics are open to ten participants per program and pre-registration is required. Participants will need to provide their own personal flotation device & lunch...

FARMINGTON, Mo. — An autopsy completed Wednesday morning on a Qulin man revealed he died of smoke inhalation. Firefighters found Kenneth Furr, 75, inside his trailer in the 500 block of First Street after putting out a fire, which had been reported at about 1:15 a.m. Monday...

James Lee Darnell, 97, of Williamsville, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2020, in the comfort of his son’s home. James was born on Oct. 23, 1922, to Arthur and Nettie Darnell in Wappapello, Missouri. He married Mildred Louise Arnold on April 8, 1951. James was a member of Mt. ...

Ernest Garner, 69, of Poplar Bluff passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at his home. Ernest was born Nov. 13, 1950, to the late Ernest and Anna Mae (Sykes) Childs in Chicago, Illinois. Ernest enjoyed Dominoes, fishing and playing cards, especially spades...

CAPE GIRARDEAU — The Fourth of July is just ahead, a time when people typically enjoy the summer holiday with backyard barbecues, fireworks or water fun. But this year, celebrating Independence Day will be different due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The American Red Cross offers safety tips to help everyone stay safe this year...

Mary Waites, 80, of Patterson, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at her residence. Visitation is at 11 a.m., Friday, July 3, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service following at 1 p.m., also at Piedmont Chapel. Burial will be in Masonic Cemetery...

Competing in tractor pulls runs in the Worley family. Family patriarch Jake Worley has been competing in the annual Butler County Fair staple for several years and now his teenage daughter Brylee is following in his footsteps as she will be make her competition debut in the fair’s tractor pull this Friday...

Three Rivers College recently released its Dean’s List for the Spring 2020 semester. The honor is awarded to students taking 12 or more credit hours in a semester, who achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or above. Dean’s List honors are also used at graduation to help determine eligibility for honors or highest honors...

Three Rivers College recognized more than 40 of its highest performing students with its Annual Student Excellence Awards. Winners were chosen to represent each academic department and career education program, the Three Rivers external locations, honor societies, and major student organizations...

Editor’s Note: This is the sixth of 12 stories highlighting Butler County Teachers of the Year. Teaching is a passion for Eugene Field Elementary interventionist Rondi Vaughn. Vaughn is the 2020-21 Teacher of the Year for the campus after more than 20 years with the district...

Tuesday’s Games BABE RUTH LEAGUE First Midwest 7 Pack’s 7. Midwest Security 17, R&T Auto 9 Wednesday’s Games CIVIC LEAGUE Sterling vs. Mossy Oak, 6 p.m. Castello’s vs. Las Margaritas, 7 p.m. Shooter’s Shack vs. Beards, 8 p.m...

Mass testing for COVID-19 will be available in Poplar Bluff from July 7-9. The free, drive-through tests will be performed at the Libla Family Sports Complex and are open to all Missouri residents. People do not need to be showing symptoms to be eligible, and there is no need to present insurance information or have a doctor's order...