Stories from Wednesday, July 15, 2020

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Rep. Hardy Billington is applauding the decision by Governor Mike Parson to sign legislation affirming the State of Missouri’s continued support for its ally and trading partner around the world, Israel. Billington stood in attendance as SB739 was signed July 13, allowing for the creation of the Anti-Discrimination Against Israel Act in Missouri...

(AP) — Walmart will require customers to wear face coverings at all of its namesake and Sam's Club stores, making it the largest retailer to introduce such a policy that has otherwise proven difficult to enforce without state and federal requirements...

CARTHAGE, Mo. -- John Anthony Hennessy, age 89, of Carthage, Missouri, passed away Thursday, July 9, 2020, at his home surrounded by his kids. On May 9, 1931, he was born in Joplin, Missouri, the son of the late John J. Hennessy and Margaret (Hagel) Hennessy. John grew up in Joplin, Missouri, graduating from St. Peters High School. He joined the United States Air Force serving from 1951-1955 as a veterinary medical technician stationed in Guam and Japan...

More than a dozen area men recently were initiated into the Moolah Shrine at a ceremony held in Poplar Bluff for the first time in nearly a decade. The “ceremonial” was held at the Three Rivers Shrine Club, and “we brought in 13 new shriners,” said Bobby Wicker, the club’s president...

Voters for Butler County’s eastern district commissioner’s race will have a second candidate to vote for in November. Van Rhodes has collected enough signatures to petition to run as an independent in the general election, said Tonyi Deffendall, Butler County clerk...

The Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission is administering the CARES Act funds received by Ripley County and is now accepting applications for CARES Act fund reimbursement requests. Ripley County will now accept applications for reimbursements of eligible expenses or costs already incurred during the period March 1 through July 31 and for eligible expenses for future COVID-19-related response needs, according to a press release from OFRPC...

Whitten is Top Producer Terri Whitten has been named as Century 21 American Realty Top Producer for the month of June. Whitten has been selling real estate since 2009 and has been the Top Lister and Producer for the past five years with her former companies. She has earned Gold, Silver and Platinum Level Awards for the past eight years...

Southeast Missouri Food Bank has scheduled more COVID-19 Response Mobile food distributions to respond to the increased need for food assistance following business closures and temporary layoffs due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The next COVID-19 Response Mobiles will be:...

“She does not stop trying to help a child, even when the child has given up on themselves,” Michelle McDaniel said about third grade Lake Road Elementary school teacher Jessica Burnette.

As health officials announced another positive test for COVID-19 to bring the total for Butler County to 139, the director of the Boys & Girls Club of Poplar Bluff revealed he had tested positive for the virus. Chris Rushin posted on the club’s Facebook page and in a letter to parents Wednesday that he was tested Tuesday after developing a dry cough and low-grade fever the previous night...

Missouri Lottery players took home more than $97.8 million in prizes during the month of June, according to a press release from lottery officials. Of the total $97.8 million awarded, more than $21.4 million were prizes of $1,000 or more. Winners of $1,000 or more in May include the following:...

Monday’s Games CIVIC LEAGUE Beards vs. Costello’s Mossy Oak vs. Shooter’s Shack Sterling vs. Las Margaritas LITTLE LEAGUE VFW vs. Sport Clips Swaffords vs. First Midwest PONY LEAGUE Redbirds vs. Nortek Today’s Computers vs. Rent One Tuesday’s Games...

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT Deborah Buhler reported at 5:51 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, that a ring she had placed in her car was stolen sometime between July 12-14 while the vehicle was parked at a location in the 900 block of 10th Street. _ STODDARD COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT...

City firefighters responded at 11:12 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, to reports of a structure fire at 904 Cynthia Street. According to the report, when they arrived firefighters could see heave smoke coming from the attic. They forced entry and saw a fire at the top of the stairs...