Stories from Thursday, July 23, 2020

City firefighters responded to a call at 11:31 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, about heavy smoke in the area of D Street and Cleveland. Upon their arrival, firefighters found an unauthorized burn behind 314 Cleveland and used 20 gallons of water to put it out...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL A 36-year-old Doniphan woman was injured in a one-vehicle crash at 6:10 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, on U.S. 67, 13 miles south of Greenville. According to the report, Jennifer L. Wheeling was operating a 2006 GMC pickup southbound when it ran off the left side of the road and overturned...

CAPE GIRARDEAU — A Poplar Bluff man was sentenced to two years in federal prison last week for the illegal possession of firearms. David Kristopher Berry was sentenced to 24 months on two felony counts of felon in possession of a firearm by U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr., according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Sorrell...

The Rucker Cemetery annual meeting and dinner, scheduled for Aug. 8, has been canceled. The decision was made because of the COVID-19 pandemic and to “eliminate any gathering so everyone will be safe,” said cemetery Secretary/Treasurer Shirley Wood...

NEELYVILLE -- Leola “Merle” Gunter, age 96, passed into Heaven on July 23, 2020, at Cedargate Healthcare, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She was born on Nov. 26, 1923, in Poplar Bluff, daughter of Noah and Beaunia Garrett. Mrs. Gunter is survived by her daughter, Judy Whittington of Poplar Bluff and 11 grandchildren, Curtis (Lynn) Phelps, Angie (Dan) Landrum, Eric Phelps, Tina (Alex) Dugas, Becky (John) Rice, Tracy Sheppard, Judy (Nathan) Ogden, Phillip (Crystal) Phelps, Victoria Phelps, David Phelps and Ronnie Phelps.. ...

DEXTER -- Jerry Pennington Jr., son of Wilma Baker Pennington and the late Jerry Lee Pennington Sr., was born on Nov. 15, 1964, in Advance, Missouri, and passed away, on July 19, 2020, at the age of 55 years. Jerry had lived in Puxico area all his life. He was self-employed most of his life and shared an auction business with his late father. His hobbies was fishing, camping, gardening, grilling, singing karaoke and spending time with family and friends...

Jason Githens has seen a lot of things since moving to the Pacific Northwest in the late 1990s — and the COVID-19 outbreak sweeping the world ranks among the worst of times for the former Poplar Bluff resident and 1991 graduate of Poplar Bluff High School...

Letters to the Editor policy for candidates, elections: Letters by a candidate may run one time per month and must follow the existing policy for letters, including no libelous or personal attacks. Letters cannot reference a challenging candidate within one week of election day...

Dear Editor, In a wildly, unpredictable year there has been one consistent, unsung hero citizens have rallied toward - our public lands. From city parks to conservation areas, from state parks to federal lands, citizens have taken refuge in these spaces to rejuvenate, move and find solace in fresh air and nature. Public lands are playing the largest role they have in generations, highlighting the importance of protecting and caring for our public trust resources...

To the Editor: Rocky Hill Cemetery, the oldest cemetery west of the Mississippi River was founded in 1851. This historic cemetery is maintained only through donations. It is important for us to preserve this piece of history and the dignity of those buried there. We are now trying to raise funds to help with the mowing and clean-up. If you have a loved one buried there or just want to help preserve the history and genealogy for generations to come, please send your donation to:...

Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. That step was taken Thursday afternoon at a summit on homelessness at the Black River Coliseum. Roughly 40 people were in attendance at the event, including Poplar Bluff Chief of Police Danny Whiteley, Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Ralph Stucker and Barbara Ann Horton, who represents Poplar Bluff’s third Ward on the city council...

The Poplar Bluff R-I return to learn plan lays out three options, similar to other schools around the country, based on what the COVID-19 pandemic continues to look like.

As of Monday, July 27, Three Rivers College will require face coverings to be worn by faculty, staff, students, and visitors while in a building and not able to physically separate in an office or room with others present. Face coverings must be worn outdoors if the recommended six feet social distancing cannot be maintained.