Stories from Friday, July 31, 2020

In an age where stunning changes often happen in only a matter of days, Crystal Faith has maintained an enduring presence in Poplar Bluff as the owner of Faith’s Business Equipment. First opened in 1971 with her husband Jim Faith, the business has been a downtown Poplar Bluff landmark, still occupying the same building where they opened almost 50 years ago...

“I’m going fishing.” I absolutely love those words. I like to fish, and the adventure that ensues when you get on the bank of a creek or pond is nothing short of awesome. You never know what to expect when you go fishing. You might catch that monster bass you been working on for years or you might come home empty handed with a lot of newly washed fishing lures...

It was legendary author Charles Dickens, who penned the immortal words, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times … ” Those words capture the essence of a trip I took to visit my oldest daughter, who was living in Asia at the time. After not seeing Johanna for well over a year, I was thrilled to once again be with her...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL A 54-year-old Parma woman was injured in a one-vehicle crash at 4:10 p.m. Thursday, July 30, on Highway Z, seven miles east of Bernie. According to the report, Kimberly A. Hanna was operating a 2004 Ford Explorer eastbound when it ran off the road and overturned...

County firefighters responded at 6:19 p.m. Thursday, July 30, to a fire involving a transformer on Haystack Lane. _ County firefighters responded at 3:45 a.m. Friday, July 31, to a fire involving a barbecue smoker at Heartland Express, 4155 S. Westwood Blvd...

Butler County voters will decide Tuesday during the Republican primary who will serve as their coroner for the next four years. Incumbent Andy Moore is seeking reelection to his second term as coroner. He is being challenged by his predecessor, Jim Akers...

Virgie Miller, 79, of Piedmont, died Saturday, July 25, at her residence. Visitation is from 6-8 pm, Saturday, Aug. 1, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 2, also in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial following at Carson Hill Cemetery, Mill Spring...

Dorothy Lee Compton of Dexter, daughter of late Hubert William Hudgens and Ruby Emma Sadler Compton, was born in Dexter on Oct. 11, 1932, and passed away at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, on July 29, 2020, at the age of 87 years...

Mildred “Millie” Opal McClanahan, “Granny,” 76, of Centerville, Missouri, departed this life July 30, 2020, in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She was born Nov. 28, 1943, at Bragg City, Missouri, to the late Anderson Pierce Foster and Lillie Marie Robertson Foster...

Two topics gaining attention across the nation since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 are the push to defund police departments and widespread racism. The four candidates for Missouri’s 25th Senate seat were asked about their feelings on those issues, and their responses are listed in ballot order...

CAPE GIRARDEAU — A Stoddard County man will continue to serve consecutive life sentences after a judge denied his request to set aside his sentences. Having pleaded guilty in August 2017 to the felonies of first-degree forcible rape and first-degree statutory sodomy (two counts), Steven McWhirter subsequently was ordered to serve three life sentences, Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver said in a news release. Two of McWhirter’s sentences were to be served consecutively...

More than 100 entries were received over the last month for the 33rd annual Pictures by the People photography contest at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum, and winners have been selected. “We had a total of 105 entries by 44 photographers,” said Steve Whitworth, director of the museum. “We had a lot of new people being recognized by the awards...

Three Rivers College announced updates to the plan for the fall semester Thursday night, including updated procedures, an adjusted calendar and a new cleaning protocol.

Butler County voters will decide Tuesday during the Republican primary who will serve in the Missouri House of Representatives for District 153 for the next two years.

All three candidates for the Missouri House of Representative District No. 153 seat agree on the importance of education, but with slightly different perspectives on the coming year.

SPRINGFIELD Mo. – Missouri State University recently awarded scholarships to incoming students for the 2020-21 academic year. These students were selected from those who applied based on their ACT (American College Test) scores, GPA, standing in graduating class, and leadership shown in community and school activities...

JONESBORO, Ark. – Multimedia journalism students from Arkansas State University’s Delta Digital News Service in the School of Media and Journalism picked up numerous awards during the 2020 Diamond Journalism Awards virtual presentation ceremony June 30...

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Southwest Baptist University has released its Spring 2020 graduate and honor roll lists. Jacob Henderson, of Poplar Bluff, Doctor of Physical Therapy Logan Misner, of Poplar Bluff, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Undergraduate students graduate with honors according to the following GPAs: Summa cum laude, 3.850-4.00; magna cum laude, 3.700-3.849; and cum laude, 3.500-3.699. ...

JONESBORO, Ark. – Arkansas State University has released the list of students who completed degree requirements to graduate at Spring Commencement. While the degree conferral date is May 16, the Spring Commencement ceremony was postponed to Saturday, Aug. 8, due to the coronavirus pandemic...

Black River Technical College POCAHONTAS, Ark. – Black River Technical College is pleased to announce the students who have been named to the President’s List. To be eligible for the President’s List, a student must be enrolled in at least 12 college credit hours excluding developmental courses, not be on any type of probation, and must have a minimum grade point average of 4.0...

CIVIC LEAGUE TOURNAMENT The Beards 9, Shooter’s Shack 8 Las Margarita’s 4, Mossy Oak 1 Sterling 9, The Beards 6 Castello’s 6, Las Margarita’s 3 Championship:Castello’s 9, Sterling 1 LITTLE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT Monday, Aug. 3...