Stories from Thursday, October 8, 2020

A look at winners of the Pulitzer Prize in the past two years underscores why America needs journalists. It’s not just nationally recognized media giants pursuing stories around the globe that win journalism’s most prestigious honor. It’s news staffs that are digging out stories about abuses harming people in their local communities...

NEELYVILLE — With nearly 85 students out due to contact tracing, the Neelyville School Board will meet Thursday night to discuss implementing a change to its contact tracing methods. “We have been given the new option from the (Butler County) Health Department on the fourth day to have testing done,” said Superintendent Debra Parish. “Then, if the student is negative, to wear the mask and return to school.”...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Two Qulin residents were injured in a two-vehicle crash at 12:38 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, on County Road 241, three miles south of Qulin. According to the report, Steven D. Rick, 48, was operating a 2018 Chevrolet pickup northbound at the same time Barbara J. Woods, 65, was operating a 2005 Buick Lacrosse eastbound...

City firefighters responded at 11:35 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, to an alarm at 2507 Sunset Terrace. It was investigation only. _ City firefighters responded at 11:01 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, to an alarm at 3109 Oak Grove Road. It was investigation only...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Saint Francis Foundation hosted their second annual Color Dash 5K and Fun Walk on Saturday, October 3, 2020, at A.C. Brase Arena Park. The turnout for the 5K and one mile fun walk included 154 participants and 50 volunteers. More than $12,000 was raised this year to provide free cancer screenings to individuals in need throughout our community...

NEELYVILLE, Mo. - Ronnie Paul Wills, 63, of Neelvyille, Missouri, passed away Oct. 7, 2020 at his residence. He was born Nov. 14, 1956 at Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to the late Jesse Wills and Anna Cox Wills. He is survived by the love of his life, Kim Dollins; one son, Ronnie Wills and finance, Dana Smith, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; one daughter, Harley Burns and husband, Alex, of Panama City, Florida; one sister, Judy Bradley of Neelyville, Missouri; one brother, Larry Wills and wife, Paula, of Neelyville; as well as his grandchildren, Haven Wills, Hunter Wills, Hart Lee Wills, Dixie Wills. ...

It was a record opening weekend as nearly 400 people experienced the frights inside this year’s Haunted Grotto. Now in its seventh year, the Haunted Grotto is a walk-through haunted house featuring “14 or 15 different haunt scenes … dark hallways, flashing lights and mazes,” said Mikhail Stith...

Hometown utility electric line crews from Missouri communities are on their way to Louisiana, ready to perform recovery work in the wake of Hurricane Delta, according to a press release from the Missouri Public Utility Alliance. Organized by the MPUA, lineworker crews from four Missouri cities are travelling to Louisiana, preparing to respond to power outages after the storm passes. ...

Buying a nostalgic print of the Poplar Bluff Water Tower will help radio personality “Cadillac Jack“ fight his renewed battle with colon cancer, said Scott Innes, Poplar Bluff native and voice of Scooby Doo and other characters. Innes commissioned Jack Larson, better known as radio personality “Cadillac Jack,” to paint the water tower scene to be auctioned in November to benefit Recycling Grace Women’s Center, a program for women recovering from alcohol and drug abuse...

PUXICO — The City of Puxico will be getting a much needed facelift next spring, thanks to a pair of grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development division. The largest grant, at $300,000, will pay for a 2-inch thick overlay of asphalt on about 10 miles of city streets, according to city clerk Alice Patrick...

Kimberly Suzanne Gladden, 62, of Independence, Missouri passed away Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at her residence. The family will greet friends from 11:30 a.m., to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020 with services at 1:30 p.m., Saturday at the at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 205 N. Forest Ave., Liberty, MO 64068. Burial to follow in Mt. Washington Cemetery. Donations may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society...

Barbara Ann Ward, 74, of Poplar Bluff died Oct. 2, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She was born Aug. 16, 1946 to the late Dale and Elvi Provance. She was married to Arthur Ward Sr. for many years, he preceded her in death in 2013. She had worked for many years in factories, and was of the Baptist faith. She loved playing Bingo, word search, puzzles and spending time with her grandchildren...

The Neelyville R-IV school board accepted a contract trace guideline made available earlier this week by the Butler County Health Department with a slight modification.