Stories from Monday, October 12, 2020

Dear Editor, I have followed the McGibney, etal., vs Missouri Department of Natural Resources, wild and scenic river easement lawsuit throughout the judicial proceedings in the Circuit Court of Oregon County. As well as DNR’s shenanigans prior to the lawsuit...

Leveta McGinley, 79, of Qulin passed away Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Leveta was born April 18, 1941, to Lonnie and Ruby Hardin Fuwell in Qulin. Leveta is survived by a daughter, Felecia (Steve) Korte of Festus, Missouri; a son, William Barriner of Bonne Terre, Missouri; three siblings, Genevieve Ray, Melvin Hardin and Tommy Hardin; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren...

A University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist in Southeast Missouri is serving the needs not only of those in the local area, but his work is reaching around the world. Juan Cabrera-Garcia of Poplar Bluff started a webinar because of the possible food supply shortages due to COVID-19...

In an effort to better serve the area, the Public Water Supply and Sewer District No. 4 received a grant and loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The funding, for more than $2.6 million, mainly will go to putting in a back-up well, District Manager Jennifer Pierce said...

Stephen Edward Browning, 63, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. in Poplar Bluff. Steve, the son of Clifford R. and Jessie “Penny” Harper Browning, was born June 17, 1957, in Poplar Bluff. He was of the Baptist faith and had retired as an automotive and glass repairman. Steve enjoyed NASCAR, collecting Hot Wheels, watching The American Pickers and spending time with his family...

Daniel “Len” Hart, 79, passed away on Oct. 10, 2020, surrounded by family at his home in Maryville, Illinois. Len was born on July 28, 1941, in Neelyville, Missouri, to Charley and Myrtle (Bridgewater) Hart. He married his beloved wife, Lois “Maxine” (Greer), in 1964. Len and Maxine moved to St. Louis in 1965, where they raised their children Kevin and Deanna...

FISK — Ava J. Pratte, age 84, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020 at her residence. Mrs. Pratte was born July 22, 1936, in Fisk, Missouri, to the late Victor and Christeen Donahue. On Oct. 06, 1956, she married Wilford “Dutch” Pratte; he survives. Also surviving are two sons: Steven Pratte, of Aurora, Illinois, and Gerald Pratte of Sugar Grove, Illinois; one sister: Jeannie Donahue of Saint Louis, Missouri; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren...

NEELYVILLE — Jeffery (Jeff) Lyne Cassinger of Neelyville, Missouri, departed this life on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Poplar Bluff at the age of 43. Mr. Cassinger was born on Jan. 4, 1977, to Richard and Susan Cassinger. They survive. Also surviving are his two children, Cory Cassinger and wife Samanatha of Corning, and Jeffery Austin Cassinger of Neelyville; Jeff’s companion, Latrell Prince; two brothers, Richard Cassinger and wife Karla, and Alan Cassinger and wife Tonya; grandmother Evelyn Cassinger and one granddaughter, Annalee Cassinger.. ...

Elvis Leonard Belt, 89, of Poplar Bluff passed away Oct. 5, 2020, at his home. He was born June 12, 1931, in Gibson, Missouri, to the late Omer and Ester (Hicks) Belt. Mr. Belt was retired from the United Sates Air Force. He is survived by children Sherry James, Debra Davies, Tina Belt, Darryl Belt, and Dana Belt; grandchildren Amy McGoldrick, Kasey Gehrts, Shannon Kussmann, Kyle Gehrts, Shane Gehrts, Shenayah Lewis, Dane Belt, Coda Belt and Brittney Belt; brother Charles Belt; and lots of nieces, nephews and cousins.. ...