Stories from Tuesday, November 24, 2020

ELLSINORE — Conversations continue among East Carter R-II school board members on whether to implement a districtwide mask mandate.

Poplar Bluff Middle School recently released the first quarter A and B honor rolls.

Meaghan Popp Meaghan Popp is the eighth grade student of the month. Meaghan has four brothers and sisters, and she loves them because they are always there for her. Her favorite activity is basketball, and she enjoys it because she can play with her sisters...

WASHINGTON (AP) — In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, President Donald Trump will offer a reprieve to a pair of meaty turkeys as he makes a public appearance Tuesday following the Nov. 3 elections. The National Turkey Federation is presenting the two birds. They are named Corn and Cob in honor of their home state of Iowa. One will be declared the national Thanksgiving turkey, though both will retire to a new home on the campus of Iowa State University...

The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center announces its new urgent care facility is now open. The clinic has moved from the north side of the facility to its new location on the south side of the building. “We anticipate very positive responses from our veterans with the completion of this project,” said Drew A. DeWitt, Medical Center director, speaking of the hospital’s first clinical addition since the building was completed in 1950...

Cassius Boggan Cassius Michael Boggan, 3 years old, gained his wings and went to be with the Lord Nov. 14, 2020 Cassius was born Oct. 2, 2017 in Winona, Minnesota to Kaitlyn Elisabeth Boggan. Cassius was my everything. From the moment he was born I knew he was the piece that completed me. We were inseparable. I love that he always wanted to be all over me. We’d snuggle, watch movies, play, sing and dance for hours...

Frankie Joe Rice, the son of the late Troy and Ruth Rice, was born May 25, 1937, in Risco, Missouri. He was a member of the Little Brown Chapel in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Mr. Rice died on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Poplar Bluff, at the age of 83 years, 5 months and 28 days...

QULIN, Mo. — Iris Annetta Wright, 85, of Qulin, Missouri, died Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing, in Dexter, Missouri. Mrs. Wright was born Sept. 13, 1935 in Trumann, Arkansas to the late Herman Odie and Estelle Prichard. On March 14, 1953, she married Arlia Wright. He preceded her in death Nov. 5, 2003. She worked at First National Bank for several years. After retiring, she volunteered at St. Theresa’s Catholic School...

Kathy Diann McGee, 64, of Naylor, Missouri, passed away Nov. 21, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She was born Dec. 6, 1955 to J.R. Glisson and Frankie “Haynes” Glisson. On Nov. 19, 1973 at Naylor, she was married to Davy McGee. He survives...

Mary Alice Swinger, daughter of the late James Reaves and Laura Alberson Reaves, was born on December 11, 1932 in New Madrid County, Missouri, and departed this life on Nov. 20, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, at the age of 87 years...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Christopher R. Wheatley, 36, of East Prairie was arrested at 11:03 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23, on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), speeding, failure to register a motor vehicle, no seat belt and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked at the Stoddard County Jail...

GREENVILLE — A Greenville man was sentenced to life imprisonment plus another 40 years Tuesday afternoon for the 2017 shooting death of his landlord. Joshua Lawrence Oldham appeared for sentencing before Circuit Judge Kelly Parker after having been convicted by a Wayne County jury in August...

Colvin Rueben “Bogard” McDonald was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri Feb. 22, 1940 to Reuben and Zomer McDonald. He was a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School. He spent the majority of his adult life working for the City of Poplar Bluff. He was the first and only African American to attain the position of Superintendent of the Poplar Bluff Municipal Utilities Water and Sewer Department. ...

Poplar Bluff sixth graders tell us what they are thankful for this Thanksgiving.

For some, one Thanksgiving tradition won’t be happening this year.

Leo Clubb Sr., 79, of Williamsville, passed away Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, Poplar Bluff. Graveside visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at 12:30 p.m., at Chapel Hill Cemetery near Williamsville. Services will follow there at 1 p.m. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

When Colvin McDonald, 80, of Poplar Bluff died Saturday, the community lost a man they remember for his work in preserving and maintaining the Wheatley Historical Preservation District, as well as his leadership. Those who knew him used words like vision, dedication, strong force, passion and commitment to describe him...