Stories from Tuesday, January 5, 2021

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Four area residents were injured in a two-vehicle crash at 5:20 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, on U.S. 60 in Fisk. According to the report, Edward A. Wells, 46, of Poplar Bluff was operating a 2010 Dodge Journey northbound when he failed to yield, and his SUV was struck by a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis being driven eastbound by Rosie M. Benefield, 66, of Dexter...

City firefighters responded at 4:11 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, to a motor-vehicle crash at the intersection of Marshall and Victor streets. According to the report, firefighters stood by until emergency-medical-services personnel responded. _ County firefighters responded at 4:44 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, to an electrical short in an outlet at the 1148 Highway 142 residence owned by Erica Hayes...

NIXA, Mo. — Betty Morgan, 87, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away in Springfield, Missouri Dec. 11, 2020. Betty was born in Shook, Missouri Nov. 29, 1933 to her parents Maude and Howard Davis. Betty loved caring for her family, cooking, watching the Cardinals play baseball, and Wheel of Fortune...

Timothy Bridgewater, 70, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. Timothy was born on June 25, 1950 in St. Louis, Missouri. He enjoyed being with family and friends and selling. On Dec. 31, 1973, he married Cheryl Lynn Innes in Poplar Bluff. She preceded him in death on April 4, 2020...

The new year will bring new challenges for Mike Lynch as he takes over as the newest Missouri State Highway Patrol lieutenant in Troop E. A 24-year veteran of the patrol, Lynch was promoted to lieutenant effective Jan. 1. “When I came on the highway patrol, my career goal/last job was being a zone sergeant,” said Lynch. “I did that, and I realized, I thought I could benefit the patrol more by moving up.”...

Butler County’s top law enforcement officials expect 2021 will continue to be challenging as they seek to recruit new officers to their departments. “It’s an exciting time, yet a very challenging one,” said Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs. “We’re excited about the law enforcement tax that was passed in August of 2020, yet we realize recruiting will be a great challenge.”...

Lindell Wayne Cook, 68, of Augusta, Georgia, passed away peacefully in his sleep Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. He was born to Cloyd and Opal Cook in Poplar Bluff on Aug. 5, 1952. He was a member of the Baptist faith. Lindell owned and operated C’s Delivery in Augusta for the past 20 years. Prior to that, he worked as a dispatcher and in the oils fields in Oklahoma with his brothers. He was well known in the community as a generous man who would always help others in need...

Jerry William McNamee, 85, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. He was born March 30, 1935 in Poplar Bluff. Jerry retired from the Navy after 22 years and served in the Vietnam War. He had also worked for 18 years in the maintenance department at Doctors Hospital in Poplar Bluff...

John J. Pershing VA Medical Center has started calling veteran patients 85 and over to offer appointments to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The medical center will administer vaccinations beginning Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, as well as on Saturdays, Jan. 16 and Jan. 30. Clinical staff will be available to patients for consultation and assistance throughout the vaccination process...

Butler County’s top law enforcement officials expect 2021 will continue to be challenging as they seek to recruit new officers to their departments. “It’s an exciting time, yet a very challenging one,” said Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs. “We’re excited about the law enforcement tax that was passed in August of 2020, yet we realize recruiting will be a great challenge.”...

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center administered the COVID-19 vaccines to roughly 360 frontline health care workers Tuesday morning.