Stories from Friday, January 29, 2021

The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to acquire All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies in a trade needing approvals before it can be finalized, a person familiar with the swap tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday night because the trade had not yet been finalized...

Pam Becker responded to the pandemic challenges with faith and patience. As she guides her choir into 2021, she’s looking forward with hopeful optimism. Becker is the director of music for First United Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff, a position she’s served in for 25 years...

An Ellsinore teen was killed in an accident just before 3 p.m. Thursday, on Highway 103, three miles south of Van Buren. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 17-year-old girl was a passenger in a southbound 2010 Ford F150 when the vehicle left the road and struck a tree...

Even with the COVID-19 pandemic dominating much of last year, it did not have an adverse impact on the number of adoptions at the Poplar Bluff Animal Shelter. The city shelter saw 263 dogs and 152 cats adopted in 2020, compared to just 15 dogs and four cats that were put down...

Greg Smith may have taken over as director of the Black River Coliseum on Jan. 1, but he’s no stranger to the facility or its operations. “I actually started with the facility in November 1998, and we opened to the public in June of 1999,” Smith said...

Altrusa International of Poplar Bluff planned several activities and accepted a new member at its monthly meeting Monday, Jan. 25. The group voted to accept Stephanie Latassy as a new member. The club is currently accepting applications for membership. Both men and women may apply. Call 573-686-2836, or look online at altrusa.org if interested in joining the organization...

The Agee Community Club met Jan. 15, 2021, at Godfather’s Pizza. Hostess Cathy Womack, who is also the club president, opened the meeting. The ladies repeated the club motto, “When the Heart is full of love the world is full of beauty.” Invocation was offered by Nadine Johnson. Roll call was, “Did you make a New Year’s resolution?”...

The faculty of Three Rivers College’s Information Technology program is looking at changes to the programs. Dr. Michael Malone, assistant professor in the IT program, said the past year had some challenges, but he’s looking forward to updating the curriculum in the short term and working on enrollment in the long term...

Michael Christopher Ogden, 35, of the 100 block of Country Meadows was arrested at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, on Ninth Street on a Butler County warrant for passing bad checks. He was booked at the Butler County jail. Joseph L. Burkhart, 40, of Poplar Bluff was booked at the Butler County jail Thursday, Jan. 28, on suspicion of violation of an order of protection...

NEELYVILLE, Mo. — Thomas “Tommy” Grisham, 50, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Jan. 28, 2021 in the Southeast Hospital at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was born Oct. 15, 1970 at Poplar Bluff to Wayne and Carole Grisham. On Aug. 6, 2011 at Poplar Bluff, he was married to Sarah Waggoner. She survives...

Dewayne Smith, 62, of Poplar Bluff, passed away on Jan. 28, 2021 at his home. He was born on July 29, 1958 to the late Jim Smith and Mary (Burden) Minton in Poplar Bluff. Dewayne enjoyed farming and collecting John Deere items. He is survived by longtime loving companion, Robin Earls; daughters, Lisa Renee, Haley Ann; stepdaughter, Nancy Earls; stepsons, Josh Earls (Sarah) and Michael Willcut (Ashley); brothers, Mitchell, Mark , Michael Smith, Lee Daugherty, Dannie Daugherty; six grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces nephews and cousins. ...

The pandemic had an unexpected impact on sales tax collections for the city of Poplar Bluff. It created the largest increase in five years for the 1% tax that funds general revenue activities, according to figures provided by the city. This account pays for police, fire and street department expenses, among others...