Stories from Monday, May 10, 2021

OXFORD, MISS. — The University of Mississippi celebrated more than 5,000 candidates for graduation in the Class of 2021 during the university’s 168th Commencement exercises April 29 - May 2. The following local students are candidates for graduation:...

Poplar Bluff’s trap team has officially split from the R-I School District’s athletics program after a long process to do so. “This conversation started about a year ago. We had multiple conversations with them, and we were unsure for a time which direction the school district was going to go,” said R-I Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill...

From meeting the President of the United States to playing college baseball for a Hall of Fame catcher — and getting to know many others in between — Dexter attorney Sawyer Smith has lived a lifetime of experience in his 29 years. Smith’s journey started when he was recruited to play college baseball for Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida by Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter...

“A champion for her students” is how fellow teacher Angela Calloway describes Christine East, the Poplar Bluff Junior High School Teacher of the Year for 2021-22. “Whether a student is struggling or excelling, she supports and challenge them to be the best version of themselves,” Calloway said. ...

More than 60 people braved rainy weather on Saturday afternoon in Poplar Bluff to witness the dedication of a new monument to the 86 lives lost in the historic tornado that struck the city on May 9, 1927. The memorial rests on the grounds of the Frisco Depot downtown, an appropriate location due to the fact the previous depot was one of the many buildings wiped out on that fateful day...

Kevin Lee Marchbanks, 54, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Saturday, May 8, 2021. He was born March 30, 1967 in Kirkwood, Missouri to Sharon (Andrews) Marchbanks and the late Albert Louis Marchbanks. He was of the United Pentecostal Church faith. Kevin attended SMSU where he earned his Bachelors of Science degree. ...

Amanda Lynne LeGrand, age 54, of Fisk, Missouri, died Thursday, May 6, 2021 at the Elvis Presley Trauma Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Ms. LeGrand was born August 6, 1966 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She graduated from Twin Rivers High School in 1984. She was the first Miss Twin Rivers and was also the drum majorette in the marching band. ...

In the late 1960s, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which expanded on the previous Civil Rights Act of 1964 and in particular prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, sex, handicap and family status. Title VIII of the act is also known as the Fair Housing Act of 1968...

James Elmer Stoker, age 91, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Saturday, May 8, 2021 at his residence. Mr. Stoker was born June 3, 1929, in Broseley, Missouri, son of the late Rev. James E. and Ruth Birdie Stoker. On October 9, 2009, he married Rosetta Whitehead. She survives...

Naomi Ruth Chapman Adams, age 90, a resident of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away Friday, May 7, 2021 at her residence. Naomi was born in Dudley, Missouri on Friday, October 10, 1930 to Reverend D.D. Chapman and Lela Chapman. Naomi was raised in the Pentecostal faith and served the Lord many years. She was a member of the Pentecostals of Columbia, Tennessee for the past six years. Previously, she was a member of the Apostolic Church in Puxico, Missouri for thirty-seven years...

Marchenko Antonyo Simpson. 29, of the 1400 block of Main street was arrested Monday, May 10, on suspicion of third degree domestic assault and a warrant for delivery of an item prohibited in a correctional facility. He was booked into the Butler County Jail...

The 37 graduates in the Neelyville High School Class of 2021 Saturday were challenged to dream, be accountable, conquer their fear and take the high road in life. High School Principal Justin Dobbins told the graduates and a gym filled with “people who love you” to have big dreams, whether it is college, trade school or the military...

Primitive Quartet of Candler, North Carolina will be in concert Saturday, May 15, at the New Hope General Baptist Church in Silva. The doors will open at 5 p.m. and the concert starts at 6 p.m. There is no admission fee, but a free will offering will be taken...

New Day Ministry Feed and Seed will be from 3-5 p.m. Thursday, May 20, at 703 Franklin St., south side Poplar Bluff. Those attending are asked to use the side gray door and each household will receive one pack per household on a first come first served basis...