Stories from Friday, May 21, 2021

Ruth Francisco 94, of Poplar Bluff died May 19 at her home. She was born on Dec.29, 1926 in Portageville to the late William and Ethel Beard. She was married to Alva Francisco who preceded her in death. She loved spending time with her grandchildren...

Poplar Bluff High School Graduation sponsored by First Midwest Bank

The Poplar Bluff Housing Authority recently received some good news in the form of a $239,000 grant. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD has awarded the Housing Authority a three-year Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency grant...

John Calvin Bowles, 88, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, completed his earthly journey Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. John was born April 15, 1933, to Henry Peter and Edna May (nee, Robinson) Bowles in Fisk, Missouri. ...

One topic was at the forefront of concerns expressed Thursday evening by Poplar Bluff residents at Mayor Steve Davis’s first listening post. The city’s crime rate. A clear majority of the roughly 20 attendees expressed concern — and even frustration — at the rise in crime in Poplar Bluff...

Every year, the month of May is marked by many significant milestones for families in our area. Students graduate from kindergarten, from high school, from college, carrying with them the dreams of family and friends for a bright future. Valedictorians, school board presidents and others take the stage to offer a few words of wisdom they hope will connect with those about to embark on new chapters and new adventures...

The 2021 Missouri legislative session was one of the most unusual and unpredictable of the legislative gatherings I’ve covered in some 50 years. Despite Republicans holding an overwhelming majority in both the House and Senate, Democrats scored some major victories for issues they pushed including restrictions on police choke holds, extending court-order protection orders against abusers and establishing a statewide database to track opioid drug prescriptions...

To the Editor: Looking back over the past 14 months, it is easy to be overwhelmed with the fear, frustration, and loss many in our community experienced. As we fought to contain the virus, we were fortunate to have leaders — Emily Good, director of the Butler County Health Center, and Robbie Meyers, Butler County Emergency Management Agency director — working to coordinate local and state resources...

James and JoAnn Godwin of Poplar Bluff are celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary Saturday, May 22, 2021. The Godwins are each 83 years old. They were married May 22, 1957, at the Church of Christ at Caraway by Bro. Vance Greenway of Paragould. They have one son, Alan Godwin, who has two daughters: Katie Godwin and Kyla Nunn. ...

Poplar Bluff police responded to a report of shots fired in the area of South Broadway at Victor Street at 10:22 p.m. on Thursday, May 20. Police made contact with Jessie Miller, 18, of Poplar Bluff who reported that the driver of a silver Volkswagen Passat shot at her vehicle while she was driving in the 300 block of West Victor Street. Police are investigating the incident...

When Julie Voirol left graduation practice early Friday, the Three Rivers College alum was in a four-car accident that left the Poplar Bluff resident shaken but otherwise OK. By the afternoon, the 51-year-old was laughing about the latest speed bump in the long journey to acquiring her associate’s degree in social work...

The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center received a large donation from the Family Counseling Center. The donation was designated for special “challenge coins” which were presented to each VA Police Officer in honor of National Police Week....