Stories from Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Bobby Joe Payne, 89, of Poplar Bluff, passed away July 26, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Bobby was born March 23, 1932, to Jesse and Myrtle (McGowen) Payne in the Lone Hill area. He and Doris Jean Black were married October 21, 1955, in Broseley. She preceded him in death November 4, 1999. He later married Fay Sisk on January 21, 2005, in Poplar Bluff. She preceded him death July 5, 2014...

A Poplar Bluff man will have to pay more than $85,000 in fines and restitution after pleading guilty to failing to disclose a large purchase of ginseng. United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark fined Thomas Ridenhower, 57, of Poplar Bluff $55,000 for violating the federal Lacey Act by not disclosing a $28,750 purchase of ginseng. Ridenhower also will have $32,503.76 to pay in restitution and was sentenced to five years probation...

Butler County commissioners say they have received millions of dollars as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, but without clear direction from the federal government, they remain in limbo as to what they are allowed to do with it. “It’s money coming from the federal government with little or no guidance given to us at this time,” said Presiding Commissioner Vince Lampe...

POPLAR BLUFF FIRE DEPARTMENT Poplar Bluff firefighters responded at 10:31 a.m. Friday, July 23, to 1034 Park Avenue, where the occupant was burning trash in the backyard. Firefighters used 83 gallons of water to extinguish the fire and advised of the city burn ordinance...

Qulin gym will be remodeled in the coming school year, the Twin Rivers R-X Board of Education discussed at a recent meeting as preparations for the new school year were reviewed. Classes will resume Aug. 23 for all Butler County districts. The Qulin gym floor, which suffered water damage, is being replaced using ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Acts) funds. ...

Area counties will receive close to $30 million in additional federal money to help with COVID-19 recovery and response. While millions have already been distributed in the most recent round, some county officials say they are hesitant to start spending that money because of a lack of guidance from the federal government on the rules...