Stories from Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Air Evac pilot Mike Shane recently retired after 33 years in the cockpit. He has 7,000 hours of flying time. Shane has worked as an EMS pilot in the Poplar Bluff area for two decades. “Everyone tells me I flew over their house,” Shane said. “I’m sure that’s true in this small town.”...

The American College of Cardiology has recognized Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for its expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain, according to a press release from the hospital. PBRMC was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI in June 2021 based on an onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack...

CAPE GIRARDEAU — Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to announce Gwendolyn S. Long, CNMT, RT (CT) (ARRT), has accepted the position of radiology manager with Saint Francis Healthcare System. Long received her medical education from the University of Missouri – Columbia. For the past 17 years, Long has worked as a nuclear medicine specialist and lead technologist at Saint Francis Medical Center...

CAPE GIRARDEAU — Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to announce the return of Debby Sprandel, RN, BSN, MSN, MBA-HA, as chief nursing officer, effective Feb. 7. As chief nursing officer, Sprandel’s responsibilities include all inpatient nursing departments, including critical care services, emergency and trauma services, maternal child health, medical and surgical floors, perioperative/surgical services, transfer center, performance improvement and case management. ...

We’ve reached a point in the year when outdoor activities have become few and far between, and the weather certainly isn’t helping any. Fishing, for the most part, will be put on hold until the local rivers and lakes get more back to normal levels. Wappapello Lake is more than 14 feet high, at 369 feet Wednesday morning, and muddy. The good thing is the lake crested early Sunday, a few days earlier than originally expected...

Debra Joy Summers, 68, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. She was born on April 19, 1953, in Poplar Bluff. She was of the Pentecostal faith. She was a retired LPN. Debra was known for her talented singing. Her relationship to God was important to her. She enjoyed daily Bible reading and attending church services. Family was a special part of her life...

JACKSON, Mo. — Gary L. Bomar, 75, of Jackson, passed away Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born April 7, 1946, to H.O. and Willie Isabelle (Tindall) Bomar in Parma, Missouri. He was a 1964 graduate of Bernie High School in Bernie, Missouri. He and Jeanine Johnson were married Aug. 2, 1969, at the Second General Baptist Church in Dexter, Missouri...

Mark Arnold, 53, of Broseley, Missouri, passed away Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. He was born Jan. 21, 1969 in St. Louis to the late Norman Francis and Goldie Mae (Ward) Arnold. He had been a longtime resident of the Qulin area. He had worked in construction. He enjoyed a good motorcycle ride or swimming trip. He greatly loved being with his family and friends...

Southern Missouri is entering a winter storm warning from noon today until 6 p.m. Thursday. Lead forecaster Chris Noles of National Weather Service Paducah reported the first precipitation will start in Butler County at noon and may reach Interstate 55 by 3-4 p.m...

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) reactivated its Butler County chapter last June and is outlining its goals of community outreach and increased diversity in seats of leadership. Both Black and white residents have preconceived notions of what NAACP does, but they are often incomplete or incorrect said interim president Michelle Webb...

Spring storm season is upon us and the team at Butler County Emergency Management is wrapping up the installation of four new weather cameras around the county. Locations receiving cameras include Township Line, Harviell, White Oak and the old Hwy M area. Another camera installation is planned for the Qulin area in the near future...

A Broseley man has been charged with murder and manslaughter in relation to a fatal shooting that occurred in August 2020. Christopher M. Bowen, 21, of Broseley is charged with the Class A felony of second degree murder and the Class C felony of first degree involuntary manslaughter in the Aug. 4, 2020 fatal shooting of Kyle Legrand...

Readings for Butler County indicated the area received just under 0.25 inches of sleet as of 5:30 p.m. National Weather Service Paducah meteorologist Derrick Snyder said the sleet was expected to transition to freezing rain as night fell, probably continuing into early Thursday morning. After that he predicted a lull in the wintry mix until the afternoon...