Stories from Wednesday, March 30, 2022

BLOOMFIELD — A “predatory sex offender” faces five life sentences in prison following a guilty verdict Tuesday by a Stoddard County jury. Jerry Michael Pierce of Dexter was found guilty of four counts of statutory sodomy in the first degree, one count of statutory rape in the first degree and one count of child molestation in the second degree, according to a press release from Russ Oliver, Stoddard County prosecuting attorney...

Dustin Glenn Putman, 33, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away on March 28, 2022, at his home in Poplar Bluff. Dustin was born on Aug. 4, 1988, to Sandy Putman in Poplar Bluff. He was raised by Terry Smith, whom he considered as father. Dustin enjoyed fishing and the outdoors in general...

BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT Danny Ray Broege, 26, of Poplar Bluff was booked Monday, March 28, at the Butler County jail on a warrant for parole violation. _ Terry Lee Crawford, 60, of Poplar Bluff was booked Monday, March 28, at the Butler County jail on a warrant for property damage...

The National Weather Service has placed Butler County under a severe thunderstorm warning, in effect until 3:15 p.m. High winds are of special concern, putting the region under the enhanced risk classification. “The enhanced risk is essentially the outlook from the Storm Prediction Center telling you that we have a 30% chance for damaging winds with any thunderstorms as we head through to, say, afternoon and evening,” said meteorologist David Witten with NWS Paducah...

WILLIAMSVILLE, Mo. — Mildred Eads, 92, of Williamsville, died Monday, March 28, 2022. Visitation is at 11 a.m,. Friday, April 1, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Williamsville Chapel. Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., also in the Williamsville Chapel. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Cemetery, Williamsville...

PIEDMONT, Mo. — Spirel “Ed” Thompson, 92, of Piedmont, Missouri, died Saturday, March 26, at his residence. Visitation is at 5 p.m., Saturday, April 2, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 3, also in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial will be in Carson Hill Cemetery, Mill Spring with full military honors...

Patricia Lee, 77, of Poplar Bluff died March 28, 2022, at her home.

The Neelyville R-IV board of education approved a bid for the Hillview Elementary School lagoon project, accepted teachers’ resignations, hired new teachers and transferred personnel Thursday, March 24. Persons & Sons, Inc.’s lagoon project bid for $103,247 was approved. The second bid was from R. L. Persons Construction, Inc. for $108,300...

A Poplar Bluff School District teacher who was currently on administrative leave and under investigation by law enforcement was found dead Wednesday morning. Softball head coach Joel McDuffey, 37, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, said Butler County Coroner Jim Akers...

Butler County firefighters responded to a call Wednesday night of a fire at Bullwinkle's Pub on Highway T and County Road 556. Patrons and employees were able to evacuate the building safely. No injuries were reported. This is a breaking news story that will be updated Thursday...

Doris Ann Thornton Mortimer passed away at Ascension St Francis-Bartlett, Tennessee March 28, 2022. She battled Alzheimer’s disease for the last seven years of her life with the help and love of her devoted husband. Doris Ann was born in Ash Hill Township in Butler County, Missouri, Oct. 3, 1935. Doris Ann was a longtime resident of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She was the third of six children born to Louis M. and Lois K. Thornton...

BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT Anita Mary Ann Bailey, 24, of Zalma was booked Tuesday, March 29, at the Butler County jail on suspicion of marijuana possession. _ Christopher Ray Colburn, 41, of Poplar Bluff was booked Tuesday, March 29, at the Butler County jail on a warrant for parole violation...