Stories from Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Police say a suspected bank robber was apprehended Wednesday morning after leaving a string of stolen bills behind him while fleeing the scene on foot. Poplar Bluff officers responded to the Southern Bank branch at Sunset and Westwood Boulevard after reports of a midmorning robbery...

Some area electric companies are feeling the pinch and urging residents to conserve energy when possible, as record and near-record breaking warm temperatures continue. The concern, in a worst-case scenario, is that high usage could force short, temporary rolling brown or blackouts in certain areas...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Saint Francis Healthcare System is offering free cardiovascular risk screenings June 23 and June 30. The screenings are open to the public. In addition to being the first and fifth leading causes of death in the United States, heart disease and stroke result in serious illness and disability, according to the American Heart Association. Risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, physical inactivity, obesity and high blood cholesterol among others...

Eight adults recently completed trade and industry programs at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center and will move into their chosen fields. “I am thrilled that so many family members and special guests could join us today to celebrate the many accomplishments of these fine young men who are completing their courses and graduating,” said Charles Kinsey, TCC director. ...

Inflation jumped to 8.6% in May, after rising to 8.3% in April, to set a new four-decade high, according to figures released Friday by the Labor Department. The continued spike in the cost of consumer goods is expected to trigger another interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve, which will almost certainly result in higher cost loans for consumers and businesses...

Col. Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, has announced six commercial vehicle officers graduated in June from the patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy. The 13th Commercial Vehicle Officers Class reported to the academy on Jan. 3, to begin the 22-week training...

VA nurses have long been an innovative group. Whether adapting bar coding for safer medication management or inventing a way for veterans to give themselves eye drops, their care has always been focused on making their patients’ lives better, according to a press release from John J. Pershing VA Medical Center...

A total of 10 Poplar Bluff High School choir students performed in the State Music Festival recently at the University of Missouri in Columbia, with several members earning the highest level of achievement. Brent Hanley, Emma Harris, Christian Redding, Isaac Reid, Lexy Rowland, Ella Skillman, Emma Tinsley and Dawson Vaughan received a gold rating in double quartet; Brent Hanley, Isaac Reid and Dawson Vaughan received gold in trio; and both Emma Harris and Christian Redding received gold in solo performance. ...

Emma Rae Papanicolaou (right) has been awarded the Poplar Bluff Fine Arts Club scholarship. She is a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School. Papanicolaou will attend the American musical & Dramatic Academy in New York and Los Angeles. She will major in Dance Theatre...

Three Rivers College students Hope McCollough, Seth Kirkman, and Dolci Gates were honored at the Missouri Community College Association’s luncheon at Stephens College on behalf of Phi Theta Kappa. Kirk earned first-team All-Missouri honors and McCollough earned second-team All-Missouri honors. ...

Two Poplar Bluff men face drug trafficking charges stemming from a traffic stop made last weekend in Ripley County. Justin D. Gipson, 25, and Jaleel D. Gipson, 30, both of the 1000 block of Fairmount Street, are each charged with the one Class B felony count of second degree drug trafficking, one Class C felony count of delivery of a controlled substance and one Class E felony count of unlawful use of a weapon...

Thursday’s Games Rookie League Switzer RCF vs. Jeweler’s Bench, 5:30 p.m. PBMO.com vs. Sparks Welding, 6:30 p.m. J.Co Apparel vs. Golden Gloves, 7:30 p.m. Babe Ruth League Starting USA vs. Rent One, 6 p.m. ————— Rookie League KMT 3, AK BUILDERS 0...

Martha Sue West, 86, of Harviell, Missouri, passed away in the Oakdale Care Center June 11, 2022. She was born Jan. 28, 1936, to the late Roy Lee Wolverton and Iva D. “White” Wolverton. On May 24, 1952, in Pocahontas, Arkansas, she was married to Billie Joe West. He preceded her in death March 22, 2018...

A Poplar Bluff man sits in the Butler County jail after he allegedly molested a 6-year-old girl. Rondriguez D. Hopkins. 21, of the 400 block of Karen Drive is charged with statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy involving a person less than 12 years of age. According to the probable cause statement by Poplar Bluff Police Department Patrolman James Sample, contact was made with a woman on the night of June 7, regarding a sexual assault...

There’s plenty of options this weekend for your MAIN EVENT. It's packed with events celebrating Juneteenth, as well as Father’s Day. Northside Community Center will host a hotdog lunch with family-friendly activities starting at 10 a.m. Friday at their building. Hotdog lunches are $3 per adult or two for $5. Nachos are $3. Kids 12 and under eat free...

POPLAR BLUFF FIRE DEPARTMENT Firefighters responded at 7:42 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, to an alarm at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center mental health, 2620 N. Westwood Blvd. According to the report, firefighters found a smoke detector had been pulled out of the ceiling, and determined that was the cause of the alarm as they searched the area with the thermal imaging camera...