Stories from Monday, December 26, 2022

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — GOP Gov. Mike Parson on Tuesday, Dec. 20, named Vivek Malek state treasurer, making him the first nonwhite statewide official in Missouri history. Malek, a 45-year-old immigration lawyer from the St. Louis suburb of Wildwood, will replace fellow Republican Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, who is leaving the position to become state auditor in January...

GOP state Rep. Barry Hovis of Whitewater, a former longtime local law enforcement officer, does not support Illinois's move to eliminate cash bail for criminal defendants — a policy set to take effect in the Land of Lincoln on Sunday, Jan. 1. "I think judges exercise good judgment when bail conditions are set. ...

According to the most recent Missouri Gaming Commission statistics, 10 of the state's 13 riverboat gaming casinos — including in Cape Girardeau and Caruthersville — saw their admissions drop in November compared to the same month a year ago. Century Casino Cape Girardeau, situated along the Mississippi riverfront at 777 Main St., saw admissions drop 12.4% from 87,600 to 76,718...

Katie Marie Loury, 81, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed from this life to her heavenly home Dec. 23, 2022, with loving family members at her side. Katie was born June 23, 1941, to Lonnie and Arizona Roach. She graduated from Poplar Bluff High School, received her LPN license in 1971, and worked at Doctor’s Hospital and later for Dr. Alex Hoja at Northwest Medical Clinic...

Eujantia Taylor, 89, of Bernie died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in Bernie.

The first three months of 2022 brought the area everything from winter storms that made roads slick and hazardous to thunderstorms that damaged structures in rural Butler and Dunklin counties. The first week of January brought the new year’s first snowfall. While it was under one inch, it did make roads more dangerous than usual — and proved to be a preview of what was to come in February...

Butler County’s long-time clerk is bidding farewell to the office and her successor is opening a new chapter of her career. When Butler County Clerk Tonyi Deffendall, 58, of Broseley announced her retirement earlier this year, a three-way race surfaced for the position among candidates Donna Hillis, 54; Kyle Aubuchon, 34; and Kim Mizell, 35...

A cool to cold mid-December night found a Piggott, Arkansas, artist singing for her supper at a new Poplar Bluff venue. Megan Johnson, who performs as Megan Leigh, delighted the crowd at Haff Whiskey Saloon with plenty of traditional and popular country favorites...

Poplar Bluff Police Department Lloyd Spencer, 49, of Poplar Bluff, was booked at 8:54 a.m. on Dec. 24 at the police department on Poplar Bluff Municipal warrants for failure to appear on stealing and traffic offenses. Bond was set at $400. Spencer was unable to post bond and he was released on his own recognizance...