Stories from Thursday, February 2, 2023

“There is a complete and total vision for how that memorial was supposed to be, and it’s not completed,” said Jeff Shawan, who was recently elected vice president of a reorganized committee for fundraising and maintenance of the Butler County Veterans Memorial Wall...

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — A furry critter in a western Pennsylvania town has predicted six more weeks of winter during an annual Groundhog Day celebration. People gathered Thursday at Gobbler's Knob as members of Punxsutawney Phil's "inner circle" summoned him from his tree stump at dawn to learn if he has seen his shadow — and they say he did. According to folklore, if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't, spring comes early...

With or without beans? Kick it up with a spicy ghost pepper or keep it tame and flavorful with other spices? The great debate over who is the best chili chef kicks off again Feb. 25. The 17th Annual Chili Cook-Off will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Black River Coliseum to benefit the United Gospel Rescue Mission. It is sponsored by the Mason-Dixon Chili Society...

Kenny Willis, 83, of Corning passed away Jan. 31, 2023 at Corning Therapy and Living Center. Mr. Willis was born March 13, 1939 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He owned Willis Glass Company in Corning for 42 years and was a farmer. He loved farming and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. ...

Rescheduled services for Mr. Glen Gillespie will be Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. Visitation will be at noon with the funeral following at 1 p.m. all in the Fowler and Sons Funeral Home at Neelyville, Missouri.

Charles Cleon Fugate, 60, of Doniphan, Missouri, passed away Jan. 31, 2023 in the Current River Nursing Center at Doniphan. He was born, May 19, 1962, at Hazard County, Kentucky to Cleon Fugate and Amy Holland Banks. He is survived by three children, Cameron Taylor and wife, Sheri, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Kassandra Taylor Revelle and husband, Joey, of Doniphan, and J.C. ...

Charles Cleon Fugate, 60, of Doniphan, Missouri, passed away Jan. 31, 2023 in the Current River Nursing Center at Doniphan. He was born, May 19, 1962, at Hazard County, Kentucky to Cleon Fugate and Amy Holland Banks. He is survived by three children, Cameron Taylor and wife, Sheri, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Kassandra Taylor Revelle and husband, Joey, of Doniphan, and J.C. ...

KENNETT, Mo. — A Kennett woman has been arrested following the discovery by Kennett police she was allegedly having a sexual relationship with a student at Kennett High School, where she is employed as a school nurse. Candice Elizabeth Johnson, 26, was arrested Wednesday, Feb.1, and faces two counts of second-degree statutory rape and two counts of sexual contact with a student...

Gilda E. Hill, 72, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, at her residence. Mrs. Hill was born June 22, 1950, in Puxico, Missouri, daughter of the late Floyd Elledge and Rosemary Langston. She is survived by three children: Eddie (Denita) DePriest of Story, Arkansas, Herb (Lori) Kelsey of Puxico, and Tammy (Michael) Rommel of Poplar Bluff,; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren...

Ed DeGaris was a police officer, a city councilman and a member of multiple community boards. Now, his name will live on in an award for the most dedicated members of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce: the Ed DeGaris Ambassador of the Year Award...

An officer with Charleston (Missouri) Department of Public Safety received serious injuries after a semi-truck struck the rear of the patrol car he was driving Tuesday, Jan. 31, in Mississippi County. According to the state Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at 7:18 p.m. ...

Betty J. Riddle, daughter of the late Herman Taylor and Flossie Rodgers Taylor, was born on July 31, 1933, in Copeland, Arkansas, and departed this life on Jan. 31, 2023, at her residence in Holcomb, Missouri, at the age of 89 years. Mrs. Riddle was a former employee of Emerson Electric. She was a member of the First Assembly of God in Campbell, Missouri...

Poplar Bluff Police Department Brice Allred, 26, of Poplar Bluff, was arrested Jan. 30 in the 1400 block of North 14th Street following a motor vehicle and foot pursuit. Allred was booked in on traffic offenses and a charge of resisting arrest and he was lodged in the Butler County jail...