Stories from Monday, May 1, 2023

The Poplar Bluff City Council will vote May 15 on a project to demolish the former Second Street city hall complex, as well as proposed water and sewer rate increases. City officials hope to begin demolition of the former city complex at the corner of Second and Oak streets by the end of the year. It once housed the police department, Municipal Court and city hall, but has been vacant since 2018, when the last of those departments were relocated due to deterioration of the building...

BLOOMFIELD — A survey is expected in the next month of land located behind the Stars and Stripes Museum that may be used to expand the tourist attraction. The museum would like to construct a new building and asked the Stoddard County Commission in March to donate property for the project. They estimate the expansion would require about 7 acres...

Doniphan teachers recently spoke to the Board of Education about the importance of fine arts education in schools, sharing it helps foster important life skills, while also improving attendance and offering other benefits. Doniphan art instructors Jamie Pendergrass and April Black reported on a Missouri Art Education Association conference and the benefits of fine arts...

Charles Willard Willis, 77, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away April 28, 2023 at his home in Poplar Bluff. Charles was born Oct. 2, 1945 to the late Gerald and Emma Marie (Robinson) Willis in Poplar Bluff. He married “Polly” Ann (Russom) Willis Oct. 2, 1970...

A memorial service for Martin David Desgranges will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 6 at New Hope General Baptist Church in Ellsinore. Full obituary can be viewed at mcspaddenfh.com.

A jet ski trip on the Black River through Poplar Bluff Saturday morning proved more dangerous than one man expected. Poplar Bluff Fire Department received a call at 10:56 a.m. saying a subject on a jet ski was hung up on the rip rap under Pine Boulevard bridge...

Joe Eads, 82, of Clubb, Missouri, died at his residence Monday, May 1, 2023. Visitation will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 3, 2023, Greenville Chapel. Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., also in Greenville Chapel. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Passionate friends, family and members of the community braved the rain on Saturday to walk for a cause, in support of the United Cancer Assistance Network. The 12th annual UCAN 5K Sarah Jarbroe White Walk is held to honor cancer patients and to raise awareness and funds to help patients battling cancer, according to UCAN Executive Director Melody Chailland...

“We should build an environment where every child learns and every child grows, to the best of our ability.” This is the goal of Dr. Aaron Cornman, the incoming superintendent of Poplar Bluff Schools and this year’s speaker at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon...