Stories from Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Neelyville voters will fill five open seats on the Board of Education in April’s election. Filing information was approved last week by current members of the board. Filing for municipal and state offices opens Dec. 5, and can be done during normal business hours for the school district office. It closes Dec. 26...

Thanksgiving and the beginning of the holiday season lead the way in this week’s MAIN EVENT. The United Gospel Rescue Mission in Poplar Bluff will host its annual Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. The free dinner will be served at the mission at about noon, plus call-ahead deliveries are available by calling 573-785-4683...

Jana McMahan and Kandy Dorris give away more than just food at the New Life Christian Church United food pantry; they offer hospitality, hope and gratitude. McMahan and Dorris, both members of the congregation at 301. N. Main St. in Downtown Poplar Bluff, began their volunteer service at the church’s food pantry about a year and a half ago...

The Rodgers Theatre will open the holiday season at 6 p.m. Friday with its free, annual Christmas Movie Night. The theater is showing “Elf” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and expects a visit from Santa Claus. Christmas Movie Night began around seven years ago, Rodgers CEO Wally Duncan said, showing classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 42nd Street,” “White Christmas” and “Home Alone.”...

The following hiring and resignations were approved Thursday by the Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education. Resigantions (Effective end of 2023-2024 contract unless otherwise noted) • Dr. Jamie Busch, assistant director of special education at O’Neal Elementary School...

Three Rivers College will host a reception for a local artist and a performance of a traditional Christmas play Dec. 4. The Tinnin Center Art Gallery is hosting an exhibit by artist Rose Anne Huck Stanard from Nov. 13 to Dec. 15. Admission is free. A love of the peacefulness of nature comes through in the serene scenes of Stanard’s paintings, organizers said. Her work can be viewed at the Tinnin center from noon to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday...

Energy filled the Historic Rodgers Theatre on Saturday when Dr . Fever and The Venus Flytrap opened for Solid Walls of Sounds, which is a tribute to the music of Elton John. The music from both groups had attendees of all ages dancing in the aisles and singing along...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Eric D. Whitehead, 42, of Broseley was arrested at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, in Stoddard County on suspicion of felony possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance, operating a motorcycle without proper endorsement and failure to display valid plates. He was booked at the Stoddard County jail on a 24-hour hold...

Angie S. Bay left us too soon Monday, Nov. 13, 2023 at the age of 67. She was born June 20, 1956 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clois O. and Nellie S. Toole, and her brother Michael L. Toole. She is survived by her husband, William R. (Bill) Bay; their three children, Julia (Chris) Nilan of Winnetka, Illinois, Peter (Amy) Bay of St. Louis, Missouri, and Susan (Robert) Joyce of Chicago, Illinois...

Dennis Minks, 73, of Silva, died Nov. 19, 2023. Visitation is from 5 - 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville Chapel. Funeral service following at 7 p.m., with cremation following service. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Kennett still struggles with the loss of health care access, as well as 300 jobs, from the closing of the county’s only hospital in 2018. Poplar Bluff sees a need for both more people in its workforce and developable land for new enterprises. Affordable childcare impacts Sikeston families...

Julia Ann Bell Powers, 77, passed away at her home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida Nov. 15, 2023. She was the daughter of Fred and Genetta Bell and was raised in the Fisk area. She graduated from Fisk Rombauer High School. Julia was married to George Leon Powers from 1964 until his death in 2020. They lived most of their married life after the Vietnam War in Alabama when George was a helicopter pilot/instructor...

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT A customer at Menard’s at 3105 Oak Grove Road reported at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 20, a cashier identified a $50 bill as counterfeit. The customer thought they received the counterfeit bill in Ripley County. _ Jackie Hamilton, 36, of Poplar Bluff was arrested at 4:11 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at Walmart Supercenter at 333 S. Westwood Blvd. Hamilton was booked on a charge of stealing and lodged in the Butler County jail...