Stories from Thursday, December 7, 2023

Dec. 7, 1923 • Neelyville was visited by its second disastrous fire in the last six weeks at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, when the explosion of a gas tank in the rear of Alex Eastwood’s mercantile started a fire which destroyed his store and the Amusu Theater, also owned by Eastwood. The blaze resulted in a $16,000 loss. Volunteer firefighters were able to save the new Eastwood Hotel from the flame, and Eastwood plans to re-open the mercantile and theater at the earliest possible time...

Maudie Lorene Davis passed away peacefully in her sleep, Nov. 29, 2023. She was 94 years old. She was born Oct. 4, 1927, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the youngest of five, three sisters and one brother. She was a seamstress and homemaker for her husband and two daughters. ...

Larry Oxley, 72, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away Dec. 1, 2023, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Larry was born Aug. 7, 1951, to Norman and Dessie (Sweeney) Oxley in Campbell, Missouri. He married Glenda Ellen Oxley Feb. 10,1990. She survives...

Southeast Missouri's congressman said the recent expulsion of a U.S. representative has changed the calculus of what should lead to removing an elected federal official. U.S. representatives voted 311-114 on Friday, Dec. 1, to expel Rep. George Santos, a New York Republican. ...

A Poplar Bluff resident suffered minor injuries in a structure fire Wednesday at 608 W. Victor St., but refused treatment at the scene. The fire will be investigated by the Missouri State Fire Marshal. Firefighters arrived shortly before noon to find one of the tenants in the front yard with heavy smoke and fire coming from the door and window openings at the rear of the house, said Battalion Chief Kevin Edgar in his report...

The most wonderful time of the year can bring extra challenges to animal care organizations. The Animal Welfare Alliance of Southeast Missouri and its community partners are prepared with new fundraising opportunities and continued outreach. According to AWA Director Corretta Bishop, the main Christmas fundraising effort is an ornament drive, where participating businesses display ornaments with the shelter’s wish list on them. Many of these businesses are regular supporters...

The congregation of Holy Cross Episcopal Church on 420 N. Main St. is inviting people of all denominations to a prayer vigil broadcast from Trinity Episcopal in St. Louis. The Sunday service is part of Gun Violence Awareness Sunday on Dec. 10, an event sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and supported by the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America...

A pound of sugar. A box of stuffing mix. A few cans of vegetables. Several pounds of onions and potatoes. They’re simple pantry items, but for some veterans, these staples can be out of reach. The Care and Share program from John J. Pershing VA Medical Center and area community members aims to change that...

BUTLER COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT Butler County firefighters spent two hours fighting a structure fire at 12:06 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 188 County Road 512. The seven county firefighters used 250 gallons of water to put out the fire in Donald Salings’ home’s crawl space, according to county fire reports...

Poplar Bluff Fire Department Poplar Bluff Firefighters responded at 2:22 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, to a motor vehicle accident with injuries at 1125 Herschel Bess Blvd. Firefighters found a single-car accident. Capt. Bradley Jones’ reported the occupant was transported by Butler County EMS. After the car was removed, the crew used 25 gallons of water to wash down the area...

BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT Kendrick L. Brown, 23, of Poplar Bluff was booked at the Butler County jail Wednesday, Dec. 6, on a warrant for resisting arrest or detention by fleeing, creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death. _ Johna D. Lay, 35, of Poplar Bluff was booked at the Butler County jail Wednesday, Dec. 6, on a warrant for possession of a controlled substance...