Stories from Friday, January 26, 2024

Law enforcement and city workers teamed up for water rescues south of Poplar Bluff after Cane Creek and the Black River burst their banks in 1949. Fortunately, the local armory is finally sheltering victims after community outrage overruled military bureaucracy...

Rick Haile, formerly of Poplar Bluff, passed away Jan. 9, 2024 at West Florida Hospital, Pensacola, Florida. He lost his five year battle with cancer and went home to be with his Saviour. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ann Wagganer Haile; and his daughter and son-in-law, Kristina and Allen Smith; two granddaughters, Mady and Cody Santora, and Ally Smith; one great-granddaughter, Peyton Turnbow; two sisters, Connie Yamnitz and Patti Bell...

After a young man fatally overdosed on a fentanyl-laced pill in April 2022, the woman who sold it to him has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Ruthie Johnson, 32, of Poplar Bluff was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Jan. 2 for the death of Blakeney Kearby. Most fatal overdoses are not prosecuted as manslaughter, said Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Oesterreicher, but the circumstances of this case made the conviction possible...

Judith Anne Robyn Cookson, 81, of Puxico, Missouri, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 at Puxico Nursing and Rehab. Mrs. Cookson was born Sept. 26, 1942 in Independence, Missouri, daughter of the late David and Helen Louise Pritchard Robyn. She moved to Valley Park in 1948 and graduated in 1960 as salutatorian of her class. ...

As your dedicated state representative, I am thrilled to share the remarkable achievements highlighted in Gov. Mike Parson’s recent State of the State address. The collaboration between the governor and my colleagues and I in the legislature has brought about major achievements, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, bolstering education, supporting families and investing in critical infrastructure...

Barbara Jean Spitzer, 83, of Bernie died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Winchester Nursing Center in Bernie.

Myrtle Juanita Deck, 85, of Wappapello, died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 at Winchester Place Assisted Living in Bernie, Missouri.

FosterAdopt Connect is seeking sponsors for its two fundraising events for 2024. The organization will be hosting the Tall and Small Ball on Feb. 24 and the Eric Simmons Memorial Golf Tournament on Sept. 14. FAC provides services to children in need such as supplying clothes and hygiene items, an advocacy program for grandparents raising children, and recruiting foster families...

Rusting relics of another time loom in the mist just beyond the trees. When the leaves fall, the cars bloom and show themselves to the world. The yearly debut of the weather-beaten cars in the flooded lower field of C&F Auto Salvage always attracts attention — and rumors...

James “Richard” Boyer, 86, of Ellsinore, died Thursday, Jan. 25. Visitation is at 5 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 28, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Williamsville Chapel. Funeral service is at 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 29, also in the Williamsville Chapel. Burial following in Chapel Hill Cemetery, Williamsville...