Stories from Friday, May 31, 2024

Elizabeth Smart will be the keynote speaker for the Women Aware Conference to be held Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff. “Elizabeth Smart is one of those people I think almost everyone knows, especially for those like me in the true crime community. ...

State and federal help may become available to victims of a series of tornadoes that struck the state May 19-27. Acting Gov. Mike Kehoe has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency participate in joint preliminary damage assessments in Barry, Butler, Carter, Howell, New Madrid, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, and Texas counties...

After a breach in the levee near Country Road 202, the flood waters have receded enough for repairs to begin. Board member Andrew Clark of Drainage District 7 was on scene Thursday morning surveying the damage. “I think we got lucky,” he said. While he originally estimated 10,000 acres could be affected, Clark is encouraged the levee held up as well as it did. He recalled the breach normally widens considerably to 100-200 feet as the water erodes the opening...

After five years of waiting, DNA evidence from a rape kit has allowed for formal charges to be filed against a Poplar Bluff man. James William Hastings, 37, of Poplar Bluff is currently being housed at the Butler County jail on the charge of first degree rape/attempted rape. He is being held with no bond...

A century ago, a clever Poplar Bluff socialite leveraged her railroad connections to sweep a popularity contest. Other headlines from today are the dedication of Clearwater Dam and a narrow escape from a fiery plane crash. 100 years ago May 31, 1924...

Johnnie Sence, 79, of Creve Coeur, Missouri passed away peacefully at Barnes Hospital (comfort care) in St Louis, Missouri, at 7:45 a.m. Saturday May 25, 2024, after a long and well-fought battle with cancer. Johnnie was born on April 16, 1945 in Neelyville, Missouri the son of John Adam Sence and Louiese Davis Sence...

Doyle Crowder, 80, of Campbell died Thursday, May 30, 2024, at his residence.

Orville Duane Allen, 98, died Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Mr. Allen was born March 18, 1926, at Fairdealing, Missouri, to parents Dewey Ruben Allen and his wife, Sylvia Lavada (Hutchison) Allen. He married Alice Geraldine Eggers Aug. 1, 1949, who was his wife of 70 years and preceded him in death. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod in Poplar Bluff...

John C. Ginn, 72, of Puxico, Missouri, died Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Missouri State Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Mr. Ginn was born Jan. 1, 1952 in Wynne, Arkansas, son of the late Clayton Reese and Ann M. Ginn. In his younger years, he loved to play baseball. ...

A Dexter resident was injured in an accident Thursday that claimed two lives. Jamie D. Minks, 44, was a passenger in an eastbound vehicle when it was struck in the rear by another vehicle, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The accident occurred at 9:30 p.m. Thursday on Highway 60, three miles east of Essex...

David Gene Voegtlin, Jr., 53, of Neelyville, Missouri died Tuesday, May 28, 2024 in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

A 1998 BMW was towed during a traffic stop at 1 p.m. Friday, May 31, on Shelby Road after officers determined the vehicle was not insured. The driver was issued additional traffic tickets and released at the scene. _ A 2000 Chevrolet truck was towed during a traffic stop at 12:50 p.m. Friday, May 31, on Highway 53 after officers determined the vehicle was not insured. The driver was issued additional traffic tickets and released at the scene...