Stories from Tuesday, October 15, 2024

A brother and sister went to great lengths for education in rural Missouri during the 1940s. 1974’s headline was another school story, though much more harrowing — the principal of Clearwater High School walked away unharmed from a hostage situation. ...

Charles Rainwater, 89, of Sikeston, Missouri passed away Oct. 10, 2024, at Daybreak Nursing Center in Sikeston. Charles was born April 14, 1935, to Charles and Tessie Mae (Griffith) Rainwater in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Charles is survived by spouse, Frances Eva Noles Rainwater; children, Gayla Younger, Rebecca Ziegler, and stepsons, Terry and Kevin Keene; granddaughter, Jordan Keene; grandson, Wyatt Keene; granddaughters, Olivia Rainwater and Betsy Cookson; stepgrandson, Alex Langford; great-grandchildren, Paisley Keene, Ivy Rose Keene and Zander Langford.. ...

Raymond Leslie Bates, 81, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away Oct. 9, 2024, in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. He was born July 29, 1943, in Ripley County, Missouri to the late Leonard Bates and Gertha “Perren” Bates. He served in the United States Army and had been in Germany and Vietnam and worked for Chrome Plated as a tank liner. He enjoyed working in his shop and mowing grass...

The Lady Duchess, Patricia Ann (nee Hall) Damewood was born Jan. 25, 1936, to a deeply patriotic, hardworking, blue collar Yankee family in Coudersport, Pennsylvania. Outgoing, indomitable, and fearless, with her signature red hair and can-do attitude, Patricia would charge head-first into life and never asked “for permission” from anyone to do anything. ...

Randy Johnson, son of the late Charlie Johnson and Rosie McBride Johnson, was born Feb. 2, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, and departed this life Oct. 14, 2024 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 70. Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie from 11 a.m. until noon Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. Funeral services will then be conducted at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie at noon Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024...

Late Friday afternoon saw a portion of Main Street closed off temporarily to make room for some classic cars and some colorful costumes.

CAPE GIRARDEAU — A Poplar Bluff man was sentenced to 100 months in prison Monday by U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. The charges stem from selling methamphetamine to an undercover officer.

The Missouri State Fire Marshal is joining forces with the Poplar Bluff Police Department to investigate an alleged arson and burglary which took place early Saturday in the 700 block of Vine street. They are preparing evidence for the Butler County prosecutor.

PUXICO — Waylon Powell had already taken the ACT and achieved a score that most high schoolers would be happy with. But, Powell is no ordinary high schooler. “I had gotten a 30, but I didn’t want to settle for a 30,” Powell remarked. “So I focused on beating that score.”