Stories from Friday, December 27, 2024

DEXTER — A tense situation unfolded Christmas Day in Dexter when a man called 911 threatening to provoke a “suicide by cop” scenario. The caller, identified as Steven Parks, 29, of Dexter, informed dispatchers that he intended to shoot at police officers upon their arrival at his residence at 913 N. Sassafras St...

It was a Sunday like any other Sunday back in the early 2000s at the corner of Ninth and Cedar in Poplar Bluff. Church was in full swing, and everyone was singing praises as they would normally do. But there was suddenly a fire alarm — a threat.

Pride and patriotism filled the room as Air Force veteran Jim Todd sang Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” at the recent Wake Foundation Military Christmas Ball.

Dash to the Past — Oldest man in Missouri dies By SAMANTHA TUCKER Assistant Editor Poplar Bluff mourned its oldest resident on this day in 1949. John Bradley, age 106, was the oldest man in the city and likely the entire state, and moved to the area in 1869. Other news on this date included a repentant burglar and a tragic plane crash...

Karen Danise Woolard, 62, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Dec. 21, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer. Karen was born Sept. 18, 1962, in Little Rock, Arkansas to Danner and Shirley McCauley. She graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1980. After high school Karen joined the family business, Gamma Labs, where she worked until it sold in 1991. She then owned and operated Sunset Travel Agency. Karen and her husband Dieter formed Woolard’s Lawn Care in 2001...

Jeannette Lee Frost Harrell Metz met her Savior face to face Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4:47 p.m. She was at her home in Springfield, Missouri. Jeannette “Jan” Lee Frost Harrell Metz was born May 21, 1933 in St. Louis, Missouri to Cyrus (Jack) Frost and Clara Anderson Frost. ...

Shelby Jean Gifford, 88, of Jefferson City, Missouri, formerly Poplar Bluff, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, at Stonebridge Senior Living Center. Shelby was born Nov. 11, 1936, to Lester and Virgie (Schales) in Evening Shade, Arkansas. She married Sidney Wayne Gifford Dec. 23, 1961, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri...

James Rodney Brown, age 65, of Poplar Bluff, passed away unexpectedly Dec. 20, 2024. Rodney was born March 27, 1959, in Poplar Bluff, to JR and Eva Brown. He graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1977. Rodney was employed with Smith & Co for 20 plus years as an environmental driller. Rodney then owned and operated JR Brown, LLC, a property management company part-time and worked part-time at Sterling Bank as courier and property maintenance...

Donald Alfred Pucci (Oct. 4, 1957-Dec. 21, 2024) It is with great sadness that the family of Donald “Don” Alfred Pucci share that he passed away at the age of 67 Dec. 21, 2024, at his residence in Ellsinore, Missouri. Don was born in Chicago in 1957 to Alfred and Violet Pucci. He attended East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, Illinois before earning a Master of Science in Biology at Southern Illinois University...

Glenda Kay Kirby, 75, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away Dec. 23, 2024, at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Glenda was born July 27, 1949, to J D Vineyard and Verna (Warren) Stephens in St. Louis, Missouri. She married Lonnie Kirby Nov. 27,1969, and he preceded her in death...

Claudia Pyles, 84, of Qulin, Missouri, passed away Thursday, Dec. 26 2024 at her residence in Qulin,. Claudia, daughter of Thomas Clyde and Mary Clementine Stroud Huggins, was born on Sunday, Jan. 14, 1940 in Rombauer, Missouri. She retired from Walmart and was a housewife. She was a member of the Oglesville General Baptist Church...

Michael Street, 50, of Poplar Bluff was arrested Friday, Dec. 27, for assault and lodged in the Butler County jail. _ Jason Johnson, 42, of Poplar Bluff was arrested Friday, Dec. 27, for shoplifting and lodged in the Butler County jail. _ Officers responded Friday, Dec. 27, to Save A Lot about a shoplifter...