Stories from Thursday, January 2, 2025

A Poplar Bluff resident experienced an unexpected windfall after purchasing a “Crossword Plus” Scratchers ticket at Villa Liquors, located at 818 Highway 53. The ticket revealed 11 words, securing the player a $50,000 top prize. Initially unaware of the magnitude of her win, the player returned to the store for confirmation...

Addiction to drugs is a difficult battle for a woman to fight and overcome, but being pregnant makes is even harder. Recycling Grace Ministries is working to provide a safe place to provide treatment to keep mother and child together at a local maternity center...

The months of July, August and September hosted record-breaking events and anniversaries for local charities and organizations. From Rock the Country amid triple-digit heat to Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s bed build, the region stayed busy during the hot summer months...

It’s coming. A large storm front full of wintry precipitation is on the way. But no one knows exactly what they’re going to get.

The April 8 election has two contested races across three Butler County school districts and the city of Poplar Bluff as filing closed Dec. 31. For the Neelyville R-IV School District board, Matthew Marshall, Page Reinbott and Jordan Thomas all filed. There are two positions available, each carrying three-year terms. Marshall is the only incumbent of the group after Jill McGruder decided not to run for re-election...

Harzloe Knuckles was born at 3:34 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, to be the first baby of 2025 delivered at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Harzloe, who weighed 7 pounds and 11 ounces, is the second daughter of Alexia Fuwell and Kasy Knuckles of Paragould, Arkansas...

Marglyn Hollowell Garner, 84, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away Dec. 28, 2024, in the Cedargate nursing facility. She was born Dec. 30, 1939, in Qulin, Missouri to the late Walter Hollowell and Dera “Johnson” Hollowell. She was married to Lee Garner at Qulin, Missouri. He preceded her in death March 17, 2022...

Norma Fay Bartch McCoy, 63, of Pocono, Pennsylvania passed away Monday Dec. 16, 2024 at White Stone Care Assisted Living in Pennsylvania. Norma was born April 12, 1961 in St. Charles, Missouri to Elmer Thomas Francis and Mahala Jane (Bell) Bartch. She is survived by her husband, James McCoy; mother, Mahala Jane (Bell) Bartch Groves; sister, Tenna (Bartch) Libla and husband Bill; children, Toussaint Dupree, James McCoy II, and Candace McCoy; grandchildren, Jaiyme Faye McCoy and Mhaleya McCoy; and nephew, Justin Ryan Libla.. ...

March 25, 1943 - Dec. 28, 2024 Frances Marie Smith, daughter of the late Fred Angotti and Delpha Mansfield Angotti, was born Thursday, March 25, 1943, in Hollywood, Missouri and departed this life Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau at the age of 81 years 9 months 3 days...

Commonly known as the bird flu, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), is a virus that is transmitted from bird to bird through saliva, nasal discharge and fecal matter. HPAI can affect all bird species but has been commonly found in snow geese in Southeast Missouri. ...

The Point in Time Count is an initiative to count the homeless population throughout the 101 counties of the Missouri Balance of State Continuum of Care. The homeless population census will assess the number of homeless individuals and families following regulations set forth by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the night of Jan. 22...