Stories from Wednesday, December 11, 2019

With all the rain we’ve had lately, Wappapello Lake is well above summer recreation pool. It crested Dec. 3 at 367.3 feet, more than 7 feet above normal, and has fallen only about 2 feet since. The lake, according to Park Ranger Rosie Lemons, currently is falling at a rate of around four tenths of a foot daily...

ELLSINORE — Janet Marie Kijula, 79, of Van Buren, died Dec. 8, 2019 at the Riverways Manor Nursing Home in Van Buren. A Celebration of Life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Ellsinore General Baptist Church in Ellsinore. Online condolences: www.mcspaddenfh.com...

Are the green shucks and gelatinous kernels appearing in pecans falling from trees this season caused by environmental stress or herbicide damage? Juan Carlos Cabrera-Garcia, local field specialist in horticulture for the University of Missouri Extension, offers a few ways to help tell the difference between environmental stress or herbicide damage...

ROLLA, Mo. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced a decision to close the Mark Twain National Forest to feral swine hunting. Based on information received during a 60-day public comment period, the Forest Service closure order will include an exception to allow any licensed deer or turkey hunter possessing a valid state deer or turkey hunting permit, who is hunting deer or turkey in compliance with the permit, the opportunity to kill feral swine...

Two men stood on the stage. One would soon have his life forever changed. “And first runner-up ... Trevor Shannahan.” With those words, Michael Steinmeyer of Jackson had won this year’s Wings Over the Prairie Festival World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart, Arkansas...

The Poplar Bluff Police Department partook in what was described as a “very old tradition” Wednesday morning when it held a badge pinning ceremony to recognize its new and newly promoted officers. The badge pinning ceremony, according to Chief Danny Whiteley, has been around for many, many years...

The newest patrolmen at the Poplar Bluff Police Department are carrying on their fathers’ legacy as second-generation officers. “The term blue bloods often refers to people who come from a family in law enforcement and continue in the family trade,” said Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley...

City firefighters responded at 2:13 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, to an alarm at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, 1500 N. Westwood Blvd. It was investigation only. _ City firefighters responded at 3:56 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, to a report of smoke coming from Wood Street...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Heather D. Houltzhouser, 31, of Doniphan was arrested at 7:10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, in Ripley County on suspicion of DWI and no seat belt. He was booked at the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department and later transferred to the Butler County jail...

DONIPHAN — Gary A. Graham, 65, of Doniphan, died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. A family burial will take place at a later date in northern Maine. Memorials may be taken to Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan...

MALDEN — Mamie Sue Ashby, 76, of Gideon, died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019 at her residence. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13 at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. The funeral will follow at noon at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton...

The Poplar Bluff R-I Health Services/Student Wellness program is seeing an increase in the number of visits to them each year.

In the spirit of giving for the holidays, students at Eugene Field Elementary are collecting donations of socks until Dec. 17 to be donated to the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center and for homeless veterans.