Stories from Friday, January 10, 2020

Since its founding in November 1932, the Agee Community Club of rural Butler County has never failed to meet for a monthly meeting. Third generation member Jeanie Figgins said the key to the club’s longevity after 87 years is “it brings people together.”...

Wilma Rains will celebrate her 90th birthday from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Fellowship General Baptist Church, 3581 Highway 67 North, Poplar Bluff. Her two children, Pat Bradley and Ron Rains, both Poplar Bluff, and four grandchildren, will host the event. All family and friends are invited to attend the drop in celebration. The family asks, “no gifts, please.”...

City Firefighters responded to an alarm at 8:53 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at the 1152 Sunset Drive apartments owned by Russ Redmond. An occupant reported a smell, and when firefighters arrived, they used a thermal imaging camera, but could not find a fire. It later was determined the oven in the next door apartment had been placed in a cleaning cycle and was the source of the odor...

Stephanie Knight of the 100 block of Rhinestone reported at 10:28 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 9, that while she was away from her residence on Jan. 4, a lock box containing several types of prescription medications was stolen. _ Mary McNamee of the 2000 block of Arkansas reported at 2:33 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, that her change purse, containing cash, was stolen after it fell out of her open car door while parked at the Murphy express gas station...

The Wappapello Lake Area Association (WLAA) wants to thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Operations Manager Bart Dearborn and his staff for their assistance for their assistance in coordinating the 27th Annual Festival of Lights Auto Tour 29 November to 3 January...

Six teachers have received grants totalling nearly $4,500 for classroom improvements.

FREE ACCESS - A strong line of thunderstorms will move across the Southeast Missouri area overnight, bringing heavy rains, strong winds and a small threat of tornadoes, according to members of the Poplar Bluff Severe Weather Response Team. The Poplar Bluff area already has seen 1-1/2 to 2 inches of rain, PBSWRT assistant director Steven Seawright said, but “we’re looking at an additional 2 to 3 inches...

The field of candidates for two at-large seats on the Poplar Bluff City Council continues to grow. Residents Laura J. Murrell filed Thursday and Christine Taylor filed Friday afternoon to run in the April 7 election. Murrell and Taylor face Logan Gilham, Jim Chrisman, former Ward 5 representative Peter Tinsley, Robert Duckett and Chester Pumphrey on the ballot, as well as incumbent Steve Davis...

The University of Missouri Extension Council of Butler County will elect eight people to each serve a two-year term. County Engagement Specialist Stephanie Milner explained, the eight will be selected from 17 candidates who have filed for the positions. Voting continues through Jan. 31...

Poplar Bluff will be home to one of five approved medical marijuana-infused products manufacturing facilities in Southeast Missouri. The Department of Health and Senior Services released a list Friday afternoon of the 86 facilities for which it will issue licenses...

Geneva Shrum, 91, of St. Louis, Mo., formally of Wappapello died Friday, Jan. 10, 2020 at DeGreeff Hospice House. Mrs. Shrum, the daughter of the late Ollie Jerome Zimmerman and Hattie May (Morris) Mason, was born Feb. 21, 1928 in Fisk, Mo. She was of the Baptist faith and was a Data Processing Supervisor for 25 years at Monsanto company. ...

Lois Jaco, 80, of Greenville, Mo., died Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, at PBRMC. Visitation will be 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 12, with funeral Monday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m., at Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville Chapel. Burial: New Prospect Cemetery, Silva. In lieu of flowers, make donations to Alzheimer’s Association...

James D. Bell, 81-year-old Doniphan, Mo. resident, departed this life Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born Nov. 27, 1938 in Bardley, Mo., to the late Paul Oliver and Nona Jane (Woodring) Bell...