Stories from Wednesday, February 5, 2020

How much more evidence do we need to compile before the federal government protects our children and fully deplatforms Google from American public schools? The Silicon Valley behemoth has already admitted it illegally collected children’s personal information on YouTube without parental consent, mines students’ browsing habits and emails, and tracks kids’ locations, audio and search history through Google educational apps and logons that are required for millions of students to participate in public schools.. ...

Saint Francis Healthcare System officials said Monday negotiations with UnitedHealthcare are continuing, ahead of a March 4 deadline for Saint Francis facilities to remain in United’s network. A news release from Saint Francis stated the organization has made a counteroffer to United in the hopes of extending a contract between the two...

Contract negotiations between Saint Francis Healthcare System and UnitedHealthcare have effects that will ripple throughout Southeast Missouri. United customers would see many Saint Francis facilities leave the insurer’s network March 5 unless the two can agree to terms on a new contract that would impact the health care system’s pricing. ...

William Lee Ollar, 98, longtime Ripley County resident, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020 at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Visitation will be from 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, with a Masonic funeral service at 7:30 p.m. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. All will be at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Doniphan. Burial with full Military Honors will be at Hufstedler Cemetery on C Highway...

City firefighters responded at 6:03 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, to an alarm at Kids Corral Day Center, 2323 N. Main St. It was investigation only. _ City firefighters responded at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, to a possible structure fire at the 914 Park Ave. residence owned by Justin Newton, 379 County Road 601...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL A 48-year-old Broseley man was injured in a three-vehicle crash at 4:25 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, on Highway B, three miles east of Poplar Bluff. According to the report, Andrew R. Sperino, 17, of Puxico was operating a 1994 Ford Thunderbird westbound when he failed to yield, and his car struck a 1991 Ford Ranger in the rear...

While the season on all species of geese in Missouri closes Thursday, hunters still will have an opportunity to take snow and Ross’s geese during the Light Goose Conservation Order, which kicks off Friday. Just as in years’ past, the Light Goose Conservation Order has relaxed regulations in an effort to make it easier for hunters to take larger numbers of geese...

Feral hog hunting has been a contentious issue in Missouri lately, with the banning of recreational hunting on Department of Conservation, Forest Service and some other public lands over the last couple years. However, a change in policy last week may appease those who want to pursue hogs...

Lanny Dean Sanders, 54, of Harviell, Mo., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020 at his home. Visitation will take place from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 at the Fowler & Sons Funeral Home in Neelyville. A graveside service will immediately follow at the Cochran Cemetery...

Representatives with local teacher organizations say new proposed legislation would be beneficial but not fix everything.

Randolph Kinney, 60, of Qulin, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Randy, the son of the late Robert and Marie (Bailey) Kinney, was born Feb. 28, 1959 in Rolla. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Campbell. Randy attended ADAPT for many years. He enjoyed spending time with his family and the many friends he had made. Randy also enjoyed anything to do with Elvis Presley...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sitting in the balcony of the U.S. House Chamber for President Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night was one of Poplar Bluff’s own — Police Chief Danny Whiteley. “Every member of Congress … we get one ticket for one guest to sit in the balcony for the State of the Union,” explained Congressman Jason Smith. “It was pretty easy to decide who would be a good pick to represent our congressional district this year.”...

Twin Rivers R-X students will remain out of class for the rest of the week.