Stories from Thursday, July 9, 2020

A song about a man and his tools earned a local songwriter a spot among the songwriter showcase finalists for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass 2020. Jeff Hovis said he was “absolutely” surprised he and his song, “This Old Man’s Tools,” were among the 10 finalists chosen by the IMBA Songwriter Showcase selection committee...

CAMPBELL — Frances Michelle Williams Hicks, 54, of Wappapello, formerly of Campbell, passed away Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Michelle, daughter of Jimmy Daniel Williams and Marietta Frances Reynolds O’Neal, was born Tuesday, May 24, 1966, in Dixon, Tennessee...

Christopher David Bowman, 34, of Williamsville, passed away, Sunday, June 28, 2020, in his home from a massive heart attack. He was born, Feb. 18, 1986, to David Bowman and Nancy Jean (Hofmann) Bowman in Poplar Bluff. The Bowman Family will have a Celebration of Life Memorial service, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the Chaonia Fire Department...

Between making learning fun and reaching out to students who need help, third grade teacher Ashley Blume challenges her students to reach their full potential, according to letters from her peers.

Those interested in the natural world around them can learn about nighttime wildlife during a free program Saturday at Hendrickson Park in Poplar Bluff. Starting at 7:30 p.m. near the pavilion on the south end of the park, wildlife biologist Bob Tarter, owner of Animal Animology, will present a show-and-tell program on nocturnal wildlife...

SCURRY, TEXAS — A registered sex offender that was captured in Poplar Bluff is back in custody in Texas now after being indicted on new charges of online solicitation of a minor. Gregory Lee Battson, 49, was extradited to the Kaufman County, Texas jail Tuesday afternoon and booked with one count of “sell or purchase child for sexual performance” and one count “online solicit of a minor sexual conduct” according to jail records. He is currently being held on bonds totaling $350,000...

A Fairdealing man was killed in a one-vehicle accident at 4:25 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, on Highway 142 in Oxly. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Lennie G. Bailey, 53, was westbound in a 2005 GMC Sierra when his vehicle traveled off the left side of the road, overcorrected and ran off the right side of the road. The vehicle hit several signs, a culvert and overturned, ejecting the driver...

A Fairdealing man was killed in a one-vehicle accident at 4:25 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, on Highway 142 in Oxly. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Lennie G. Bailey, 53, was westbound in a 2005 GMC Sierra when his vehicle traveled off the left side of the road, overcorrected and ran off the right side of the road. The vehicle hit several signs, a culvert and overturned, ejecting the driver...

Wednesday’s Games CIVIC LEAGUE Sterling 7, Costello’s 0 Mossy Oak 6, Beards 5 Shooter’s Shack 7, Las Margaritas 6 PONY LEAGUE Rent One 5, People's Community 4 Today's Computers 14, Nortek 3 LITTLE LEAGUE First Midwest 10, R&T Auto 2...

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE REPORTS Skylar C. Watkins, 30, no address listed, was arrested at 5:11 p.m. Monday, July 6, at the Super 8 Motel on a failure to appear warn for possession of a controlled substance, a probation and parole warrant of non-support, a failure to appear warrant for no insurance and suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. He was booked a the Butler County jail...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Joshua W. Smith, 22, of Tallpossa, Missouri, was arrested at 8:51 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated; careless and imprudent driving involving a crash; and a Dexter warrant for failure to appear on the original charge of failure to register a vehicle and no seat belt. He was booked at Stoddard County jail...