Stories from Thursday, July 16, 2020

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT Dennis Wayne Johnson, 51, of the 800 block of Cynthia Street was arrested at 2:50 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, at his home on suspicion of making a terroristic threat and failure to appear warrants for DWI and domestic assault. He was booked at the Butler County jail...

City firefighters responded at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, to a report of an unauthorized burn at 1909 Kentucky Ave. According to the report, property owner Brad Smith was cleaning up and burning trash. Firefighters used 50 gallons of water to put out the fire and told Smith about the city’s burn ordinances...

Beautification of the downtown Poplar Bluff area has become a big topic as the city works to revitalize its hub, and the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department is doing its part to make the area brighter. For the last few weeks, artist Tara Brown has been working on a new, water-themed mural, which will span the entire length of the west side of the Huntington Pool building near Hillcrest Park...

Lena Mae Badgley, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Lena was born on Jan. 23, 1930, to Dalton and Belva Porter in Poplar Bluff. She married L.R. “Dick” Badgley in Piggott, Ark., on Sept. 3, 1949...

On July 15, the Cool Springs/Cattron Cemetery trustees and secretary met and discussed whether to cancel this year’s business meeting and dinner set for Aug. 1. Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, the trustees and secretary “felt it is in the best interest of all individuals that we cancel this year’s meeting...

Phoenix, Arizona – NewWave Communications has announced it will award $15,000 to non-profit organizations in the communities it serves as part of the internet service provider’s “Up for Any Challenge” social media campaign. Non-profit organizations in communities throughout the states NewWave serves can enter to win simply by sharing a photo and written entry outlining how their organization has been impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, how the winning funds will be used and how funds will benefit the community.. ...

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 2452 is reaching its golden anniversary this year. To commemorate its 50 years in Poplar Bluff, the lodge is hosting a celebration Saturday night, beginning at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour. The steak and shrimp scampi dinner at 7 p.m. is open to the public at a cost of $35 per couple, and the event will include entertainment, a dance and a program recognizing the lodge’s history and honoring its remaining charter members and past exalted rulers...

The following locations have been identified by Butler County Health Department through contact tracing as locations visited by individuals who later tested positive for COVID-19. The locations listed were contacted prior to announcement and have worked with the health department to develop an appropriate action plan for any needed cleaning and other steps necessary to protect the public, health department officials report...

Butler County Health Department officials say they want to acknowledge and celebrate all businesses and locations stepping up to help in the fight against COVID-19. The health department released a second list Thursday of locations recently visited by a COVID positive person. The lists are expected to be released daily in the future...

Wednesday’s Games CIVIC LEAGUE Las Margaritas 6, Mossy Oak 4 Sterling 4, The Beards 3 Costello’s 22, Shooter’s Shack 2 LITTLE LEAGUE R&T Auto 7, Swafford’s 2 First Midwest 11, VFW 4 PONY LEAGUE Today’s Computers 16, People’s 0...

Poplar Bluff Early Childhood Center teacher Krista Greenwall works to reach every student and help other teachers, according to reports from coworkers and parents.

As the number of local confirmed cases of COVID-19 rise so to does the temperature, creating another health concern for area residents looking to cool off. Some of the usual places to escape the summer heat are not available due to the virus pandemic...