Stories from Tuesday, February 2, 2021

City firefighters responded at 2:25 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, to a report of a fire at Mill and Apple. When they arrived, they found a homeowner burning leaves in their backyard. _ City firefighters responded at 3:19 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, to the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center for a fire alarm with water flow. Firefighters arrived on scene to find no fire and were told someone was working on the sprinkler system and accidently set off the alarm...

VAN BUREN —​ Preparations are underway for Ozark National Scenic Riverways to accomplish several prescribed burns this spring, between early February and mid-April. The burns will be carefully planned and monitored by the park’s fire management staff. ...

“Awesome” and “blessed by the Lord” are words, former state representative Steve Cookson’s sister, Lorie Grossheider of Cape Girardeau, used to describe how she and other family members feel about Cookson’s liver transplant Friday. The former Southeast Missouri legislator and retired educator, who is 62, is recovering at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Grossheider said...

Taylor is Top Lister Lucas Edington, broker/owner of Mossy Oak Properties Mozark Realty, announced Sandy Taylor as the Top Lister for January. Taylor has been an agent for Mossy Oak Properties since August of 2012 and a realtor for nine years serving the area seven of the last eight years. She has achieved an award of excellence by producing $1 million-plus in sales volume for eight of nine years. Taylor is a member of the Three Rivers Board of Realtors, Missouri and National Boards of Realtors...

The Mayberry family purchased 80 acres of land in 1901. For almost 120 years, the family has worked that land, now known as the Bieller/Mayberry farm. The Butler County University of Missouri Extension recently recognized the current owners as part of the Century Farm Family program, which honors families who have owned an area of farmland for at least 100 years...

Sharon L. Pipkins, age 78, of Poplar Bluff, died Monday, February 1, 2021 at her residence. Mrs. Pipkins was born September 23, 1942 in Kewanee, Illinois, daughter of the late George and Helen (Foust) Arbuckle. In July of 1959, she married Phillip A. Sutton. He preceded her in death in September 1964. In May of 1966 she married Jesse Pipkins. He preceded her in death in November of 2006...

After 2020 caused more people to lose their jobs and struggle financially, one local homeless shelter received an opportunity to facilitate some help.