Stories from Thursday, April 29, 2021

An air of mystery, with a scent of humor, will fall over Poplar Bluff this weekend as the Poplar Bluff High School theater group airs its latest production. “Rumors” follows the story of four couples who go to the mayor’s house to celebrate his 10th wedding anniversary, only to find that he’s been shot and his wife is nowhere to be found...

June 4, 1943 - April 22, 2021 Raymond Ray Bowen passed away Thursday, April 22, 2021 at his home in Unity Alpine, California at the age of seventy-seven. He was born June 4, 1943 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Elic and Velma Bryant Bowen. On April 16, 1966, he was married to Beverly Brame. She preceded him in death in 2017...

DONIPHAN — Ozark Vitality will be hosting a guided nature tour in the Southeastern Ozarks beginning at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 1. Join the Ozark Vitality team to learn more about the area’s natural history and exceptional plant diversity found in the region...

Dexter ­­— Local and state law enforcement will be out in full force as part of the annual nationwide Youth Alcohol Enforcement Crackdown substance–impaired driving crackdown. The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Dexter, will run from April 30-May 9...

VAN BUREN — Join a park ranger for a guided “point and shoot” photography hike at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 8. The hike will begin at Big Spring, and participants can expect to explore the nearby area for scenic views. Participants should plan to hike approximately one-half mile...

Donna Mannon, age 59, of Fisk, Missouri, died Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at her residence. Mrs. Mannon was born August 12, 1961. On July 10, 1982, she married Kenny Mannon. He survives. Also surviving is her father, George Cross, of Fisk and her son, Shawn Mannon, of Poplar Bluff. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Ellen (Marler) Cross...

Mary Barousse left the business world 25 years ago to pursue a career in teaching, something she said is one of the best decisions she ever made in her life. Bourousse, a teacher at the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center, is the facility’s 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year...

Nellie Yvonne Stewart, age 82, of Wappapello, Missouri, died Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at her residence. Mrs. Stewart was born August 20, 1938 in Mena, Arkansas, daughter of the late Otis Henry, Sr. and Ardella Miller. She was a member of Lakeland Assembly of God in Wappapello. On April 11, 1959, she married Henry Jay Stewart, Sr. He survives...

City firefighters responded at 12:36 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, to a report of an alarm at the Poplar Bluff Junior High School at 550 North Westwood. According to the report, firefighters arrived at the location and spoke to a maintenance man who reported the alarm was originating in room 11. After investigating the area, firefighters determined that popcorn had been popped in the room and had set off the alarm...