Stories from Friday, December 17, 2021

CAPE GIRARDEAU ­— Saint Francis Healthcare System’s Auxiliary held its annual Volunteer Christmas Breakfast at the Drury Plaza Conference Center in Cape Girardeau on December 7. Ninety-three volunteers were in attendance, as well as members of the Saint Francis executive team...

The Poplar Bluff R-I School Board approved a proposal from HD Media Systems of Cape Girardeau for extensive upgrades to the Kay Porter Theater lighting and audio/visual systems at their December meeting. HD Media Systems was the low bidder, at an amount of $233,828.61, which will come out of funds reserved for the theater, which currently stands at approximately $425,000...

The long, distinguished career of one of Poplar Bluff’s own was recognized recently by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson during an unveiling ceremony in Jefferson City. “Today, Teresa and I participated in the unveiling of a display for the Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society (MASTERS) at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Museum,” Parson wrote on social media...

STATESBORO, Ga. — Donald Ray “Don” Taylor, 82, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. Don was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri in 1940 to Russell and Ollie Taylor, who both preceded him in death. His brothers, Ivan Taylor, Carol Taylor, Jerry Taylor and Richard Taylor also preceded him in death...

Rose Carol Shriver, 75, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, at Oakdale Care Center. Carol, the daughter of Tommy E. Sr. and Clyte (nee, Lacy) Marshall Kearbey, was born July 5, 1946, in Mark Tree, Arkansas. She had retired from Butler County Health Department as a Home Health Caregiver. ...

Bonnie Polaski, 77, of Union, Missouri passed away Friday, Dec, 17, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021 at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home, 844 Cedar St. Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. in the funeral home...

8/17/1936 -12/15/2021 Navy Chief, Vietnam Vet, Purple Heart recipient. PhD, none of these meant anything to Donald Joseph Skaggs Sr. compared to husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and all-around HERO. The hero was, of course, bestowed on him by all who knew and loved him. ...

Jerry LeGrand, 74, of Poplar Bluff died Dec. 17, 2021 at his residence. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Poplar Bluff. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 2 p.m. with Father Daniel Robles serving as Celebrant burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery...

Preparations for Christmas dinner at the United Gospel Rescue Mission are underway. “The mission can’t do holidays without volunteers,” stressed Mission Executive Director Rev. Greg Kirk. “We’re getting geared up for Christmas,” said Kirk, who is hoping Christmas might be less hectic than Thanksgiving. ...

A two-vehicle accident involving a Dodge Dakota Truck and a Ford Escape happened Friday afternoon on Highway 53 at Rick’s 66. Injured passengers were transported to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. (Rob Duckett photo)

BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT Kathryn H. Brady, 24, of the 900 block of Spring Street was booked Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Butler County jail on suspicion of possession of marijuana. She later was released. _ James M. Hastings, 24, of the 2300 block of Leonard Drive was booked Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Butler County jail on suspicion of two counts of second-degree burglary and two counts of stealing...

WAYNESVILLE, Mo. — After scoring the first points of the game, the Poplar Bluff boys basketball team struggled to find the bottom of the net Friday night at the Route 66 Shootout. State-ranked Parkview stymied the Mules to win 67-47 at Waynesville High School...