Stories from Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Work on two more major infrastructure projects will start this month. Work begins Monday on the replacement of the Pine Street bridge, while construction on the first phase of the Highway 67 south/future Interstate 57 project kicks off Aug. 22. The 1934 Pine Street bridge project is expected to last approximately 11 months, finishing in July 2023. The cost of this project is paid for by the Missouri Department of Transportation and is approximately $3.5 million...

Brooke Perkins accepts a U.S. flag during her father's funeral Thursday. Steven Gregory, 63, an Army veteran, died March 4 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. ...

Christopher Wolk of Patton, Missouri, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Brandon Stephens, 28, also of Patton, earlier this year, according to a news release issued last week by Bollinger County Sheriff Casey Graham...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Police are investigating after a vehicle crashed into a grocery store, injuring several people Saturday in Charleston. According to Charleston Department of Public Safety director Robert Hearnes, the one-vehicle crash occurred about 6:20 p.m. at McClain's Food Center on South Main Street. A vehicle drove into the building, injuring several people, Hearnes said...

SIKESTON — For those who are not afraid to cut loose, the new Sikeston Little Theatre production may be just for them. “Footloose,” is showing this weekend at the Sikeston Little Theatre, performed by students going into the sixth grade through graduating seniors. Adults are cast in the adult roles...

Minette Antoinette Cochran, 56, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, at her home in Williamsville, Missouri. Minette was born Feb. 1, 1966, to Joseph and Janet (Adams) Voirol in St. Louis, Missouri. She married Kelly Cochran Sept. 22, 2021, in Poplar Bluff...

William James Watton III, 78, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, completed his final earthly battle Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Watton was born July 27, 1944, in St. Louis to William James Watton Jr. and Helen Vernell Butler Watton.  He was of the Baptist faith.  Mr. ...

So, with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22 Charles (Chuck) Edward Loury II, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend, rode into the sunset on Aug. 7, 2022. He was born on July 19, 1959, to Charles and Katie Loury. Chuck grew up in Poplar Bluff, Missouri where he graduated from Poplar Bluff High School...

Clifford “Gene” Newman, 73, of Wappapello, Missouri, died Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, at Clarks Mountain Nursing Home, in Piedmont, Missouri. Mr. Newman was born Dec. 21, 1948, in Portageville, Missouri, son of the late Clifford Sr. and Wanda Newman. He adored his family and would do anything for them. Gene loved people and never met a stranger. He was a laid-back, fun, and adventurous person who was willing to do just about anything. On July 24, 2009, he married Marilee Birkenmaier...

ST. LOUIS — President Joe Biden on Monday approved Missouri's request for a federal disaster declaration in response to severe flooding. The declaration makes St. Louis-area residents eligible for federal help with temporary housing, home repairs and some health expenses...

On Saturday, while exploring the Tom Moore cave system in Perry County, Missouri, a group of cavers came across a lost dog alone in the dark. Gerry Keene was with a group of experienced cavers, five of them children. The plan was to go from the Berome Moore entrance and move through a mile of caves and emerge at the Tom Moore entrance. However, about 20 minutes after entering the cave, the group found the dog...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Missouri gathered enough signatures to make it on the November ballot, the secretary of state announced Tuesday. Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft also said a proposal to allow ranked-choice voting failed to collect the roughly 170,000 voter signatures from six of the state's eight congressional districts to get on the ballot...