Stories from Friday, August 12, 2022

Michelle Darling of Medford, Oklahoma, competes in barrel racing at the 70th annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo on Wednesday at the Sikeston Rodeo Grounds in Sikeston, Missouri. The rodeo began Wednesday and runs through Saturday at the Sikeston Rodeo Grounds. Gates open for the rodeo at 6 p.m. with the action beginning at 7 p.m.

U.S. House passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, where Democrats currently outnumber Republicans, could come as early as today -- but congressman Jason Smith (R-8) told the Southeast Missourian he will not be voting in the affirmative. "The Inflation Act will only make the current economic crisis facing Missourians worse. ...

Ray Seeley, 70, of Annapolis, died Monday, Aug. 8, at his residence. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. Aug. 20 at Piedmont Eagles. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com.

Beverly Frances Hardin of Qulin, Missouri succumbed to her diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia and passed away peacefully at Brookdale Leawood Stateline Memory Care Facility in Leawood, Kansas on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022.  Beverly was born on Oct. 6, 1943 to Charles and Erna Johnson of Poplar Bluff. She married Daryl J. Hardin of Qulin on May 1, 1965. He survives. ...

Buddy Hurley, 66, of Wappapello, Missouri passed away Aug. 9, 2022, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Bud was born Jan. 30, 1956, to the late John Hurley and Mary Pickard. Bud loved spending time with his family and friends and had the ability to make everyone laugh with the stories he would tell. Bud was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved collecting arrowheads to share with his family. He was also a Mopar enthusiast...

Joyce Dobbs Pearce transitioned into new life in the early hours Wednesday, Aug.10, 2022, at the age of 95 years at Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital after a short bout with cancer. Born in St Louis, Missouri, in 1927, she lived most of her life in Poplar Bluff. ...

WAPPAPELLO — From opossums and squirrels to bobcats and bears, Watkins Wildlife Rehab will accept any animal for rehabilitation and a second chance at a life in the wild. Watkins is a nonprofit organization and is run by a husband and wife who not only work full time to provide for the animals, but use their funds to produce food and necessaries for the animals. John Watkins and his wife Carolyn Watkins started this organization 50 years ago and it is still going strong...

A Poplar Bluff man is free on $100,000 bond after he allegedly fired a gun during a dispute with another man. Lonnie T. Ruff II, 19, of the 200 block of South B Street, is charged with the Class B felony of unlawful use of a weapon involving shooting at a person, motor vehicle or building at or from a motor vehicle...

The City of Poplar Bluff and Building Standards Board is seeing increased success in rehabilitating or removing derelict properties. There are several reasons properties end up before the Building Standards Board or on the Vacant Property Registration List, according to city manager Matt Winters...

The SEMO Youth Shooters sent 28 participants to Sparta, Illinois, for the 2022 AIM Grand Nationals recently to compete against shooters from around the world. The team of shooters ranging from fourth grade through college, brought home eight patches, nine individual awards and three squad awards...

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT A person reported at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, a purse was stolen from a vehicle while it was parked at a residence in the 200 block of Hampton Court. Cassie Knox, 31, of Poplar Bluff was arrested at 10:08 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, during a traffic stop in the 600 block of Maple Street on a Butler County warrant for endangering the welfare of a child. She was booked at the Butler County jail...