Stories from Friday, February 3, 2023

Myram “Darlene” Branch-Riley, 81, of Tulare, California passed away Dec. 26, 2022. Darlene was born in California to Benjamin and Mildred “Millie” Branch while traveling from Missouri to work in agriculture crop picking. She grew up in rural Poplar Bluff, Missouri regaled family and friends constantly with wonderful stories of her childhood, her love for Poplar Bluff, the simple joy of growing up on a farm and attending elementary school in a one room schoolhouse...

James “Jim” Lee Cochran of Petal, Mississippi, formerly of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away on Feb. 1, 2023 at the age of 88. He was born on Nov. 19, 1934 in Ferguson, Missouri to Jasper and Maude Cochran. He was a 1952 graduate of Poplar Bluff High School and served in the U.S. ...

Corene J. Noles Gunn Becker, 85, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, moved to her heavenly home on Monday morning, Jan. 30, 2023. Corene was born on Feb. 4, 1937, to the late Claude Noles and Cora Noles Wolverton in Etowah, Arkansas. She married her late husband, Kenneth Becker, in 1982...

Cletis Harris Powell was born Jan. 4, 1931 to Joseph Franklin and Effie Mae (Brown) Powell in Diehlstadt, Missouri. Cletis was the youngest of 13 children weighing 13 lbs, 15 ozs. He departed this life at his son’s home in Oxly, Missouri at the age of 92 years, 28 days at 11:41 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 with family by his side. He was bound for glory when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 10 years old...

February is American Heart Month. It’s a time for Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center health care providers to talk with the community about heart health, wellness and heart disease prevention. The PBRMC health care warriors make it their mission, not only today but every day, to fight one of the country’s most costly and deadly diseases...

Intervention specialist and mother of two young girls, Jennifer Wells received a life-changing diagnosis last year. After a routine check-up, Wells found she had developed stage one breast cancer. Like many others diagnosed with cancer, Wells said she had no signs or warning...

A once largely celebrated event in Poplar Bluff, Beerfest, is returning this year after a COVID-inspired hiatus. The Beerfest & Shrimp Boil celebration is from 4 -7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Black River Coliseum. The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting this year’s event...

AmeriCorps Seniors Retired Senior Volunteer Program, along with AARP, will offer tax clinics in Butler County from Feb 7 until April 13 in the Twin Towers. They will be held every Tuesday and Thursday. Those wanting to have taxes prepared must have an appointment, which may be made by calling 573-686-8624, said RSVP Director Jennifer Rosener...

Chinese Intelligence Balloon floated over the heartland Friday afternoon into the evening.

Poplar Bluff Police Department An adult male reported at 8:44 a.m. on Feb. 2, his girlfriend slashed him several times with a knife at their residence in the 1700 block of Sanders Street. EMS treated his injuries and this matter was referred to the Butler County Prosecutor...