Stories from Thursday, March 16, 2023

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe stressed the importance of the work and relationships that would be built Thursday as the fifth annual Earthquake Summit kicked off in Portageville. The largest event of its kind, according to Jeff Briggs, Missouri’s earthquake program manager, it brings together hundreds of first responders, emergency management professionals, local, state and federal partners to discuss the hazards and preparations for a major earthquake event in the New Madrid Seismic Zone...

VAN BUREN — The Landing is finishing construction on its rebuilt Rose Cliff Lodge next month. After over a year of construction, co-owner and family patriarch Tom Bedell expects the new and improved lodge to open in the first or second week of April...

Rev. Frank Everett Gunter, 82, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away March 11, 2023 at General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell, Missouri. Frank was born on July 19, 1940 to Van and Janie E. Gunter in Rives, Missouri. He married Betty Gunter, who preceded him in death...

Thomas Edward Hoon died unexpectedly Feb. 13, 2023. Thomas is survived by his two children, Justin Hoon and Kaitlyn Hoon; his mother, Twila Ray Ogden; his brother, William Hoon; and sister, Twila Ann Hoon Witz. He was predeceased by his father and grandparents...

Thomas Edward Hoon died unexpectedly Feb. 13, 2023. Thomas is survived by his two children, Justin Hoon and Kaitlyn Hoon; his mother, Twila Ray Ogden; his brother, William Hoon; and sister, Twila Ann Hoon Witz. He was predeceased by his father and grandparents...

Roy Gene Walker, 88, of Poplar Bluff, died March 15, 2023 in Sikeston, Missouri. Mr. Walker was a devout Christian and a member of the Green Forest Church of Christ of Poplar Bluff. Born Sept. 9, 1934, in Melbourne, Arkansas, he was the son of the late Hubert and Opal (Hodges) Walker...

Geraldine “Gerry” Hover, 88, of Harviell, Missouri passed away March 15, 2023, at her residence. She was born July 8, 1934, at Corning, Arkansas to the late Novie Murrell and Irene “Thompson” Murrell. On Jan. 6, 1957, at Poplar Bluff, Missouri she was married to Donald Albert Hover. He preceded her in death on March 10, 2022...

PORTAGEVILLE — State officials are getting closer to having models which will help direct an evacuation and disaster response effort for the region in the event of a major earthquake along the New Madrid Seismic Zone. These models take into account surveys asking residents when, where and how they would evacuate after an incident, what roads and bridges would be most impacted and need the fastest inspections and many other factors, explained Michael White, Missouri Department of Transportation Emergency Management coordinator.. ...

There is a 25-40% possibility of a magnitude 6 or greater earthquake occurring in the New Madrid Seismic Zone within the next 50 years, said Andrea Spillars, Region 7 administrator for Federal Emergency Management Agency. She shared this prediction Thursday during the 2023 Earthquake Summit in Portageville...

PORTAGEVILLE — The cost of earthquake insurance has increased 352% in Southeast Missouri since 2000. This is in a region where building codes often struggle to meet the most up-to-date damage prevention measures for a higher magnitude tremblor. Yet the cost of insurance is still not astronomical, according to Dr. ...

Butler County sheriff Christopher Paul Chance, 37, of Poplar Bluff was booked Wednesday, March 15, into the Butler County jail for failure to appear on the original charge of failure to register a motor vehicle/trailer annually. ————— James Lee Dudley, 48, of Poplar Bluff was booked Wednesday, March 15, into the Butler County jail on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful drug paraphernalia...