Stories from Friday, April 14, 2023

A grand jury has officially filed felony murder charges in connection with an April 2022 overdose death in Butler County. Ruthie S. Johnson, 32, of the 2600 block of Crestwood Drive is charged with the Class A felony of second-degree murder (felony murder), two Class C felony charges of delivering a controlled substance, two Class D felony counts of possession of a controlled substance and one Class E felony count of unlawful use of a weapon...

Freda Maxine Deckard, 90, of Poplar Bluff, passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Deckard was born on Jan. 22, 1933, in Centerville, MO. She had worked as a farmer and enjoyed gardening, sewing and animals. Freda was a member of the Calvary Community Church and a founding member of the Missouri Pet Breeders Association...

Yvonne Elrod, 96, of Piedmont, died Tuesday, April 11. Visitation is at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, April 16, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. The funeral will follow at 3:00 p.m., also in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial will be in Mt. View Cemetery, Des Arc. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils will be performing live at the Black River Coliseum at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 29. A rock and roll band formed in 1971, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils have captured the hearts of fans now for more than five decades with their blend of country, rock, and folk music...

Poplar Bluff Mayor Steve Davis on Friday proclaimed the month of April to be National Donate Life Month. Davis presented Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center CEO Rick Naegler with a proclamation in recognition of PBRMC’s efforts and advancements in their mission to save lives through organ transplants...

Spire Natural Gas Company created a “Day of Good” for their employees, which benefited seniors who receive home delivery of meals from Northside Nutrition. While it was the first time for the nutrition center to partner with a company in this way, Administrator Emily LeMaster said the help was very much appreciated...

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center had an impact on the region of $218 million in 2022, according to hospital officials. The hospital serves as a major employer and tax-payer as it invests in and expends medical services in the region, they reported in a press release...

Butler County has used a new system three times in the last two weeks that was designed to speed up how quickly storm sirens sound. The first was March 31, when a storm system that had already set a tornado on the ground at Little Rock continued its path across northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri, said Butler County Emergency Management Agency Director Robbie Myers...

Tornado sirens sparse in small, rural communities MARBLE HILL, Mo. — Erin Ward said KFVS12’s meteorologists did a great job keeping people updated on the severe weather moving into Southeast Missouri. That is, until her power went out. It was then that Ward, and perhaps many of her neighbors, lost connection to dire information...

JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Mike Parson announced two judicial appointments on Friday, appointing one local graduate from Poplar Bluff High School. Derek Spencer, an attorney born and raised in Poplar Bluff, currently serves as assistant prosecuting attorney in Cass County. He will fill the vacancy left by the retirement of the Honorable J. Michael Rumley...

Poplar Bluff Police Davie Vincent reported on Thursday, April 13, an adult female came to his residence in the 2300 block of Arkansas Street in violation of a protection order. _ Crystal Richman reported on Thursday, April 13, an adult female broke into her residence in the 300 block of West Relief Street and threatened her...