Stories from Friday, June 2, 2023

Leonard Eddy Browning, 65, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at his home in Poplar Bluff. Leonard was born on March 29, 1958, to Gilbert A. and Opal Mae (Smothers) Browning in Poplar Bluff. Leonard was a self-employed mechanic at C & F Auto Salvage. He loved his family and many friends. He also adored his canine companions, especially Harley. Leonard was of the Baptist Faith...

George Allen Garrett, 80, of Elmhurst, Illinois, passed away Saturday, May 27, 2023, after a battle with heart disease with his family by his side. He was born Jan. 13, 1943, to Ervin Garrett and Edna Lohmeier Garrett in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where he joined brother Gerry, and they welcomed younger brother Randy a few years later. ...

Floyd “Gene” Dougherty, 87, of Williamsville, died Thursday, May 31, at his residence. Visitation is at noon, Saturday, June 3, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Williamsville Chapel. Funeral following at 2 p.m., also in the Williamsville Chapel. Burial is in Chapel Hill Cemetery, Williamsville...

E. L. ‘Lee’ Kearbey Jr., 68, of Poplar Bluff, died Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Martha Like, 81, of Campbell died Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at her residence.

In a subsequent vote, the Twin Rivers School board has successfully approved the establishment of a cooperative for junior high sports in collaboration with a neighboring private school. Board members voted 5-2 at their May board meeting to join with St. Teresa Catholic School for the effort. Board members Jenny Hester, Kade McBroom, Brandon Vancil, Bobby King and Lee Wright all voted in favor of the sports co-op, while Bruce Goodrich and Keith Parker remained opposed...

Elementary Special Education Teacher Adriann D’Amico has been nominated Lake Road Elementary Teacher of the Year for 2023. D’Amico earned a bachelor of biology degree at Central Methodist University in 2016. She is currently working toward her master’s degree in special education at Missouri State University, as well as seeking certification to become a board-certified behavior analyst...

A Poplar Bluff native who began his career volunteering for political campaigns was named Thursday as director of the Missouri Department of Social Services. Robert Knodell had served as acting director of DSS since October 2021. His appointment as a full status director is effective as of Friday, according to a press release from Gov. Mike Parson’s office. Parson also announced Paula Nickelson as a full status director for the Department of Health and Human Services...

Poplar Bluff Police At 8:16 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31, an employee at Rent One at 109 South Westwood Blvd reported a customer stole two Xbox game consoles valued at $1,941.98. _ At 8:16 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31, an employee at Rent One at 109 South Westwood Blvd reported a customer stole a Playstation 5 game console valued at $1,325.67 and a 50” television valued at $614.62...

Southeast Missouri is preparing for the worst Mother Nature has to offer after the first meeting of Community Organizations Active in Disasters. Butler County EMA Director Robbie Myers explained groups and businesses have previously gotten together to discuss disaster response, but this is the first time it has happened under the umbrella of COAD. COAD groups are recognized as local businesses, organizations and civic entities that work together to coordinate disaster services for their areas...