Stories from Friday, November 17, 2023

Samantha Knuckles remembers her early childhood days of driving through the city of Poplar Bluff to see Christmas light displays. “I grew up in Doniphan and I remember as a kid coming to Poplar Bluff,” she said during a phone interview Wednesday. “Now, I have my little ones and I want them to be able to enjoy the Christmas light displays.”...

100 years agoNov. 17, 1923 • The first arrest in connection with the closing of the Patterson Bank and the disappearance of bank cashier Clacy T. Kinder was made Friday evening (Nov. 16). Piedmont druggist Elmer Black was arrested as an accessory after the fact after he allegedly helped Kinder — who is charged with embezzlement — flee the state. Black is being held on $8,000 bond...

Travis Farrell Phillips, 74, of Ellsinore, Missouri passed away Nov. 14, 2023, at his home in Ellsinore. Travis was born on June 25, 1949, Vondus and Willie (Raffety) Phillips in Monette, Arkansas. He married Sara Garcia April 28, 1972, in Los Angeles County, California...

Alex Lee Dugas, 63, of Pangburn, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. Visitation will be held from 5 -7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services. Graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at New Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler County with Rev. Jim Schremp officiating...

Winnie Mae Parchman, 96, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, at her home. Winnie was born Feb. 9, 1927, to Wyatt and Ida (Whitehead) Marty in Creal Springs, Illinois. Winnie was a member of First Baptist Church of Poplar Bluff. She enjoyed reading and spending time with her family and feline companion, Molly Sue...

Ila Fern Brower was born Feb. 10, 1937, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to the late Victor and Violet Rommel.  She died peacefully in the arms of her loving daughter, Lisa Cooney, in their home Nov. 14, 2023.   She loved country and gospel music and sang in the choir at church.  She was employed in various fields, which she was very proud of.  Her last place of employment was JD’s Quick Stop as a cook.  ...

Ed Fuemmeler, 74, of Glennonville died Thursday at Winchester Place in Bernie.

Paul Oesterreicher was sworn in Friday as Butler County prosecuting attorney. Oesterreicher was appointed by the new presiding judge of the 36th Judicial Circuit, Kacey Proctor. Proctor resigned as prosecutor to become presiding judge. Oesterreicher has lived or worked in the Butler County area for over 30 years and has worked in the prosecuting attorney’s office for over 30 years as assistant prosecuting attorney to several elected prosecutors...

Linda Diane Morgan, 67, of Campbell died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at her residence.

It was a morning of change for Butler County Courthouse, when a new presiding judge and prosecuting attorney were sworn in Friday. It marked the retirement of outgoing Presiding Judge Mike Pritchett, while two men who have long served the communities of this area stepped forward to new roles...

Company officials from a local factory say a policy regarding solar panels enacted over the summer by the Poplar Bluff City Council could harm the town’s reputation as a business-friendly community. The chief financial officer for Empire Comfort Systems addressed the council Nov. 6, questioning both the policy, how it was enacted and the response by officials to concerns the company has expressed since March...

The Missouri State Fire Marshal is investigating a Friday morning fire in an occupied two story frame structure at 925 Spring St. where extra fire crews were on the scene four hours. Flames were coming from the roof when the first crew of Poplar Bluff Firefighters arrived shortly after midnight, said Battalion Chief Stacy Harmon...

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT The National Instant Background Check System (NICS) reported at 8:49 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, a firearm transfer was denied at Godwin’s 303 Sporting Goods at 1000 Highway 53. According to the report, the purchaser was previously convicted of a felony offense...