Stories from Tuesday, December 12, 2023

50 years agoDec. 12, 1973 • The Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission rejected routine funding reviews of Missouri Law Enforcement Assistance Council requests totaling nearly $700,000 last night (Dec. 11). The rejection of the reviews, which Commission officials predicted would be “ignored on the state level and funded anyway,” was in apparent protest to “strings” attached to regional funds prohibiting use of more than one-third of the local funding for personnel...

Local pharmacies such as East Side Pharmacy, Harps Pharmacy, John’s Pharmacy, Key Drugs, Kroger Pharmacy, Saint Francis Pharmacy and Southeast Pharmacy know the value of recycling. Whether it involves the community, the global environment, or extending a helping hand to lift youth out of the cycle of bad decisions — these community businesses are willing to help...

Betty Jean Wood passed away Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 93. She was born March 8, 1930, in Jonesboro, Arkansas to Clyde and Edna King. Betty was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company where she worked as a switchboard operator while attending college. ...

Ramona June Sutton, born Ramona June Rhodes, was born Jan. 13, 1937 in Grissom, Missouri which was once a part of Bollinger County.  Ramona died peacefully in her home while holding her daughter’s hand on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.  Ramona was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Mae Rhodes; the love of her life, her husband, Robert L. Sutton; her brother, Frank Rhodes; her brother-in-law, Larry White; her niece, Gina White; and her dearly loved grandson, Sean Stafford...

John Charles Poole, Sr., 77, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Monday, Dec. 11, 2023 at his residence. Mr. Poole was born Sept. 19, 1946 in Tyler, Missouri, son of the late Orval and Katie Poole. He is survived by three children: John Charles (Shannon) Poole, Jr. of Fisk, Kellie (Todd) Stephens of Harviell, and Katie Poole of Fisk; five grandchildren: Casen and Cade Stephens, Brayden Poole, Lawson and Emerson Poole; one brother: Gary Poole of Fisk, and one sister: Judy Barnes of Holcomb...

Marilyn Mae (Gibbs) Proctor, 79, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Sunday, Dec.10, 2023 at Oakdale Care Center surrounded by her family. Marilyn was born Aug. 18, 1944 in Spencer, Indiana, daughter of the late Glenn and Grace Gibbs. She was a graduate of Neelyville High School in 1962. Marilyn was a Ward Clerk at Doctors Hospital in Poplar Bluff. She retired in 2007 after 40 years of service. She enjoyed bingo, reading, watching western movies and being with her family...

Agustin Ruiz Ruiz, 41, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away Dec. 6, 2023 at his home in Columbia. Agustin was born Aug. 5, 1982 to Agustin and Ma. Del Carmen (Salazar) Ruiz in St. Luis Potosi, Mexico. He married Amanda Rena (Sinks), she survives. Agustin was a loving and caring man. He enjoyed watching and playing sports; such as football, pool, baseball and soccer...

A pair of area restaurant owners will be expanding with a new franchise agreement. Michael and Cherie Cook, who own Godfather’s Pizza, Donut House, Godfather’s Concessions, and Courtside Café at Three Rivers College, expect to open a location of Perkins Restaurant & Bakery in Poplar Bluff by February 2025...

SIKESTON — The overpass under construction near South Ingram Road in Sikeston is part of plans to upgrade Highway 60 to Interstate 57. In 2017, the United States Congress designated Highway 60 from Sikeston to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Highway 67 south from Poplar Bluff to Little Rock, Arkansas, as the future I-57. ...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Cody S. Horner, 35, of Dexter was arrested at 10:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, in Stoddard County on suspicion of DWI. He was released. _ A 41-year-old woman sustained moderate injuries in a one-vehicle accident at 11:17 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, on Highway H, three miles south of Powe...