Stories from Thursday, January 5, 2023

A Bunker man was sentenced to eight years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to his role in the beating death of a Brick’s Off-Road Park patron in 2018. Rickey B. Holt, 44, of Bunker pleaded guilty Wednesday to the Class C felony of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to eight years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, according to Missouri Casenet...

The 85th Annual Chamber Banquet is coming soon — a night of food, networking and community awards. The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the event at Black River Coliseum. Doors open for a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and messages from the night’s speakers. The program wraps up around 8:30 p.m. he noted, but live music from The Millstones and dancing will continue into the night...

Dexter voters will be asked April 4 if the city should place a sales tax on non-medical marijuana sales. The 3% tax would not impact medical marijuana sales, Dexter city attorney Yewell “Bud” Lawrence said. Lawrence further said the door was opened for the city to do this with voters legalizing non-medical marijuana in November...

Start the year off right with art, healthful eating and financial knowledge in this week’s MAIN EVENT. Michel Chiropractic Center is hosting a wellness program at 6 p.m. Thursday called Eating Right for the New Year. The event’s slogan is “Don’t eat less, eat better.” Gut-friendly snacks will be provided. Please RSVP through the Center’s Facebook page...

Sandra Kay Treece, 68, of Poplar Bluff passed away on Jan. 3, 2023, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Sandra was born on Oct. 9, 1954, to Paul and Lillie (Spencer) Treece in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Sandra enjoyed family time, crocheting, playing Bingo, Gin and Rummy, and cooking. She was known for her amazing Apple Pie and Italian Chicken. She was a CNA for many nursing homes, Lucy Lee Hospital and PB Regional Medical Center...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pressure mounting, divided Republicans left the speaker's chair of the U.S. House sitting empty for a third day Thursday, as party leader Kevin McCarthy failed anew in an excruciating string of ballots to win enough GOP votes to seize the chamber's gavel...

Esther “Gerri” Brannon, 88, of Satellite Beach, Florida, formerly of Williamsville, died Saturday, Dec. 31, at her residence. Visitation will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan.7, at First Assembly of God Church, Williamsville, Missouri. Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., also at First Assembly of God Church and burial will be in Chapel Hill Cemetery...

A Perez family tradition helped inspire a chain of seafood restaurants, which has made Poplar Bluff its newest home. Mike Perez, owner and founder of Krabby Daddy’s, recently opened his third restaurant, offering seafood and more at 2201 N. Westwood Blvd Suite 7, near Orscheln Farm and Home...