Stories from Sunday, August 7, 2011

Walk-on became an elite kicker Grant Ressel admits that his ascent from unheralded walk-on fighting for a roster spot to one of college football's elite kickers sometimes is hard to believe. But the fact the former Jackson High School standout never stopped believing and kept working is a big part of what has made this real-life fairy tale come true...

Football practice kicks off Monday for the Poplar Bluff Mules and new coach Mark Barousse with the season opener just three weeks away. Of course the real season for Missouri high school football doesn't start until the middle of October when teams begin district play. That will soon change...

Xtreme Gymnastics athletes enjoyed the national spotlight once again this year. The local gym took 10 participants to the 2011 AAU National competition that was held in early July at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando. There were more than 1,000 competitors at the event and three athletes from Xtreme took home first-place finishes...

A section of U.S. 67 in Butler County soon will be dedicated as a lasting tribute to a Missouri State Highway Patrol sergeant who made the ultimate sacrifice when the helicopter he was piloting crashed, killing both himself and a civilian photographer...

Starting in April, Poplar Bluff, Mo., residents began noticing an icon that hadn't been seen in the city in years: an old-fashioned ice cream truck, complete with traditional music, traveling up and down the streets, offering tasty treats to children and adults alike...

The 23rd annual Trail Ride for Haven House will be Sept. 24 at Ted and Cindy Evans' Farm. The annual fundraising event for the local domestic violence shelter will be held rain or shine. Haven House provides safe shelter for women and their children who are trying to escape domestic violence, and offers counseling, as well as provides assistance in finding jobs and educational opportunities. The program offers classes in parenting and budgeting...

Two sisters, ages 2 and 4, were rescued from a burning car in Kennett, Mo., 37 years ago, but they never had an opportunity to meet "our hero" until this summer. Both sisters now live in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Patty Robertson and Teresa Myers are very thankful they were able to find Gary Parr and let him know how much his heroic actions were appreciated...