Stories from Sunday, November 6, 2011

By PATRICK T. SULLIVAN SEMO News Service Clay Waller's attorney would like a judge with little or no knowledge of the Jacque Waller disappearance investigation to preside over an upcoming hearing connected to the case. The hearing will determine whether his client's father's testimony will be preserved -- testimony that alleged says Clay Waller confessed to murdering his estranged wife and burying her body...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer More than 200 Animal Welfare Alliance supporters gathered at the Black River Coliseum Friday night to raise money for the organization and honor law enforcement agencies who assisted with caring for pets during the spring floods...

By BILL DRAPER The Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Dozens of firefighters were planning to work through the weekend to keep a large fire in the Mark Twain National Forest from re-igniting after rainfall calmed the blaze down temporarily. Forest Service officials believe three fires that started Wednesday in south-central Missouri were intentionally set. ...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor As the new commander of the SEMO Drug Task Force, the "buck stops" with Mark McClendon, who is learning to multitask as he leads the unit. When Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Kevin Glaser announced his impending retirement, McClendon decided he wanted to try leading the organization he had been a part of for more than 16 years...

SEMO News Service Investigators found Jacque Waller's purse and some of its contents during a search for evidence linked to her disappearance alongside southbound Interstate 55 Thursday and Friday, Waller's father confirmed. Stan Rawson said in an on-the-record interview authorities informed him of finding his daughter's personal belongings, as well as her tattered purse, which had apparently been shredded by lawn mowing equipment...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor As the new commander of the SEMO Drug Task Force, the "buck stops" with Mark McClendon, who is learning to multitask as he leads the unit. When Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Kevin Glaser announced his impending retirement, McClendon decided he wanted to try leading the organization he had been a part of for more than 16 years...

By BILL DRAPER The Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Dozens of firefighters were planning to work through the weekend to keep a large fire in the Mark Twain National Forest from re-igniting after rainfall calmed the blaze down temporarily. Forest Service officials believe three fires that started Wednesday in south-central Missouri were intentionally set. ...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer More than 200 Animal Welfare Alliance supporters gathered at the Black River Coliseum Friday night to raise money for the organization and honor law enforcement agencies who assisted with caring for pets during the spring floods...

SEMO News Service Investigators found Jacque Waller's purse and some of its contents during a search for evidence linked to her disappearance alongside southbound Interstate 55 Thursday and Friday, Waller's father confirmed. Stan Rawson said in an on-the-record interview authorities informed him of finding his daughter's personal belongings, as well as her tattered purse, which had apparently been shredded by lawn mowing equipment...

By PATRICK T. SULLIVAN SEMO News Service Clay Waller's attorney would like a judge with little or no knowledge of the Jacque Waller disappearance investigation to preside over an upcoming hearing connected to the case. The hearing will determine whether his client's father's testimony will be preserved -- testimony that alleged says Clay Waller confessed to murdering his estranged wife and burying her body...

Three Rivers freshman guard Jordan McGowan quickly redeemed himself in his second game as a Raider. After missing all four of his shots in the opener, McGowan scored half of his 16 points in the first three minutes Friday night as the Raiders got their first win of the season over Missouri Baptist JV, 120-29...

Three Rivers wrapped up its opening homestand heading in the right direction. After winning Friday night for their first victory of the season, the Raiders controlled the game from tip to horn Saturday night as they beat ABCD Prep 81-41 at the Bess Activity Center...

Three Rivers couldn't overcome a poor shooting performance in their home opener Saturday. The Lady Raiders, which shot just 30 percent from the field, trailed by six at halftime and got within five with just more than four minutes remaining before Wabash Valley pulled away for the 73-62 win at the Bess Activity Center...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Poplar Bluff sophomore Allison Huskey moved up in her second appearance at the MSHSAA Class 4 state cross country championship meet Saturday. Huskey finished 112th, moving up 24 spots from her finish last year, with a time of 21 minutes, 37.46 seconds on the 3.1-mile course at Oak Hills Golf Center...

Unhappy cable customer I wondering if anyone has noticed on the city station on cable TV that the city is gone to digital TV by the end of the year and anyone who has analog TVs, not digital, will have to buy boxes from the city to get the channels--$35 each for each TV you have in your house. ...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama was a principled opponent of the Iraq War from its beginning. But when he became president in January 2009, he was handed a war that was won. The surge had succeeded. Al-Qaeda in Iraq had been routed, driven to humiliating defeat by an Anbar Awakening of Sunnis fighting side-by-side with the infidel Americans. ...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- The Republican presidential candidates, their sinews stiffened and their blood summoned up, may rightly dread Wednesday's version of what are inexplicably called debates. The candidates have some explaining to do, particularly regarding two subjects that deserve more searching examination than is possible in 60-second bursts on a stage cluttered with eight contestants. ...

Students earning places on the Westwood Baptist Academy honor roll for the first quarter honor roll include: Principal's List 1st Grade: Gracie Brisher, Madelyn Eads, Cameron Thompson 2nd Grade: Chelsea Graham, Devyn Richardson, Alyssa Sarver, Alyssa Thompson...

Crazy prices Talk about the craziness of fuel prices in our community. Now, mind you, this is Friday, but today I saw fuel prices at a truck stop out on M Hwy. and the 67 Junction at $3.39 a gallon. That's right! And, yet, I saw fuel prices all the way in town at $3.09 a gallon. ...

Kathleen and Walter Ruble announce the engagement of their daughter, Tiffany Lyn Ruble, to James Michael Sheffy, all of Poplar Bluff, Mo. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of William and Patricia Paukner of Poplar Bluff and Robert Sheffy of Livingston, Texas...

Sydney Marie Bennett-DeWitt of Matthews, Mo., and Jeffrey Wayne Craft of Qulin, Mo., announce their engagement. Parents of the bride-elect are Vicki Bennett of New Madrid, Mo., and Todd DeWitt of Miramar Beach, Fla. Debbie and Dewayne Craft of Charleston, Mo., are the parents of the bridegroom-to-be...

East Carter R-II Accelerated School has released its first quarter honor roll. First Grade Mrs. Kroeger: Hunter Black, Jason Carter, Skylar Davis, Abigail Dinsmore, Wyatt Downs, Holden Green, Madison Hayman, Emma Head, Austin Hosenfeld, Mathias Jackson, Elizabeth Larkins and Clare Scott...

Dennis Nation FISK, Mo. -- Dennis Lee Nation, 49, of Fisk, Mo., died Friday Nov. 4, 2011, at Heritage Gardens of Senath in Senath, Mo. Mr. Nation was born Nov. 30, 1961, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He had lived around Fisk most of his life. He formerly worked for Texas Gas Transmission and Montague Fencing and enjoyed outdoors, hunting and fishing...

Louise Shock MALDEN, Mo. -- Ella Louise Shock, 82, of Gideon, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, in Twin Rivers Medical Center in Kennett, Mo. Mrs. Shock was born Sept. 12, 1929, in Canalou, Mo. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Gideon and was the Sunday school teacher of the Shalom Class...

Geraldine Price CORNING, Ark. -- Geraldine Price, 81, of Corning, Ark., died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at Westwood Hills Healthcare in Poplar Bluff. Born Nov. 23, 1929, in Corning, Mrs. Price was a homemaker and a member of Palatka Church of Christ in Palatka, Ark...

Lois Allen DEXTER, Mo. -- Lois Pearl Allen, 73, of Heber Springs, Ark., died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at her residence. She was born on Feb. 11, 1938, in Bernie, Mo. Mrs. Allen was a homemaker and a former resident of Bernie. On June 17, 1957, she was married to Wilson Lee "Bud" Allen in St. Charles, Ill. He preceded her in death on Jan. 27, 2009...

Pearl Farmer DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Pearl Farmer, 79, lifetime resident of Doniphan, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at her residence. Mrs. Farmer, daughter of the late William A. and Willie Myrtle (Ponder) Tyson, was born June 8, 1932, in Hoxie, Ark. She was employed by Doniphan schools as a secretary. ...

Mary Tuggle Mary E. Tuggle, 70, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service at Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Daniel Wertenberger NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Daniel Earl Wertenberger, 79, of Naylor, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at his residence. He was born May 25, 1932, at Torch, Mo. Mr. Wertenberger was an auto mechanic and owned Wertenberger and Sons Garage in Naylor...

Thabus Pyles PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Thabus B. Pyles, 89, of Piedmont, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Pyles was born Jan. 10, 1922 at Ellington, Mo., and was a lifelong resident of Wayne County...

Dan Lacy DEXTER, Mo. -- Dan Lacy, 73, of Sweet Springs, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Lacy was born on Sept. 5, 1938, in Circle City, Mo. He had lived in the Sweet Springs, Mo. area for many years and had worked as an automobile mechanic with the state of Missouri...

Leroy Heaton Leroy Heaton, 86, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, at The Cedargate in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born June 23, 1925 in St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Heaton and was a retired insurance agent for State Farm Insurance. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling and was a member of the AMVETS. Mr. Heaton served as a Navy submariner during World War II...

CITY COUNCIL The Poplar Bluff City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 101 Oak St. During the workshop session, council members will: Two items on the voting session agenda are: MUNICIPAL UTILITIES ADVISOR BOARD The Municipal Utilities Advisory Board will meet at 3 p.m. Monday in the MU Office at 3000 N. Westwood Blvd., to review financial reports and bids for materials to provide electric and water services on Oak Grove and Shelby Road...

Lola Bethel Lola M. Bethel, 90, of Marietta, Ga., died Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Ga. Ms. Bethel was born Aug. 17, 1921 in Des Moines, Iowa, and later moved to Poplar Bluff, Mo., with her family in 1954. After working with AMI and Lucy Lee Hospital as a purchasing agent, she was transferred to Marietta, Ga. in 1975...

Mainus Funk PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Mainus M. Funk, 87, of Annapolis, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, at Clark's Mountain Nursing Center in Piedmont, Mo. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. at Free Spirit General Baptist Church in Vulcan, Mo. Burial will follow in Mann Cemetery...

Geraldine Price CORNING, Ark. -- Geraldine Price, 81, of Corning, Ark., died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at Westwood Hills Healthcare in Poplar Bluff. Born Nov. 23, 1929, in Corning, Mrs. Price was a homemaker and a member of Palatka Church of Christ in Palatka, Ark...

Lois Allen DEXTER, Mo. -- Lois Pearl Allen, 73, of Heber Springs, Ark., died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at her residence. She was born on Feb. 11, 1938, in Bernie, Mo. Mrs. Allen was a homemaker and a former resident of Bernie. On June 17, 1957, she was married to Wilson Lee "Bud" Allen in St. Charles, Ill. He preceded her in death on Jan. 27, 2009...

Thabus Pyles PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Thabus B. Pyles, 89, of Piedmont, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Pyles was born Jan. 10, 1922 at Ellington, Mo., and was a lifelong resident of Wayne County...

Pearl Farmer DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Pearl Farmer, 79, lifetime resident of Doniphan, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at her residence. Mrs. Farmer, daughter of the late William A. and Willie Myrtle (Ponder) Tyson, was born June 8, 1932, in Hoxie, Ark. She was employed by Doniphan schools as a secretary. ...

Dan Lacy DEXTER, Mo. -- Dan Lacy, 73, of Sweet Springs, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Lacy was born on Sept. 5, 1938, in Circle City, Mo. He had lived in the Sweet Springs, Mo. area for many years and had worked as an automobile mechanic with the state of Missouri...

Three Rivers freshman guard Jordan McGowan quickly redeemed himself in his second game as a Raider. After missing all four of his shots in the opener, McGowan scored half of his 16 points in the first three minutes Friday night as the Raiders got their first win of the season over Missouri Baptist JV, 120-29...

Lola Bethel Lola M. Bethel, 90, of Marietta, Ga., died Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Ga. Ms. Bethel was born Aug. 17, 1921 in Des Moines, Iowa, and later moved to Poplar Bluff, Mo., with her family in 1954. After working with AMI and Lucy Lee Hospital as a purchasing agent, she was transferred to Marietta, Ga. in 1975...

CITY COUNCIL The Poplar Bluff City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 101 Oak St. During the workshop session, council members will: Two items on the voting session agenda are: MUNICIPAL UTILITIES ADVISOR BOARD The Municipal Utilities Advisory Board will meet at 3 p.m. Monday in the MU Office at 3000 N. Westwood Blvd., to review financial reports and bids for materials to provide electric and water services on Oak Grove and Shelby Road...

Dennis Nation FISK, Mo. -- Dennis Lee Nation, 49, of Fisk, Mo., died Friday Nov. 4, 2011, at Heritage Gardens of Senath in Senath, Mo. Mr. Nation was born Nov. 30, 1961, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He had lived around Fisk most of his life. He formerly worked for Texas Gas Transmission and Montague Fencing and enjoyed outdoors, hunting and fishing...

Louise Shock MALDEN, Mo. -- Ella Louise Shock, 82, of Gideon, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, in Twin Rivers Medical Center in Kennett, Mo. Mrs. Shock was born Sept. 12, 1929, in Canalou, Mo. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Gideon and was the Sunday school teacher of the Shalom Class...

Kathleen and Walter Ruble announce the engagement of their daughter, Tiffany Lyn Ruble, to James Michael Sheffy, all of Poplar Bluff, Mo. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of William and Patricia Paukner of Poplar Bluff and Robert Sheffy of Livingston, Texas...

Sydney Marie Bennett-DeWitt of Matthews, Mo., and Jeffrey Wayne Craft of Qulin, Mo., announce their engagement. Parents of the bride-elect are Vicki Bennett of New Madrid, Mo., and Todd DeWitt of Miramar Beach, Fla. Debbie and Dewayne Craft of Charleston, Mo., are the parents of the bridegroom-to-be...

Crazy prices Talk about the craziness of fuel prices in our community. Now, mind you, this is Friday, but today I saw fuel prices at a truck stop out on M Hwy. and the 67 Junction at $3.39 a gallon. That's right! And, yet, I saw fuel prices all the way in town at $3.09 a gallon. ...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- The Republican presidential candidates, their sinews stiffened and their blood summoned up, may rightly dread Wednesday's version of what are inexplicably called debates. The candidates have some explaining to do, particularly regarding two subjects that deserve more searching examination than is possible in 60-second bursts on a stage cluttered with eight contestants. ...

Unhappy cable customer I wondering if anyone has noticed on the city station on cable TV that the city is gone to digital TV by the end of the year and anyone who has analog TVs, not digital, will have to buy boxes from the city to get the channels--$35 each for each TV you have in your house. ...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Poplar Bluff sophomore Allison Huskey moved up in her second appearance at the MSHSAA Class 4 state cross country championship meet Saturday. Huskey finished 112th, moving up 24 spots from her finish last year, with a time of 21 minutes, 37.46 seconds on the 3.1-mile course at Oak Hills Golf Center...

Three Rivers couldn't overcome a poor shooting performance in their home opener Saturday. The Lady Raiders, which shot just 30 percent from the field, trailed by six at halftime and got within five with just more than four minutes remaining before Wabash Valley pulled away for the 73-62 win at the Bess Activity Center...

Mainus Funk PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Mainus M. Funk, 87, of Annapolis, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, at Clark's Mountain Nursing Center in Piedmont, Mo. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. at Free Spirit General Baptist Church in Vulcan, Mo. Burial will follow in Mann Cemetery...