Stories from Monday, December 12, 2011

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Nine-year-old Alex Trickie made a new friend Saturday morning at Walmart, as he roamed the toy aisles during the annual FOP/Cops and Kids Christmas shopping trip. It was John J. Pershing VA Medical Center Chief of Police Frank Nederkorn, whose teasing comments made the boy laugh while picking out a new pair of Scooby Doo pajamas and a Nerf gun...

By CAROLYN SMITH Staff Writer Ringin' Strings is comprised of five local women who came together out of a shared love of music. Approximately five years ago, Cathy Plunkett, a retired R.N., and Jane Hopkins, retired medical technician, who both play the mountain dulcimer, formed Ringin' Strings. ...

By CAROLYN SMITH Staff Writer As a Christmas gift to the community, the First United Methodist Church, 500 N. Main St., will host its annual Community Christmas Dinner from 5:30 - 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 14 in the Christian Life Center. When the doors open at 5 p.m., the Poplar Bluff Junior High School Blackout 4A Jazz Band and the OverFreeze 4B Jazz Band, under the direction of Gary Garner, will entertain with a selection of Christmas favorites such as: Silver Bells, Blue Christmas, Jingle Bells, A Child is Born and The Christmas Song. ...

Free tickets are going fast for "Christmas at the Rodgers," a delightful musical review scheduled for the Sunday afternoon before Christmas in the historic Rodgers Theatre in Downtown Poplar Bluff. Talented musicians from the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) Chancel Choir, along with rising country music star Travis Marvin, will take the stage at 2 p.m. ...

Citing personal reasons, Three Rivers Board of Trustees member Marion Tibbs announced today he will not seek re-election when his term expires in April Tibbs is completing his first term with the board, after winning more than 57 percent of votes during the 2006 election. Of Poplar Bluff, Mo., he holds the Sub-District 1 seat, which includes portions of Butler County...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer ELLINGTON, Mo. -- With temperatures hovering a little above freezing Friday, young mother Destiny Halferty bundled her 13-month-old son in a warm coat and set out on foot from her sister's home in Garwood, Mo., for the Christmas store at Whole Kids Outreach in Ellington...

Poplar Bluff High School's trapshooting team got a big shot in the arm recently after receiving an equipment grant worth more than $17,000 from the NRA Foundation. "Our entire team is grateful," said coach Charles Kinsey of the grant. "They're giddy about using the new equipment next spring."...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Members of the Poplar Bluff/Butler County Major Case Squad continue to interview potential witnesses today in connection with the death of a Poplar Bluff, Mo., man who was shot while seated in his vehicle early Sunday morning...

By DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A former rural Missouri sheriff's deputy is suspected of killing his ex-wife and her new boyfriend before leading officers on a high-speed chase that ended with a shootout at an upscale hotel hosting a Christmas party for hundreds of doctors, nurses and their families, authorities said Sunday...

By DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A former rural Missouri sheriff's deputy is suspected of killing his ex-wife and her new boyfriend before leading officers on a high-speed chase that ended with a shootout at an upscale hotel hosting a Christmas party for hundreds of doctors, nurses and their families, authorities said Sunday...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Members of the Poplar Bluff/Butler County Major Case Squad continue to interview potential witnesses today in connection with the death of a Poplar Bluff, Mo., man who was shot while seated in his vehicle early Sunday morning...

Poplar Bluff High School's trapshooting team got a big shot in the arm recently after receiving an equipment grant worth more than $17,000 from the NRA Foundation. "Our entire team is grateful," said coach Charles Kinsey of the grant. "They're giddy about using the new equipment next spring."...

By BILL O'REILLY This week Caesar came for me, demanding my tax obligation. As a 1 percenter, my burden was substantial, but I'm not whining. I love my country and understand it needs money to fulfill its obligations. So the check is in the mail. Thirty-five years ago, I was broke, having just graduated from Boston University with a master's degree in broadcast journalism. ...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- On Oct. 12, 1948, the campaign train of Tom Dewey, Republican nominee against President Harry Truman, pulled into Beaucoup, Ill., where, from the rear platform, he would speak to about 1,000 people. Before he began, the engineer mistakenly caused the train to lurch a few feet backward, frightening some but injuring none...

To the Editor: On Nov. 19, 40 members of the PBHS and PBJHS FCA huddles attended the annual state convention, the Summit. The Summit is held on the campus of the College of the Ozarks in Branson and is intended for huddles from Southern Mo. Approximately 300 students attended the Summit, which is a full day of worship, song, testimonies and group activities led by college students, including Zach Ferguson and Zach MacAnulty of Poplar Bluff. ...

Crime doesn't take a holiday This is in reference to Friday's comment on the police officers being heartless for arresting a woman around Thanksgiving. Well! Crime does not take a holiday. So, we should be fortunate that law enforcement doesn't either...

Mendi Beth McLain of Puxico, Mo., and Edward Lloyd "Zeke" Zych of O'Fallon, Mo., were united in marriage on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011 at the Boat House Wine Co. in Bloomfield, Mo. The bride is the daughter of Stewart and Brenda McLain of Puxico and the granddaughter of Doris Jones of Puxico and the late C.M. "Sonny" Jones and the late Edna Harvey and Ray McLain of Senath, Mo...

GREENVILLE, Mo. -- The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has awarded a $1,445,581 contract to H.R. Quadri Contractors of Van Buren, Mo., for land slide repairs at several locations along U.S. 67 between Highways 34 and 172 in Wayne County...

John Dzinglewski PIEDMONT, Mo. -- John Eugene Dzinglewski Jr., 73, of Patterson, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Dzinglewski was born Sept. 26, 1938, at Otter Creek, Mo. He was a veteran of the Korean War Conflict and served in the US Army. He was employed by the Ford Motor Company after his discharge from the Army. He later worked as a switch man and brakeman for the P & PU Railroad from which he retired...

Omma Baysinger Omma Mae Baysinger, 87, long time resident of rural Poplar Bluff and recently of Godfrey, Ill., went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011.  Mrs. Baysinger was born Jan. 4, 1924, at Delaplaine, Ark. to Dena and William McKinley.  Because of ailing health she had been living with her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Linda Baysinger since October of 2005. ...

Glenda Lawson Glenda Mae Lawson, 65, of Cabot, Ark., died Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. She was born Dec. 4, 1946 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. to the late Howard (Sr.) and Nadine Johnson Ballew. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Cabot and formerly a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Poplar Bluff. She loved trout fishing, playing bingo with her friend, Phyllis, and spending time with her family and friends...

Donna Potts-Younger TULSA, Okla. -- Donna Potts-Younger, 62, of Skiatook, Okla., died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, at her home. She was born Aug. 22, 1949 in Blytheville, Ark. Mrs. Potts-Younger was originally from Poplar Bluff, Mo., but moved to Tulsa, Okla. in 1975 with her husband Lanny. Later in life, Donna ventured into real estate and owned various business properties in and around Skiatook...

Rose Landers NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Rose Lee Landers, 92, of Naylor, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, at her residence. Mrs. Landers was born April 14, 1919, in Mobile, Ala. She formerly lived in Pontiac, Mich., and had been a resident of Ripley County since 1972. She was of the Southern Baptist faith. She enjoyed gardening, animals and farm work...

Pauline Walters BERNIE, Mo. -- Pauline A. Walters, 85, of Bernie, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, at Winchester Place in Bernie. She was born on August 17, 1926, in Essex, Mo. Mrs. Walters had worked as secretary at Big Starr and had worked at Elders Manufacturing of Dexter, Mo. She was a homemaker...

Elsie Hickman LESTERVILLE, Mo. -- Elsie Fern Hickman, 91, of Farmington, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Hickman was born Aug. 11, 1920, at Lesterville, Mo., where she formerly lived. She was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Lesterville and served as director of the WMU for 10 years...

Johnny Wilburn Sr. MALDEN, Mo. -- John Lonzo Wilburn Sr., 77, of Gideon, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Wilburn was born Sept. 23, 1934, at Kennett, Mo. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Gideon and a former member of the Masonic Lodge in Clarkton. He has served in the U.S. Army and was a retired Gideon police officer...

Richard Kempen Jr. NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Richard W. Kempen Jr., 43, of Naylor, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Kempen was born Aug. 1, 1968, in St. Louis, Mo. He basically was a lifelong resident of Ripley County...

Benjamin Shearrer PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Benjamin W. Shearrer, 89, of Piedmont, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, at Piedmont. He was born April 13, 1922, at Patterson and had lived in the Fredericktown area for many years. He was a farmer and a member of the Nazarene Church...

After reaching the MSHSAA Class 4 Show-Me Showdown in March of 2009, the Dexter Lady Bearcats have slowly been rebuilding after everyone graduated off that talented squad. When it comes to the Twin Rivers Lady Royals Classic, which was seeded Friday afternoon, the Lady Bearcats have won the previous two third place trophies...

PARAGOULD, Ark. -- The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules snapped out of their offensive slump in a big way, taking the consolation title of the McDonalds Shootout with consecutive wins. Poplar Bluff outscored Arkansas Christian Academy by 18 in the second quarter Saturday to win 56-36 after knocking off Jonesboro (Ark.) 53-49 on Friday night...

Two days after scoring no points against Neelyville, junior Tori Cole had a season-high 33 points to lead Twin Rivers past South Pemiscot, 77-50, Saturday at the Bess Activity Center. Lady Royals junior Sydni Hester added 15 points and junior Lexi Stockton had seven...

After letting John A. Logan back into a game Tuesday, the Three Rivers Raiders made sure they kept Shawnee down on Saturday. The Raiders led by 17 at halftime and rolled to a 92-58 win at the Bess Activity Center. Three Rivers (9-3) has now won four straight games...

The Three Rivers Lady Raiders made sure Shawnee stayed winless on Saturday. The Lady Raiders slowly built a double-digit lead in the first half and cruised to a 92-54 win over Shawnee Saturday at the Bess Activity Center. "It was a good win," Three Rivers coach Jeff Walk said...

On Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, the Stoddard County Ambulance District will be conducting its 26th annual "Home for the Holidays" project. The ambulance district will take patients who are unable to travel except by ambulance from the nursing homes of Stoddard County to residences with in the county. This service is available to any patient who is not ambulatory who would like to spend some time with their family during the Christmas Holiday...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Listed here are a few of the needs children's charity Project Christmas Promise would like to help fill this holiday season. The Daily American Republic will continue to publish these lists between now and Dec. 25. Please contact AmeriCorps Project Manager Misty Dunkin at Poplar Bluff's Promise Volunteer Center if you would like more information about a family's needs, to adopt a family for the holiday or to help with some of a family's needs. ...

ST. LOUIS -- Three Rivers sophomore Tarius Johnson made just enough free throws late to keep his team ahead at a safe distance. Johnson made 4 of 6 free throws with less than a minute remaining as the Raiders held on to beat Southwestern Illinois 85-79 Sunday at Forest Park...

LADUE -- Julia Dragon set a school record and the Poplar Bluff swim team finished ninth in a 12-team meet featuring St. Louis area schools Saturday. Dragon broke the 100-yard breastroke record with a time of 1 minute, 25.51 seconds to finish 10th. It was one of 10 personal-best times in the meet for the short-handed Lady Mules...

More than 1,500 top Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) students and their advisers from across the country gathered in Little Rock, Ark., at the National Fall Leadership Conference (NFLC). Attending from Neelyville R-IV were Amanda LeCroy, chapter vice president and District 20 secretary; Deborah Hall, adviser; and Irene Jackson, adviser...

By LINDSEY TANNER AP Medical Writer CHICAGO (AP) -- One is a healthy first-grader, the other an honors college student majoring in psychology. Once the tiniest babies ever born, both girls are thriving, despite long odds when they entered the world weighing less than a pound...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Tuesday is the first day for city, school, college and fire, sewer and water district candidates to file for the April 3 election. The last day to file is Jan. 17. PB COUNCIL The terms of Poplar Bluff City Council members Tracy Edington in Ward 4 and Ed DeGaris in Ward 2 are expiring in April. Both plan to seek re-election to three year terms...

By KEN THOMAS Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) -- After a dreary summer marred by the fight over government borrowing, rank-and-file Democrats say they are growing more optimistic about President Barack Obama's political prospects in 2012. They cite his tougher, more populist tone and what they view as a chaotic primary fight among Republicans...

Mmemae Green MALDEN, Mo. -- Mmemae Green, 84, of Malden, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, at Golden Living Center in New Madrid, Mo. Ms. Green was born July 26, 1927, in Malden. She was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church and had been employed as a legal secretary...

Dorothy Baucom DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Dorothy Baucom, 92, of Doniphan, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at her residence. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. Funeral services will follow at noon with Brother Hubert Payne officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery...

Joyce Ward DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Joyce Ward of Doniphan, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at Ripley County Memorial Hospital in Doniphan. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan and will be announced upon completion.

Russell Ramsey PUXICO, Mo. -- Russell Ramsey, son of the late Lloyd Ramsey and Alveda Baker Russell, was born in Marble Hill, Mo., on Oct. 25, 1946, and passed away at his farm on Dec. 10, 2011, at the age of 65 years. He had been a resident of Puxico, Mo., for 40 years. ...

Sammie Nicholson DEXTER, Mo. -- Sammie Brown Nicholson, 69, of Walls, Miss., died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. Mr. Nicholson was born Dec. 19, 1941, in Charleston, Mo. He was of the Methodist Faith. On Feb. 20, 1981, he married Eloise Christian in Abbeville, La...

Sammie Nicholson DEXTER, Mo. -- Sammie Brown Nicholson, 69, of Walls, Miss., died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. Mr. Nicholson was born Dec. 19, 1941, in Charleston, Mo. He was of the Methodist Faith. On Feb. 20, 1981, he married Eloise Christian in Abbeville, La...

Russell Ramsey PUXICO, Mo. -- Russell Ramsey, son of the late Lloyd Ramsey and Alveda Baker Russell, was born in Marble Hill, Mo., on Oct. 25, 1946, and passed away at his farm on Dec. 10, 2011, at the age of 65 years. He had been a resident of Puxico, Mo., for 40 years. ...

Mmemae Green MALDEN, Mo. -- Mmemae Green, 84, of Malden, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, at Golden Living Center in New Madrid, Mo. Ms. Green was born July 26, 1927, in Malden. She was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church and had been employed as a legal secretary...

Joyce Ward DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Joyce Ward of Doniphan, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at Ripley County Memorial Hospital in Doniphan. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan and will be announced upon completion.

Dorothy Baucom DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Dorothy Baucom, 92, of Doniphan, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at her residence. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. Funeral services will follow at noon with Brother Hubert Payne officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery...

Bud Lowery DEXTER, Mo. -- Bud Lowery, 74, of Bernie, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Lowery was born Dec. 18, 1936, in Powe, Mo. He was a member of the Elk General Baptist Church and served as a teacher. Mr. Lowery retired after 40 years from Adams and McCord Painting Contractors in Dexter, Mo...

By KEN THOMAS Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) -- After a dreary summer marred by the fight over government borrowing, rank-and-file Democrats say they are growing more optimistic about President Barack Obama's political prospects in 2012. They cite his tougher, more populist tone and what they view as a chaotic primary fight among Republicans...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Tuesday is the first day for city, school, college and fire, sewer and water district candidates to file for the April 3 election. The last day to file is Jan. 17. PB COUNCIL The terms of Poplar Bluff City Council members Tracy Edington in Ward 4 and Ed DeGaris in Ward 2 are expiring in April. Both plan to seek re-election to three year terms...

More than 1,500 top Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) students and their advisers from across the country gathered in Little Rock, Ark., at the National Fall Leadership Conference (NFLC). Attending from Neelyville R-IV were Amanda LeCroy, chapter vice president and District 20 secretary; Deborah Hall, adviser; and Irene Jackson, adviser...

LADUE -- Julia Dragon set a school record and the Poplar Bluff swim team finished ninth in a 12-team meet featuring St. Louis area schools Saturday. Dragon broke the 100-yard breastroke record with a time of 1 minute, 25.51 seconds to finish 10th. It was one of 10 personal-best times in the meet for the short-handed Lady Mules...

Thelma Lindsay DEXTER, Mo. -- Thelma L. Lindsay, 92, of Dexter, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, at the Golden Living Center in Dexter. Mrs. Lindsay was born Feb. 27, 1919, in Essex, Mo. She was a former LPN at Vintage Villa Nursing Home in Dexter and a member of the Taylor General Baptist Church in Essex...