Stories from Wednesday, January 4, 2012

The University Of Missouri Extension Council Of Butler County will elect seven people for a two-year term according to County Program Director, Phyllis Flanigan. Fourteen candidates have filed for the seven two-year terms. Voting begins today and continues through Jan. 21...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Five-pound 11-ounce Zoe Marie Corzine made her arrival in the world just 24 minutes into 2012 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Zoe's mother Jessica Duncan, 26, of Dexter, Mo., was not due until Jan. 13. However, after five trips to the hospital since Thanksgiving, Dr. John Patty decided to induce her Saturday morning...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Another agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission concerning the $9.2 million in state improvement projects on Oak Grove Road was discussed during the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Tuesday night...

By PATRICK T. SULLIVAN SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A federal judge sentenced Clay Waller to five years in a federal penitentiary Tuesday for Internet threatening charges. But first the judge told Waller that the evidence indicated he was guilty of murdering his missing wife, Jacque Waller...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Five-pound 11-ounce Zoe Marie Corzine made her arrival in the world just 24 minutes into 2012 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Zoe's mother Jessica Duncan, 26, of Dexter, Mo., was not due until Jan. 13. However, after five trips to the hospital since Thanksgiving, Dr. John Patty decided to induce her Saturday morning...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Another agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission concerning the $9.2 million in state improvement projects on Oak Grove Road was discussed during the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Tuesday night...

By PATRICK T. SULLIVAN SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A federal judge sentenced Clay Waller to five years in a federal penitentiary Tuesday for Internet threatening charges. But first the judge told Waller that the evidence indicated he was guilty of murdering his missing wife, Jacque Waller...

BROSELEY -- The Bernie Mules notched their 10th win on the season Tuesday night with a win at Twin Rivers. The Mules (10-2) led by 17 at halftime but the Royals battled back and outscored them 33-25 in the second half. "It was kind of a tale of two halves for us," Bernie coach Brad Botsch said. ...

NAYLOR -- The Naylor Eagles snapped a couple losing streaks and got off on the right foot in the New Year at home Tuesday night. First, the Eagles stopped the bleeding on a three-game losing streak and at the same time, beat Campbell for the first time in four years in their regular meeting right after New Years Day...

By JOHN WILLEY Staff Writer The McDonald's South restaurant on Highway 53 reopened at full capacity on Dec. 27, and "we are substantially complete," said owner Steve Sells. The major remodel project started Oct. 26, and was a major undertaking for nine weeks, Sells said...

By SHARON RANDALL Scripps Howard News Service At the end of a year, I like to look back, count my blessings and give thanks for whatever the new year may bring. The older I get, the more I think the only real difference we can make in life is to be grateful. It's simple, but not always easy...

To the Editor: The 5th Annual Toy Giveaway Celebration is an outreach activity of Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church in collaboration with local corporate sponsors and community partners. The event provides toys, coats, shoes/boats, scarves and hats to hundreds of area children and families every year. ...

Poor service equals cutbacks While many may decry the loss of mail service as something terrible, something awful, they actually brought it on themselves. Poor performance and overly, and I mean, overly burdensome pension and health plan and I could go on and on and on. ...

By MONA CHAREN The Washington Post proclaimed in a recent headline another historic "first" for the United States -- the first female usher-in-chief at the White House. Stop the presses! The accompanying story reveals that the nominee hails from Jamaica, so it's probably a two-fer. Oh, boy...

By SHARON RANDALL Scripps Howard News Service Did somebody say eat? All I have to do is mention food and I will hear from enough folks to polish off an all-you-can-eat buffet. They're kind enough to say they like my column, but what they really want is a recipe...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- Huge excitement. Two Earth-size planets found orbiting a sun-like star less than a thousand light-years away. This comes two weeks after the stunning announcement of another planet orbiting another star at precisely the right distance -- within the so-called "habitable zone" that is not too hot and not too cold -- to allow for liquid water and therefore possible life...

By PATRICK J. Friday's lead stories in The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal dealt with what both viewed as a national affront and outrage. Egyptian soldiers, said the Post, "stormed the offices" of three U.S. "democracy-building organizations ... in a dramatic escalation of a crackdown by the military-led government that could imperil its relations with the United States."...

Dana Sanchez VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Dana Simone Sanchez, 52, of Van Buren, Mo. died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She was born Dec. 10, 1959, in Flint, Mich. Ms. Sanchez had lived in Van Buren since 1993 and was formerly of Rosamond, Calif. She was of the Lutheran faith. She was a self-employed dog breeder and enjoyed fishing and spending time on Current River. She also enjoyed cooking and raising dogs...

Anthony Shaffer ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Anthony Eual "Snowball" Shaffer, 57, of Ellsinore, Mo. died Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, in St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The son of the late William Howard Shaffer, Sr. and Hazel (Canoy) Shaffer, he was born April 18, 1954 in Hayti, Mo...

Frank Smody Jr. NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Frank Smody Jr., 95, of Neelyville, Mo. died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, at his residence. He was born Dec. 10, 1916, in Hiawatha, Utah, to Frank Smody Sr. and Evka Pajnic Smody. Mr. Smody was a member of the Harviell Baptist Church and was baptized on March 27, 1960...

Johnie Parker Johnie Parker, 68, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, at his residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

Helon Myrick QULIN, Mo. -- Helon L. Myrick, 91, of Bell City, Mo., died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, at Conway Health Care and Rehab Center in Conway, Ark. Mrs. Myrick was born Aug. 23, 1920, in Eastman, Miss. She had lived in Bell City for several years and had resided in Arkansas the past four years. She was of the Methodist faith...

Frank Collins ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Frank E. "Buck" Collins, 96, of Ellsinore, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at his residence after cutting a load of firewood. Mr. Collins was the son of the late Love and Mary (Minks) Collins and was born May 12, 1915, in Eminence, Mo...

Mary Taylor GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Mary Jane Taylor, 77, of Greenville, Mo., died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, at her home. She was born Feb. 25, 1934, at Clarkton, Mo. Mrs. Taylor formerly lived in St. Charles, Ill., where she retired as a food service worker for Arthur Anderson Company. ...

Mary Keeney VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Mary E. Keeney, 88, of Van Buren, Mo., died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, in the Riverways Manor Nursing Home in Van Buren. She was born Sept. 12, 1923, in Trinidad, Colo. Mrs. Keeney was a longtime resident of Van Buren and a homemaker. She was a member of the Liberty Baptist Church. She was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother to her own children and grandchildren and many other children of the community...

Roy Allen Jr. Roy C. Allen, Jr., 77, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Allen was born Feb. 15, 1934, in Poplar Bluff. He was a graduate of Poplar Bluff Class of 1952, and attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. ...

James Carden GREENVILLE, Mo. -- James D. Carden, 69, of Greenville, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at the Woodland Hills Nursing Center in Marble Hill, Mo. Mr. Carden was born Dec. 12, 1942, in Bear Creek, Ala. He had lived in Wayne County for many years. ...

James Berry MALDEN, Mo. -- James Evans Berry, 70, of Jonesboro, Ark., died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, in Skilledcare Nursing Center at Jonesboro. Mr. Berry was born Nov. 14, 1941, in Rector, Ark. He had formerly lived in Gideon, Mo. He served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force...

Roy Allen Roy Chester Allen, 77, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 2, 2012 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Sally Hart Sally Mae England Hart, 68, of Stringtown, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at her residence. Ms. Hart was born Oct. 4, 1943, in Cairo, Ill. She was a lifetime Butler County resident and a member of Stringtown Baptist Church. Mrs. Hart was owner and operator of Hart's Catfish Restaurant. She enjoyed reading, painting, drawing, cooking and spending time with her pet dogs and family and friends...

Frank Smody Jr. NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Frank Smody Jr., 95, of Neelyville, Mo., died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, at his residence. Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at Fowler-Sullivan Memorial Chapel in Neelyville. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the Dunning Cemetery...

Ann Bostic MALDEN, Mo. -- Ann Ritchey Bostic, 78, of Malden, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at her residence. Mrs. Bostic was born Sept. 4, 1933, in Newbern, Tenn. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Malden, on the Dunklin County Library Board, a nursing home volunteer and involved with the Hall of Honor, the Historical Museum and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. Bostic was retired as co-owner of an auto dealership...

Terry Smith NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Terry Lee Smith, 51, a lifelong resident of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Smith was born June 23, 1960, in Poplar Bluff. He was a clerical administrator for the John J. ...

Cathy Wilder VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Cathy Jean Wilder, 60, of Ellsinore, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Wilder was born July 2, 1951, in Van Buren County, Mich. She had resided in Ellsinore, Mo., since moving from Vicksburg, Mich., in 1975. ...

Samuel Darnell MALDEN, Mo. -- Samuel Everett Darnell, 80, of Malden, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Darnell was born Dec. 25, 1931, in Malden. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a member of the Sunnyvale Church. He was the co-owner of Darnell Brothers Carpet in Malden...

Carl Mays MALDEN, Mo. -- Carl Edward Mays, 87, of Parma, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at Malden Nursing and Rehab in Malden, Mo. Mr. Mays was born July 7, 1924, in Brilliant, Ala. He was a longtime member of Malden Church of Christ, where he served as an elder. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a farmer...

Henrietta Metz Henrietta Rudasill Metz died at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 at The RiverMist Assisted Living where she had lived for the past two and a half years. Mrs. Metz was born in the Struther Community, a farming community in Monroe County, Mo. ...

Helon Myrick QULIN, Mo. -- Helon Myrick, 91, of Little Rock, Ark., died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, at Conway Health Care and Rehab in Conway, Ark. Funeral arrangements are pending with White-Sanders Funeral Home in Qulin, Mo.

Hasseltine Willard GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Hasseltine Willard, 89, of the Taskee area, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at Nazareth Living Center, in St. Louis, Mo., Mrs. Willard was born Aug. 18, 1922, in Taskee, Mo. She spent her childhood in Wayne County, attending Liberty School at Holiday Landig and Cool Springs School. ...

Janice Pinnell SIKESTON, Mo. -- Janice Raye Pinnell, 63, of Wappapello, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Pinnell was born Oct. 24, 1948, in Sikeston, Mo. Formerly of Sikeston, she was a 1966 graduate of Sikeston High School. She was employed as a bookkeeper and secretary for Gaylon Lawrence Farms and Lambert's Café. She attended Tanner Street Church of God in Sikeston...

Letha Freer Letha Gertrude Freer (nee Collins), 92, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Sunday, January 1, 2012 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Freer was born October 27, 1919 in North Central Butler County in a farmhouse that was later transformed into the Collins Store, a local historical landmark. ...

Max Clayton CAMPBELL, Mo. -- Max Eugene Clayton, 71, of Campbell, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Clayton was born on Nov. 1, 1940, in Braggadocio, Mo. He was a farmer and was a member of First Baptist Church in Campbell...

Lucelia Moman DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Lucelia Lee (Bretti) Moman, 84, who had been a long time resident of Doniphan, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, at home in Tell City, Indiana, where she was living with her daughter, Brenda Gluck. Mrs. Moman was born Nov. 24, 1927, in Ravenna, Ohio. She had lived with her daughter for the past nine years. She enjoyed cooking, playing bingo, fishing, traveling, dancing and being with her family and friends...

Mitch Lowe VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Mitchell Lee Lowe, 52, of Van Buren, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 1, 2012, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville, Ill. Mr. Lowe was born June 1, 1959, in St. Louis, Mo. He had lived in Van Buren since moving here from St. Louis County in 1979. He was a self-employed painter. He enjoyed spending time boating on Current River, his collection of firearms, though he did not hunt, and spending time with family, friends and his pets...

Peggy Patterson CORNING, Ark. -- Peggy Jane (Blaylock) Patterson, 78, of Corning, Ark., passed away Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, in Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Peggy was born in Corning, Ark., on Jan. 8, 1933. She was the daughter of Raymond and Ellen (Smith) Blaylock, both of whom preceded her in death...

Ruthene Simpson VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Susan Ruthene Simpson, 64, of the Wilderness Community near Fremont, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 1, 2012, at her home. Mrs. Simpson was born Oct. 4, 1947, in Alton, Mo. She had resided most of her life in the Wilderness Community. ...

Rosemary Nickell DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Rosemary Bennett Nickell, 74, of Pocahontas, Ark., died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at Pocahontas Nursing and Rehab Center. Mrs. Nickell was born May 27, 1937, in Myrtle, Mo. She retired as a kindergarten schoolteacher with the Doniphan R-1 School District. ...

The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center announces that Dr. Kevin Winkle, local chiropractic physician, was recently appointed as the first chiropractor to ever work at the Poplar Bluff VA.  Dr. Winkle is one of less than 50 chiropractic physicians who currently work for the Department of Veterans Affairs. He brings 14 years of clinical experience in the field of chiropractic and 12 years of acupuncture experience to the VA system. Winkle is a member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians. . ...

Mary Keeney -- Van Buren, Mo. Antony Shaffer -- Ellsinore, Mo. Frank Collins -- Ellsinore, Mo. Dana Sanchez -- Van Buren, Mo. Roy Allen -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mary Taylor -- Greenville, Mo. Helon Myrick -- Bell City, Mo. Johnie Parker -- Poplar Bluff, Mo...

NAYLOR -- The Naylor Eagles snapped a couple losing streaks and got off on the right foot in the New Year at home Tuesday night. First, the Eagles stopped the bleeding on a three-game losing streak and at the same time, beat Campbell for the first time in four years in their regular meeting right after New Years Day...

BROSELEY -- The Bernie Mules notched their 10th win on the season Tuesday night with a win at Twin Rivers. The Mules (10-2) led by 17 at halftime but the Royals battled back and outscored them 33-25 in the second half. "It was kind of a tale of two halves for us," Bernie coach Brad Botsch said. ...

Janice Pinnell SIKESTON, Mo. -- Janice Raye Pinnell, 63, of Wappapello, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Pinnell was born Oct. 24, 1948, in Sikeston, Mo. Formerly of Sikeston, she was a 1966 graduate of Sikeston High School. She was employed as a bookkeeper and secretary for Gaylon Lawrence Farms and Lambert's Café. She attended Tanner Street Church of God in Sikeston...

Helon Myrick QULIN, Mo. -- Helon Myrick, 91, of Little Rock, Ark., died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, at Conway Health Care and Rehab in Conway, Ark. Funeral arrangements are pending with White-Sanders Funeral Home in Qulin, Mo.

Cathy Wilder VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Cathy Jean Wilder, 60, of Ellsinore, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Wilder was born July 2, 1951, in Van Buren County, Mich. She had resided in Ellsinore, Mo., since moving from Vicksburg, Mich., in 1975. ...

Carl Mays MALDEN, Mo. -- Carl Edward Mays, 87, of Parma, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at Malden Nursing and Rehab in Malden, Mo. Mr. Mays was born July 7, 1924, in Brilliant, Ala. He was a longtime member of Malden Church of Christ, where he served as an elder. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a farmer...

Roy Allen Roy Chester Allen, 77, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 2, 2012 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Roy Allen Jr. Roy C. Allen, Jr., 77, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Allen was born Feb. 15, 1934, in Poplar Bluff. He was a graduate of Poplar Bluff Class of 1952, and attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. ...

Frank Collins ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Frank E. "Buck" Collins, 96, of Ellsinore, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at his residence after cutting a load of firewood. Mr. Collins was the son of the late Love and Mary (Minks) Collins and was born May 12, 1915, in Eminence, Mo...

Johnie Parker Johnie Parker, 68, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, at his residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

Dana Sanchez VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Dana Simone Sanchez, 52, of Van Buren, Mo. died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She was born Dec. 10, 1959, in Flint, Mich. Ms. Sanchez had lived in Van Buren since 1993 and was formerly of Rosamond, Calif. She was of the Lutheran faith. She was a self-employed dog breeder and enjoyed fishing and spending time on Current River. She also enjoyed cooking and raising dogs...

Anthony Shaffer ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Anthony Eual "Snowball" Shaffer, 57, of Ellsinore, Mo. died Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, in St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The son of the late William Howard Shaffer, Sr. and Hazel (Canoy) Shaffer, he was born April 18, 1954 in Hayti, Mo...

By PATRICK J. Friday's lead stories in The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal dealt with what both viewed as a national affront and outrage. Egyptian soldiers, said the Post, "stormed the offices" of three U.S. "democracy-building organizations ... in a dramatic escalation of a crackdown by the military-led government that could imperil its relations with the United States."...

By SHARON RANDALL Scripps Howard News Service Did somebody say eat? All I have to do is mention food and I will hear from enough folks to polish off an all-you-can-eat buffet. They're kind enough to say they like my column, but what they really want is a recipe...

By MONA CHAREN The Washington Post proclaimed in a recent headline another historic "first" for the United States -- the first female usher-in-chief at the White House. Stop the presses! The accompanying story reveals that the nominee hails from Jamaica, so it's probably a two-fer. Oh, boy...

Poor service equals cutbacks While many may decry the loss of mail service as something terrible, something awful, they actually brought it on themselves. Poor performance and overly, and I mean, overly burdensome pension and health plan and I could go on and on and on. ...

Mary Keeney -- Van Buren, Mo. Antony Shaffer -- Ellsinore, Mo. Frank Collins -- Ellsinore, Mo. Dana Sanchez -- Van Buren, Mo. Roy Allen -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mary Taylor -- Greenville, Mo. Helon Myrick -- Bell City, Mo. Johnie Parker -- Poplar Bluff, Mo...