Stories from Monday, January 23, 2012

Tickets for the annual Larry Hillis Dodge Touring Pro PBR event are now on sale. The event will be 7:30 p.m. March 9 - 10 at the Black River Coliseum. Bull riders on the tour compete for points to qualify for the PBR Finals in Las Vegas, Nev. The event will also feature "top name" bulls, according to box office manager Subrina Berger...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Following a brief public hearing Friday, the Butler County Commission unanimously approved the 2012 county budget totaling $24,389,000 in expenditures. Elaine Libla asked the only question, she wanted to know about the amounts budgeted for completion of the Poplar Bluff Industrial Park Bypass...

A 41-year-old Doniphan, Mo. woman and a 44-year-old Patton, Mo., woman were each killed early Saturday morning in separate single-vehicle accidents. Pronounced dead at the scene by Ripley County Coroner Mike Jackson, was Erickia L. Reagan, who was driving an eastbound 2004 Chevrolet. Reagan reportedly failed to negotiate a curve on Highway 142, two miles east of Doniphan, about 12:55 a.m. The vehicle ran off the roadway and overturned. She was ejected from the vehicle...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Poplar Bluff, Mo., resident Donna Hill was featured recently on Animal Planet's "Confessions: Animal Hoarding." Hill was filmed for the segment over the summer, after friend Kelly Sillivent e-mailed producers with concerns over Hill's health. Hill and Sillivent co-own Foothills Paranormal Investigations, a ghost hunting business...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer A Poplar Bluff, Mo., farm contributed 27,000 square feet of sod for the series finale of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." The episode aired last week, with seven homes built in seven days for victims of the May 22, 2011, Joplin, Mo., tornado...

SEMO News Service CHARLESTON, Mo. -- No charges will be filed against a Charleston police officer who shot and killed a Charleston man. Mississippi County Prosecuting Attorney Darren Cann announced the completion of an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control into the Nov. 8 incident. On that date, Murry Lee Asberry, 34, was fatally shot by an officer during a confrontation with the Charleston Department of Public Safety...

The Rev. Cecil E. and Dr. W. Genevia (Chatman) Hillis will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary with a reception from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at the First Baptist Church in Harviell, Mo. The couple was married Sunday, Jan. 13, 1952, at the First Baptist Church in Harviell...

Mandi Lynn Webster and Jarred Scott Webster of Poplar Bluff, Mo., have chosen the name Simon Drew Webster for their 7-pound, 1-ounce son born at 12:12 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was 21 inches long. He has one brother...

Erickia Reagan DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Erickia Lane Reagan, 41, lifelong resident of Doniphan, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Ripley County. Mrs. Reagan was born Nov. 30, 1970, in Doniphan, Mo. She was a secretary at the Ripley County Ambulance Shed. Mrs. Reagan enjoyed cooking and canning for which she won several ribbons at the county fair. She attended Fairview General Baptist Church and was a member of the Eagles Lodge No. 4443...

ELLSINORE, MO. -- Ernest Junior Powell, 67, of Grandin, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Doniphan, Mo. He was the son of the late James Junior Powell and Beulah Jordan Powell Driskill. He was born June 12, 1944 in Sikeston, Mo. He had resided in Grandin since moving from Ellsinore in 1978. ...

JACKSON -- Farmington wrestling coach Mark Krause figured turnabout was fair play. The Knights saw Jackson win last year's SEMO Conference tournament on their home floor. Farmington returned the favor Saturday by taking the SEMO Conference title at the Jackson Events Center...

Naylor elementary school has released its honor roll as follows: A Honor Roll 1st Grade: Makenzie Armstrong, Jade Colyott, Cole Crofford, Samuel Dillon, Dylan Garner, Preston Goodnight, Caleb Green, Zella Layton, Nathan Lunsford, Alexander McNew, Tyler Rice, Haley Sullivan, Harley Sullivan, Destiny Thomas, Abigayle Wuesthoff...

SEMO News Service Judith Haggard of Kennett, Mo., has stepped down as a member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators due to personal reasons that prevent her from fulfilling her term. "It has been an honor to work on behalf of the four campuses of the University of Missouri system," Haggard said. "I am grateful for the privilege to have served the state in this capacity."...

SEMO News Service DEXTER, Mo. -- A Dexter woman is facing charges in connection with an alleged arson in November at a local nursing home. Joyce Johnson, 59, is charged with felony elder abuse and first-degree arson. According to a report filed by Dexter Police Department detective Trevor Pulley, a fire was reported at Golden Living Center-Dexter and the fire department requested Dexter police officers come to investigate arson...

SEMO News Service BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Three people have been arrested following an investigation into children living in an unsafe home. Patricia Coffee, of Bloomfield, and Michael Coffee, with a Clarkton, Mo., address on his arrest warrant, were arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree child endangerment. Sylvia Yount of Bloomfield was arrested and faces one count of first-degree child endangerment. All three are in the Stoddard County Jail on $20,000 cash-only bonds...

Mary Cunning Mary N. (Greason) Cunning, 95, of Columbia, Mo., a retired long-time teacher in Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, at the South Hampton Place in Columbia. Arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff...

Texas photographer Tim Edington returns home to showcase his collection of images, many of which are inspired by his native Ozarks. The artist has brought a large exhibit to Poplar Bluff to share his extraordinary view of the world. The presentation of Edington's photography will be on display through April 15. The images will be displayed in historic downtown Poplar Bluff at the Black River Art Gallery, 502 Vine St...

Bette Scism BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Bette S. Scism, 87, of Memphis, Tenn., died Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at the Galloway Nursing Home in Galloway, Tenn. Mrs. Scism was born Jan. 20, 1925, in Bell City, Mo. She lived in Stoddard County most of her life and lived in Memphis for the past four years...

Carl Shipley PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Carl Shipley, 64, of Piedmont, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. Arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Homes of Piedmont. A full obituary will follow in tomorrow's Daily American Republic. Online condolences may be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

The 10th annual Van Buren Lions Club Hunting and Fishing Sports Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, in the Van Buren Community Center at the junction of Highways D and Business 60. The show will include hourly hunting and fishing seminars and hourly door prize drawings. For more information or to rent a booth, call Cathy Alford at 573-870-0191 or Joe Graves at 573-996-8890...

Henry Williams NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Henry A. Newton Williams, 74, of Success, Ark., died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Williams was born March 8, 1937, in Denmark, Ark. He was a landscaper and a veteran of the Marines...

The Twin Rivers High School has named its Students of the Month for December. Representing the 11th grade is Ryan Shane Nippe. He is the son of Lisa Boyer and an active member in FBLA and Beta. Nippe has been awarded All Conference in baseball. He enjoys playing baseball, and after graduation he plans to attend college...

Evelyn Nichols VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Evelyn Sophia Nichols, 88, of Ellsinore, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at the Riverways Manor Nursing Home in Van Buren. Mrs. Nichols was born Oct. 28, 1923, in Chicago, Ill. She had resided in Ellsinore for the past seven years and was formerly of Rockford, Ill. ...

Buzz Vandermark FISK, Mo. - Boyd "Buzz" Vandermark, 70, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Vandermark was born April 14, 1941, in Broseley, Mo. He lived around Broseley and Poplar Bluff all his life. He was a retired truck driver and enjoyed gardening and antique cars...

Jack Shifley DEXTER, Mo. -- Jack Edward Shifley, 60, of Indianapolis, Ind., died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, at Manor Health Care Services in Indianapolis. Mr. Shifley was born Feb. 2, 1951, in Sikeston, Mo. He served in the U.S. Army and Navy and was a member of the Disabled American Veterans...

Northside entertainment The Acy Green Band will entertain at Northside Nutrition Center from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday. The menu will include chili, 1/2 peanut butter sandwich, baked potato, crackers, cinnamon apples.

The Hillview Elementary first semester honor roll is as follows: A Honor Roll First Grade: Brock Davis, Ella Eaker, Taylor McDaniel, Breanna Pennington, Ethan Pruett, Colby Beaird, Ryan Brown, JD Burton, Hayley Shepard, Jacob Simmons, Shawn Edwards, Morgan Faraone, Allison George, Hanna Herald, Camden Owens, Lucas Scott, Karissa Tilley and Jade Trentelman...

H'view honor roll The Hillview Elementary School second quarter honor roll is as follows: A Honor Roll First Grade: Brock Davis, McKenzie Gladden, Brooke Griffin, Taylor McDaniel, Breanna Pennington, Austin Sheppard, Colby Beaird, Ryan Brown, Hayley Shepard, JD Burton, Shawn Edwards, Morgan Faraone, McKayla Gardner, Allison George, Hanna Herald, Camden Owens, Lucas Scott, Karissa Tilley and Jade Trentelman:...

Siddiqui qualifies fornationals Humza Siddiqui of Sacred Heart School placed second in the Math Competition at the JR BETA Conference held in Poplar Bluff. This win will enable him to go on and compete at the national level in June.

Mo. St. Dean's List Missouri State University has announced its dean's list or the fall semester. Students must achieve at least a 3.50 grade point average (on a 4.00 scale). Poplar Bluff: Morgan B. Allen, Ciera E. Baker, Miranda L. Bishop, Brooke N. Davis, Blake K. Lawson, Gabrielle M. McCollum, Stephen F. Patty, Alexandra Thomas...

Paul Jackson ELLINGTON, Mo. -- Paul Jackson of Centerville, Mo., died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellington, Mo.

VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Jeffrey Alan Copeland, 50, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Copeland was born Aug. 27, 1961, in St. Louis, Mo. Formerly of the Van Buren, Mo., area, he lived there most of his life. ...

Margie Epps SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Margie Maxine (Crawford) Epps, 88, of Springfield, Mo., died Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. Mrs. Epps was born July 20, 1923, in Kennett, Mo. She was a well known beautician at Tessie Mae's Beauty Shop in Poplar Bluff, Mo., for 14 years. ...

JACKSON -- Farmington wrestling coach Mark Krause figured turnabout was fair play. The Knights saw Jackson win last year's SEMO Conference tournament on their home floor. Farmington returned the favor Saturday by taking the SEMO Conference title at the Jackson Events Center...

Margie Epps SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Margie Maxine (Crawford) Epps, 88, of Springfield, Mo., died Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. Mrs. Epps was born July 20, 1923, in Kennett, Mo. She was a well known beautician at Tessie Mae's Beauty Shop in Poplar Bluff, Mo., for 14 years. ...

Siddiqui qualifies fornationals Humza Siddiqui of Sacred Heart School placed second in the Math Competition at the JR BETA Conference held in Poplar Bluff. This win will enable him to go on and compete at the national level in June.

H'view honor roll The Hillview Elementary School second quarter honor roll is as follows: A Honor Roll First Grade: Brock Davis, McKenzie Gladden, Brooke Griffin, Taylor McDaniel, Breanna Pennington, Austin Sheppard, Colby Beaird, Ryan Brown, Hayley Shepard, JD Burton, Shawn Edwards, Morgan Faraone, McKayla Gardner, Allison George, Hanna Herald, Camden Owens, Lucas Scott, Karissa Tilley and Jade Trentelman:...

Northside entertainment The Acy Green Band will entertain at Northside Nutrition Center from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday. The menu will include chili, 1/2 peanut butter sandwich, baked potato, crackers, cinnamon apples.

Jack Shifley DEXTER, Mo. -- Jack Edward Shifley, 60, of Indianapolis, Ind., died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, at Manor Health Care Services in Indianapolis. Mr. Shifley was born Feb. 2, 1951, in Sikeston, Mo. He served in the U.S. Army and Navy and was a member of the Disabled American Veterans...

Evelyn Nichols VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Evelyn Sophia Nichols, 88, of Ellsinore, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at the Riverways Manor Nursing Home in Van Buren. Mrs. Nichols was born Oct. 28, 1923, in Chicago, Ill. She had resided in Ellsinore for the past seven years and was formerly of Rockford, Ill. ...

Buzz Vandermark FISK, Mo. - Boyd "Buzz" Vandermark, 70, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Vandermark was born April 14, 1941, in Broseley, Mo. He lived around Broseley and Poplar Bluff all his life. He was a retired truck driver and enjoyed gardening and antique cars...

Texas photographer Tim Edington returns home to showcase his collection of images, many of which are inspired by his native Ozarks. The artist has brought a large exhibit to Poplar Bluff to share his extraordinary view of the world. The presentation of Edington's photography will be on display through April 15. The images will be displayed in historic downtown Poplar Bluff at the Black River Art Gallery, 502 Vine St...

VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Jeffrey Alan Copeland, 50, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Copeland was born Aug. 27, 1961, in St. Louis, Mo. Formerly of the Van Buren, Mo., area, he lived there most of his life. ...