Stories from Sunday, January 29, 2012

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer What began as an insult has turned into a comedy act for one Poplar Bluff, Mo., man. About 25 years ago, in the midst of an argument, Doug Clark says his ex-wife called him a "short, fat bug-eyed, Rodney Dangerfield-looking son of a gun."...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A lawsuit filed by Barbara Rexroat and Katherine Carda against the city of Poplar Bluff and City Clerk Pamela Kearbey was dismissed Friday by U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Limbaugh also denied the motion for a preliminary injunction filed by the two Poplar Bluff women and granted the city's motion for judgment on the pleadings...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Nearly 500 people turned out for the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce banquet Saturday night at the Black River Coliseum. This year's theme was "Appreciate the Past ... Embrace the Future." Chamber President Steve Halter kicked off the night by honoring Evelyn Whitworth, who has attended the banquet for more than 60 consecutive years...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A lawsuit filed by Barbara Rexroat and Katherine Carda against the city of Poplar Bluff and City Clerk Pamela Kearbey was dismissed Friday by U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Limbaugh also denied the motion for a preliminary injunction filed by the two Poplar Bluff women and granted the city's motion for judgment on the pleadings...

Moberly dealt Three Rivers a deadly blow Saturday night. Three Rivers had a late lead before Moberly tied the game and held on for an 87-85 win in overtime. The Greyhounds have now won two straight games at the Bess Activity Center. "Oh boy," Three Rivers coach Gene Bess said. "We are having too many (tough losses) but Moberly is a good team."...

With no answer for T.J. Tisdell, the Poplar Bluff Mules couldn't keep up with Cape Central. Tisdell dominated the post Friday night with 28 points and 17 rebounds as the Tigers handed Poplar Bluff a 54-38 loss on homecoming at Peters Gym. "We couldn't keep it out of (Tisdell's) hands and in ours," Poplar Bluff coach Lamont Frazier said. "That's basically the way it went."...

The Three Rivers Lady Raiders just couldn't find that winning formula Saturday night. After a late run to get within a possession, the Lady Raiders faltered in the final minutes of a loss to Moberly, 70-56 at the Bess Activity Center. "We were right there all night long," Three Rivers coach Jeff Walk said. "The kids battled and we got the crowd involved and made some big runs...

CHARLESTON -- Sara Eyler's putback late in the fourth quarter gave the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules a one-point lead but Carbondale (Ill.) answered with consecutive 3s Saturday. Sarah Goodale and Loren Scott connected from long range in the final two minutes to lift the Terriers to a 52-48 win over the Lady Mules at the Charleston Shootout...

DEXTER -- Jake Lee fouled out late Friday night but got a rare honor for a Bearcat in the Stoddard County Activities Association Tournament. Dexter fans always travel well but the senior got an even louder ovation with the championship being played at the Dexter Bearcat Event Center for the first time...

PIEDMONT -- Ethan Roach had 20 points for Clearwater as it jumped out to an early lead and rolled past Greenville on Friday, 79-38. Austin Ayers had 12 points and Eli Holmes added eight for the Tigers (13-3, 4-0 OFC) who led by eight after one quarter and by 25 at halftime before controlling the second half for the victory...

Students at Neelyville High School listed on the honor roll are: 1st SEMESTER PRINCIPAL ROLL Seventh Grade: Ethan Anderson, Michaela Eakins, Natalie Flanigan, Jake Hager, Matthew Williams Eighth Grade: Maggie Eaker, Emily Emerson, Danielly Izquierdo, Katlin Mansfield, Shelby Moon, Chelsea Petty, Paige Reinbott, Violet Rommel, Riley Washburn, Dalton Young...

Students at the 5th & 6th Grade Center earning places on the second quarter honor roll are: 5th Grade A Honor Roll: Timothy Alcorn, Logan Anderson, Calli Barker, Xzavier Bartlett, Amiah Berry, Blake Bleem, Seth Boone, Cara Bubanovich, Libby Burdin, Jalae Campbell, Tyler Cline, Cody Daughertee, Keegan Decker, Rebecca Edwards, Taniya Ellis, Ashley Evans, Jacob Gaffney, Kyle Gallamore, Devon Gholson, Kai Gilmore, Katrina Griffith, Katelynn Hall, Keaira Harrison, Cole Harwood, Brianna Hatley, Jennifer Hayman, Breeanna Helton, Taylor Hicks, Sarah Holland, Kaitlyn Hoon, Alivia Jenson, Ethan Johnson, Brett Keele, Vincent Kelley, Cali King, Megan Kirby, Logan Knight, Jaylen Lathon, Abby Lawrence, Holley Lutes, Hannah Maples, Alexander Martin, Raegan McAtee, Carlton McDonald, Lauren McDonough, Courtney McGee, Peyton Moore, Meagan Murphy, Samantha Nelson, Lucas Nicolini, Jillian Page, Dylan Pierce, Samuel Pierce, Cory Reese, Kade Richardson, Alexis Robertson, Blake Robertson, Jacquise Salazar, Harley Sappington, Allyssa Saunders, Linda Schulz, Abby Slayton, Riley Smith, Mica Spitzer, Benjamin Stewart, Darian Strange, Haley Taylor, Trenten Vincent, Blake Wells, Dawson Wendler, Michael White, Mya White, Hailey Williams, Jackson Winters, Ryan Wlodarcik, Emily Young. ...

Sacred Heart Catholic School students earning a place on the honor roll are: A Honor Roll -- 2nd Quarter: 1st Grade: Roddy Baz, Kathryne Bryne, Olivia Carda-Smith, Liam Elliott, Drew Gilmore, Billy Gribbins, Madison Hockersmith, Breanna Kanell, Simran Khanuja, Sydney Kramer, Davis McGath, Sha're Phelps, Ashley Rivera, Madelyn Redmond, River Rowland, Andrew Rubi, Cristian Tenorio...

Brittany Mae Neeley and Cody Ryan Vaughn, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo., are engaged. The couple plan to be married at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 12, 2012, at Second Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff. Neeley is the daughter of Rick and Sherry Neeley of Desloge, Mo. Vaughn is the son of Jerry and Rose Vaughn of Poplar Bluff...

Oak Grove School has named the Students of the Month for January. They include: Raigan Caudel, daughter of Austin and Jessica Caudel, is a first grade student who is "a great student. She works very hard and always does her best," said her teacher. Michelle Farmer...

Eva Smith WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- Eva June Smith, 83, of Wappapello, Mo., died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Smith was born Sept. 11, 1928, in Barnfork, Mo. She was a homemaker, and a member of Eagles Lodge 4066 at Wappapello as well as the Ladies Auxiliary 4066. She enjoyed bowling, shuffleboard and playing bingo...

May Hillis Edwards Hunter May Hillis Edwards Hunter, 79, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of New Madrid, Mo. died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mrs Hunter was born June 17, 1932, in Hillard, Mo., to Jesse and Minnie Helm Hillis. ...

Jimmie Roach DEXTER, Mo. -- Jimmie Roach, 74, of Bloomfield, Mo., died Thursday, Jan.26, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Roach was born on Sept. 29, 1937, in Hornersville, Mo. He had lived in Bloomfield for 45 years. He worked as a supervisor at Purolator in Dexter, Mo. He was a member of the White Oak General Baptist Church near Bernie, Mo., and was an avid Cardinal Baseball fan. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army...

Dora Zadnick Dora Metz Zadnick, 96, of Jonesboro, Ark., died Jan. 27, 2012, at the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Mrs. Zadnick was born Oct. 15, 1915 in Naylor, Mo., the daughter of the late Albert and Jane Woolard Metz. She was a longtime resident of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and retired as secretary in Medical Administrations Service of the Veterans Hospital. ...

Allen "Bud" Parks QULIN, Mo. -- Grover Allen "Bub" Parks, 50, of Qulin, Mo. died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012. Mr. Parks was born Sept. 21, 1961, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He had lived at Qulin all of his life and was a member of the Qulin First Missionary Baptist Church. He was a member of the Qulin Fire Department for 20 years and has been Fire Chief for the past 10 years...

Hazel Gatlin NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Hazel Martha Gatlin, 80, of Neelyville, Mo., died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at Westwood Hills Health Care Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Gatlin was born July 22, 1931, in Bernie, Mo. She had lived in Butler County for several years. She was a lifelong member of Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church and had served as church secretary...

Roosevelt Ballard Roosevelt "Tony" Ballard, 76, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, in a Phoenix, Ariz., hospital following a long illness. Mr. Ballard was born Sept. 29, 1935, in Wardell, Mo. He grew up in Neelyville, Mo., and graduated from Wheatley High School in Poplar Bluff...

Moberly dealt Three Rivers a deadly blow Saturday night. Three Rivers had a late lead before Moberly tied the game and held on for an 87-85 win in overtime. The Greyhounds have now won two straight games at the Bess Activity Center. "Oh boy," Three Rivers coach Gene Bess said. "We are having too many (tough losses) but Moberly is a good team."...

CHARLESTON -- Sara Eyler's putback late in the fourth quarter gave the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules a one-point lead but Carbondale (Ill.) answered with consecutive 3s Saturday. Sarah Goodale and Loren Scott connected from long range in the final two minutes to lift the Terriers to a 52-48 win over the Lady Mules at the Charleston Shootout...

Students at Neelyville High School listed on the honor roll are: 1st SEMESTER PRINCIPAL ROLL Seventh Grade: Ethan Anderson, Michaela Eakins, Natalie Flanigan, Jake Hager, Matthew Williams Eighth Grade: Maggie Eaker, Emily Emerson, Danielly Izquierdo, Katlin Mansfield, Shelby Moon, Chelsea Petty, Paige Reinbott, Violet Rommel, Riley Washburn, Dalton Young...

Eva Smith WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- Eva June Smith, 83, of Wappapello, Mo., died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Smith was born Sept. 11, 1928, in Barnfork, Mo. She was a homemaker, and a member of Eagles Lodge 4066 at Wappapello as well as the Ladies Auxiliary 4066. She enjoyed bowling, shuffleboard and playing bingo...

Allen "Bud" Parks QULIN, Mo. -- Grover Allen "Bub" Parks, 50, of Qulin, Mo. died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012. Mr. Parks was born Sept. 21, 1961, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He had lived at Qulin all of his life and was a member of the Qulin First Missionary Baptist Church. He was a member of the Qulin Fire Department for 20 years and has been Fire Chief for the past 10 years...

Hazel Gatlin NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Hazel Martha Gatlin, 80, of Neelyville, Mo., died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at Westwood Hills Health Care Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Gatlin was born July 22, 1931, in Bernie, Mo. She had lived in Butler County for several years. She was a lifelong member of Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church and had served as church secretary...