Stories from Tuesday, February 7, 2012

SEMO News Service MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Two Marble Hill men have been charged with misdemeanor offenses related to the death and disposal of a pit bull. Levi Snider, 24, is charged with animal abuse for having allegedly killed the dog under circumstances not allowed by law. Travis Reed, 28, is charged with littering for having improperly disposed of the carcass by allegedly placing it upon premises that were not his own...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer A fire early Sunday morning damaged a bathroom, a hallway, two classrooms and the gym at Fisk Middle School. Fisk Principal Clinton Salyer said the gym had been used for an activity over the weekend, and a janitor arrived around 4 a.m. Monday to ensure the facility was cleaned up before school started. He then called the principal...

By JOHN WILLEY Staff Writer "Exercise builds brain power" and improves focus, said Mary Tolliver, explaining why she applied for a Healthier Community grant for four Eugene Field School classrooms One of three Poplar Bluff teachers to apply for a grant, Tolliver said she got the idea from a Healthier Community workshop she attended at Three Rivers College...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The Shelby Road Phase II Preliminary Engineering Report was presented by Bob Summers of Schultz and Summers Engineering during the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Monday night. "It extends the original project from its southern end at Highway PP to Missouri Route 53, approximately 2.5 miles south," Summers said as he pointed to a map showing the proposed road. ...

By TOM UHLENBROCK Missouri State Parks Guide Chris Fritsche knows what to expect of first-time visitors when he leads them down the marbled hallways of the State Capitol in Jefferson City through the heavy wood doors of the House Lounge into the vibrant world of Thomas Hart Benton...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A state grant has made it possible for the city of Poplar Bluff to lower a water rate increase. "The city is slated to receive $1,110,500 from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for the upcoming water improvements projects. ...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A Poplar Bluff, Mo., teenager coming to his mother's aid Sunday afternoon during what authorities describe as a domestic dispute soon found himself in need of aid when his stepfather allegedly turned the violence on him...

The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring its First Annual Home, Garden & Leisure Show at the Black River Coliseum on March 17, 2012 (St. Patrick's Day). People who are building, remodeling, decorating, landscaping or simply enjoying their leisure time will be treated to all that the Greater Poplar Bluff Area business community has to offer. ...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A Poplar Bluff, Mo., teenager coming to his mother's aid Sunday afternoon during what authorities describe as a domestic dispute soon found himself in need of aid when his stepfather allegedly turned the violence on him...

The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules seemed to be in a hurry Monday night. They scored more points in the first half than their previous game -- and six others -- to beat New Madrid County Central 73-43 at Peters Gym. "We're shooting 54 percent the first half, it makes things run a lot smoother when you make the shots that you're supposed to," Poplar Bluff coach Kirk Chronister said...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- In their final tune-up for the season-ending conference meet, the Poplar Bluff swim team swept the relays and won three more races Monday. Julia Dragon won twice and Sarah Crites added another victory as the Lady Mules piled up a 136-point win in a four-team meet. St. Vincent, Perryville and Saxony also teamed up as "The Oxen" and ended up beating the Mules 98-78 to win the "Beasts of Burden" title...

NAYLOR -- The stepping stone towards the Ozark Foothills Conference championship game hasn't been easy for the three-time defending champion and top-seeded Neelyville Lady Tigers. On Monday, it was another tough semifinal as they played a hungry and upset-minded Clearwater team...

NAYLOR -- Twin Rivers wasn't expecting a very high seed for the Ozark Foothills Conference due to some shortcomings in the regular season. The Lady Royals ended up earning the No. 3 seed from their peers and Monday night, it played No. 2 Doniphan, a team they beat by 29 points 12 days earlier...

CENTERVILLE, Mo. -- The Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety recently awarded a Portable Breath Tester (PBT) to the Reynolds County Sheriff Department. Personal breathalyzers estimate the concentration of alcohol in the body by measuring the amount of alcohol exhaled from the lungs. Impaired driving contributes to nearly 30 percent of all Missouri traffic fatalities...

Michael Dunn LESTERVILLE, Mo. -- Michael R. Dunn, 64, of Viburnun, Mo., died Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, at Stonecrest Heathcare in Viburnun. Funeral arrangements are pending with McSpadden Funeral Home in Lesterville, Mo.

Doris Lawrence GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Mrs. Doris Lawrence, 74, of Greenville, Mo., passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at her home. She was born in Deering, Mo., on April 20, 1937, the daughter of the late Phinas P. Frederick and Zola Tyra Frederick. She married Mack Lawrence on Jan. 4, 1955, in Malden, Mo. Doris was a homemaker for 57 years and worked alongside her husband for more than 30 years at Universal Tax Consultants...

Kenny Farris DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Kenny Farris, 80, of Doniphan, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at the Colonial Home in Doniphan. Visitation for Mr. Farris will begin at noon Wednesday followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. in Edwards Funeral Home chapel in Doniphan...

Jeffery Lomax MALDEN, Mo. -- Jeffery L. Lomax, 53, of Arnold, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at his residence. He was born Jan. 30, 1959, in St. Louis, Mo. He was a lifelong painter by trade and was the youngest of seven. Surviving are one son, Johnnie Lomax of St. Louis, one grandson, one brother, Ricky Lomax of Greenville, Mo...

Michael Payne DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Michael Barton Payne, Sr., 51, of Doniphan, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, in Ripley County, Mo. Mr. Payne was born Aug. 30, 1960, in St. Louis, Mo. He served in the United States Air Force and loved to draw, play guitar, and fish. He was a certified welder and did auto-body work and was a mechanic...

Norma Carnes Norma (May) Carnes, 85, of Springfield, Mo., died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at Christian Health Care East in Springfield. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Thomas Nash DEXTER, Mo. -- Thomas "Les" Nash, 90, of Dexter, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Mr. Nash was born on Aug. 29, 1921, in Dudley, Mo. He had lived in St. Louis, Mo., before moving to Dexter in 1992. ...

Rebecca McFatridge MALDEN, Mo. -- Rebecca McFatridge, 82, of Gideon, Mo., died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at her residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden.

Ramona Estep Ramona K. Estep, 59, of Chaffee, Mo., died Monday at Greenville Nursing Home -- Benchmark Healthcare in Greenville, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Dorothy Medley ELLINGTON, Mo. -- Dorothy Louise Medley, 64, of Ellington, Mo., died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at Madison Medical Center in Fredericktown, Mo. Mrs. Medley was born at Alec Hollow in Shannon County, Mo., on April 27, 1947. She attended Believer's Chapel Church in Ellington. She enjoyed sitting on her front porch and watching birds. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends...

Crawford Cox DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Crawford Cox of Fairdealing, Mo., died Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan, Mo.

Cal Ivy MALDEN, Mo. -- Cal J. Ivy, 61, of Malden, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden.

Harold Darnell FISK, Mo. -- Harold D. Darnell, 74, of Wappapello, Mo., died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012 at his residence. Mr. Darnell was born Nov. 10, 1937, in Grandview, Wash. He had lived at Rombauer, Mo., and Wappapello all of his life. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 596 at Puxico and had served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a heavy equipment operator and belonged to the Operating Engineers 513. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and his family...

AT 10 a.m. Wednesday, Linda Morgan, leader of TOPS MO 734, called its monthly meeting to order. Attending were 25 TOPS and four KOPS members. The secretary's report was read by Lou Ann Wrather and the treasurer's report was given by Pam Kane. Both reports were accepted...

A fundraiser will be held for Naylor Nutrition Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the center. Chicken and dumplings and ham will be served. Meals are $7 for adults and $3.50 for children 10 and under. For more information call 573-399-2710 (mornings), or 573-399-2767...

By MAE ANDERSON AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) -- The pressure was on. The tension was thick. And then, there were yawns in between. The Super Bowl may have been a nail biter, but the ads were a snooze. Actor Clint Eastwood waxed for two minutes about Detroit and Chrysler. An M&M candy stripped "naked" at a party. And stars from the 90s were everywhere, as were dogs and babies, of course...

Bill Bailey FARMINGTON, Mo. -- William Ridley "Bill" Bailey, 85, died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Bailey was born Oct. 11, 1926, in Tennessee. He was a charter member and original deacon of Blessed Hope Baptist Church and owned Bailey's Expert Tree Service...

Doris Lawrence GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Doris J. Lawrence, 74, of Greenville, Mo., died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at her residence. Arrangements will be announced by Morrison-Worley Greenville Chapel.

Opha Ollar DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Opha Lee Ollar, 96, of Briar, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at her residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home of Doniphan, Mo., and will be announced upon completion.

Thomas Knodell PUXICO, Mo. -- Thomas Knodell, 89, a lifetime resident of Wappapello, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, Ky. Mr. Knodell was a retired farmer and a member of Pleasant Valley Church. He enjoyed hunting and fishing...

Velma Wilson MALDEN, Mo. -- Velma Lucille Wilson, 63, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Malden, Mo., died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at Methodist South in Memphis, Tenn. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home of Malden.

Kenny Farris DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Kenny Farris of Doniphan, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at the Colonial Home in Doniphan, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan and will be announced upon completion.

Junior Harmon PUXICO, Mo. -- Junior Lee Harmon, 87, lifetime resident of Puxico, died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at Puxico Nursing & Rehab Center. Mr. Harmon was born May 1, 1924, in Desha, Ark. He was a Sunday school teacher at Duck Creek Baptist Church for many years and was a farmer. Mr. Harmon enjoyed hunting arrowheads, fishing and farming...

Bill Bailey FARMINGTON, Mo. -- William Ridley "Bill" Bailey, 85, died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Bailey was born Oct. 11, 1926, in Tennessee. He was a charter member and original deacon of Blessed Hope Baptist Church and owned Bailey's Expert Tree Service...

A fundraiser will be held for Naylor Nutrition Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the center. Chicken and dumplings and ham will be served. Meals are $7 for adults and $3.50 for children 10 and under. For more information call 573-399-2710 (mornings), or 573-399-2767...

AT 10 a.m. Wednesday, Linda Morgan, leader of TOPS MO 734, called its monthly meeting to order. Attending were 25 TOPS and four KOPS members. The secretary's report was read by Lou Ann Wrather and the treasurer's report was given by Pam Kane. Both reports were accepted...

Thomas Nash DEXTER, Mo. -- Thomas "Les" Nash, 90, of Dexter, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Mr. Nash was born on Aug. 29, 1921, in Dudley, Mo. He had lived in St. Louis, Mo., before moving to Dexter in 1992. ...

Rebecca McFatridge MALDEN, Mo. -- Rebecca McFatridge, 82, of Gideon, Mo., died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at her residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden.

Cal Ivy MALDEN, Mo. -- Cal J. Ivy, 61, of Malden, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden.

Norma Carnes Norma (May) Carnes, 85, of Springfield, Mo., died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at Christian Health Care East in Springfield. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Kenny Farris DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Kenny Farris, 80, of Doniphan, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at the Colonial Home in Doniphan. Visitation for Mr. Farris will begin at noon Wednesday followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. in Edwards Funeral Home chapel in Doniphan...

CENTERVILLE, Mo. -- The Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety recently awarded a Portable Breath Tester (PBT) to the Reynolds County Sheriff Department. Personal breathalyzers estimate the concentration of alcohol in the body by measuring the amount of alcohol exhaled from the lungs. Impaired driving contributes to nearly 30 percent of all Missouri traffic fatalities...

Velma Wilson MALDEN, Mo. -- Velma Lucille Wilson, 63, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Malden, Mo., died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at Methodist South in Memphis, Tenn. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home of Malden.