Stories from Sunday, February 12, 2012

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer More than 250 students enrolled in career training programs throughout Southeast Missouri converged on the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center recently for the annual SkillsUSA contest. Students from Puxico, Southern Reynolds, Zalma, Van Buren, East Carter, Twin Rivers and Greenville represented the TCC. Career centers from Sikeston, Doniphan, Hayti, Kennett and New Madrid also competed, along with students from Three Rivers College...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A jury trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 4 in Butler County Circuit Court for the counterclaim filed by the city of Poplar Bluff against semo.net for failure to pay its bills. Carter County Judge Michael J. Ligons set the trial date after he sustained a motion by City Attorney Wally Duncan that semo.net owner Brian Becker's affirmative defenses are deficient as a matter of law...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Both school districts in Carter County will be under new leadership in the next school year as superintendents at Van Buren and East Carter leave to pursue other opportunities. The Van Buren Board of Education voted Thursday to enlist the services of the Missouri School Board Association to find a replacement for Dr. ...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor It's a startling number: As many as 1 in 5 women have experienced rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetimes, compared to about 1 in 10 men. At least 1 in 4 women have been victimized by domestic violence or stalking by an intimate partner...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor It's a startling number: As many as 1 in 5 women have experienced rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetimes, compared to about 1 in 10 men. At least 1 in 4 women have been victimized by domestic violence or stalking by an intimate partner...

The Three Rivers Raiders are getting hot just in time. The Raiders got key defensive stops late Saturday as they held on for a 62-60 win over MSU-West Plains at the Bess Activity Center. The win put Three Rivers on solid footing for the fourth seed in the upcoming Region XVI Tournament and knocked the Grizzlies out of first place...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- After erasing a seven-point second-half deficit, the Poplar Bluff Mules gave it right back Friday night. Five straight turnovers early in the fourth quarter allowed Notre Dame to slip away and the Bulldogs held on for a 58-51 win in SEMO Conference play...

NEOSHO -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders' season continued heading downhill Saturday. Three Rivers got down double figures early and was down 20 at halftime before Crowder pulled away in the second half for the 104-67 win. Three Rivers is now just 3-11 in its last 14 games and is 9-15 overall and 2-6 in Region XVI...

FARMINGTON -- Matt King became Poplar Bluff's youngest wrestler to win a district title and first since 2008 Saturday, qualifying for the MSHSAA Class 3 state tournament as a freshman. King won the 106-pound title at the District 1 tournament with a 6-5 win over Pacific's Joseph Rind...

MALDEN -- Malden needed a fourth-quarter comeback to beat Bernie Friday night, 64-62. The Green Wave was led in scoring by Jonsha Robsinson who had 18 points, Malik Perkins who had 13 and Cortez Dobbins who finished with 12. Bernie was led in scoring by David Baker who had 21 points and Troy Kirkpatrick who had 20...

The top-seeded Doniphan Dons had to work their way out of Clearwater's clock-strangling gameplan in the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament championship. The Tigers played keep away in the first half and built a double-digit lead in the third quarter Friday night at the Bess Activity Center...

The past three winters have featured the Neelyville Lady Tigers winning the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament title and quite a bit of ice and snow. This winter has been pretty mild with little snow. That is until Friday night when an avalanche hit Bess Activity Center...

Neelyville FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) competed at the District 20 Leadership Conference at Three Rivers College on Friday, Feb. 3. Its winners were: Accounting I -- Chelsei Dale -- 4th Place; Business Math -- Brittana Eagle -- 5th Place; Client Service -- Kenna Sheppard -- 1st Place; Computer Applications -- Jessica Crosby -- 3rd Place;...

Twin Towers has scheduled a number of activities for the Week of Feb. 13. At 9 a.m. Monday, the Genealogy Book Committee will meet in the Snider Meeting Room. Then, at 10:30 a.m., the Book Club will meet in the Altrusa Room. For information about this group, call Nancy at 714-4134. Tommy Swindle will sing gospel songs at noon for all having lunch in the dining room...

By BETSY HART Scripps Howard News Service I'm increasingly convinced that today when it comes to matters of the heart, too many women ask for too much and settle for too little. Yes, I'm inevitably considering such things because Valentine's Day approaches. But it's also because -- a little self-promotion to follow -- that is a theme of my new book, "From The Hart: A Collection of Favorite Columns on Love, Loss, Marriage (and Other Extreme Sports)" (Kindle eBooks)...

The Lions Club will be having its annual auction Saturday to benefit those with vision or hearing problems. The auction will be held from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Poplar Bluff City Cable Channel 2 and can also be viewed on the Internet. If you wish to donate an item for the auction, contact any Lions Club member or call Lions Club President Paul McWilliams at 573-785-6438...

By DAN K. THOMASSON Scripps Howard News Service Talk about closing the barn door after the animals have fled. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure has hired a big-time public relations firm to improve its now-tattered image among millions of American women...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Through 11 presidential elections, beginning with the Democrats' nomination of George McGovern in 1972, Republicans have enjoyed a presumption of superiority regarding national security. This year, however, events and their rhetoric are dissipating their advantage...

The names of all University of Arkansas students who earned a place on the Chancellor's or Deans' lists for the fall 2012 semester have been announced. Poplar Bluff, Mo., students on the lists are: To be on the Chancellor's List a student must earn a 4.0 grade point average for 12 or more course hours in a semester. ...

David and Karen Seifert Coen (formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo.), of Hays, Kan., announce the engagement of their daughter, Kaitlyn Rae Coen of Charlotte, N. C., to Kyle William Haake of Olathe, Kan. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of Craig and Geri Haake of Olathe...

Students at Oak Grove Elementary School earning places on the second quarter Honor Roll are: A Honor Roll 2nd Grade: Bryce Crites, Jace Davis, Carson Dille, Piper Duncan, Emma Eubank, Jaydon Everts, John Godwin, Jacob Moffitt, Jett Robertson, Dylan Simmers, Vanessa Adams, Ethan Alford, Chandler Beaton, Chase Brannan, Avery Casey, Caleigh Chilton, Austin Stoner, Michael Todd, Jacob Baller, Luke Barousse, Dylan Brown, Tymber Colvin, Davin Ladewig, Shyla Leonard, Natalie Murphy, Courtney Padgett, Isaac Reid, EmaleeStarling, Gavin Vaughn, Aden Bedell, Nicholaus Brumitt, Garret Cooper, Malikhi Czerwonka, Alexandra Ferguson, Garrett Lazalier, Kaylen Riley, Shae Sarabia, Mattilyn Stacy, Emma Sutton and Alexander Wiseman.. ...

The Agee Community Club met Thursday, Feb. 9 at the home of hostess Jacque Gallamore. Ms. Gallamore decorated her home with red valentine hearts, and red and white gingham table cloths and napkins. The ladies were treated to a wonderful specially prepared culinary delight. Nadine Johnson offered the invocation before the meal...

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake announces the upcoming special events for 2012. Families can enjoy volunteer opportunities, living history events, connecting with the great outdoors, or just soaking up seasonal fun. The Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center also offers free interpretive programs from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend. Programs feature crafts, puppet shows, nature, history, art, geocaching, survival skills, the flood of 2011, and more...

The Missouri State Highway Patrol will join law enforcement agencies across the state on Feb. 24 for an aggressive "Click It or Ticket" mobilization to get more motorists to buckle up -- and save more lives. Despite evidence proving the benefits of wearing a seat belt, nearly one in four Missouri motorists are still not making it click. Seven out of 10 Missourians killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled...

Pike Creek meets Tues. The Pike Creek Common Sewer District will have a board meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the district office to consider financial reports, system performance report and Phase III updates.

Clara Warren Clara J. Warren, 83, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, at Poplar Bluff. She was born Jan. 29, 1929, in Poplar Bluff, and was a lifetime resident. Miss Warren was employed at Kroger for more than 30 years as office manager...

Mildred Keele LIBERTY, Mo. -- Mildred C. Keele, 93, of Liberty, Mo., died at Our Lady Of Mercy Country Home where she had lived for 10 years. Mildred was born Aug. 4, 1918, in Doniphan, Mo., the third of seven children born to George and Ella McPheeters. She was a longtime member of Fairview Christian Church and Liberty Christian Church...

Corbett Morgan PUXICO, Mo. -- Corbett "Corkey" Morgan, 68, of Bloomfield, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, in Bloomfield. Mr. Morgan was born Oct. 2, 1943, at Portola, Calif. He previously lived in Burfordsville, Mo., and attended Randles Baptist Church...

Virgil Barnes LESTERVILLE, Mo. -- Virgil "Richard" Barnes, 69, of Annapolis, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Barnes was born Dec. 17, 1942, in Lesterville, Mo. He was a member of Hopewell Masonic Lodge #239, a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Annapolis Fly Wheelers. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He worked in the log woods and enjoyed hunting, fishing, raising deer, building and racing dune buggies...

Melvin Barton ELLINGTON, Mo. -- Melvin Dean Barton, 78, of Ellington, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at Advanced Healthcare in Ellington. Mr. Barton was born Nov. 15, 1933, at Redford, Mo. He was a member of the Full Gospel Baptist Church in Granite City, Ill., the Eagles Club in Ellington and Barnesville Masonic Lodge in Ellington...

Lemuel Smith PIGGOTT, Ark. -- Lemuel L. Smith, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born Dec. 16, 1921, at Piggott, Ark. He formerly lived in Holcomb and was a member of the American Legion...

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- James Andrew Darden, 72, of Piedmont died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at Clark's Mountain Nursing Home in Piedmont. A celebration of life service will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Piedmont Youth Center. A complete obit will appear later in the Daily American Republic newspaper...

James Medling James Arthur Medling, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Medling was born April 17, 1921, in Fairdealing, Mo. A retired automotive mechanic at various automobile dealerships, Mr. Medling was a 62-year member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and was a Navy veteran having served during World War II as an aircraft mechanic and navigator. ...

Willie Shipman Willie Arthur "Bill" Shipman, 86, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday Feb. 10, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Shipman was born May 18, 1925, at Morehouse, Mo. He was a lifetime resident of Butler County and a member of Faith Tabernacle in Poplar Bluff. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served during World War II...

Sarah Clay PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Sarah B. Clay, 90, formerly of the Piedmont area, passed away Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, in Kimberling, Mo. Visitation is planned for 5 p.m. Wednesday at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont, Mo. Funeral services will be on at 2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel...

More than $9 million in prizes of $1,000 or more were awarded to Missouri Lottery players during January. Winners of $1,000 or more in January include the following: Show Me Cash winners: Anna Amrhein, Poplar Bluff, $48,500 Pick 4 winners: Thomas Fite, Doniphan, $6,000...

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- James Andrew Darden, 72, of Piedmont died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at Clark's Mountain Nursing Home in Piedmont. A celebration of life service will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Piedmont Youth Center. A complete obit will appear later in the Daily American Republic newspaper...

Students at Oak Grove Elementary School earning places on the second quarter Honor Roll are: A Honor Roll 2nd Grade: Bryce Crites, Jace Davis, Carson Dille, Piper Duncan, Emma Eubank, Jaydon Everts, John Godwin, Jacob Moffitt, Jett Robertson, Dylan Simmers, Vanessa Adams, Ethan Alford, Chandler Beaton, Chase Brannan, Avery Casey, Caleigh Chilton, Austin Stoner, Michael Todd, Jacob Baller, Luke Barousse, Dylan Brown, Tymber Colvin, Davin Ladewig, Shyla Leonard, Natalie Murphy, Courtney Padgett, Isaac Reid, EmaleeStarling, Gavin Vaughn, Aden Bedell, Nicholaus Brumitt, Garret Cooper, Malikhi Czerwonka, Alexandra Ferguson, Garrett Lazalier, Kaylen Riley, Shae Sarabia, Mattilyn Stacy, Emma Sutton and Alexander Wiseman.. ...

Mildred Keele LIBERTY, Mo. -- Mildred C. Keele, 93, of Liberty, Mo., died at Our Lady Of Mercy Country Home where she had lived for 10 years. Mildred was born Aug. 4, 1918, in Doniphan, Mo., the third of seven children born to George and Ella McPheeters. She was a longtime member of Fairview Christian Church and Liberty Christian Church...

Corbett Morgan PUXICO, Mo. -- Corbett "Corkey" Morgan, 68, of Bloomfield, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, in Bloomfield. Mr. Morgan was born Oct. 2, 1943, at Portola, Calif. He previously lived in Burfordsville, Mo., and attended Randles Baptist Church...

Lemuel Smith PIGGOTT, Ark. -- Lemuel L. Smith, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born Dec. 16, 1921, at Piggott, Ark. He formerly lived in Holcomb and was a member of the American Legion...

Melvin Barton ELLINGTON, Mo. -- Melvin Dean Barton, 78, of Ellington, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at Advanced Healthcare in Ellington. Mr. Barton was born Nov. 15, 1933, at Redford, Mo. He was a member of the Full Gospel Baptist Church in Granite City, Ill., the Eagles Club in Ellington and Barnesville Masonic Lodge in Ellington...

Willie Shipman Willie Arthur "Bill" Shipman, 86, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday Feb. 10, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Shipman was born May 18, 1925, at Morehouse, Mo. He was a lifetime resident of Butler County and a member of Faith Tabernacle in Poplar Bluff. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served during World War II...

James Medling James Arthur Medling, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Medling was born April 17, 1921, in Fairdealing, Mo. A retired automotive mechanic at various automobile dealerships, Mr. Medling was a 62-year member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and was a Navy veteran having served during World War II as an aircraft mechanic and navigator. ...

Sarah Clay PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Sarah B. Clay, 90, formerly of the Piedmont area, passed away Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, in Kimberling, Mo. Visitation is planned for 5 p.m. Wednesday at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont, Mo. Funeral services will be on at 2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel...

Clara Warren Clara J. Warren, 83, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, at Poplar Bluff. She was born Jan. 29, 1929, in Poplar Bluff, and was a lifetime resident. Miss Warren was employed at Kroger for more than 30 years as office manager...

Pike Creek meets Tues. The Pike Creek Common Sewer District will have a board meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the district office to consider financial reports, system performance report and Phase III updates.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol will join law enforcement agencies across the state on Feb. 24 for an aggressive "Click It or Ticket" mobilization to get more motorists to buckle up -- and save more lives. Despite evidence proving the benefits of wearing a seat belt, nearly one in four Missouri motorists are still not making it click. Seven out of 10 Missourians killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled...

The Agee Community Club met Thursday, Feb. 9 at the home of hostess Jacque Gallamore. Ms. Gallamore decorated her home with red valentine hearts, and red and white gingham table cloths and napkins. The ladies were treated to a wonderful specially prepared culinary delight. Nadine Johnson offered the invocation before the meal...

MALDEN -- Malden needed a fourth-quarter comeback to beat Bernie Friday night, 64-62. The Green Wave was led in scoring by Jonsha Robsinson who had 18 points, Malik Perkins who had 13 and Cortez Dobbins who finished with 12. Bernie was led in scoring by David Baker who had 21 points and Troy Kirkpatrick who had 20...

FARMINGTON -- Matt King became Poplar Bluff's youngest wrestler to win a district title and first since 2008 Saturday, qualifying for the MSHSAA Class 3 state tournament as a freshman. King won the 106-pound title at the District 1 tournament with a 6-5 win over Pacific's Joseph Rind...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- After erasing a seven-point second-half deficit, the Poplar Bluff Mules gave it right back Friday night. Five straight turnovers early in the fourth quarter allowed Notre Dame to slip away and the Bulldogs held on for a 58-51 win in SEMO Conference play...

NEOSHO -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders' season continued heading downhill Saturday. Three Rivers got down double figures early and was down 20 at halftime before Crowder pulled away in the second half for the 104-67 win. Three Rivers is now just 3-11 in its last 14 games and is 9-15 overall and 2-6 in Region XVI...

The Three Rivers Raiders are getting hot just in time. The Raiders got key defensive stops late Saturday as they held on for a 62-60 win over MSU-West Plains at the Bess Activity Center. The win put Three Rivers on solid footing for the fourth seed in the upcoming Region XVI Tournament and knocked the Grizzlies out of first place...

More than $9 million in prizes of $1,000 or more were awarded to Missouri Lottery players during January. Winners of $1,000 or more in January include the following: Show Me Cash winners: Anna Amrhein, Poplar Bluff, $48,500 Pick 4 winners: Thomas Fite, Doniphan, $6,000...