Stories from Tuesday, February 14, 2012

By DEANNA CORONADO SEMO News Service CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- Former Caruthersville city marshal Chris Riggs has pleaded not guilty to charges of forgery and stealing thousands of dollars from the city's Criminal Investigation Fund. The case will continue in Dunklin County Circuit Court following a change of venue request that was approved in late January...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor Cupid will have a group of special helpers on Valentine's Day in Poplar Bluff, Mo. The volunteers are women who attend Recycling Grace Ministries and volunteer at Recycling Grace Women's Center. On Tuesday, they will get in a van and travel throughout town passing out boxes of candy, as well as the gift of friendship, to women who may not expect to receive a valentine...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor Sarah White's celebration of life as she courageously battled cancer caught the attention of not only her family, friends and neighbors, but of Neal Boyd, impressing the entertainer, known as "The Voice of Missouri" and the winner of the 2008 national talent show America's Got Talent...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Poplar Bluff, Mo., police recently seized what is described as its first "substantial quantity" of pure heroin, taking it off the streets before it could be processed for sale. A few months ago, Chief Danny Whiteley said, his department reported heroin was coming from the St. Louis, Mo., area in to "various individuals in Poplar Bluff for distribution. .....

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Having already arrested two would-be burglars, local authorities continue to search for the third person believed to be responsible for a suspected home invasion in which a shot was fired and cellular telephones and a laptop were stolen...

By DAVID A. LIEB The Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Though Republican Rick Santorum claimed momentum from the results, just 8 percent of Missouri's registered voters cast ballots in its presidential primary -- setting a new low for state electoral participation...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor City, county and state road crews are prepared for the wintry mix of precipitation expected to begin falling in the afternoon today in Poplar Bluff, Mo. They were busy over the weekend and early today spreading liquid salt and have their equipment ready to remove the snow...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Area residents were thankful to see roads were clear when they headed to work today. "We were lucky. The temperature went up," said Robin Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service at Paducah, Ky. Early Monday, the temperature rose from 25 to 34 and then dropped to 31 when the snow started falling...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man was sentenced to more than 22 years in federal prison Monday afternoon on multiple drug-related felonies, including conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. Convicted in November of one count of conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and seven counts of possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture, Michael Joe "Buster" Wells, 57, appeared before U.S. ...

By MELISSA MILLER SEMO News Service Southeast Missouri has escaped restrictions on future business expansions under new ozone level attainment designations released last week. The Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward with a proposed rule to implement the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone. This standard proposed to be set at 75 parts per billion...

TOPS MO 734 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) was called to order at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, by Linda Morgan, leader. Attending were 25 TOPS and five KOPS members. Lou Ann Wrather read the secretary's report, which was approved. The best losers were Glenda Kirby, TOPS, and Millie McClannahan, KOPS...

At the beginning of the wrestling season Matt King set out to make history. Now that the Poplar Bluff freshman has done just that his coach is ready to set a new goal -- more history. King advanced to the MSHSAA Class 3 state championships at 106 pounds by becoming Poplar Bluff's first freshman to win a district title...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- At the National Prayer Breakfast last week, seeking theological underpinning for his drive to raise taxes on the rich, President Obama invoked the highest possible authority. His policy, he testified "as a Christian," "coincides with Jesus' teaching that 'for unto whom much is given, much shall be required.'"...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS The Philadelphia Inquirer's big story Feb. 4 was about how a budget crunch at the Philadelphia School District had caused the district to lay off 91 school police officers. Over the years, there's been no discussion of what has happened to our youth that makes a school police force necessary in the first place. ...

The 5th & 6th Grade Center has named its January Students of the Month as follows: Sarah Allbritton, fifth grade, is the daughter of Robert and Melinda Lewis. She was nominated by Mrs. Smith who said, "Sarah is a thoughtful person who thinks of others first. She workd hard at school and always looks on the bright side of everything. I appreciate Sarah for all she does and look forward to seeing her meet all of her goals."...

The Poplar Bluff High School first semester honor roll is as follows: FRESHMEN Karemenah Christine Adams, Bailey Michael Alford, Briar Andrew Alford,Trevor Bradley Asher, Kaitlyn Danelle Barnett, Eric Tyler Batton, Macy Alexandra Beller, Isabella Jenevia Billops, Courtney Reann Boone, Laura Taylor joan Bradburn, Brittany Ann Bradley, Kelsey Leann Bradley, Zachary Thomas Brake, Haley Marie Brittingham, Dane Kyle Brown, Madison Leigh Bulger, Alexandra Michele Burke, Gabrielle Lynn Burke, Hannah Marie Burnett, Savannah Autumn Burton, Clayton Shane Carpenter, Colton Lane Carpenter, Ciara Kayana Ciccone, Brentyn Andrew Clark, Katie Leanne Cletcher, Hannah Michelle Cochran, Maci M Coleman, Dustin Michael Cook, Emma Caroline Cooper, Victoria Leigh-A Copeland, Taylor MacKenzie Cox, Brandon W Davis, Cody Allen Davis, Miranda Lynn Deaton, Chastity Mae Mari Doggett, Gregory Linn Dollins, Christa Marie Draper, Kyle Alexander Dugas,. ...

On Saturday, Feb. 25, the University of Missouri Extension will host New Education Equine. This class will include Hippology stations and Horse Bowl questions. Hippology is used in 4-H, FFA and many horse breed contests. It consists of four different phases which are: Written Examination and Slide Identification, ID Stations, Horse Judging, and Team Problem Solving...

Betty Lou Clubb photo Betty Lou Clubb, 72, of Piedmont, Mo., died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. She was born Oct. 19, 1939, to the late Arthur D. Bearden and the late Hazel L. (Williams) Bearden, in Piedmont, Mo. Mrs. Clubb attended Oak Hill in St. Louis first through the fourth grade. She attended Piedmont Elementary and Piedmont High School to the ninth grade. She later received her GED. She was of the Southern Baptist faith and was a member of the Tabernacle Baptist church in Piedmont, Mo...

Lawrence Patterson DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Lawrence Douglas Patterson, 90, of Gatewood, Mo., died Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at Ripley County Memorial Hospital in Doniphan. Mr. Patterson was born Dec. 3, 1921, in Ponder, Mo. He was a farmer and enjoyed gardening, family get-togethers, and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was a deacon of the West Doniphan Missionary Baptist Church...

Arlene Schimweg Arlene M. Schimweg, 75, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mrs. Schimweg was born Sept. 27, 1936, in St. Louis, Mo. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Schimweg enjoyed spending time with her family, crocheting and reading...

Betty Clubb PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Betty Lou Clubb, 72, of Piedmont, Mo., died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. She was born Oct. 19, 1939, in Piedmont. Mrs. Clubb attended school in St. Louis and Piedmont before receiving her GED. She was a member of the Tabernacle Baptist church in Piedmont...

Janice Powell MALDEN, Mo. -- Janice Gay Powell 72, of Malden, Mo., died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at Malden. She was born Feb. 15, 1939, in St. Louis, Mo. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Malden. She had received a BS from Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo. ...

Julia McBroom NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Julia McBroom, 76, of Neelyville, Mo., died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Bluff Regional Medical Center. She was born April 21, 1935, at Neelyville. She was a lifelong resident of Butler County. She enjoyed plants and animals...

Billy Hayes DEXTER, Mo. -- Billy R. Hayes, 77, of Dexter, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Hayes was born Feb. 2, 1935, at Dudley, Mo. He was a member of Dexter Church of Christ and a retired veteran of the U.S. Army...

Doris Dee SUN CITY, Calif. -- Doris Nadine Dee, 75, of Sun City, Calif., died suddenly Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at her home. Ms. Dee was born Aug. 5, 1936, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She spent most of her adult life in California. Survivors include one daughter, Kimberly Steenolsen; two grandchildren, Hunter and Summer Steenolsen of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; one brother, William "Bill" Dee Sr. of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; one sister, Mary Lou Britton of Murrieta, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews...

James Darden FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- James A. Darden, 72, of Piedmont, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at Clark's Mountain Nursing Center in Piedmont. Mr. Darden was born Dec. 25, 1939, in Piedmont, a son of Jacob Andrew and Louisa Elizabeth (Pruitt) Darden...

Kenter Locks DEXTER, Mo. -- Kenter John Locks, 70, of Dexter, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Locks was born Sept. 28, 1941, in Ogden, Utah. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, owner of Ken's Pilot Car business and a member of Rivers of Life Church...

Robert Cory Jr. NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Robert David Cory Jr., 73, of Harviell, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. Mr. Cory was born July 29, 1938, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Previously a resident of Texas and Illinois, he returned to the Butler County area in 1986. He enjoyed reading and doing crossword puzzles. A veteran of the U.S. Airforce, he served during the Vietnam War era, from 1956-1964. He had worked as a supervisor in home construction...

Rodney Corlew DEXTER, Mo. -- Rodney L. Corlew, 52, of Dexter, Mo., died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Mr. Corlew was born July 9, 1959, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He had lived in Essex, Mo., and Dexter all his life. He was a self employed truck driver and was a member of the Lighthouse Christian Center in Dexter...

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...

Jennifer Nicole and Jimmy Dale Lawrence of Bernie, Mo., have chosen the name Jedsen Cain Lawrence for their 7-pound, 11-ounce son born at 6:25 p.m., on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace in Cape Girardeau. Jedsen was 20 1/2 inches in length...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Movie super spies James Bond and Jason Bourne use them. So do real-life presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who says he pays his taxes, and untold numbers of Americans who don't. Swiss banks and their secretive counterparts around the globe may sound like the exclusive province of the wealthy, the mysterious or the shady, but anybody can legally open an offshore account...

Beatrice Williams FISK, Mo. -- Beatrice Williams, 91, of Fisk, Mo., died Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at her residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with White-Sanders Funeral Home of Fisk.

Betty Clubb PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Betty Lou Clubb, 72, of Piedmont, Mo., died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday for family at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont, Mo. Friends and neighbors may join them at 5 p.m. Funeral services will begin at noon Wednesday at the funeral home...

Donnie Lewis PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Donnie Ray Lewis, 55, of the Piedmont, Mo., area, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home of Piedmont.