Stories from Wednesday, May 16, 2012

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The United Gospel Rescue Mission provided 10,000 meals over a 10-day period during county-wide flooding one year ago, something for which it is impossible to budget, Executive Director Greg Kirk told a group gathered Tuesday to review the emergency response funding provided by the Missouri Foundation for Health...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education voted Tuesday during a special meeting to approve student handbook changes with two exceptions. One would have included stricter rules regarding fighting, while another would have lessened penalties for cellphone use violations at the junior high...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- A Piedmont, Mo., woman recently pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in connection to a fatal stabbing of a St. Louis man during an apparent street fight. Ashley Risner, 22, pleaded guilty Thursday to the Class C felony of first-degree involuntary manslaughter and the unclassified felony of armed criminal action (ACA) and was sentenced to three years in the Missouri Department of Corrections on each charge, with the sentences to run concurrently, according to entries in Casenet, Missouri's online court reporting system.. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education voted Tuesday during a special meeting to approve student handbook changes with two exceptions. One would have included stricter rules regarding fighting, while another would have lessened penalties for cellphone use violations at the junior high...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The United Gospel Rescue Mission provided 10,000 meals over a 10-day period during county-wide flooding one year ago, something for which it is impossible to budget, Executive Director Greg Kirk told a group gathered Tuesday to review the emergency response funding provided by the Missouri Foundation for Health...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- A Piedmont, Mo., woman recently pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in connection to a fatal stabbing of a St. Louis man during an apparent street fight. Ashley Risner, 22, pleaded guilty Thursday to the Class C felony of first-degree involuntary manslaughter and the unclassified felony of armed criminal action (ACA) and was sentenced to three years in the Missouri Department of Corrections on each charge, with the sentences to run concurrently, according to entries in Casenet, Missouri's online court reporting system.. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Saint Francis Medical Center has announced an extensive expansion and renovation project that will begin early next year. The $127 million project, approved by the Board of Directors and overseen by architectural firm Ohlson Lavoie Collaborative, will be completed in 2016...

Approximately 100 leaders watched motivational speaker Andy Stanley, and many others, on the big screen at the Kay Porter Theater on the Poplar Bluff Senior High School Campus. The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the Chick Fil A Leadercast event for the second year in a row on May 4. Other speakers included Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer and John Maxwell...

Hard work and determination has marked the accomplishments of Diane Powell, who, after 32 years, has decided to retire. She worked for credit unions at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., for more than 15 years and Charleston Air Force Bace, S.C. for two years...

"You have a Prius. ... You probably compost, sort all your recycling, and have a reusable shopping bag for your short drive to Whole Foods. You are the best! So, do we really need the Obama sticker?" The Portland Mercury, 2008 WASHINGTON -- Prius, which is Latin for "to go before" or "lead the way," is the perfect name for the car whose owners are confident they are leading the way for the benighted. ...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS Let's think about whether all acts of Congress deserve our respect and obedience. Suppose Congress enacted a law -- and the Supreme Court ruled it constitutional -- requiring American families to attend church services at least three times a month. ...

Whatever the outcome of the federal prosecution of former Sen. John Edwards, one thing is abundantly clear -- all the principal players involved deserve one another. About the only saving grace -- if there is one at all -- in this tawdry version of a bedroom farce is that Edwards failed in his multiple attempts to reach the White House either as a candidate for the top job or as Sen. John Kerry's running mate in 2004. How lucky we should consider ourselves...

Black River Technical College in Pocahontas conferred degrees or certificates to 177 students on the evening of May 10.  The following local individuals received degrees or certificates in the Poplar Bluff area: Jakeb MacKenzie Nichol of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Certificate of Proficiency - Phlebotomy...

E. Carter middle school honor roll East Carter R-II Middle School 4th Quarter Honor Roll 6th Grade: Brandi Anderson, Jacob Andrews, Drew Asher, Hannah Bolin, Brannon Genesis, Kehaunani Brewington, Zachary Brittain, Hunter Catlett, Montanna Clemons, Shelby Cyr, Cody Dalton, Cheyenne Fields, Maegan Hartley, Shianne Harvey, Michaelyn Hatton , Maya Henderson, Paige Jackson, Morgan Leader, , Alexis Lewis, Brooklyn Loftis, Hannah Lovette ,Kaila Matthews, Alyssa Moss, Clay Mullins, Baily Norman, Brittany Owen, Amber Payne, Mylina Reynolds, Bradley Schleh, Adam Strahorn , Adrienne Stucker, William Swanson, Kaley Thies, Alyssa Thompson, Linda Tucker. ...

4th Quarter Honor Roll And Merit Roll For Twin Rivers Fisk Elementary: HONOR ROLL 1ST GRADE: Jaysa Austin, Jacob Chronister, Seth German, Taylor Hanley, Aiden Hatley, Clara Honeycutt, Makayla Jackson, Gavin Jones, Richard McRoy, Kaytlin Price, Sierra Rommel, Logan Smith, Sidney Talley, Price Thurman, Warren Thurman, Layne Trice, Kayle Varnadore, Brier Walton and Hunter Williams...

The Greenville Elementary fourth quarter honor students include: Honor Roll 1st Grade: 2nd Grade: 3rd Grade: 4th Grade: 5th Grade: 6th Grade: Citizenship Roll 1st Grade: 2nd Grade: 3rd Grade: 4th Grade: Charlie Bennett, Erin Bennett, *Savannah Colbert, *Brian Cook, *Josie Haynes, Bailey Johnson, *Hannah Jones, Amanda Montgomery, *Ethan Sides, Matthew Sims, *Landon Smith, *Laci Stewart, Dalton Warrick, Jasmine Weekley, *Jayden West, Trevor Baker, *Dylan Barks, Emily Brewington, *LeeAnn Craig, Bailey Ericks, *Marco Fraire, Jenna Hahn, *Ethan Hicks, *Dizaray Kelley, Dakota Means, *Gunner Meloy, Jessica Pigg, Abigail Houghton, Amber Stevens, Logan Stidmon, and Hope Wallace. ...

Dorothy Tibbs GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Dorothy A. Tibbs, 67, of Greenville, Mo., died Sunday, May 13, 2012, at The Manor nursing home in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Homes, Greenville, Mo. Condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Improve your computer skills, have fun and make new friends! Registration is open for the June 6 computer class at Poplar Bluff Public Library. This month's class will cover e-mail basics. By taking this course, participants will have an opportunity to gain the skills needed to use e-mail to stay in touch, share photos with friends and loved ones and more! Participants are encouraged to have a working e-mail address prior to signing up for the class; this session will not cover how to create an e-mail address.. ...

Normalene Hart PUXICO, Mo. -- Normalene Hart of Puxico, Mo., died Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Funeral arrangements are pending with Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico.

Austin Johnson PUXICO, Mo. -- Austin V. Johnson, 92, of Chester, Ill., died Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at Memorial Hospital in Chester, Ill. Mr. Johnson was born Aug. 4, 1919, at Sturdivant, Mo. He had lived in Chester, Ill., for about three years and had previously lived in Puxico, Mo., and St. Louis, Mo...

PIEDMONT -- A wild day set up an all-Wayne County final at the MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 tournament. Greenville edged second-seeded Bloomfield 5-3 in eight innings Tuesday in the first semifinal when the Bears scored the go-ahead run from second on a dropped third strike...

Lavon Martins Lavon Martins, 82, of Bonne Terre, Mo., formerly of Butler County, died Sunday, May 13, 2012, at the residence of her son in Foristell, Mo. Mrs. Martins was born Feb. 19, 1930 in the Lone Hill Community of Butler County. She was of the Baptist faith, and was a homemaker. Mrs. Martins enjoyed spending time with her family, rose gardening and animals...

Peggy Yarbro Peggy Bea Yarbro, 84, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, May 14, 2012, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Mrs. Yarbro was born Feb. 28, 1928 in Poplar Bluff and grew up in the Big Island Community of Butler County. She was of the Protestant faith, and was a homemaker. ...

Lena Powell Lena W. Powell, 89, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, May 14, 2012, at The Cedargate in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Powell was born Nov. 29, 1922, in St. Louis, Mo. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, and was a homemaker. Mrs. Powell enjoyed flower gardening, cooking and doing needlepoint...

Marie Mossman DEXTER, Mo. -- Sarah Marie Mossman, 86, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center in Dexter. Mrs. Mossman was born on Jan. 2, 1925, in Bernie, Mo. She was a member of the First Church Of God in Dexter. She was a loving wife and homemaker. She loved to sew, cook and entertain friends and family. Mrs. Mossman was a gifted artist, especially oil paintings of scenes of places she had seen in her many travels at home and to other countries...

Edward Cheeks Edward Nathaniel Cheeks, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, May 10, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Cheeks was born Sept. 3, 1921, in Poplar Bluff. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church. ...

Homer Hart NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Homer E. Hart, 87, of Oxly, Mo., died Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Hart was born Feb. 20, 1925, in Clay County, Ark., to Arphus Jasper Hart and Mae Lamb Hart. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church...

Dennis McDonald DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Dennis Alfred McDonald, 70, of Doniphan, Mo., died Monday, May 14, 2012, at the Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Mr. McDonald was born Feb. 7, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio. He had been a swimming pool technician...

BOLIVAR -- Clear some space in the trophy case, the Poplar Bluff golf team is bringing home another for the collection. The Mules placed third at the MSHSAA Class 4 state championships Tuesday to earn the program's 18th top-four finish. "I'd prefer to win but third place isn't bad," senior Collin Davis said...

VAN BUREN -- Following a semifinal win, Naylor coach Jeff Null said his team might beat top-seeded Neelyville one out of 10 times. The MSHSAA Class 1 District 4 final was that one game Tuesday. After Neelyville got one run in the sixth, the Eagles scored two runs in the top of the seventh and held on to stun third-ranked Neelyville 2-1...

MALDEN -- A newspaper headline from last year served as motivation for Chris Morse and the rest of the Twin Rivers Royals. Last year in the district title game, Malden won and the headline 'Green Day' splashed across the top of the page as the Green Wave players piled on each other...

LEOPOLD -- The Bernie Mules will get another shot at Oran in a district final. The Mules withstood Leopold Tuesday afternoon in the MSHSAA Class 1 District 2 semifinals for a 7-4 win. Both teams came out blazing with three runs apiece in the first inning...

By JOHN WILLEY Staff Writer For many Poplar Bluffians, both young and not so young, Kinyon Elementary School, 910 Vine St., brings back fond memories of elementary school days and in more recent years Early Childhood. This is the first year since Kinyon opened in 1925 that it isn't being used...

Blood drives planned for the Poplar Bluff area include: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 23 -- John J Pershing VA Medical Center, 1500 N. Westwood Boulevard 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24 -- Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center, 1301 First Street, Kennett, Mo...

The Carter County Extension Council will be hosting the Carter County Spring Festival from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at the Courthouse Square in Van Buren, Mo. There will be many craft and food vendors from the surroundings area. Persons or organizations wanting a booth should contact the Extension at 323-4418 or 300-3043. Live entertainment will start at 9:00 and features the following:...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Saint Francis Medical Center has announced an extensive expansion and renovation project that will begin early next year. The $127 million project, approved by the Board of Directors and overseen by architectural firm Ohlson Lavoie Collaborative, will be completed in 2016...

Approximately 100 leaders watched motivational speaker Andy Stanley, and many others, on the big screen at the Kay Porter Theater on the Poplar Bluff Senior High School Campus. The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the Chick Fil A Leadercast event for the second year in a row on May 4. Other speakers included Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer and John Maxwell...

Hard work and determination has marked the accomplishments of Diane Powell, who, after 32 years, has decided to retire. She worked for credit unions at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., for more than 15 years and Charleston Air Force Bace, S.C. for two years...

"You have a Prius. ... You probably compost, sort all your recycling, and have a reusable shopping bag for your short drive to Whole Foods. You are the best! So, do we really need the Obama sticker?" The Portland Mercury, 2008 WASHINGTON -- Prius, which is Latin for "to go before" or "lead the way," is the perfect name for the car whose owners are confident they are leading the way for the benighted. ...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS Let's think about whether all acts of Congress deserve our respect and obedience. Suppose Congress enacted a law -- and the Supreme Court ruled it constitutional -- requiring American families to attend church services at least three times a month. ...

Black River Technical College in Pocahontas conferred degrees or certificates to 177 students on the evening of May 10.  The following local individuals received degrees or certificates in the Poplar Bluff area: Jakeb MacKenzie Nichol of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Certificate of Proficiency - Phlebotomy...

E. Carter middle school honor roll East Carter R-II Middle School 4th Quarter Honor Roll 6th Grade: Brandi Anderson, Jacob Andrews, Drew Asher, Hannah Bolin, Brannon Genesis, Kehaunani Brewington, Zachary Brittain, Hunter Catlett, Montanna Clemons, Shelby Cyr, Cody Dalton, Cheyenne Fields, Maegan Hartley, Shianne Harvey, Michaelyn Hatton , Maya Henderson, Paige Jackson, Morgan Leader, , Alexis Lewis, Brooklyn Loftis, Hannah Lovette ,Kaila Matthews, Alyssa Moss, Clay Mullins, Baily Norman, Brittany Owen, Amber Payne, Mylina Reynolds, Bradley Schleh, Adam Strahorn , Adrienne Stucker, William Swanson, Kaley Thies, Alyssa Thompson, Linda Tucker. ...

4th Quarter Honor Roll And Merit Roll For Twin Rivers Fisk Elementary: HONOR ROLL 1ST GRADE: Jaysa Austin, Jacob Chronister, Seth German, Taylor Hanley, Aiden Hatley, Clara Honeycutt, Makayla Jackson, Gavin Jones, Richard McRoy, Kaytlin Price, Sierra Rommel, Logan Smith, Sidney Talley, Price Thurman, Warren Thurman, Layne Trice, Kayle Varnadore, Brier Walton and Hunter Williams...

Normalene Hart PUXICO, Mo. -- Normalene Hart of Puxico, Mo., died Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Funeral arrangements are pending with Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico.

Dorothy Tibbs GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Dorothy A. Tibbs, 67, of Greenville, Mo., died Sunday, May 13, 2012, at The Manor nursing home in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Homes, Greenville, Mo. Condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Improve your computer skills, have fun and make new friends! Registration is open for the June 6 computer class at Poplar Bluff Public Library. This month's class will cover e-mail basics. By taking this course, participants will have an opportunity to gain the skills needed to use e-mail to stay in touch, share photos with friends and loved ones and more! Participants are encouraged to have a working e-mail address prior to signing up for the class; this session will not cover how to create an e-mail address.. ...

The Greenville Elementary fourth quarter honor students include: Honor Roll 1st Grade: 2nd Grade: 3rd Grade: 4th Grade: 5th Grade: 6th Grade: Citizenship Roll 1st Grade: 2nd Grade: 3rd Grade: 4th Grade: Charlie Bennett, Erin Bennett, *Savannah Colbert, *Brian Cook, *Josie Haynes, Bailey Johnson, *Hannah Jones, Amanda Montgomery, *Ethan Sides, Matthew Sims, *Landon Smith, *Laci Stewart, Dalton Warrick, Jasmine Weekley, *Jayden West, Trevor Baker, *Dylan Barks, Emily Brewington, *LeeAnn Craig, Bailey Ericks, *Marco Fraire, Jenna Hahn, *Ethan Hicks, *Dizaray Kelley, Dakota Means, *Gunner Meloy, Jessica Pigg, Abigail Houghton, Amber Stevens, Logan Stidmon, and Hope Wallace. ...

Peggy Yarbro Peggy Bea Yarbro, 84, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, May 14, 2012, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Mrs. Yarbro was born Feb. 28, 1928 in Poplar Bluff and grew up in the Big Island Community of Butler County. She was of the Protestant faith, and was a homemaker. ...

Marie Mossman DEXTER, Mo. -- Sarah Marie Mossman, 86, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center in Dexter. Mrs. Mossman was born on Jan. 2, 1925, in Bernie, Mo. She was a member of the First Church Of God in Dexter. She was a loving wife and homemaker. She loved to sew, cook and entertain friends and family. Mrs. Mossman was a gifted artist, especially oil paintings of scenes of places she had seen in her many travels at home and to other countries...

Dennis McDonald DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Dennis Alfred McDonald, 70, of Doniphan, Mo., died Monday, May 14, 2012, at the Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Mr. McDonald was born Feb. 7, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio. He had been a swimming pool technician...

MALDEN -- A newspaper headline from last year served as motivation for Chris Morse and the rest of the Twin Rivers Royals. Last year in the district title game, Malden won and the headline 'Green Day' splashed across the top of the page as the Green Wave players piled on each other...

VAN BUREN -- Following a semifinal win, Naylor coach Jeff Null said his team might beat top-seeded Neelyville one out of 10 times. The MSHSAA Class 1 District 4 final was that one game Tuesday. After Neelyville got one run in the sixth, the Eagles scored two runs in the top of the seventh and held on to stun third-ranked Neelyville 2-1...

LEOPOLD -- The Bernie Mules will get another shot at Oran in a district final. The Mules withstood Leopold Tuesday afternoon in the MSHSAA Class 1 District 2 semifinals for a 7-4 win. Both teams came out blazing with three runs apiece in the first inning...

Blood drives planned for the Poplar Bluff area include: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 23 -- John J Pershing VA Medical Center, 1500 N. Westwood Boulevard 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24 -- Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center, 1301 First Street, Kennett, Mo...

By JOHN WILLEY Staff Writer For many Poplar Bluffians, both young and not so young, Kinyon Elementary School, 910 Vine St., brings back fond memories of elementary school days and in more recent years Early Childhood. This is the first year since Kinyon opened in 1925 that it isn't being used...