Stories from Thursday, June 7, 2012

By SYD HAYMAN Staff Writer Ozark Heritage Day, an annual event at Van Buren, Mo., will be held Saturday at the Depression Farm at Big Spring. The event is free and will include workshops and demonstrations of traditional skills characteristic to historic Ozark life. Heritage Day, which is hosted through Ozark National Scenic Riverways, exhibits the Ozark culture of more than 100 years ago, Chief of Interpretation and Public Information Officer Faye Walmsley said...

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a $1,513,845 contract Wednesday to H. R. Quadri Contractors of Van Buren, Mo., to replace a section of Route T at Wappapello Lake, which was washed out during the 2011 flood...

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a $17,394,655 contract Wednesday to Robertson Contractors, Inc., Poplar Bluff, Mo., for improvements to U.S. 67 south of Poplar Bluff. The project will include construction to upgrade Highway 67 to four lanes from south of Route M to south of U.S. 160. When complete, the improvements will provide a four-lane highway from Highway 160 to St. Louis, in addition to strengthening the connection to U.S. 60...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor The local Missouri Sheriffs' Association Training Academy graduated not only the state's largest class of certified peace officers Wednesday night, but also the greatest number of commissioned officers. Twenty-five of the 32 members of Class 169 graduated in uniform. They already have been hired by law enforcement agencies across Southeast Missouri to work as full-time, part-time or as reserve officers...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor By a 7-2 vote, a recommendation to approve the Eight Points Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Project was adopted by the Poplar Bluff Tax Increment Financing Commission Wednesday night. The Poplar Bluff City Council is expected to act on the recommendation in July...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor DONIPHAN, Mo. - Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney Monte Phillips resigned Wednesday citing an insufficient budget for his office as hampering his ability to fulfill his duties. He was elected prosecuting attorney in November 2010...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man will hike 164 miles this September to raise awareness and funds for local children in need. Austin Armes' Knight's Hike will follow a looped path from near Virburnum, Mo., to near Winona, Mo., and back again. Along the way he'll pass near Williamsville, Greenville and Ellington. All funds raised will benefit the Backpacks for Friday program, administered through the Southeast Missouri Food Bank and sponsored by the Bread Shed...

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a $1,513,845 contract Wednesday to H. R. Quadri Contractors of Van Buren, Mo., to replace a section of Route T at Wappapello Lake, which was washed out during the 2011 flood...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor The local Missouri Sheriffs' Association Training Academy graduated not only the state's largest class of certified peace officers Wednesday night, but also the greatest number of commissioned officers. Twenty-five of the 32 members of Class 169 graduated in uniform. They already have been hired by law enforcement agencies across Southeast Missouri to work as full-time, part-time or as reserve officers...

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a $17,394,655 contract Wednesday to Robertson Contractors, Inc., Poplar Bluff, Mo., for improvements to U.S. 67 south of Poplar Bluff. The project will include construction to upgrade Highway 67 to four lanes from south of Route M to south of U.S. 160. When complete, the improvements will provide a four-lane highway from Highway 160 to St. Louis, in addition to strengthening the connection to U.S. 60...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man will hike 164 miles this September to raise awareness and funds for local children in need. Austin Armes' Knight's Hike will follow a looped path from near Virburnum, Mo., to near Winona, Mo., and back again. Along the way he'll pass near Williamsville, Greenville and Ellington. All funds raised will benefit the Backpacks for Friday program, administered through the Southeast Missouri Food Bank and sponsored by the Bread Shed...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor DONIPHAN, Mo. - Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney Monte Phillips resigned Wednesday citing an insufficient budget for his office as hampering his ability to fulfill his duties. He was elected prosecuting attorney in November 2010...

Area gardeners are getting busy. It's time to harvest one of the first summer vegetables, green beans. Beans are easy to grow, provide a good source of nutrition, and are easy to preserve. Green beans are my favorite bean crop. When selecting green beans from your garden or the grocery store, you will want to remember that high quality beans are crisp and tender without scars. ...

With record low interest rates, programs to assist buyers with down payments and the increasing demand for properties, Realtors® expect this year's summer home buying season to be a busy one. To kick off the season, Realtors® will host open houses as part of the Realtor® Homeownership Celebration. On Sunday, June 10, Realtors® in Poplar Bluff will hold open houses, bringing buyers and sellers together...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS Benjamin Franklin, statesman and signer of our Declaration of Independence, said: "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." John Adams, another signer, echoed a similar statement: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. ...

Out of the blue, he asked me a question about a moment we shared years ago, he and I, a moment so momentous we would never be the same. I remembered it, of course. How could I forget? I'd sooner forget my name. But that's not what he was asking. He knew I hadn't forgotten it. He just wondered what time it took place...

By GEORGE F. WILL All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress ... The Constitution Article I, Section 1 WASHINGTON -- Having cleared its throat with the Preamble, the Constitution buckles down to business with those words, which Republican Rep. Geoff Davis of Kentucky takes seriously. He is retiring from Congress, leaving behind excellent legislation that could claw back from the executive branch responsibilities the Founders intended for the government's first branch...

Les Eldridge PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Les Eldridge, 76, of Piedmont, Mo., died Thursday, June 7, 2012. Funeral arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont.

Fred Albright MALDEN, Mo. -- Fred Albright, 90, of Campbell, Mo., formerly of Malden, Mo., died Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell. Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden is in charge of arrangements.

Haley Whitmer Haley Diane Whitmer, 17, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, June 5, 2012, in Butler County. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Kayla Kellor and Adrian Johnson of Lexington, Ky., have chosen the name Carter Cash Johnson for their 8-pound, 11-ounce son born on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, in Lexington, Ky. He was 21 inches long. Grandparents are Reba Johnson of Lexington, Ky., and Rosie Johnson of Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Oscar Arnold Oscar Andrew Arnold, 84, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at Hunter Acres in Sikeston. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

PUXICO, Mo. -- Organizers of the Mingo Swamp Flora and Fauna Photography Contest are seeking photographs representing the refuge for their annual event and have set an early July deadline for entries. This marks the seventh year for the contest, said chairman Aaron Horrell...

This weekend is predicted to be hot. Also, it is a hot time to go fishing, especially if you don't have a fishing permit. Up in the hills, we used to refer to permits as licenses. Whether you call them permits or licenses, they aren't required. This weekend, June 9 and 10, is Free Fishing Days in Missouri...

Carr Vernon didn't pick up a club for about seven days this spring, Nick Lepold hadn't played a competitive round in nearly seven years. Both ended up with the best scores Wednesday at Westwood Hills Country Club. With 18 spots on the line for the upcoming Missouri Amateur Championship, Lepold and Vernon each shot rounds of 4-under-par 67...

The expected and the unexpected happened to Poplar Bluff native Adam Epps in late March. The expected was the arrival of his second daughter, Heidi Joy, as his wife Gabrielle gave birth on March 24 to join older sister Haylee. The unexpected was just how fast he became Van Buren's varsity basketball coach during that same time period...

Two out of three is good if you are playing baseball or softball, but if you are depending on all three tournaments and only get two, it isn't the best. One of them wasn't ready when I made the trip to pick up the Angler's Choice, so that will be here next week...

Carl Ayers MALDEN, Mo. -- Carl Lee Ayers, 59, of Malden, Mo., died Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Mr. Ayers was born June 21, 1952, in Hunterville, Mo. He was a member of New Mt. Zion Church in Essex, Mo. On July 5, 1991, he was married to Erma Jean Criglar in Malden. She survives of the home...

Raymond Lassen Raymond Howard Lassen, 88, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Ross and Megan Bridges Heil of Auburn Hills, Mich., have chosen the name Reed Allen Heil for their 8-pound son, who was born at 5:57 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 in Grand Blanc, Mich. Reed was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Mike Bridges, Susan and Marty Paskel, all of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Rex and Karen Heil of Syracuse, Ind...

Donald Bilbrey PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Donald Bilbrey, 58, of Williamsville, Mo., died Thursday, June 7, 2012. Funeral arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont.

TOPS 734 has weekly meeting TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) MO 734 held its weekly Wednesday meeting at 10 a.m., May 30. There were 19 TOPS and five KOPS members present when Linda Morgan called the meeting to order. The secretary's report was approved. Gladys Hill was the best loser for KOPS. Cris Sowa of Doniphan, Mo., was the guest of Sonya Steele. Verna Rickman was wished a happy birthday...

Loman Null Loman Laverne Null, 71, of Wappapello, Mo. died Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at Kindred Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Wappapello.

Tammy Rankin GIDEON, Mo. -- Tammy Sue Rankin, 41, of Ozora, Mo., died Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at St. Genevieve Memorial Hospital in St. Genevieve, Mo. On Oct. 11, 1991, she was married to Michael Steven Rankin in Paragould, Ark. He survives of the home...

Area gardeners are getting busy. It's time to harvest one of the first summer vegetables, green beans. Beans are easy to grow, provide a good source of nutrition, and are easy to preserve. Green beans are my favorite bean crop. When selecting green beans from your garden or the grocery store, you will want to remember that high quality beans are crisp and tender without scars. ...

With record low interest rates, programs to assist buyers with down payments and the increasing demand for properties, Realtors® expect this year's summer home buying season to be a busy one. To kick off the season, Realtors® will host open houses as part of the Realtor® Homeownership Celebration. On Sunday, June 10, Realtors® in Poplar Bluff will hold open houses, bringing buyers and sellers together...

Les Eldridge PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Les Eldridge, 76, of Piedmont, Mo., died Thursday, June 7, 2012. Funeral arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont.

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS Benjamin Franklin, statesman and signer of our Declaration of Independence, said: "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." John Adams, another signer, echoed a similar statement: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. ...

Fred Albright MALDEN, Mo. -- Fred Albright, 90, of Campbell, Mo., formerly of Malden, Mo., died Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell. Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden is in charge of arrangements.

Haley Whitmer Haley Diane Whitmer, 17, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, June 5, 2012, in Butler County. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

By GEORGE F. WILL All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress ... The Constitution Article I, Section 1 WASHINGTON -- Having cleared its throat with the Preamble, the Constitution buckles down to business with those words, which Republican Rep. Geoff Davis of Kentucky takes seriously. He is retiring from Congress, leaving behind excellent legislation that could claw back from the executive branch responsibilities the Founders intended for the government's first branch...

PUXICO, Mo. -- Organizers of the Mingo Swamp Flora and Fauna Photography Contest are seeking photographs representing the refuge for their annual event and have set an early July deadline for entries. This marks the seventh year for the contest, said chairman Aaron Horrell...

Kayla Kellor and Adrian Johnson of Lexington, Ky., have chosen the name Carter Cash Johnson for their 8-pound, 11-ounce son born on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, in Lexington, Ky. He was 21 inches long. Grandparents are Reba Johnson of Lexington, Ky., and Rosie Johnson of Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Oscar Arnold Oscar Andrew Arnold, 84, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at Hunter Acres in Sikeston. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

This weekend is predicted to be hot. Also, it is a hot time to go fishing, especially if you don't have a fishing permit. Up in the hills, we used to refer to permits as licenses. Whether you call them permits or licenses, they aren't required. This weekend, June 9 and 10, is Free Fishing Days in Missouri...

Carl Ayers MALDEN, Mo. -- Carl Lee Ayers, 59, of Malden, Mo., died Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Mr. Ayers was born June 21, 1952, in Hunterville, Mo. He was a member of New Mt. Zion Church in Essex, Mo. On July 5, 1991, he was married to Erma Jean Criglar in Malden. She survives of the home...

Two out of three is good if you are playing baseball or softball, but if you are depending on all three tournaments and only get two, it isn't the best. One of them wasn't ready when I made the trip to pick up the Angler's Choice, so that will be here next week...

Ross and Megan Bridges Heil of Auburn Hills, Mich., have chosen the name Reed Allen Heil for their 8-pound son, who was born at 5:57 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 in Grand Blanc, Mich. Reed was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Mike Bridges, Susan and Marty Paskel, all of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Rex and Karen Heil of Syracuse, Ind...

Raymond Lassen Raymond Howard Lassen, 88, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Donald Bilbrey PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Donald Bilbrey, 58, of Williamsville, Mo., died Thursday, June 7, 2012. Funeral arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont.

Loman Null Loman Laverne Null, 71, of Wappapello, Mo. died Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at Kindred Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Wappapello.

Tammy Rankin GIDEON, Mo. -- Tammy Sue Rankin, 41, of Ozora, Mo., died Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at St. Genevieve Memorial Hospital in St. Genevieve, Mo. On Oct. 11, 1991, she was married to Michael Steven Rankin in Paragould, Ark. He survives of the home...