Stories from Tuesday, July 3, 2012

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The former water tower property at Business Highways 60 and 67 has a new owner with plans for future commercial development. A bid of $110,000 from Dr. Ken McVey of Poplar Bluff was accepted by the Poplar Bluff City Council Monday night. It was the only bid submitted. The city had stipulated the minimum bid had to be $110,000...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A two-hour hearing on Brian Becker's disputed City Cable internet service bills was conducted Monday afternoon before the Municipal Utilities Advisory Board. "Due process was not followed. We should have had this meeting 18 months ago," said Becker, who is the owner of Poplar Bluff Internet, Inc. and is doing business as semo.net...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor The state is experiencing a spike in the number of traffic-related deaths for the first time in several years, and Missouri State Highway Patrol officials urge those traveling over the extended July 4 holiday to use caution...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Poplar Bluff, which remained dry as thunderstorms moved across northern Butler County Monday night, will still have its annual Briggs & Stratton fireworks display at 9 p.m. Wednesday. "A city ordinance prohibits the discharge of fireworks within Poplar Bluff," City Manager Doug Bagby said at the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Monday night...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Two Poplar Bluff, Mo., best friends jetted off to Washington, D.C., this week to represent Missouri in the Miss United States competition. In April, Tori Williams, 20, won the Miss Missouri United States pageant in Overland Park, Kan., while Adrienne Burfield, 18, won the teen division, Miss Missouri Teen United States. With their wins, the girls earned a chance to compete at the national competition July 3-9...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer For only the second time in approximately 100 years, there has been a confirmed death in Missouri due to a copperhead snakebite. Terry Brown of Ellsinore, Mo., was camped in the Clubhouse area of the Current River on Saturday, his 50th birthday, when he was bitten on the thumb while trying to remove a young snake from a tent around 10 p.m., according to Carter County Deputy Coroner Eric McSpadden. The Clubhouse area is located about two miles south of Big Spring...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Refinancing of the broadband communication system bonds at the current low interest rates will result in a savings of $800,000 for the city of Poplar Bluff. Gregory Bricker, executive vice president of George K. Baum investment banking company of Kansas City, Mo., announced "the good news" during the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Monday night...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The former water tower property at Business Highways 60 and 67 has a new owner with plans for future commercial development. A bid of $110,000 from Dr. Ken McVey of Poplar Bluff was accepted by the Poplar Bluff City Council Monday night. It was the only bid submitted. The city had stipulated the minimum bid had to be $110,000...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Poplar Bluff, which remained dry as thunderstorms moved across northern Butler County Monday night, will still have its annual Briggs & Stratton fireworks display at 9 p.m. Wednesday. "A city ordinance prohibits the discharge of fireworks within Poplar Bluff," City Manager Doug Bagby said at the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Monday night...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A two-hour hearing on Brian Becker's disputed City Cable internet service bills was conducted Monday afternoon before the Municipal Utilities Advisory Board. "Due process was not followed. We should have had this meeting 18 months ago," said Becker, who is the owner of Poplar Bluff Internet, Inc. and is doing business as semo.net...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor The state is experiencing a spike in the number of traffic-related deaths for the first time in several years, and Missouri State Highway Patrol officials urge those traveling over the extended July 4 holiday to use caution...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Two Poplar Bluff, Mo., best friends jetted off to Washington, D.C., this week to represent Missouri in the Miss United States competition. In April, Tori Williams, 20, won the Miss Missouri United States pageant in Overland Park, Kan., while Adrienne Burfield, 18, won the teen division, Miss Missouri Teen United States. With their wins, the girls earned a chance to compete at the national competition July 3-9...

Opal Chiles PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Opal Chiles, 97, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Williamsville, Mo., died Sunday, July 1, 2012, at Westwood Hills Nursing Center in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements are pending and a full obituary will appear later. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Alice Yates PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Alice (McCullough) Yates, 83, of Piedmont, Mo., died Sunday, July 1, 2012, at Clark's Mountain Nursing Center in Piedmont, Mo. Arrangements are pending and a full obituary will appear later. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Reggie Montgomery PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Reginald "Reggie" Montgomery, 78, of Piedmont, Mo., died Friday, June 29, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Montgomery was born Aug. 3, 1933, in Vulcan, Mo. He served in the U.S. ...

Joseph Miller GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Joseph Henry Miller, 69, of Greenville, Mo., died Friday, June 29, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Miller was born Sept. 17, 1942, in Franklin County, Mo. He spent his childhood in St. ...

Ruth Payne GIDEON, Mo. -- Ruth Eliese Payne, 80, of Gideon, Mo., died Saturday, June 30, 2012, at her residence. Mrs. Payne was born June 20, 1932, in Florence, Ala. She was a member of Tatum Chapel. On Nov. 22, 1948, she married Cleo Carl Payne in Piggott, Ark. He survives...

Fred Long DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Frederick H. "Fred" Long, 67, of Doniphan, Mo., died Saturday, June 30, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Long was born Sept. 13, 1944, in Memphis, Tenn. He was co-owner/manager of Fred's in Doniphan. Mr. Long enjoyed traveling, gardening, flowers, Current River and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and was a strong supporter of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. ...

Brenna Southerland PUXICO, Mo. -- Brenna M. Southerland, 58, of Puxico, Mo., formerly of Dexter, Mo., died Saturday, June 30, 2012, at her residence. Ms. Southerland was born Dec. 31, 1953, in Sikeston. She had resided in Puxico since 1999. Survivors include on daughter, Jeannie Baker of Puxico; one sister, Mary Stotts of Sikeston; and one grandchild...

J.C. Ransom DONIPHAN, Mo. -- J.C. Ransom, 79, of Fairdealing, Mo., died Friday, June 29, 2012, at John Cochran Veterans Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Ransom was born Jan. 21, 1933. He was a veteran in the U.S. Army. Mr. Ransom graduated from Doniphan High School in 1952 and was a member of the Center Hill Baptist Church, where he was song leader for many years. ...

SEMO News Service KENNETT, Mo. -- Former Kennett police chief Barry Tate has been rehired as a patrolman. According to Kennett city attorney Terry McVey, on Wednesday evening during a closed meeting of the Kennett City Council, a motion was made to reinstate Tate, with the understanding that he would not return as police chief but as a department patrolman...

PBRMC's announces cancer center has again been granted a 3-year Accreditation with Commendation by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. To achieve accreditation the Danny Bell Radiation Oncology Center demonstrated a commendation level of excellence in a cancer program including leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research community outreach and quality improvement...

By SCOTT MOYERS SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The first-round plan for family apartments didn't pass muster with some city and state officials earlier this year. Now, the company that specializes in low-income housing is hoping state housing officials will take a closer look at a revised plan that calls for building a $7 million apartment complex that exclusively targets seniors in Cape Girardeau...

A no-charge training opportunity for persons interested in small business ownership will be offered in Dexter by the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Southeast Missouri State University. The six-week course, called Operation JumpStart (OJS), is a nationally-recognized, highly- successful training model designed for individuals who are considering starting or expanding a small business. ...

By OLIVER NORTH WASHINGTON -- It's been a week of big decisions in our nation's capital. The Supreme Court's 5-4 verdict on Obamacare was the biggest story for politicians, pundits and the so-called mainstream media. That the justices reaffirmed the constitutional authority of Congress to levy taxes -- even when the tax is called a "mandate" -- should not have surprised anyone. ...

To the Editor, Since I live in one of the first areas of Poplar Bluff to convert to the new Digital Cable, I'd like to provide you with some feedback. It is TERRIBLE! The digital channels lose the video or freeze constantly. The selection of the channels require a dash between the numbers such as 50-50 therefore attempting to enter a channel that you would like to jump to is virtually impossible. ...

By SYD HAYMAN Staff Writer A new program to increase exercise in youth is under way for Butler and Ripley counties. The program is 4-H Move Across Missouri - an initiative to help youth keep track of their exercise and compete for prizes. The program began with the University of Missouri and the President's Challenge, 4-H Youth Development Specialist Stephanie Milner said...

Ronald Reynolds DEXTER, Mo. -- Ronald Reynolds, 54, of Dexter, Mo., died Monday, July 2, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Reynolds was born Feb. 10, 1958, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He had lived in Dexter most of his life. On June 24, 1989, he married Ruth McRoy in Bloomfield, Mo. She survives...

Edward Bowman MALDEN, Mo. -- Edward L. Bowman, 82, of Campbell, Mo., died Sunday, July 1, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Bowman was born July 7, 1929, in Malden, Mo. He was of the Baptist faith and a carpenter. In May 1960, he married Neva Jean Wood in Piggott, Ark. She survives...

Travis Eugene Cora Jr. Travis Eugene "Dean" Cora Jr. was stillborn Friday, June 29, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Surviving are one brother, Devin Dean of Doniphan, Mo.; his parents, Travis Cora and Jada Dean, both of Doniphan; his grandparents, John and Tina Garrett of Doniphan; Jimmy Cora of Doniphan and Carla Bissell of Wichita, Kan.; great-grandparents, Jesse and Linda Dean of Poplar Bluff, Dorothy Mast of Belton, Mo., and Linda Heson of Doniphan...

SEMO Food Bank open Saturday The SEMO Food Bank hosted by Little Brushy Baptist Church, supplying all families, will open at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church located at Highway T and RA Junction in Wappapello, Mo. For more information, call 573-222-7920...

CHAFFEE -- After a tough loss in a tournament final the previous night, the Poplar Bluff Thunder rebounded with a sweep thanks to solid pitching. The Thunder held off Chaffee 1-0 in the opener of a Senior Babe Ruth doubleheader before winning 4-2 Monday as the Poplar Bluff pitchers allowed just one earned run in 14 innings...

Emerson asks aid in drought SEMO News Service U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson sent a letter Monday to USDA secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to designate Southern Missouri counties experiencing extreme drought as disaster areas. Emerson in her letter highlighted the toll the drought is having on local farmers...

Howard DeCourley FISK, Mo. -- Howard DeCourley, 79, of Fisk, Mo., died Monday, July 2, 2012, at his residence. Mr. DeCourley was born Dec. 5, 1932, in Cooter, Mo. He had lived around Fisk most of his life and had formerly served on the ASC Board. He served in the U.S. ...

Willard Gales MALDEN, Mo. -- Willard F. Gales, 85, of St. Louis, Mo., died Sunday, July 1, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Gales was born April 30, 1927, in Gideon, Mo. He was a machine operator for the American Can Company in St. Louis. On Dec. 31, 1960, he was married to Patsy Brandon Gales in Malden. She survives...

Terry Brown ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Terry Keith Brown, 50, of Van Buren, Mo., died Sunday, July 1, 2012, in Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Brown was born June 30, 1962, in St. Louis, Mo. He was a lifetime resident of the Van Buren and Ellsinore, Mo., area and was a self-employed truck driver. He was of the Baptist faith...

Raymond Eastwood Raymond Eastwood, 82, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, July 2, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. He was born Nov. 12, 1929, in Poplar Bluff and was a lifetime resident. He was a member of American Legion Post 630 and the Eagles Lodge in Poplar Bluff...

Opal Chiles WILLIAMSVILLE, Mo. -- Opal Lenell Chiles, 97, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Sunday, July 1, 2012, at Westwood Hills Nursing Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Chiles was born on March 1, 1915, in Williamsville, Mo. She was married to Arthur Napier in December of 1931. He preceded her in death in November of 1989. She was married to William Freeze in December of 1991 until his death in October of 1995. In April of 1998 she was married to Raymond Chiles. He survives of the home...

Alice Yates PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Alice (McCullough) Yates, 83, of Piedmont, Mo., died Sunday, July 1, 2012, at Clark's Mountain Nursing Center in Piedmont, Mo. Arrangements are pending and a full obituary will appear later. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Joseph Miller GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Joseph Henry Miller, 69, of Greenville, Mo., died Friday, June 29, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Miller was born Sept. 17, 1942, in Franklin County, Mo. He spent his childhood in St. ...

Opal Chiles PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Opal Chiles, 97, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Williamsville, Mo., died Sunday, July 1, 2012, at Westwood Hills Nursing Center in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements are pending and a full obituary will appear later. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

SEMO News Service KENNETT, Mo. -- Former Kennett police chief Barry Tate has been rehired as a patrolman. According to Kennett city attorney Terry McVey, on Wednesday evening during a closed meeting of the Kennett City Council, a motion was made to reinstate Tate, with the understanding that he would not return as police chief but as a department patrolman...

Emerson asks aid in drought SEMO News Service U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson sent a letter Monday to USDA secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to designate Southern Missouri counties experiencing extreme drought as disaster areas. Emerson in her letter highlighted the toll the drought is having on local farmers...

Howard DeCourley FISK, Mo. -- Howard DeCourley, 79, of Fisk, Mo., died Monday, July 2, 2012, at his residence. Mr. DeCourley was born Dec. 5, 1932, in Cooter, Mo. He had lived around Fisk most of his life and had formerly served on the ASC Board. He served in the U.S. ...

Raymond Eastwood Raymond Eastwood, 82, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, July 2, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. He was born Nov. 12, 1929, in Poplar Bluff and was a lifetime resident. He was a member of American Legion Post 630 and the Eagles Lodge in Poplar Bluff...

Terry Brown ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Terry Keith Brown, 50, of Van Buren, Mo., died Sunday, July 1, 2012, in Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Brown was born June 30, 1962, in St. Louis, Mo. He was a lifetime resident of the Van Buren and Ellsinore, Mo., area and was a self-employed truck driver. He was of the Baptist faith...

Opal Chiles WILLIAMSVILLE, Mo. -- Opal Lenell Chiles, 97, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Sunday, July 1, 2012, at Westwood Hills Nursing Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Chiles was born on March 1, 1915, in Williamsville, Mo. She was married to Arthur Napier in December of 1931. He preceded her in death in November of 1989. She was married to William Freeze in December of 1991 until his death in October of 1995. In April of 1998 she was married to Raymond Chiles. He survives of the home...