Stories from Monday, May 5, 2014

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor Cancer - the word alone strikes fear. Every life has been touched in some way by the disease. Today, the diagnosis is not always terminal, but it always brings about changes in lives. On Saturday, May 17, the third annual United Cancer Assistance Network Walk will begin at the Danny Bell Cancer Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. ...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Monetary donations big and small and countless volunteer hours have kept a camp that was once on the chopping block open to again accept campers this summer. The Girl Scouts of Missouri Heartland initially recommended last June Camp Latonka, a 45,000-acre Girl Scout camp on Wappapello Lake, end its lease with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and sell the acreage owned by the organization...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor The newest member of the Poplar Bluff Police Department is only 3 years old, yet he knows what his duties are -- finding explosive devices, specifically bombs. Loco, a German shepherd from the Netherlands, joined the department earlier this year and recently completed six weeks of training with his handler, Patrolman Darron Moore...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor FARMINGTON, Mo. -- An autopsy Friday morning found a Poplar Bluff, Mo., man died by strangulation in an apparent suicide in a holding cell of the Butler County Justice Center. As part of the investigation into the Thursday death of Adam Butch Banks, an autopsy was completed at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington, Mo., by Dr. Russell Deidiker...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer A Poplar Bluff couple didn't plan to become new parents as they approach their 60s, but welcomed two grandchildren into their home after the state was forced to remove the youth from their parents' homes. They traded in plans to travel for school programs and debates over cell phone usage. Yet, this new life is still a blessing...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Shelby Road between Oak Grove Road and the entrance to Larry Hillis Dodge will be closed for approximately eight weeks, starting Monday, due to site work for the Eight Points Commercial Development, according to Billy Cobb, engineering manager for Smith & Co. of Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Ed Strenfel, Butler County's current presiding commissioner, will be on the Aug. 5 Republican primary ballot seeking re-election for the position he has held the last eight years. Born and raised in Butler County, Strenfel graduated from Poplar Bluff, after receiving his training as a welder. ...

On Saturday, May 10, area members of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will join forces with Campbell Soup Company to provide assistance to Southeast Missouri families struggling to put food on their tables every day. The Stamp Out Hunger food drive, held annually on the second Saturday in May, has become the nation's largest single-day food drive. ...

Larry and Jane Ellison, 931 W. Harper St., Poplar Bluff, Mo., observed their 45th wedding anniversary Saturday, May 3. The couple was married May 3, 1969. They have nine children: Shawnta Ellison, Evan Ellison, Torrey Ellison, Jami Ellison, Derland Ellison, Ashley Ellison, Colbi Ellison, Kaiya Ellison and Haley Ellison. They also have four grandchildren...

Ashley Dawn Aden of Springfield, Mo. and Timothy Adam Wagoner of Goodlettsville, Tenn. exchanged wedding vows Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 at the Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn. Parents of the bride are Roy and Belinda Winters of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and the late Terry Aden. The bridegroom is the son of Richard and Karen Wagoner of Orlando, Fla...

Ruth Morris-Fouts was selected as a post-secondary female regional award winner in the Missouri Breaking Traditions contest, announced staff at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center. She is among this year's outstanding students in nontraditional career and technical education programs...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer A group of third grade students at Lake Road Elementary were willing to give up their own snack money to raise money to help a family in Africa. Students contributed their pennies, nickels and dimes in an effort to purchase a goat from World Vision International, an organization focused on finding long-term, meaningful solutions to poverty...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- If the president wants to witness a refutation of his assertion that the survival of the Affordable Care Act is assured, come Thursday he should stroll the 13 blocks from his office to the nation's second-most important court, the D.C. ...

Anice Smith DEXTER, Mo. -- Anice Smith, 86, of Essex, Mo., died Thursday, May 1, 2014, at her home. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. Graveside services will follow at 11 a.m. at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo., with the Rev. Kenneth Biggs officiating...

By SHARON Randall McClatchy-Tribune News Service Every year when Mother's Day cards show up in the stores, I remember the woman who brought me into this world and often threatened to take me out. I remember her on other days, too, but especially at Mother's Day. She never cared much for gifts. I could just send a card and give her a call and she'd be happy as a mother clam...

Truman Hale PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Truman D. Hale, 94, of Piedmont, passed away Thursday, May 1, 2014, at the Clark's Mountain Nursing Center in Piedmont. He was born Oct. 1, 1919, at Lutesville, Mo., the son of Daniel and Rosie (Waggle) Hale. A World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. ...

Helen Thacker COLUMBIA, Mo. -- L. Helen Thacker, 93, of Columbia died April 24, 2014, at Lenoir in Columbia. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2014, at Zion Lutheran Church in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Edna Touhill VAN BUREN, Mo.-- Edna Amelia "Mell" Touhill of Van Buren died Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at her residence. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren, with the funeral service following at 11:30 a.m. Rev. Danny Marshall will officiate...

Anna Moncier Anna E. Moncier, 63, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Friday, May 2, 2014, at Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Moncier was born Nov. 18, 1950, in St. Louis, to the late Robert Eugene and Nora Mahon Goude. On Nov. 8, 1969, she and Amos Moncier were married in Poplar Bluff. He survives of the home...

Dorothy O'Rear VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Dorothy Chloe O'Rear, 86, of Jefferson City, Mo., formerly of Van Buren died Friday, May 2, 2014, in the Villa Marie Care Center in Jefferson City. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Monday in the McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren with the funeral service following at 11 a.m. Rev. Rose Marshall will officiate. Burial will be in the Van Buren City Cemetery...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Poplar Bluff's shot at its first SEMO Conference Tournament title in baseball slipped away in the sixth inning Saturday. Ahead by a run with five outs left in the semifinal, the Mules saw their lead disappear on DK Wallace's 2-run single as Kennett edged Poplar Bluff 4-3 at Notre Dame High School...

Town needs a 24 hour pharmacy I agree with the person who called in about the 24 hour pharmacies. I myself work 25 miles away from Poplar Bluff, which when we have a sick grandchild or someone else sick in the family at the hospital, at the new hospital, and we have to drive 25 miles home, I think there should be a 24 hour pharmacy where we can get our medicine when needed. ...

The final event Friday at the PB Invitational was a miniature version of the meet for the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules. Ahead early in the 1600-meter relay after Cassidy Harris' start, Jackson surged ahead with Megan Knuckles keeping pace. Soley Webb put the Lady Mules ahead to stay and Makala McCauley anchored the second-place finish just 0.05 of a second ahead of Jackson...

When MSHSAA approved adding a spring softball championship, Clearwater coach Shannon England envisioned volleyball and softball both getting a boost in the form a deeper and more talented lineup. The Lady Tigers are two wins away from the final four...

Thomas McGrew Thomas Melvin McGrew, 82, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Friday, May 2, 2014, at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. McGrew was born June 21, 1931, in Winona, Mo. On March 31, 1990, he married Geneva Bausch in St. ...

ALTON -- Summer Shockley pitched a no-hitter in the Lady Dawgs' 19-0 3-inning win Friday over Alton. All nine outs were by strikeout and walked two. Cil Cipponeri had three hits and an RBI with four runs scored as the leadoff batter for Van Buren (13-5)...