Stories from Saturday, July 19, 2014

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A request by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6477 for a variance to allow alcohol sales in a CX-3 mixed use commerical district was denied on a 5-0 vote by the Poplar Bluff Board of Adjustment Thursday night. Voting to deny the variance were William Turner, Todd Sittig, Benjamin Asa Wyatt, Harold Boyer and Lonnie Taylor...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Stoddard County judge ordered a former Bloomfield pastor and a Dexter, Mo., couple to stand trial Thursday on multiple felonies, including attempted murder for allegedly acting together to burn the pastor's home while his wife slept...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The new Poplar Bluff High School will have 10 full science labs, while a new campus for fourth through sixth grade students will feature a play area the size of 10 regulation basketball courts. The R-I Board of Education approved schematic designs for the two campuses Thursday at their monthly board meeting...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man already in prison on a drug-related offense was sentenced to more than 13 years in federal prison Thursday afternoon on a weapons charge stemming from the same 2012 incident...

The third Thursday of each month, the Lord's Chapel Church, located at the crossing of CR 306 and 307, one mile south of Poplar Bluff, off Highway 53, will hold a drawing for $50 cash at the church. Nothing to buy. Absolutely free. To win you must stay for the entire service, which begins as 6 p.m. Drawing will be held after service is dismissed...

Workers who have been laid off from their jobs and are seeking assistance with finding new employment and adjusting to their new financial situation are invited to a two-day session Thursday and Friday, July 24-25, presented by University of Missouri Extension in Poplar Bluff, Mo. The event will be held in the Tinnin Foyer at Three Rivers College. It will feature three different sessions, and attendees may attend some or all of the sessions...

I recently returned home after two weeks of engagements in New Zealand and Australia focusing on empowerment through reading. The Kiwis and Aussies are not very different from Americans, even though they inhabit the opposite side of the globe. I was struck by the way many people perceived the political atmosphere in the United States. ...

Against gas ordinance In regards to the proposed ordinance of pre-paid gas that is just another one of our liberties being taken away by government. Granted I am sure stations have "drive offs" but isn't that the responsibility of the owners to control their inventory, not the public. While I am sure police officers spend some time investigating, preparing paperwork etc. . . . Isn't that one of their jobs to investigate and apprehend people who break the law?...

To the Editor, Once I was with a retreat group who knew a man on death row and was able to get acquainted with him and witness his transformation. Skillicorn was his name. I found out later that my husband, J.C. Bryant, had even worked with him earlier when he was in prison ministry...

By SHARON RANDALL McClatchy-Tribune News Service My grandmother was a master gardener. She grew dahlias and chrysanthemums, sweet peas and hydrangeas, tomatoes and corn, green beans and squash, sustenance for body and soul. She could make anything bloom. Even me...

James Talley PIEDMONT, Mo.- James Hillard Talley, 80, of Des Arc, Mo., died Friday, July 18, 2014 at his residence. Arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhome.com

Four Lady Raiders have been selected to the 2014 Academic All-American team. Taylor Friend and Brittany Hager of the softball team and Anna Vogt of the basketball team each exceeded a 3.7 GPA and earned the Exemplary Academic Achievement award. Whitney Welker of the basketball team earned a 3.95 GPA and received the Superior Academic Achievement award...

By CAROLYN SMITH Staff Writer Sunday, Aug. 3, the congregation of West Side Church of God will welcome Jason Jordan as its new pastor. The church has not had an active pastor for many years. Jordan was born in Dallas, Texas, and raised in Kennett, Mo. He graduated from high school in Columbia, Mo., and is currently pursuing a degree from Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Ind...

Madison Sherrill has had her dad, George, as her softball coach for awhile. She made their final night in the same dugout a memorable one. With Sherrill in the circle and batting third in the order, Nordyne beat Chartwells 12-5 in the Park Department Senior League Tournament championship Thursday at McLane Park...

John Hopkins MALDEN, Mo.-- John Hopkins, 74, of Montclair, Calif., formerly of Holcomb and Gideon, Mo., died Friday, June 27, 2014 in California. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Bradshaw Chapel in Malden with Rev. Dave Fowler officiating...

Jerildine Hayes FISK, Mo. - Jerildine "Billie" Hayes, 89, of Festus, Mo., died Thursday, July 17, 2014 at Crystal Oaks Nursing Home in Crystal City, Mo. Arrangements are pending with White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. Online Condolences: www.whitesandersfuneralhome.com...

Rev. Roy Bennett BENTON, Ky. -- Rev. Roy George Bennett, 88, of Calvert City, Ky., died Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at Calvert City Convalescent Center in Calvert City. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday at the Collier Funeral Home in Benton and at 1 p.m. Saturday at the River of Grace Fellowship Church. Funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the River of Grace Fellowship Church with Pastor Robert Garrard and Pastor Mike Donald officiating...

Robert Cooper NEELYVILLE, Mo.--Robert Joseph Cooper, 57, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Cooper was born Nov. 19, 1956 in St. Genevieve, Mo. to the late Howard and Alice (Brake) Cooper...

Drama camp deadline July 20 A children's theatre drama camp will be held Aug. 4-8 by Poplar Bluff schools and Three Rivers College. Organizers have released corrected information about the location of the camp. It will be held at Three Rivers College, not at Poplar Bluff High School...