Stories from Friday, November 7, 2014

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education accepted the resignation Monday of a special education teacher who had been on paid administrative leave following allegations of nonsexual abuse. Board members unanimously approved a separation agreement and resignation for Early Childhood Center teacher Christy Smith, effective Nov. 1, according to the minutes released today of a special meeting. Smith had been with the district for 18 years...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Following a tidal wave of support that saw Republicans take 118 of the 163 seats in the Missouri House of Representatives, members of the historic Republican Caucus met Wednesday afternoon to select state Rep. Todd Richardson of Poplar Bluff to serve as majority floor leader for the 98th General Assembly...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Clay County, Ark., had the highest voter turnout for Tuesday's general election with 48 percent. The reason for the high turnout in Clay County was the number of contests at the federal, state, district and municipal levels...

The Poplar Bluff Junior High School honor roll is as follows: A Honor Roll 7th Grade Lauren Alexander, Holley Alford, Shay Amoss, Caleb Anderson, Emily Baller, Alyssa Barker, Hannah Bass, Connor Becker, Luke Becker, Eva Bedell, Eric Bennett, Kiley Bess, Emily Birdsong, Paige Bradley, Robert Bradley, Thomas Bristol, Heaven Burpo, River Cates, Kaylee Cheek, Audrey Cisne, Zoe Cochran, Jason Curl, Ross Dare, Parker Davis, Joshua Deaton, Emalee Dobbs, Caitlin Dollins, Gracie Dugger, Desiree Earls, Bailey Edmundson, Ethan Ellis, Emily Ellsworth, MacKenzie Garrett, Elizabeth Gill, Dawson Hanner, Randy Hederer, Morgan Hewitt, Savannah Hicks, Lindsey Horrell, Brody Hunter, Kylea Hunter, Jenna Isom, Savanna Jaco, Bethany Jenson, Heaven Johnson, Jarrett Johnson, Rhianna Johnston, Michael Joseph, Cheyenne Keefe, Mason Kendle, Chase King, Adyson Kingree, Allison Knowlton, Jeri Lawson, Bethany Leighty, Aleigha Lerma, Michael Martin, Danae McKinnon, Darien Mejia-Simms, Kaylee-Ann Merrick, Blake Millner, Brylee Misner, Kerrigan Moore, Emily Nelson, Kala Nelson, Shelby Nely, Jessica Paulin, Samuel Persons, Jon Pike, Ashley Robinson, Jessica Rush, Brandon Scott, Colton Shepard, Chandler Shipp, Rachel Shock, Madalynn Shumate, Alyssa Sisson, Haley Slaughter, Easton Smith, Madison Smith, Mason Sneed, Rylee Sparks, Khelie Spence, Emily Spencer, Shenna Sutton, Madison Swoveland, Austin Taylor, Ethan Tucker, Hannah Tuttle, Daryl Vaughn, Kelli Vaughn, Haley Walker, Madison Walker, Ryan Walker, Harrison Warren, Gaelan White. ...

A fundraiser will be held from 7-9 p.m. Saturday at the Black River Gallery for Black River Public Radio, a non-profit organization. The organization was formed to create a community radio station, which may locate at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center...

By PHYLLIS FLANIGAN University of Missouri Extension Stressed out about your kids, work, or those precious grandkids? Well, I'd recommend a long walk in the woods. Not only will your worries go away, but you might get lucky and see some wildlife, taste some persimmons, and get some much needed exercise. Getting back to nature can be relaxing and rewarding...

Phyllis Flanigan received the 2014 County Program Director Excellence Award recently at the University of Missouri Extension Annual Conference held in Columbia, Mo. This award recognizes distinguished performance and educational contributions to University of Missouri Extension and clientele by a county program director. The award has a $1,000 monetary stipend...

Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education met on Oct. 16 and approved the following personnel actions...

With so much at stake, millions of Americans still did not participate in the midterm elections this week. When the governing structure of our nation was put together, the Founders were excited about the prospect of a nation that placed the needs and desires of its citizens on a higher pedestal than those of the government itself. ...

Bob Bryant MALDEN, Mo.-- Bobby Joe Bryant, 69, of Malden, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014 at his residence. Visitation will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Rosewood Cemetery in Malden...

Last year's column "Dishonest Educators" reported on the largest school cheating scandal in U.S. history. In more than three-quarters of the 56 Atlanta schools investigated, teachers changed student answers on academic achievement tests. Cheating orders came directly from school administrators. ...

MALDEN -- Here we go again. The football matchup that seems to have the most interest among online forums this season will once again play out Friday night at "The Swamp." The Malden Green Wave will put their undefeated season on the line as the Caruthersville Tigers come to town in a rematch of the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 title game from last year...

Faye Rackley DONIPHAN, MO. -- Faye Rackley, 80, of Doniphan, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, at the Colonial Home in Doniphan. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan and will be announced upon completion.

Carol Ann Miller Carol Ann Miller, 74, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service.

MALDEN -- Cortez Dobbins couldn't have asked for a better start to his high school football career. It was the 2011 season opener at home against Scott City when the freshman did something that some defensive players wait entire careers to accomplish...

It's a rare rematch with a rest. The Three Rivers Raiders will defend Gene Bess Court for the first time this season against Lake Land (Ill.) at 7 p.m. Friday. Mineral Area will face Olive-Harvey (Ill.) at 5 p.m. to open the First Midwest Bank Classic at the Bess Activity Center with the Raiders to follow. Three Rivers will play Olive-Harvey at 7 p.m. Saturday...

A 23-year-old Campbell woman was killed in a collision at 3:25 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 53, three miles south of Qulin. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Chelsea M. Hill, was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:04 p.m. by physicians and was transported to the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center Morgue. Reports indicate Hill was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle...

The annual meeting of the Poplar Bluff Regional Giving Circle will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, in the conference room at Fellowship General Baptist Church on Highway 67 North. Voting on 2014 PBRGC grant recipients will take place during the annual meeting or by clicking on www.surveymonkey.com/r/DKLGQCH...

Simon J. Clark, 23, of the 900 block of Nooney was arrested at his home on a Federal probation violation warrant on the original charge of cocaine possession. He was placed in the custody of U.S. Marshals and transported to Cape Girardeau County Jail...

Theral Vanover PUXICO, Mo.-- Theral "Tubie" Vanover, 60, of Puxico, passed away Monday, Nov. 3, 2014 in Memphis, Tenn. He was the son of the late R.V. and Trecie Latham Vanover, and was born in Sikeston, Mo. on Aug. 24, 1954. He had lived in the Puxico area most of his life and was a 1973 graduate of Puxico High School. He was an over the road truck driver and was a member of the Puxico Masonic Lodge #596...

Alvin Junior Garner MALDEN, Mo.-- Alvin Junior Garner, 74, of Holcomb, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, at his residence. Visitation will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Bradshaw Chapel...

Vivian Stevenson Vivian Nadine Stevenson, 93, of Poplar Bluff, formerly of Basehor, Kan., passed away Monday, Nov. 3, 2014 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Stevenson was born Sept. 5, 1921 in Albany, Mo. to the late Clifford and Jewell (Leake) Wilson. She was a member of Westwood Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff and was a homemaker. Mrs. Stevenson enjoyed spending time with her family and loved going to auctions and collecting antique glassware...

Mary Thurston PUXICO, Mo. -- Mary Ann (Harris) Thurston, 69, of Bloomfield, Mo., did Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Houck Park in Puxico. Bro. Brian Keith will officiate...

Darrel Carson DEXTER, Mo.-- Darrel Wayne Carson, 59, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, at his residence in Malden, Mo. He was born June 5, 1955 to Eula Mae Hatchel Carson and the late Layton Vaughn Carson, in Dexter. Mr. Carson had worked for more than 25 years at Federal Mogul Corporation and was most recently employed by Nestle Purina Company of Bloomfield, Mo. He was a member of Corner Gospel Fellowship of Bernie, Mo...

James Barry Crosby, Jr. DEXTER, Mo. -- James Barry Crosby, Jr., 55, of Dexter died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014 at Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County in Dexter. Visitation will be 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter with the funeral beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday with Dwight Hensley officiating. Burial will bein Walker Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo...

Liam Roy Street is the name chosen by Wesley and Kara (Rainey) Street of Collinsville, Okla., for their 7-pound, 14-ounce son born at 2:33 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, at St. John Owasso in Owasso, Okla. Liam was 20 inches long. Grandparents are H.G. and Donna Rainey of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Tom and Mary Street of Springfield, Mo...