Stories from Wednesday, November 26, 2014

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Dr. Ron Webb has preached in Ferguson six times since the Michael Brown shooting touched off riots and protesting that has grabbed nationwide attention. He has urged people in Ferguson, Mo., as well as Poplar Bluff, Mo., where he pastors Mt. Calvary Power House Church of God, to pray for peace and unity while awaiting Monday's grand jury decision. What happened in the wake of last night's announcement has left him greatly disappointed...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Carter County authorities hope results from an autopsy being performed this afternoon on the partially decomposed body found by a hunter will answer questions of not only how the woman died, but who she is...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Murder charges have been filed against two Poplar Bluff, Mo., men accused of the shooting death of a local man found submerged in Black River. Curtis L. Walker, 29, of the 100 block of County Road 617 and Bryce Davis, 24, of the 1000 block of Garfield were charged with the Class A felony of second-degree murder and the unclassified felony of armed criminal action (ACA) by Butler County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Paul Oesterreicher...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A judge will decide at a later date whether a former Dexter, Mo., pastor accused of stealing more than $112,000 from his church should stand trial. Accompanied by his attorney, Rance Butler, Marcus Credale Geuin appeared before Associate Circuit Judge John Spielman of Dunklin County for a preliminary hearing Monday...

To the Editor: The Twin Rivers Senior Project Graduation committeee would like to take a minute to thank the sponsors and the teams that made the Project Graduation Golf Tournament fund raiser a success. Autry Morlan Nissan and Chevrolet dealership, Independent Living Center, Kohlfield Distributing, Luecke Distributing, Pepsi, Super 8 Motel, Progressive Farm Credit Services, Sterling Bank, First Midwest Bank, Jeff's Place, Foothill Irrigation, 1st Community Bank, Tammy Marler, Ozark Border, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, Stewart's Gas Station, Pro-Staff, Daily American Republic, River Radio, and to the City Golf Course for helping us with this event.. ...

Sacred Heart School announces its Student of the Month. Selina Shi is a first grade students in Mrs. O'Connor's class. She is daughter of Mr. Jian and Mrs. Yan Shi. Selina likes to spend time reading and drawing. She loves to eat Chinese food at her family's restaurant. She is friendly to all and a very helpful student. She assists others with difficult words while they are reading...

To the Editor: East Carter R-2 yearbook staff would like to thank the following Gold Sponsors. Without your contributions, our 2014-2015 all color yearbook would not be possible. MHJ Insurance-Poplar Bluff, Douglas Heating and Cooling-Ellsinore, Coltons Steakhouse-Poplar Bluff, First Midwest Bank of the Ozarks-Van Buren, LEERJAK Travel Center-Ellsinore, Jostens-Mark Williams and Jim Dumont, Van Buren Drug Store, Bank of GrandinDoniphan,Ellsinore,Grandin,Van Buren, Lil' Black River Café-Grandin and Big Valley Fox Pen-The Kearbeys-Ellsinore.. ...

To the Editor: The fundraiser at Northside Nutrition was a tremendous success. Tammy Kassinger and the staff wish to thank each and every person that contributed in any way. Those who purchased or sold tickets. Everyone who donated time. The band who graciously volunteered their time. Local businesses for donating in several areas. The community for supporting us and allowing us to continue to serve meals to the homebound elderly in our area...

By GEORGE F. WILL MILWAUKEE -- It is as remarkable as it is repulsive, the ingenuity with which the Obama administration uses the regulatory state's intricacies to advance progressivism's project of breaking nongovernmental institutions to government's saddle. ...

Eugene Field Elementary School announces the Students of the Month for October. Second grader Savannah Larkins, daughter of Daniel and Tonya Larkins, was nominated by her teacher, Ashley McCauley. Her hobby is playing video games. She was chosen because she is always on task and has a positive attitude that is contagious to those around her. Savannah strives in class and works well with other. She is an absolute joy in the classroom...

Elva Carolyn Stewart Elva Carolyn Stewart, 73, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014 at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Sally Henthorne Sally A. Henthorne, 66, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. passed away, Monday, Nov. 24, 2014 at St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis, Mo. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

DEXTER -- There is nothing wrong with your district. Do not attempt to adjust the picture of your district. The Lady Bearcats are in control. This is a district that is out of focus with unfamiliar faces playing familiar systems. Dexter is facing a stiff challenge from father time to win its fifth consecutive MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 title this year...

GREENVILLE -- Tristin Wood was a playful kid. Greenville basketball coach Marc Crane's ears can attribute to that. Before nearly every game the past two years when the Bears huddled to listen to Crane's final instructions, Wood would sneak behind his coach and thump him hard on the ear...

Charles A. Hodge Charles A. Hodge, 85, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away at the home of his daughter, Jacqulyn Barks on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. Mr. Hodge was of the Baptist faith, and in his early years pastored several churches in this area. He was retired, and was the owner of Poplar Bluff Upholstery for several years. He was a member of the SEMO Veterans Honor Guard since his retirement from the Missouri National Guard...

PIEDMONT -- The most prolific scorer in Clearwater basketball history will be making a farewell tour of sorts this season. Having already smashed every scoring record -- male or female -- in school history, senior Lexi Morris is looking to add to it every time she and the Lady Tigers hit the floor...

Randy Stewart DEXTER, Mo.-- Randy Alan Stewart, 55, of Dexter, died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, at his residence. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Tim Russell officiating...

Elton Loughary Jr. GIDEON, Mo. -- Elton Loughary Jr., 36, of Clarkton, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 21, 2014, at The Med in Memphis, Tenn. Visitation will be from noon until the funeral services at 2 p.m., at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Gideon. Burial will be in Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton...

Judith Hill MALDEN, Mo. -- Judith Jackson Hill, 63, of Malden, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. Friday until funeral services begin at 11 a.m., at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Malden. Burial will be in Macedonia Cemetery in Malden...

Samuel Arnold FISK, Mo.-- Samuel Laverne Arnold, 87, of Fisk, died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, at his home. Sam was born Jan. 21, 1927, in Broseley, Mo. He attended the Ash Hill General Baptist Church at Fisk. He was a retired farmer that loved his family and friends, enjoyed antiques and watching the Cardinals. He proudly served in the United States Army in World War II...

CLARKTON -- "As far as somebody that has been here for at least five years in a row, I couldn't tell you," David Heeb said. "I'm at least the seventh coach in seven years." The Clarkton basketball program has had little consistency for a long time. The team itself has done well despite adapting to a new coach every season...

Mary Lou (Coffey) Crites VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Mary Lou (Coffey) Crites, 79, daughter of the late Michael (Mike) Coffey, Mary Elizabeth (Phillips) and Al Hezekiah Lynn, was born Oct. 10, 1935 in Parkville, Mo. and died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014 with her children by her side in St. Louis University Hospital...

Marcus and Heather Carlton of Jonesboro, Ark., have chosen the name Marcus Aaron Carlton II for their 7-pound, 1-ounce son born on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, at St. Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro. Grandparents are Mark and Angie Carlton of Bono, Ark., Marian Davis of Doniphan, Mo. and Aldon and Lealani Kilbreath of McDougal, Ark...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Miller time was a sobering thing for the Lady Buffaloes. Kalela Miller scored 32 points, including five straight late, as Three Rivers narrowly held on to beat Arkansas Baptist 76-74 on Monday in Little Rock for their first road win of the season...

Lorraine Brugge VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Lorraine Brugge, 84, died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in her home in Memphis, Tenn. Visitation will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5296 Park Ave, from noon until 2 p.m. today at which time there will be a memorial service, also at Christ The King Funeral arrangements are being handled by Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, Tenn...