Stories from Friday, December 5, 2014

By ERIN RAGAN SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Missouri's governor on Wednesday identified $12 million in repair and renovation projects for Southeast Missouri State University and Three Rivers College that will depend on legislative approval for bonds...

By TYLER GRAEF SEMO News Service Jerry Kinnaman was counting on some backlash when he killed Cape Girardeau's well-known albino buck. He wasn't counting on death threats, though. "I expected some [negative feedback]," he said Wednesday. "But not of this magnitude, no. I didn't realize how important that animal was to some people."...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Butler County Sheriff's deputies have arrested a Poplar Bluff woman in connection with the theft of more than $3,900 of sound equipment on Wednesday from Oak Hill General Baptist Church. "We take all thefts seriously, but especially before Christmas," said Butler County Investigator Wesley Popp. "Everything hits all at once. It's the season that thefts of homes and businesses go up, with the economy the way it is."...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer The future of Champ the dog, a Doberman now caught in the middle of an ownership dispute between a town resident and the Fisk animal control officer, is uncertain as both parties say they have a legal right to the animal. Katrina Hofer says the dog, a Doberman Pinscher, got loose from its leash about five weeks ago. ...

Morgan Ottinger, 30, of Sikeston, was arrested Monday on suspicion of non-support. She was booked at the Stoddard County Jail. _ Tommy L. Walker, 56, of Dexter, was arrested Saturday on on warrants for suspicion of driving while revoked and passing bad checks. He was booked at the Stoddard County Jail...

Carleen Nolte Carleen (Hendrickson) Nolte, 89, of Cedar Hill, Texas, formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, at her residence. Mrs. Nolte was born May 20, 1925 in Butler, Mo. to Carl K. and Jennie Mae Hendrickson. She married Forest W. Nolte on Aug. 16, 1953, in Butler and all preceded her in death...

Christina M. Reynolds, 23, of the 800 block of Second, was arrested 6:18 p.m. Monday in the 500 block of South Westwood on Butler County failure to appear warrants for stealing and larceny. She was booked at the Butler County jail. _ Catherine Barnett of Cahokia Ill., reported sometime between 5:45 and 7:10 p.m. Monday someone broke her car window while she was parked at a business in the 700 block of Vine and stole a tablet computer and work related documents...

CALEDONIA -- The top-seeded Greenville Bears made easy work out of No. 8 Bunker as it cruised to a 70-20 win Wednesday in the first round of the Valley Caledonia Tournament. Greenville shut out the Eagles 18-0 in the first half. "We played really well early," Greenville coach Marc Crane said. "Second half we pressured them a little bit more."...

Jovada Kincy Jovada June Kincy, 74, of Dexter, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 3, 2014, at Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter. Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter 1-2 p.m. Saturday. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Armstead Dowdy Cemetery in Dexter...

James Bieller of Poplar Bluff reported sometime Thursday someone broke into an electrical panel on County Road 630 and stole 20 to 50 feet of copper wire. _ Willard Campbell of Poplar Bluff reported when he returned to his trailer that was damaged by fire on Wednesday, he found several items missing, including a television, a laptop computer, a tablet computer and a phone...

Bradley Keith Spitzer Bradley Keith Spitzer, 54, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, at his residence. Mr. Spitzer was born July 19, 1960, in Oxnard, Calif. He enjoyed listening to music and spending time with his grandchildren. He attended First Baptist Church...

City firefighters responded 6:30 p.m. Saturday to 510 North 6th Street to assist police with an occupant removal. _ City firefighters responded 8 p.m. Saturday to the intersection of 6th and Pine to assist police with a motor vehicle accident. _ City firefighters responded 9:41 p.m. Saturday to 444 West Main to a call of smoke in the building. The response was downgraded when they found a resident had burned food...

John W. Smith JACKSON, Mo.-- John Wiley Smith, 90, of Gordonville, Mo., formerly of Qulin, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He was born Dec. 12, 1923, in Piggott, Ark., to Tom and Nora Burkhead Smith. John was a World War II veteran, serving honorably in the U.S. 5th Army, 84th Infantry Division from April 1944 to January 1946. He and Sylvia Brown were married May 2, 1946. They had been married 67 years when she passed away June 28, 2013...

Ivory Boyer Ivory Delois Boyer, 93, of Ellsinore, Mo., died Dec. 3, 2014 in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. A visitation will begin for the public at 11 a.m. Friday in the McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellsinore, with the funeral service following at 2 p.m. The Rev. Tom Wilder will officiate. Burial will follow in the Whites Mill Cemetery...

Norma L. Smith Norma L. Smith, 93, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff. She was born Feb. 17, 1921, in St. Louis, Mo. to the late William and Effie Mae (Swan) Gunn. She was a member of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Puxico, Mo., where she had served as a Sunday school teacher, led singing and served in many other areas of the church. On Feb. 10, 1940, she married Delbert Smith. He preceded her in death on March 23, 1996...

Mathney Davis reported her wallet was stolen from her vehicle sometime between Monday and Friday. _ Valarie Vannasdale reported her vehicle was struck on the passenger side 3:49 p.m. Friday while parked on a business parking lot in the 900 block of Business 60...

Where is our mayor now? Where is our Mayor now?? HER City Manager wants to RAISE electric rates, and not a peep from her! HER City Manager wants to close the Coliseum (which is in her Ward) not a peep from her! Wake up Poplar Bluff this lady only wants her way she doesn't care about you!...

By MONA CHAREN During the 2012 campaign, President Obama often resorted to his favorite substitute for thinking: ridicule. Before enthusiastic audiences (who were assured his reelection would spell a thriving economy and a revived middle class), the president would mock Republicans by suggesting that "they have the same prescription they've had for the past 30 years. ... Take two tax cuts, roll back some regulations, and call us in the morning."...

Kenneth Hurley Kenneth Wayne Hurley, 54, of Bloomfield, Mo. died Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, in Bloomfield. Visiation will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Dwight Hensley officiating. Burial will follow in the Gravel Hill Cemetery at Bloomfield...

Each day at practice Bailey Alford faces an all-state opponent on the mat. The Poplar Bluff senior is looking to make his own trip to Columbia this winter. "I've always been his partner but I'm hoping to go with him this year," Alford said of fellow senior Matt King, a three-time state qualifier...

Open enrollment under Obamacare has begun again and even more folks are being forced to participate in the exchanges. We are hearing that more businesses are being forced to lay off employees, individuals are being dropped from their policies and we don't even know what the true extent of this round's damage under Obamacare will be...

Brenda Stuckey DEXTER, Mo. -- Brenda J. Stuckey, 70, of Little Rock, Ark. died Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, at the Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. today at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. The funeral service will follow in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Ronnie Ledbetter officiating. Burial will follow in the Essex Cemetery...

Paula Cowart Paula Kay Cowart, 44, of Malden, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m today at Landmark Pentecostal Church in Malden. The funeral Service will begin at 1 p.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be at Rosewood Cemetery, Malden...

The Jackson Indians swept the two biggest awards Wednesday night during the 69th Annual Poplar Bluff Letter Club Gridiron Banquet at the Black River Coliseum. Dante Vandeven was awarded the SEMO Conference's highest honor with the Carr Trophy as the most outstanding football player...

Many of us know a friend, neighbor, or family member stationed overseas in our armed services. Keeping in touch with mail, internet, calls, and packages helps a lot to let them know you appreciate their service. If you'd like to send them a holiday food package this season, go right ahead! But here are a few rules to keep in mind when shipping edible goodies to troops overseas...

Aaron P. Allen, 22, of Bernie, was arrested at 3:08 p.m. Saturday on a Stoddard County failure to appear warrant for driving under the influence and a patrol charge of suspicion of careless and imprudent driving. He was booked at the Stoddard County Jail...