Stories from Wednesday, December 10, 2014

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Brodie Gargac was only 9 years old when he chose renovations for his hometown's ballfield over monster truck national finals as the wish he most wanted granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Gargac succumbed to leukemia before he could see that dream become a reality, but his community has never forgotten the big heart of that little boy...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Poplar Bluff Police will perform additional patrols at major shopping outlets and in the downtown area during the holiday season. National and local statistics that show an increase of some crimes during the holidays and police offer some advice on staying safe during the busy shopping season...

By JONATHON DAWE SEMO News Service KENNETT, Mo. -- "For nearly two years, my life has been turned upside down. ... I will never forget the day I got the call that my brother had been killed." That's what Shannon Smith said to Matthew Cook at the Dunklin County Justice Center on Monday morning...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer The Butler County Emergency Management Agency provided a weather radio to every school in the county on Monday, giving parents, students and faculty another line of defense in a disaster. "Recently we had a storm that came through during school hours and we realized that when minutes really count, getting on the phone and trying to call might not be enough," said Butler County Emergency Management Director Jeff Shawan...

The voiceless, four-legged companions of the community get much needed support throughout the year from the Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA) of Southeast Missouri. This non-profit organization's goal is to foster a spirit of cooperation among all public and private animal care organizations and agencies in the area, to encourage and support the adoption, neutering and spaying of pets and to seek to provide shelter for abandoned animals...

Local veterans and those with special needs are offered the gifts of inclusion and opportunity by Cape Arrowhead, a non-profit organization existing to serve those in need. Located at 502 Vine St., in Poplar Bluff, the organization was founded in 1999...

Children look at the holiday season with wonder and excitement. Children battling life threatening illnesses experience that same wonder and excitement with strength, gratitude and appreciation. Rayni Day Miracles is a non-profit organization that works solely through volunteers and donations to support those children fighting illnesses and their families. ...

For many families, the holiday season is the happiest time of the year. For some, this may be the time a victim of domestic or sexual violence decides she needs a better alternative. That's where Haven House of Poplar Bluff steps in. Haven House is a non-profit organization comprised of citizens committed to ending domestic violence in Southeast Missouri. Haven House provides shelter and advocacy programs for sexual assault or domestic violence victims and their children...

"The least, the last and the lost of Butler County" are served by the United Gospel Rescue Mission. The organization attempts to serve the needs of the homeless, addicted and poor of Butler County and the surrounding counties. It provides a three-day transient dorm and a one-year drug/alcohol recovery program for men...

Some area woman may be focusing this holiday season on giving themselves the best gift they can receive: their sobriety. Recycling Grace Women's Center, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, supports individuals who are recovering from addictions. Rev. ...

Cancer fighters don't get to take the holidays off. They don't get a timeout or a seasonal reprieve. They battle hard for as long as it takes and one Poplar Bluff organization battles with them. The United Cancer Assistance Network of Southeast Missouri (UCAN) is a 501©3 organization that provides individualized support for area cancer patients. ...

While some area parents may be worrying about what they will fill their children's stockings with this year, others worry about how they will fill their children's bellies this week. Bread Shed exists to feed the hungry in Butler, Ripley and Carter counties, both physically and spiritually...

The Poplar Bluff Regional Giving Circle is a group of people dedicated to helping people in need in Southeast Missouri through cooperative giving. The Circle provides assistance and funds to local non-profits and charities through awarding annual grants...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN In July of 1967, after race riots gutted Newark and Detroit, requiring troops to put them down, LBJ appointed a commission to investigate what happened, and why. The Kerner Commission reported back that "white racism" was the cause of black riots. Liberals bought it. America did not...

Some parents this holiday season may be worried about catching discounts on gifts online or finding that hot toy that stores can't seem to keep stocked. Other parents in our community are worried about how they will pay their electric bill, whether or not their child will have enough to eat tonight or how to explain to their children that they are still loved even though Santa won't be able to leave them any presents this year...

By MIKE JENSON Publisher Sikeston Standard Democrat As a society, it's essential to our nation's future that we learn lessons from the criminal upheaval in Ferguson last week. It's a sad but safe bet that there will be other Fergusons in other locations. And by learning lessons this time around, hopefully we can avoid the chaos and destruction that has left our neighbor to the north in shambles...

As a pediatric neurosurgeon, I became more than familiar with situations where parents experience the premature loss of a child. There are few things that can compare to the emotional devastation that accompanies such an event. This makes the varied emotional responses of Michael Brown's family more understandable as the tragic events unfolded in Ferguson, Mo...

Annabelle Daniels- Lawrence VAN BUREN, Mo.-- Annabelle Daniels-Lawrence, 91, of Van Buren, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, in Van Buren, Missouri, with her family by her side. She was born Feb 16, 1923, in Van Buren to the late William Arthur and Albie Alice (Davis) Herrington...

Cecil Cochran Cecil Clinton Cochran, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. passed away, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, at The Manor in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Cochran was born April 21, 1924, in Gideon, Mo., to the late James Barney and Ella Billington Cochran. He was a member of Cornerstone Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church and had retired as a maintenance and construction worker and groundskeeper. ...

Glen Medler DEXTER, Mo. -- Glen Medler, 97, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. He was born to the late Raymond William and Mayme Lucus Medler, Nov. 28, 1917, in Frisco, Mo. Mr. Medler had lived in lived in Dexter where he owned and operated Medler's Cleaners. ...

Kenneth McMillen GIDEON, Mo.-- Kenneth McMillen, 64, of Gideon, died Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, at his residence. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Gideon. The funeral will follow at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel...

Juanita B. Lee Juanita B. Lee, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, at her residence. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Nova Montgomery Nova Joy (Adams) Montgomery, 105, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. passed away Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, at the Westwood Nursing Home in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Montgomery was born Dec. 5, 1909, in Ripley County, Mo. She married Paul Montgomery July 31, 1934. Upon their arrival in Butler County, they formed their life-long business, Paul Montgomery Construction. While Paul was building bridges, Nova took care of the office duties of secretary, treasurer and manager for 40 years...

Stop going out of town When leaders such as our city manager wants to use an out of town firm because he's familiar with them, this usually means that there is a kickback coming. Now, this is very, very hard to prove as anyone who has been in politics, like I have for many years, know this is the name of the game. Let's stop approving this city manager going out of town. The council can refuse to accept his recommendation. Let's do it!...

The staff at Puxico Nursing & Rehab Center will be marking the "12 Days of Christmas" to help get everyone in the holiday spirit. "Only participate if you want," said social services director Margaret Lizenbee. "If you don't, you might have to wear the Scrooge button. Let's all have some fun with this."...

Every child knows the story of Jesus' birth as related by Matthew and John...beautiful, informative, simple, sublime. John also gives us his version of the coming of Christ, but it is often overlooked or not understood. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS President Barack Obama said just before the recent Ferguson, Missouri, riots, "First and foremost, we are a nation built on the rule of law." Most Americans have little or no inkling of what "rule of law" means. Many think it means obedience to whatever laws legislatures enact. ...

In case you missed it, last week our national debt surpassed $18 trillion. When I am home in Missouri, I constantly hear from parents and grandparents who are worried that their children and grandchildren will not be able to live the American dream because our national debt will cripple our economy for generations. This new record debt should be a wakeup call - now is the time to reduce the size and scope of the federal government and end Washington's spending addiction...

Dawn Michelle White and Christopher Dean Clark of Puxico, Mo., have chosen the name Katie Michelle Clark for their 7-pound, 10-ounce daughter born at 9:31 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 at Saint Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Katie was 20 inches long...

Billy G. Cunningham Billy George Cunningham, 75, of Wappapello, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2104 at Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau. Graveside services were held Dec. 4, 2014 a the Little Brushy Cemetery. Cotrell Funeral Service in charge of arrangements...

Greenville High School names its Students of the Month for September and October. Lathan Shane Blackburn, son of Mona and Scottie Blackburn of Greenville, plays basketball and baseball and participates in Senior Beta Club, Art Club and his church youth group. His hobbies are listening to music, watching movies, eating and sleeping...

Araceli Kuhnell Araceli "Shelly" Kuhnell, 56, of Sikeston, Mo. died Monday, Dec. 1, 2014 at her residence. Services were held Dec. 5, 2014 in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter. Burial followed in the Rock Hill Cemetery.

SEMO News Service PUXICO, Mo. -- On Dec. 2, four subjects, two from Puxico, were arrested on illegal drug activity. As the result of an ongoing drug investigation Stoddard County Deputies Gary Brady, Keith Haynes and Brent Stidham, along with members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, went to a residence located at 23371 Billyville Lane in Puxico. Upon arriving at the residence, permission was asked by the deputies to enter the residence and was granted...

Terry Bennett DONIPHAN, Mo.-- Terry Lee Bennett, 57, of Fairdealing, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, at Southeast Health Center in Doniphan. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will follow at noon in the funeral home chapel with Alan Wilson officiating. Burial will be in the Rowland Woods Cemetery in Patterson, Mo...

SIKESTON -- On a night of upsets at the SEMO Conference Tournament, Poplar Bluff pulled off the biggest. The seventh-seeded Mules advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2009 by knocking off Cape Central 79-69 Monday night. "I said it right in the huddle, 'anything can happen, Sikeston just lost on their home floor, that never happens,'" Poplar Bluff senior Brandon Stuckenshneider said of Charleston's 79-78 upset of the third-seeded host...

By MICHELLE L. VARVIL Filing for Puxico city offices and school board seats for the April 7 election open next week. A declaration of candidacy for all municipal seats shall be filed no earlier than 9 a.m. Dec. 16, 2014, and before 4:30 p.m. Jan. 20, 2015, with Puxico City Clerk Alice Patrick. Candidates may file during regular business hours at Puxico City Hall during that time-frame...

Willis Jones Willis M. Jones, 84, of Piedmont, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, at Clark's Mountain Nursing Center, Piedmont, Mo. There will be a private family memorial service at a later date. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhome.com...

Area students get SEMO St. scholarships The following students have been awarded scholarships to attend Southeast Missouri State University for the 2015-2016 academic year: Christina Beauford of Puxico, Mo., has been awarded the University Scholarship and Residence Life Leadership Award. Beauford is the daughter of Rodney Beauford of Puxico, and will be a 2015 graduate of Puxico High School...

The staff of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake will begin annual winter drawdown from recreation pool to conservation pool on Dec. 15. In accordance with the water control plan, the pool is drawn down from 359.74 feet, referenced to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD), to 354.74 feet NGVD (five feet lower). Barring significant precipitation, the lake should reach conservation pool January 2015...

Denton Fugate won the permit section of the PRCA Champions Challenge, held Thursday in Las Vegas during the National Finals Rodeo festivities. Fugate bested a five-man field with 76 points. The permit challenge is designed specifically for up-and-coming contestants who have not earned their pro cards. Fugate, who is a sophomore bull rider at Three Rivers, qualified for the challenge after finishing second this year on the Great Lakes rodeo circuit...

Brenda Gilmore FISK, Mo.--Brenda Kay Gilmore, 63, of Broseley, Mo., went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Brenda was born to Ernest and Virgie Tomes on Nov. 16, 1951 in Broseley. On Nov. 16, 1967, Brenda married Marvin Wayne Gilmore in Broseley. He survives...

Gerald Hessling DEXTER, Mo.--Gerald Lynn Hessling, 64, of Bloomfield, Mo., Died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014 at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Visitation was held from 9:30-11 a.m. today at the Rainey- Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. today in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Tim Russell officiating. Burial followed in the Dexter Cemetery...

Juanita Lee Juanita Beatrice Lee, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, at her residence. Mrs. Lee was born April 15, 1924 in Fagus, Mo. to the late Robert and Josephine Gillian Bradley. She was of the Baptist faith and was a homemaker. Mrs. Lee enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, bowling and fishing...

Marie Austin Lottie Marie Bradley Austin, 91, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Thursday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, with the funeral services following at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at City Cemetery...

By MICHELLE L. VARVIL Family and friends gathered Dec. 7 in the Arnold Ryan Gymnasium for an afternoon of Christmas music performed by beginning, intermediate and symphonic band members. Band director David Barani welcomed those in attendance before emcee Nathan Dare took over the microphone to introduce the newest members of the band program at Puxico R-8 Schools, the sixth grade beginning band...

Correction In Monday's edition of the Daily American Republic, Bailey Gargac was incorrectly identified in a photo cutline. Gargac is the sister of Brodie Gargac, not his cousin. The DAR regrets any confusion this has caused.

By MICHELLE L. VARVIL Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, and many people have wrapped up their holiday gift shopping. Others are still checking off their list. Is it too late to get your holiday packages in the mail to ensure delivery by Dec. 24? It is not too late, but time is running out...

Sacred Heart honors Ashcraft Keith Ashcraft is Sacred Heart's December Student of the Month. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Inman and Keith Ashcraft. Keith is in 2nd grade and excels in academics, follows the school rules, and is an example of Jesus Christ to his classmates. ...

University of Missouri Extension will host a "Forage Testing for Quality Production Workshop" from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Van Buren Senior Center, Ball Park Road, Van Buren, Mo. Presenters are Joel Tatum, Livestock Specialist and County Program Director in Wayne County and A.J. Foster, the Agronomy Specialist in Stoddard County...

Bessie Roper Bessie Linville Roper, 92, of Wappapello died Nov. 27, 2014 at the Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Services were held Nov. 29, 2014 at the Little Brushy Church. Bro. Tim Schultz officiated. Morgan -Sifford Funeral Home of Puxico in charge of arrangements...

CHAFFEE-- The Puxico Lady Indians held on in the fourth quarter to beat Oran 51-47 in the first round of the Lady Devils Invitational on Monday night. Katelyn Pierre led Puxico (2-0) with 13 points and Danielle Roberts added 10. In a free-throw heavy game, Puxico went 15-for-34 from the line, easily outpacing Oran's 5-for-10 effort. The Lady Indians went into the fourth quarter leading Oran (1-1) 35-33 after being up by six at halftime...

SIKESTON -- A healthy offense and stout defense in the first half had the Dexter faithful hoping this time around the SEMO Conference tournament may be different. But halftime came and went and took with it the Bearcats' offense. Ninth-seeded Dexter struggled to maintain its solid start and gave way to a hounding Kennett defense during the play-in game of the SEMO Conference tournament Monday falling to the No. 8 Indians 47-39...

By MICHELLE L. VARVIL Area residents and visitors alike have been treated to the sights of holiday cheer and nostalgia for 22 years when they visit the Festival Of Lights Christmas Auto Tour at the east Peoples Creek Campground in Wappapello. Sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake and the Wappapello Lions Club, the Festival Off Lights Christmas Auto Tour has given area businesses, churches and civic organizations the opportunity to show off their holiday spirit...