Stories from Saturday, January 17, 2015

By RON SMITH SEMO News Service When the results from last spring's state testing started trickling back in the fall to the Naylor R-2 Schools, little by little teachers pieced together a discovery that left them surprised but very proud. Jon Sopko's English teacher was impressed to see her student attain a perfect score on his English I state test...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Upcoming construction dominated Thursday's R-1 Board of Education meeting, as members eyed a revamped gym plan, awarded one contract and considered extending the completion date for two others. Several weeks ago a special session was called to address adding a mezzanine level and walking track to the plans for the new high school gym...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer The Poplar Bluff High School Thespian Troupe recently won an Honor Troupe Award at the Missouri State Thespian Conference in Kansas City. Thirty schools in Missouri achieved the honor on Jan. 9 at the downtown Marriott. Missouri State Thespians and affiliates promote improvement of theatre arts in Missouri schools...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Local authorities apprehended a Kansas City, Mo., man who fled on foot Thursday afternoon when the suspected stolen truck he was driving became stuck in the mud behind the Poplar Bluff Head Start on Herschel Bess Boulevard...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer To make the Black River Coliseum profitable, events held at the facility need to generate more income, members of the advisory board agreed Thursday in discussion with city officials. The coliseum needs to hold more concerts and reserve the majority of weekend dates for the highest grossing events, city manager Heath Kaplan recommended. It can also no longer afford to subsidize nonprofit and school events held at the facility, he said...

By MICHELLE MALKIN With vengeance-seeking global jihadists on the loose here and around the world, now is a good time to ask (again): Are we ready for a nefarious terrorist attack on our train and transit lines? Smoke and fire plagued two of the nation's major metro rail stations this week, raising justified questions about safety and preparedness. ...

People run the town My goodness! Where did this man come from that's supposed to be running our city? It sounds to me like he's on a path to destruction. I don't understand what's going on? Does he think he's gonna tear our city down? I don't think so! He's not gonna shut it down. Mr. Kaplan, the people of Poplar Bluff run this town! We can put in office or we can take you out through the city council. We voted them in, not you! Thank you...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS "Whether one is a conservative or a radical, a protectionist or a free trader, a cosmopolitan or a nationalist, a churchman or a heathen, it is useful to know the causes and consequences of economic phenomena." That quotation, from Nobel laureate George J. ...

Lake Road Elementary Students of the Month are Arianna Baguio, Mason Bridgewater, Heavyn Carmack and Dustin Dean. First Grade: Lake Road's first grade student of the month is Arianna Baguio. Baguio is in Ms. Tooke's class. She is the daughter of Nikki Asher of Poplar Bluff. ...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- For 32 years I've been advocating a major tax on petroleum. I've got as much chance this time around as did Don Quixote with windmills. But I shall tilt my lance once more. The only time you can even think of proposing a gas tax increase is when oil prices are at rock bottom. ...

Neelyville Elementary School has released its second quarter honor roll for the 2014-2015 school year. Students named to this list include: "A" Honor Roll Third Grade: Lora Ainley, Bailey Barrett, Chris Crowder, Delayni Dobbins, Hannah Hover, Jason Liau, Avery Schiller, Chloe Smith, Infinity Starkey...

Johnny Redus DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Johnny Redus, 78, of Gatewood passed away Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will begin on Saturday at noon at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Brother Rodley Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the New Home Cemetery...

Windle Shue PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Windle Clay Shue, 64, of Piedmont passed away Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. A graveside service will be held on at 2 p.m. today at Rosehill Cemetery on Highway 34 near Piedmont...

Edna Williams DEXTER, Mo. -- Edna Revalee Williams, 98, a long-time resident of Dexter, Mo., died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, at her residence. Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. A private interment will follow...

The process of going from high school athlete to college athlete is not only difficult, but the path is often filled with pitfalls that can hinder a player's chances at a scholarship. It is more complicated than, 'If I am good enough, colleges will want me and find me.'...

ELLSINORE -- Sometimes high school athletes are fortunate enough to go to a college with the same school colors. Brooke Eaves and MacKenzie Newman went a step further and are going to a college with the same school logo as teammates. The East Carter Lady Redbirds signed Thursday to play softball with the Mineral Area Lady Cardinals.The two infielders held a joint signing ceremony, but said they came to the decision individually...

Alma Barger Alma B. Barger, 98, of Poplar Bluff, died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, at The Cedargate Care Center in Poplar Bluff. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

NEELYVILLE -- The last time, it was an early Christmas present. This time around, it was a birthday present. Coming into this season, the Neelyville Lady Tigers had dropped six straight games to Dexter and usually those were by a wide margin. After defeating Dexter by 15 points two nights before Christmas in the Lady Royals Classic, Neelyville junior Shelby Moon celebrated her birthday Thursday night by making the game-winning basket with a drive to the hoop with 4 seconds to play for a 59-57 win.. ...

Jim Brasser DONIPHAN, Mo. -- James Eugene Brasser, 78, of Doniphan, departed this life on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Mr. Brasser, son of Irving and Vivian Brasser, was born Sept. 27, 1936, in Sheboygan, Wis. He had retired from the U.S. Postal Service. Mr. Brasser was also retired military having served for two years in the U.S. Army and 18 years in the U.S. Air Force, including a tour of duty in Vietnam...

Rustmann Kris and Laura Rustmann of St. Charles, Mo., have chosen the name Elizabeth Kristina Rustmann for their 6-pound, 15-ounce daughter born at 10:33 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Charles. Elizabeth was 20 inches long...

Elsie Blum Elsie M. Blum, 95, died Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She was born July 16, 1919, to the late Henry White and Addie Hillis White. She lived at Doniphan for 26 years before moving to Poplar Bluff. She was of the Lutheran faith and was a homemaker...

Poplar Bluff High School Academic Assistance Group (AAG) will hold its annual Trivia Night at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at the Poplar Bluff 5th and 6th grade center. Teams are limited to a maximum of six people. Each team is asked to contribute a minimum of $150 and teams can register at the door. ...

Tyler and Ana Elder of Clubb have chosen the name Aleah Simone Elder for their 7-pound, 13-ounce daughter born at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Aleah was 20.5 inches long. Grandparents are Ted and Tina Elder of Greenville and Rawland and Denise Thompson of Ellsinore. Great-grandparents are Will and Judy Copeland of Patterson and Nellie Brown of Greenville...

CORNING, Ark. -- The No. 4 Malden Green Wave escaped with a win Thursday night in the first round of the First National Bank Invitational Tournament at Corning (Ark.) High School. Malden led by 13 at hafltime and were outscored 25-12 in the second half but escaped with a 45-43 win over No. 5 Doniphan...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor As we endure another winter, Jane and I would like to share scenes of the beautiful botanical gardens, waterfalls, beaches and mountains we enjoyed seeing during our 50th wedding anniversary trip to Hawaii in 2014. We praise God for the beauty of His creation...