Stories from Saturday, July 18, 2015

SEMO News Service SIKESTON -- Investigators can't say for sure static electricity ignited the propane tank fire, but it seems likely. "That's the only logical conclusion we could come to based on the witness statements and information we have," Sikeston Department of Public Safety Director Drew Juden said Wednesday morning...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer The Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff will wrap up another successful Summer Learning Program with an awards celebration beginning 9 a.m. Friday, July 31 at the Hentz Center located at 416 South C Street. "We will be giving out awards for achievement in our learning program and also present a thank you to some of our summer donors," said Unit Director Katie Warren. "We also let the kids vote on their favorite staff."...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor NEELYVILLE -- Improvements in the Neelyville School District's financial condition and buildings were presented by Superintendent Brad Hagood during the school board meeting Thursday night. "We ended the 2014-15 school year with $84,741 in the black," Hagood said. "I am very happy to see it in the black."...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer A Poplar Bluff woman has started her third battle against cancer with strength, a smile and her trademark, "I got this." Dana Lepold Beckwith conquered leukemia and vaginal cancer and is now undergoing chemotherapy at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas for lung cancer...

By MARK DAVIS The Dallas Morning News It's hard to know which is a more compelling summer pastime: tracking the latest burst of news from the Donald Trump campaign or watching his critics contort themselves in response. The headlines seem hatched from the very belly of Trump campaign headquarters: A Mexican drug lord escapes, enabling him to revisit a favored theme of Mexican lawlessness. ...

By ANN McFEATTERS Tribune News Service WASHINGTON -- We interrupt your summer to bring you bold, new promises from the growing list of people with huge egos who wish to become president. We helpfully provide translations. New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie, desperately hoping to be the last man standing when his GOP colleagues knock each other out, says he will "mean what I say and say what I mean."...

The Genealogical Society of Butler County met on Thursday, June 18 at the First United Methodist Church with 15 members attending. President June Allen presided over the meeting. The secretary and treasurer's reports were read and approved. Upcoming events were announced. The Missouri State Genealogical Conference in Columbia, Mo. will be Aug. 7 and Aug. 8. Only Saturday, July 18, the library in Jonesboro, Ark. will hold a genealogical lock-in...

By JOHN ENGLER Tribune News Service At the recent White House ceremony where President Barack Obama signed two major pieces of trade legislation into law, he was surrounded by leading Republican and Democratic lawmakers who had shepherded the measures through Congress...

Registration for the 2015-16 Naylor R-II school year (Grades K-12) will be held from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31 for walk-ins or, if necessary, by appointment only. Parents/students need to bring their shot records, birth certificates, social security cards and the address of their previous school...

Olivia Kay Williams is the name chosen by Brittany Elizabeth and Gary Lynn Williams of Harviell for their 6-pound, 6-ounce daughter born at 1:12 a.m., Saturday, July 11, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace in Cape Girardeau. Olivia was 20 inches long...

Brenda J. Hester MALDEN, Mo. - Brenda J. Hester, 69, of Malden, died Thursday, July 16, 2015, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. The visitation will be 11 a.m. to noon. Saturday at the Landess Chapel in Malden. The funeral service will follow at noon in the chapel with Bro. Steve Fitzpatrick officiating. Burial will be in the Rosewood Cemetery First Addition...

Greg Swisher Greg Swisher, 58, of Poplar Bluff, died Thursday, July 16, 2015, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff. Online condolences: www.moorefuneralservice.com

Despite the delays and postponements Mother Nature has thrown across the region in the form of treacherous downpours and harsh rains this summer, the AFGE softball team has found one constant to carry them through the challenges of the season. Backed by timely hits and heads up base running from her teammates, Kylie Rogers dazzled in the circle with a no-hitter in AFGE's 12-0 victory in four innings over 4N Motorsports in the Poplar Bluff Park Department Junior League Tournament championship Thursday at McLane Park.. ...

Lauren Alexander struck out 21 batters in tossing a no-hitter, allowing just two hitters to put the ball in play. But the Strike Zone/Maverick Glass pitcher nearly ended up with the loss. Zhaya Gwin doubled with one out in the bottom of the sixth, stole third and scored on a groundout by Kayce Towner to force extra innings Thursday night in the Park Department Senior League championship game...

CHARLESTON -- The Wayne County Lumberjacks collected their second consecutive one-run victory in thrilling fashion Thursday afternoon at the Senior Babe Ruth state tournament at Hillhouse Park. Fresh off a come-from-behind 3-2 victory in its final at-bat against the Potosi Elks Wednesday, Wayne County scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth inning to edge the New Madrid Riverbend Ducks 1-0 in a winner's bracket semifinal...

WEST POINT, Miss. -- Carr Vernon's day ended much better than it began Thursday at the 109th Southern Amateur Championships. The Poplar Bluff golfer shot a second-round 68 to make the cut for the final 36 holes at Old Waverly Golf Club. Vernon's day began by finishing his rain-delayed first round. He three-putted for a bogey then carded another to drop into a tie for 70th place...

By KATIE LAMB SEMO News Service CAIRO, Ill. -- A Cairo man was sentenced to 30 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to the shooting death of his wife. Chauncey Hughes Jr., 31, was scheduled to begin a second jury trial on five counts of murder Thursday at the Alexander County Courthouse. He instead pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder...

James Elmer Jennings FISK, Mo.--James Elmer Jennings, 89, of Fisk, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 16, 2015 at his residence. Mr. Jennings was born April 4, 1926 at Rome, Miss., to the late Louis Henry and Mattie Bea (Nichols) Jennings. He served in the US Army during WWII. ...

Delores J. Maloney MALDEN, Mo. -- Delores J. Maloney, 82, of Campbell, died Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott, Ark. The visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. today at the Landess Chapel in Malden. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. today in the chapel with Mr. Jacob Cecil officiating. Burial will be in the Rosewood cemetery in Malden...

Jerren Wade had to wait an extra hour in the stifling heat to take the mound in the Park Department Babe Ruth League Tournament final. It didn't phase him. He allowed three hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts over five strong innings to lead Poplar Bluff Elks to a 6-2 win over Truck Workz Thursday at McLane Park...

Donna Rose Malloy Donna Rose Malloy, 73, of Poplar Bluff, formerly of Wappapello, died Thursday, July 16, 2015, at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. Ms. Malloy was born Aug. 8, 1941, to the late Donald Andrew and Lillie Belle (Bratcher) Barker. She was a member of Misty Lake Church and had retired as a riverboat cook. Mrs. Malloy enjoyed spending time with her family, listening to church music and playing bingo...

By the time he got done pitching for the championship trophy, Josab Brisher was a sweaty, dirt-covered, exhausted human being reduced to one-word sentences. Brisher and KKRY, used to hour-long games in the Park Department Pony League, outlasted Richard's Roadware in a three-hour marathon through 100-degree heat to win the tournament title 16-13 Thursday at McLane Park...

Cedric Lewis Cedric Lewis, 59, of Piedmont, Mo., died on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at his residence. Arrangements are pending with Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff. Online condolences: www.moorefuneralservice.com