Stories from Friday, October 2, 2015

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer The Poplar Bluff school district is making some changes to the way teachers are evaluated, but say they will not base pay solely on end-of-year assessments. Since 2010, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has been working to develop a new evaluation system that rewards effective teachers and pinpoints those struggling. The system goes into effect this year...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Four laning the remainder of U.S. 67 from both directions to the Missouri/Arkansas state line will be discussed during the October meeting of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Tinnin Center Theater at Three Rivers College and is open to the public...

Fresh turnips and fall weather go hand-in-hand. This is the time of year when you can buy fresh turnips at local markets. Some people call the turnip a "plain folks" food because it's economical and grows well in poor soil; it also has a long storage life and supplies complex carbohydrates. You may not be able to squeeze blood from a turnip, but you can easily grow this tasty and nutritious vegetable. The turnip is often thought of as an underappreciated and under used fall veggie...

By MICHELLE MALKIN American soldiers are being punished for blowing the whistle on the systematic rape and enslavement of young boys at the hands of brutal Afghan Muslim military officials. Honorable men in uniform risked their careers and lives to stop the abuse. ...

To the Editor: A Garfield Street Historic District especially with the Wheatley School Museum will showcase some of the talented people that helped build a better town. There are two big reasons why Poplar Bluff ranked 37th in the state's study and the reasons are: lack of jobs and opportunities and a lame, misguided approach to its historic properties. ...

"A pope that mentions Dorothy Day is a pope that rocks," tweeted Neera Tanden of the left-leaning Center for American Progress. Tanden might have wished to reel back that praise if she had known that Day, though a prominent pacifist and socialist, was also a fervent opponent of abortion, birth control, Social Security and the sexual revolution...

To the Editor: The Fisk Community Better Council wishes to thank everyone the participated in the Fisk Fall Festival. The day was fun and Kathy Cunningham's decorations were beautiful. Todd Schroder "Tunes-4-U" did a wonderful job with the entertainment and everyone enjoyed the talented singers and dancers. We would also like to thank everyone that participated in the parade, purchased a booth or volunteered their time...

Early warning siren test at noon Monday The October test of Poplar Bluff and Butler County's outdoor warning sirens will be conducted this Monday at noon. Butler Counth Emergency Management Director Robbie Myers reminds everyone to be aware of possible storms during the fall season...

Helen B. Killion GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Helen B. Killion, 94, of Patterson, Mo., died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Greenville with Rev. Gary Aubuchon officiating...

William L. Dildine PIEDDMONT, Mo. -- William L. Dildine, 92, of Clarkton, Mo. died Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015 at the Gideon Care Center in Gideon, Mo. Arrangements will be announced by Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel Piedmont Chapel. Online condolences: www.morrisonworleychapel.com...

Harvey Williams DONIPHAN. Mo. -- Harvey Marion Williams, 79, of Malden, Mo., died Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. A graveside service will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at the Oak Grove Cemetery on Highway 21 north of Doniphan. Pastor Bill Orr will officiate...

Dennis Alvin Garner -- Holcomb, Mo Danny Lee Mitchum -- Fairdealing, Mo. William L. Dildine -- Clarkton, Mo. Helen B. Killion -- Patterson, Mo. Harvey Williams -- Malden, Mo.

On the first play of the game, Sikeston came out in a typical double-wing formation against Poplar Bluff. Running back Earnest Fobbs went into motion, quarterback Nathan Hampton faked a toss, rolled left and found tight end Bryce Bays wide open for a 41-yard completion...

Danny Mitchum DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Danny Lee Mitchum, 67, of Fairdealing, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, at his residence in rural Ripley County. Mr. Mitchum, son of the late John and Lilly Lorene (Ballow) Mitchum, was born Feb. 13, 1948, in Caruthersville, Mo. ...

Jennifer Dawn Carver ADVANCE, Mo. -- Jennifer Dawn Carver, 34, of McGee, Mo., passed away Monday, Sept. 28, 2015 at her home. She was born Aug. 15, 1981 at Poplar Bluff, Mo., the daughter of Ronnie and Teresa Mayberry Carver. Jennifer was a member of Bright Prospect General Baptist Church in McGee. She was also a member of the Sturge-Weber Foundation. She was a 2001 graduate of Greenville High School...

Dennis Alvin Garner MALDEN, MO.--Dennis Alvin Garner, 54, of Holcomb, Mo., died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, at his residence. Visitation will be from 2-3:45 p.m., Friday, at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. Graveside funeral will be at 4 p.m., Friday at Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton, Mo. with burial to follow...

The Greenville baseball team ended up exactly where everyone expected at Wednesday's Ozark Foothills Tournament seed meeting. The Bears are in the midst of a perfect season at 19-0 and have been the strongest team this fall. All six coaches voted them the unanimous top seed in the OFC Tournament, which starts Monday and concludes with the championship game Thursday, Oct. 10...

JACKSON -- For a second straight year the Poplar Bluff tennis team advanced to the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 semifinal to meet the top seed, only this time the Mules had to do it all in one day. Poplar Bluff first won at Sikeston 5-0 Wednesday morning then traveled to Jackson where the Mules lost 5-0 to the top-seeded Indians...