Stories from Saturday, April 2, 2016

Farmington High School student Emma Govreau has won the Best of Show award for her ceramic piece, "Play Ball," at the 16th Annual Juried High School Art Exhibit at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum. High school students from area districts were invited to submit up to 12 original works created in the 2015-16 school year...

From Staff Reports Poplar Bluff's first female mayor and the longest serving member of the city council, Betty Absheer, will be honored at a retirement reception from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Twin Towers assembly room. Absheer has served with five city managers: Jim Moss, Dr. Tom Lawson, Doug Bagby, Heath Kaplan and Mark Massingham...

By EVAN HOLLEY Staff Writer The 2016 Mason Dixon Chili Society Chili Cook-Off was the most successful to date, raising approximately $16,000 for the United Gospel Rescue Mission. The amount of money raised was over twice as much as in years past, according to Rev. Greg Kirk of the Rescue Mission...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Three candidates vying for two open seats on the Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education can agree on the biggest challenge facing the district - how to improve performance in the classroom. The Daily American Republic spoke with all three school board candidates prior to the election, asking why they were running, what they saw as the biggest problem in the district and what they felt they could as an individual do about it...

By EVAN HOLLEY Staff Writer Three candidates are vying for two open seats on the Neelyville school board. The Daily American Republic spoke with all three school board candidates on the eve of the election, asking why they were running, what they saw as the biggest problem in the district and what they felt they could as an individual do about it...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Area high school students were given a nudge toward adulthood on Wednesday at the annual Reality Fair sponsored by Ozark Federal Credit Union. Event organizer Davine Conover, who recently won a Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award for teaching financial literacy through the event, says it is a great way to give students a fiscal wake-up call prior to graduation...

R-1 District's censored forum I wish someone would explain the point in having an "open, public forum" when there is an established committee to censor the questions that the public wants to ask. Another "sugar coat" performance by our school. In other words, you can ask what you want as long as it won't embarrass us and we can answer it so we will look good. "If it makes us look bad, then the committee will not let you ask it." Censoring an open public forum is a perfect example of an oxymoron...

By GEORGE F. WILL DEARBORN, Mich. -- If Mark Fields' theory is correct, his industry faces novel challenges. His theory about the changing role of driving in Americans' lives is one reason Ford Motor Co. now describes itself as an "automotive and mobility company."...

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni publishes occasional reports on what college students know. Nearly 10 percent of the college graduates surveyed thought Judith Sheindlin, TV's "Judge Judy," is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court. Less than 20 percent of the college graduates knew the effect of the Emancipation Proclamation. ...

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- The Mules tennis team got their first taste of playing the format used in the postseason Thursday as Poplar Bluff beat Farmington 6-3. Poplar Bluff took 2 of 3 doubles and won the first set in all six singles matches but went 1-2 in tiebreakers...

Butler County 4-H is looking for volunteers to teach horsemanship skills to youth. Volunteers will be able to start a 4-H horsemanship club that will not only teach youth horsemanship skills but also key virtues such as responsibility, accountability, and trustworthiness...

Jake Dorris wanted to stay close to home to keep playing baseball, but not too close. Lindenwood University-Belleville made his decision even easier. The Greenville senior signed his National Letter of Intent on Monday, choosing the Lynx over the likes of Three Rivers College and Mineral Area College...

Wilma "Polly" Hanner CORNING, Ark. -- Wilma "Polly" Hanner, 87, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. passed away March 30, 2016 at Westwood Hills Nursing Home in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Hanner was retired from the shoe factory. During her life, she also picked cotton. She enjoyed embroidering, quilting, game shows, computer games, and banana bingo. She was a member of Green Forest Church of Christ in Poplar Bluff...

John Lloyd Tanner MALDEN, Mo. -- John Lloyd Tanner, 85, of Malden died Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden with the funeral beginning at noon in the Bradshaw Chapel. Pastor Robert Hamm will officiate. Burial will be in the Rosewood Cemetery in Malden...

HILLSBORO, Mo. -- The Raiders consistently won the two-strike battle against Jefferson but were on the wrong side of strike three most of the time. Starting Three Rivers pitchers Abe Young and Tyler Kuhlmann, and then their relief pitchers, were perpetually ahead in the count...

Terry Wayne Keena DEXTER, Mo. -- Terry Wayne Keena, 47, of Bloomfield, Mo., died Wednesday, March 30, 2016. Arrangements are under the direction of the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Services will be conducted at a later date.