Stories from Sunday, June 19, 2016

SEMO News Service ST. LOUIS - Noranda Aluminum's Marston plant could soon hit the auction block. According to a news release on the company's website, Noranda has filed a motion with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District seeking approval of bidding procedures to "conduct an orderly and efficient sales process of its upstream business." The company expect the motion to be heard by the court July 14...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer WAPPAPELLO LAKE, MO. -- As a child, James Gracey's father farmed cropland that butted up against the St. Francis River in northern Arkansas. Every day, that water passed through a dam in Missouri, the elder Gracey often told his son...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Poplar Bluff school bus drivers could soon get a pay raise, after transportation administrators last month cited difficulty in recruiting drivers due to what they described as an outdated wage scale. The lowest paid Poplar Bluff driver currently makes $9.72 per hour. With nearby districts of compatible size paying on average $15 per hour and up, R-I has had a difficult time finding new hires, leading to a shortfall and increased absenteeism...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Depending on which side of the soda machine residents find themselves, the decision Monday of the Poplar Bluff City Council could be good or bad news. The council is deciding whether or not to change beverage vendors at the Black River Coliseum for the first time in more than a decade...

SEMO News Service KENNETT, Mo. -- Two people are dead and a third person, the driver of a second vehicle, is in custody after alledgedly ramming a vehicle twice Friday afternoon in Kennett. The victims are Aaron Campbell, 25, and Heather Hampton Carter, 26, both of Kennett. Willie Joshua Carter, 25, of Kennett, was charged with two counts of second degree murder, according to Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff McCormick...

Taylor Paige Barker of Poplar Bluff and Tristen Dean Francisco, also of Poplar Bluff, announce their engagement. Parents of the bride-to-be are Erin Barker-Decker and Chad Edwards. Billy Francisco and Jennifer Slayton are parents of the bridegroom-to-be...

What do I know? I have been saying what Walter Williams said today in the paper about money going to Washington and the influence on Congress. I've been saying for years it should be against the law but I'm just a voter . . . just a citizen . . . what do I know? Thank you...

Donnie and Rochelle Robinson of Silva, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Dorothy Ann Robinson of Poplar Bluff, to Matthew Steven Phillips also of Poplar Bluff. Phillips is the son of Steve and Nicole Phillips of Poplar Bluff. The couple will be married at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, July 23, 2016, at Sam A. Baker State Park...

Norman and Marsha (Arbuckle) Bostic of Poplar Bluff celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on June 18 at home with family. They were married on June 18, 1966 in Poplar Bluff at the home of Rev. Bennet Willis in a double-ring ceremony. A reception was then held in Fairdealing at the home of the bride's parents', George and Helen Arbuckle. ...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer The season of floating is upon us, and one of the best things about living in Poplar Bluff, Mo., is the fact that it's fairly close to some of the most beautiful rivers in the northern hemisphere. To provide a snapshot of all our area has to offer, here are our top five floats that are possible on a single tank of gas in a single day...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN If the cliches hold -- nothing succeeds like success, the past is prologue -- this generation will not likely see an end to the jihadist terror that was on display at Pulse in Orlando on Sunday. For terrorism has proven to be among the most cost-effective and successful strategies of war that the world has ever seen...

Dear Friends of Poplar Bluff: As most people who have read the DAR these past several days, from June 6th to June 12th, several thousand men, women, and children celebrated the week-long visit to Poplar Bluff by the Clydesdales. These magnificent "gentle giants" came here to parade and help celebrate several outstanding events. ...

Gladys Rankin Gladys Rankin, 83 of Poplar Bluff died Saturday, June 18, 2016 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements are pending at this time with Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff.

Edna Cunningham Edna Cunningham, 89, of Des Arc, Mo., died Thursday, June 16, 2016, at St. Luke's Hospital, Chesterfield, Mo. Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2016, at Beulah Baptist Church in Brunot, Mo. with the funeral services following at 1 p.m. also at the church. Ruegg Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements...

Richard W. Landers Richard W. Landers, 87, of Poplar Bluff, died Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. The arrangements are tentatively planned for Tuesday and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff...

Tommy Ray Mason PIEDMONT, Mo.-- Tommy Ray Mason, 64, of Annapolis, Mo., died Thursday, June 16, 2016, at his residence. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 20, at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont with the funeral services following at 11 a.m. also at the Piedmont Chapel. Burial will be at Mann Cemetery in Annapolis, Mo...

Dorothy Stephens GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Dorothy Mae Stephens, 89, of Greenville died Thursday, June 16, 2016 at the Greenville Nursing and Rehab Center in Greenville. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Morrison-Worley Chapel in Greenville. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home chapel with Rev. Louie Robinson officiating. Burial will be in the Greenville Cemetery...

Harold Floyd Click MALDEN, Mo. -- Harold Floyd Click, 79, of Gibson, Mo. died Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at his residence. Visitation will be at 6 p.m. Monday at Bradshaw Funeral Homes Inc. in Malden. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Bradshaw Chapel with the Rev. Leon Corzine. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Campbell...

Mildred "Molly" Phegley DEXTER, Mo. -- Mildred E. "Molly" Phegley, 93, died Thursday, June 16, 2016, at the Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County in Dexter. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. ...

Lottie Reeves DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Lottie Pauline Reeves, 95, of Doniphan, Mo., died Thursday, June 16, 2016, at the Colonial Home in Doniphan. Visitation will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. Sunday, June 19, 2016, at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2016 in the funeral home chapel with Brother Jared Baker officiating. Burial will be in the Grandin Cemetery...

Earlene McBride Miller CARUTHERSVILLE Mo. -- Earlene McBride Miller, 87, was born in Camp, Ark. Jan. 30, 1929 and departed this life June 11, 2016 at Pemiscot Memorial Health Systems in Hayti. She was the daughter of the late Charles McBride and Juanita Sutherland McBride. She was reared by her great-aunt and great-uncle, J. N. Sutherland and Mary Sutherland, of Camp...

Leonard Tanner Leonard Tanner, 96, of Corning, passed away Thursday, June 16, 2016 at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born in Elm Store, Ark., July 23, 1919. He was a farmer, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, boxing, making turkey calls, throwing horseshoes and shooting pool. He was of the Baptist faith...

Sandra Jean Vandermark On June 15, 2016 Sandra Jean (Williams) Vandermark found her place in the kingdom of heaven. Sandi was gifted to this world on Nov. 15, 1952 to her parents Cluster and Beatrice Williams. She spent her childhood growing up on her parent's farm in Fisk, Mo. ...

"Do it for Colin." It's a mantra that was heard at nearly every Clearwater sporting event this year and more importantly one that brought out the best in a family and a community ravaged by tragedy. Members of the Clearwater boys basketball team and baseball team carried the jersey of their former teammate and friend Colin London to each and every game this season, breaking huddles with chants of 'Colin.'...