Stories from Sunday, October 9, 2016

Staff Reports As part of the Prevention of Blindness Program, the Stoddard County Health Department will be hosting an Eye Screening Clinic on Thursday, Oct. 20. from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. (with the exception of closing from 11 a.m. until noon). The purpose of this clinic is to screen for vision problems, malfunctions and malformations of the eyes. The clinic is free and open to the public, regardless of age or income...

By TIARA McCLURE Boy Scout Pack 4370's flag retirement in Houck Park Thursday, Oct. 6, attended by about 30 people including the boys, leaders, and parents became emotional for many of the scouts. The flags were donated by the VFW. According to Section 176, point K of the U.S. flag code, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."...

The members of the Puxico Board of aldermen has set Monday, Oct. 31 from 5-8 p.m. for the celebration of Halloween. Any non-profit organization that wishes to use the City parking lot located at the corner of Richardson Avenue and Hickman Street for trunk-n-treat or other Halloween activities may do so...

By TIARA McCLURE Neal Holloway may have turned 94 years old this year, but his memory hasn't faded a day. He is still just as quick witted and friendly as ever, even if you do have to speak a little louder so he can hear you sometimes. If you're ever in the mood for a good story, you can find Neal either at the family business, Holloway Lumber, or at his favorite restaurant, Hickory Log in Dexter...

By AMY WALKER Away2Me Farm, owned by Puxico local Debbie George, hosted its first-ever canine sport Saturday, Oct. 1. The event held, originally called barn hunting, is a competitive yet fun opportunity for both dogs and their owners. Mostly relying on the canine's natural hunting instinct, the main focus is to allow the canines to locate rats in an obstacle course typesetting using hay bales...

The American Red Cross asks eligible donors to give blood to support cancer patients and other patients during Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. More than 1.6 million new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year and 246,600 of them will be invasive breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications...

There is a story of the lost and found column of a church paper listing among the lost and found items: "One Bible, King James Version, with no name in it. If not claimed within 15 days, it will turned over to the librarian." This could evoke several questions such as: "How long had it been lost?" or "How long was it before they missed it?" Would they have a good idea as to where to look for it? Of course, many of us have several versions of it. ...

By AMY WALKER As many students have come and gone through the halls of Puxico High school, over the past 23 years one familiar face has been there to help guide them. Peggy Parsley, a Puxico local and now retired teacher, has been an inspiration to many of her art students throughout the years. As she kicks off her retirement enjoying her grandbabies, she is also hoping to start something familiar yet with a new twist...

Jimmy Ray Mayberry Jimmy Ray Mayberry, 75, of Bloomfield died Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016 at his home. Services were held Oct. 1, 2016 at the Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance. Rev. Keith Price officiated and Leeman Shirrell assisted. Burial followed in the Berrong Cemetery near Gipsy...

The Patrons of the Arts Society continues its 2016-2017 season with "Suthyrn Fryd Frynds," a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band out of Branson, on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center in Poplar Bluff. Direct from the Tribute Theater in Branson, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Suthyrn Fryd Frynds is a tribute show that highlights the patriarchs of Southern Rock music. ...

Stoddard County Jail Commission buys property to help with jail expansion By MIKE MCCOY SEMO News Service BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Stoddard County Commission has purchased two parcels of property adjoining the Stoddard County Jail for an expansion to the facility. The commission continued discussions of the problems with overcrowding at the jail at a recent regular meeting...

By MIKE MCCOY SEMO News Service Stoddard County farmers overall had a good year for corn production, but most did not see record yields. Corn production was probably down 10 to 15 percent from 2014, the record in southeast Missouri. Almost all the corn crop in the county has already been harvested...

Greenville High School staff has named the Students of the Month for September 2016. Mariah Mae Atchison, daughter of Darrel and Joanna Atchison of Williamsville, is active in BETA, Fellowship of Christian Students, National Honors Society, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), Educational Talent Search, and Family, Career, Community Leaders of America...