Stories from Thursday, November 17, 2016

By CHELSAE CORDIA Staff Writer Nestled off the beaten path in Butler County is Greenhill Cemetery, a 150-year-old home to more than 500 graves, the oldest dating back to the mid-1800s. The more than two-acre piece of land has fallen victim to decades of neglect. Greenhill Cemetery is not known to have been cared for in at least 50 years, maybe more...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Guidelines for the use of $2 million in money to assist injured police officers and firefighters are expected to be set Monday by Poplar Bluff, Mo., officials. A proposed policy would establish maximum payments of $50,000 and $125,000, respectively, in the case of catastrophic injury or death in the line of duty, if passed by the Poplar Bluff City Council. ...

By CHELSAE CORDIA Staff Writer The Twin Rivers R-X school district received a higher score than last year on its annual performance report, continuing the trend of improvement. Annual performance reports (APRs) are composed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) based on five data sets and reviewed yearly for accreditation purposes...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A Poplar Bluff, Mo., deer hunter was treated at a local hospital Tuesday night after his gun accidentally discharged, striking him in the foot. Butler County Deputy Ben Chamblin was sent to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, where he contacted Adam Wade Thrower, who was being treated for a wound between two of his toes on his right foot...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer A new program to feed hungry youth will be rolled out Thursday by the Bread Shed. A Better Childhood mobile food pantry aims to serve up to 200 Poplar Bluff families each month. The first distribution will be held tomorrow at the charity's building at 209 N. D St...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man who rang in 2016 by firing a weapon in the air recently was sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for illegally possessing that weapon. James O.D. Johnson Sr. was sentenced to 30 months in prison on the felony of being a felon in possession of a firearm by U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr. on Nov. 8, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hahn...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Hundreds of members of the community joined together Tuesday evening at the high school for an early Thanksgiving dinner compliments of Poplar Bluff schools and Chartwells Dining Services. District food service provider Chartwells pays for and supplies the meal during the event, now in its seventh year. The event was started the year following the recession and is open to all members of the public who wished to attend...

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Wappapello Lake Area Association's (WLAA) 24th Annual Festival of Lights Auto Tour will begin Friday, Nov. 25. The display boasts over 200,000 lights, transforming and illuminating the Redman Creek Campground, according to organizers...

SEMO News Service DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- On Thursday, Nov. 10, at approximately 8 p.m., shots fired on Tucker Circle, off of Upper Finley Road, resulted in the injury of one Dyer County man, who was later transported to Regional One-Memphis, with a gunshot wound sustained to the torso. Currently, the man is reported to be in stable condition...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer The National Weather Service met with a number of public safety administrators and members of the public on Thursday to offer updates on forecasting changes and a new community inititave. Rick Shanklin, warning coordination meteorologist for the NWS at Paducah, Kentucky, presented the new initiative by the service dubbed "Weather Ready Nation." It, along with new technologies and community participation, will hopefully offer more advanced warning of hazardous weather...

The Seventh Annual Valentines for Veterans Concert entertainer will be popular country music singer Tracy Lawrence, according to Dr. Patricia Ten Haaf, John J. Pershing VA Medical Center director. The concert will be held Feb. 17 at the Black River Coliseum...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- At dawn Tuesday in West Quoddy Head, Maine, America's easternmost point, it was certain that by midnight in Cape Wrangell, Alaska, America's westernmost fringe, there would be a loser who deserved to lose and a winner who did not deserve to win. The surprise is that Barack Obama must have immediately seen his legacy, a compound of stylistic and substantive arrogance, disappearing, as though written on water in ink of vapor...

By MONA CHAREN My feelings are so radically mixed that my brain resembles a Cuisinart. I cannot help but be glad that Hillary Clinton was defeated. I am shaking my head in amazement about the Senate, and accordingly about the Supreme Court. The election results feel like a gorgeous, gleaming new BMW in the driveway. But instead of a bow on the roof, there's a vial of nitroglycerin...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- Donald Trump won fair and square and, as Hillary Clinton said in her concession speech, is owed an open mind and a chance to lead. It is therefore incumbent upon conservatives (like me) who have been highly critical of Trump to think through how to make a success of the coming years of Republican rule...

By DIANA SROKA RICKERT Chicago Tribune via Tribune News Service The election was a week ago, and the half of the voters who didn't vote for Donald Trump are still dumbfounded by the half who did. A Los Angeles Times story profiled Trump supporters so they could go public and "explain" their vote. A front-page story in Sunday's Chicago Tribune offered "clues" to Trump's win, as though his victory is as much a mystery as what happened to Jimmy Hoffa...

The economic recovery since the Great Recession of 2007-09 has generally been pretty meager. In fact, President Barack Obama has the dubious distinction of being the only president never to see at least 3 percent year-over-year economic growth since Herbert Hoover during the early days of the Great Depression in the 1930s. A number of industries have struggled mightily _ particularly manufacturing _ but one segment that has seen strong growth: government...

Sacred Heart honor roll Students earning places on the Sacred Heart Catholic School A and B Honor Roll include the following: "A" Honor Roll First Grade: Kayla Daves, Jaydon Eddy, Isabella Gillihan, Charlie McCollough, Castin Rommel Second Grade: Katie Acre, Palyn Bourd, Ireland Byrne, Audrey Cato, Michael O'Connor, Macey Savat, Rion Tenchavez, Presley Tinsley...

To the Editor: Normally, when one is elevated to the esteemed position of Minority Caucus Whip in the Missouri Senate, it is cause to celebrate. However, with the elevation of Sen. Jamilah Nasheed to this position, it is not quite as joyous an occasion for the citizens of Missouri, because Sen. Nasheed REFUSES TO STAND UP FOR THE RECITATION OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE INSIDE THE CHAMBERS OF THE MISSOURI SENATE. Her behavior in that Chamber is disgraceful...

Greenville High and Junior High Schools Honor Roll for the first quarter includes: Seniors Emily Abbott, Taylor Allen, Mariah Atchison, Larson Barks, Katie Bates, Siera Bennett, Ryan Brannum, Brianna Brogdon, Hailey Brooks, Kassidi Brown, Caleb Clark, Danica Deering, Kacie Ford, Caley Fox, Jacob Fox, Lawren Luke, Nicholas Malone, Lane McDaniel, Trey McDaniel, Megan Moore, Jace Osborn, Bailey Payne, Diana Politte, Heaven Ruble, Brittney Schultz, Ashlynn Tilley, Will VanMatre, Courtney Walk, Ford Weston, Stephanie Willard. ...

O'Neal Elementary has chosen the October Students of the Month. First grader Mary Catherine Adams, daughter of Robert and Samantha Adams, was nominated by her teacher, Ms. Bacon. Her favorite subject is specials and her hobbies are crafts and painting. Mary Catherine would like to cheerlead and be in Girl Scouts. When she grows up she wants to be a teacher in kindergarten, get married and have a family...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer The National Weather Service met with a number of public safety administrators and members of the public on Thursday to offer updates on forecasting changes and a new community inititave. Rick Shanklin, warning coordination meteorologist for the NWS at Paducah, Kentucky, presented the new initiative by the service dubbed "Weather Ready Nation." It, along with new technologies and community participation, will hopefully offer more advanced warning of hazardous weather...

Glin Harrison DEXTER, Mo. -- Glin Harrison, 86, of Dexter, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family. Glin was born Sept. 19, 1930 in Trenton, Tenn. to Glin and Bessie Harrison. He married the girl of his dreams, Sophia Bevill, Feb. ...

Jean Lawrence MALDEN, Mo. -- Jean Lawrence, 86, of Gideon, formerly of Clarkton Mo., died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, at Gideon Care Center Visition was held at 1 p.m., Tuesday at Bradshaw Funeral Homes, Inc. in Malden. Funeral followed at 2 p.m., Tuesday, at Bradshaw Chapel in Malden with Rev. Bill Garrett officiating...

Jean Norma Searls PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Jean Norma Searls, 82, of Piedmont, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be held from 10 - 11 a.m., Friday, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m., Friday, also, at the Piedmont Chapel...

Lorraine Zoll Koppman FISK, Mo. -- Lorraine Zoll Koppman, 87, of Saint Louis, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 at St. Anthony's Medical Center, in Saint Louis. Mrs. Koppman was born Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1929 in Wappapello. She was a member of Sanctuary Fellowship Church at Saint Louis. ...

In Sunday edition, Nov. 13, of The Daily American Republic the name of Amanda Torres in the "Lets Talk" on the Opinion page was misspelled the DAR regrets any errors it may have caused.

William "Bill" H. McCraig Sr. QULIN, Mo. -- William "Bill" H. McCraig Sr., 75, of Saint Louis, died Friday, Nov. 11, 2016 at his residence, in Saint Louis. Mr. McCraig was born July 31, 1941 in Columbus, Ohio. He retired from Gates rubber Company in 1999 and was of the Pentecostal faith. He enjoyed hunting, bowling woodworking, spending time with his family and just being plain goofy. He married Carole Deck, Sept. 24, 1961. She preceded him in death, March 28, 2003...

Marjorie Lee Gamblin MALDEN, Mo. -- Marjorie Lee Gamblin, 77, of Chesterfield, Mo., formerly of Malden, died Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, at the Mason Pointe Luthern Senior Services in Chesterfield. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Friday at the Landess Chapel in Malden. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m, Saturday, in the Landess Funeral Chapel in Malden...

Barbara "Sue" Chilton Ruble PIEDMONT, Mo. - Barbara "Sue" Chilton Ruble, 69, of Piedmont, died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be at 11:30 a.m., Sat., Nov. 19, 2016 at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. at the Piedmont Chapel with Pastor Neil Chilton officating. Online condolences may be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Charlotte Ann Barnes Charlotte Ann Barnes, 54, of Poplar Bluff, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Ms. Barnes was born on Nov. 19, 1961 in Poplar Bluff and was a lifetime resident of the area. She enjoyed animals, horseback riding and fishing...

Donald Hendrix Sr. PUXICO, Mo. - Donald Hendrix Sr., 80, formerly of Puxico, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 in Tennessee. Visitation will be at noon, Sat., Nov. 19 at the Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Ray Placher officiating. Burial will be in the Duck Creek Cemetery...

Jean Kathleen Williams VAN BUREN, Mo. - Jean Kathleen Williams, 78, of Van Buren, died Sun., Nov. 13, 2016 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, Mo. Visitation will be at noon, Fri., Nov. 18 at the McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. with Rev. Bill Orr officiating. Burial will be in Yount Memorial Cemetery in Garwood, Mo. Online condolences may be made at www.mcspaddenfh.com...

Wanda Fossey McCluskey POCAHONTAS, Ark. - Wanda Fossey McCluskey, (83), was granted her angel wings on November 14, 2016. Wanda was born February 9, 1933 in Randolph County, to the late Jim and Lizzie Fossey. Wanda is survived by a daughter, Diana (Brooks) Howard of Black Rock, Ark. ...

Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the board of education room, 1110 North Westwood. Items on the agenda include program assessments on health services, technology/library services and adult education. Other items up for a vote include board policy changes, district policy changes and a school board election resolution...