Stories from Wednesday, December 7, 2016

By CHELSAE CORDIA Staff Writer Former Poplar Bluff resident Mary Jane Bryan recently became a published author after signing her first contract with Black Opal Books, Inc. Bryan says she has always been an avid writer, even as a young reader, and describes the opportunity to have her work published through a traditional publishing company as a joy...

By Staff Reports Another small earthquake happened Monday evening on the New Madrid Fault - the fifth in the past 30 days. The United States Geological Survey reports a magnitude 2.1 earthquake occurred at 8:57 p.m. Monday about 7.5 miles southwest of New Madrid, Mo. Monday's earthquake was about 5.3 miles deep. No damage or injuries were reported...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Sacred Heart is exploring the possibility of adding ninth grade to the school curriculum, a move that could signal the formation of a local, comprehensive Catholic high school in Poplar Bluff in the years to come. School leaders have polled parish members here and in other areas and are currently working on an open survey for the greater community to assess the level of support. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Municipal Utility offices could wait until 2018 to move under a proposed contract discussed Monday by the department's advisory board. The contract and a proposed budget for the next fiscal year will be presented Monday, Dec. 19 to the Poplar Bluff City Council...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor QULIN, Mo. -- A Qulin man was treated at an Arkansas hospital after he was accidentally shot while working in his barn Thursday night. Butler County authorities learned of the shooting at about 8:45 a.m. Friday when Deputy Bo Skinner was contacted by a nurse at Piggott Community Hospital...

By JAY AMBROSE Tribune News Service Who knows, but there's at least a chance that President-elect Donald Trump could help save the world from global warming and, on top of that, from global warming alarmists with other means of doing harm. Consider the following:...

Over the last 8 years, the United States has lost credibility with its allies, failed to deter her enemies and seen the security of American families suffer in an increasingly dangerous world. More often than not the cause were actions or inactions taken by the Obama administration through their inability to stand with our friends or take a stand against regimes that want to inflict harm against the United States. ...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff seniors Deaireus Anderson and Steven Anderson have a competition brewing on which of the cousins can come up with the most steals each game. "I guess tonight Steve won that one but the past two games I won," said Deaireus who had two of Poplar Bluff's 16 steals Monday night...

POCAHONTAS, Ark. -- Taylor Norwood qualified for state in her third event as Poplar Bluff won by 160 points against seven Arkansas teams Monday. Norwood won the 400-meter freestyle while finishing 6 seconds faster than the state-qualifying time and was just 1.54 seconds from qualifying in the 200 freestyle while winning...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- New Madrid County Central's defense was stifling during it's fourth straight win. As the last seed in a field of nine at the SEMO Conference Tournament, Central held No. 8 Dexter to 11 field goals and handcuffed its top scorer during a 50-36 upset at the Sikeston Field House on Monday...

ST. LOUIS -- Black Friday, Christmas vacation plans, presents, families, finals. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be a minefield of distractions for the mostly teenaged Raiders, who tip-toed past the first of three hurdles Sunday. The past two years, Three Rivers College has been a .500 team in games between Thanksgiving and Christmas and both times the stretch started with a two-point loss to Southwestern Illinois College...

GREENVILLE -- Beth Bangert scored a game-high 19 points as the Greenville Lady Bears rolled to a 47-11 victory over Campbell on Monday night. Mackenzie Miller had 13 points, Lawren Luke added seven and Tristin Porter and Kate Bengert scored four apiece...

Matthew Don Sentell QULIN, Mo. -- Matthew Don Sentell, 47, of Qulin, died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Sentell was born March 7, 1969 in Poplar Bluff. He worked on the family farm most of his life. He also did custom land grading and worked at MFA Oil...

Joe Young Joe Young, 81, of Poplar Bluff died Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, at Poplar Bluff. He was born July 11, 1935 in Stringtown. He married Narva Young, Aug. 12, 1958 in St. Louis. She survives. Other survivors include his daughter, Demetra Brant (Benny); two grandchildren: Cassi Kendle (Kenny) and Sara Herzog and fiance, Will Gottstein...

Audrey Hoxworth Our beloved mother, Audrey Hoxworth, went to her heavenly home Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, surrounded by family after a brief illness. She was born July 18, 1931, to Charley and Mrytle Basinger in Clifton, Tennessee. Our mother married the love of her life, Robert Carson Hoxworth, Sr., Aug. 18, 1948. From this union, they raised five children: Robert C. Hoxworth (Karen), Randy C. Hoxworth (Susan), Phyllis A. Hansen (Bill), Ricky C. Hoxworth (Mildred) and Connie J. Funke (Tim)...

Dan Canania Dan Canania, 57, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016 at his residence. He was born Sept. 27, 1959 to Mariano and Juanita Canania in St. Louis. He was a self-employed auto mechanic. Dan is survived by his five children: Nicholas (April) Canania of Cedar Hill, Kyle and Kelly Randolph of Fenton, and Emily and Lilian Canania of Poplar Bluff...

Bobby G. Livesay Bobby G. Livesay, 81, of Poplar Bluff, died Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

William C. "Buck" Meadors NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- William C. "Buck" Meadors, 86, of Doniphan, died Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, at Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. He was born, July 11, 1930 in Success, Ark. He married Mary Pratte, June 1968, in St. Louis. She survives...

Already one of the most sought-after songwriters in modern country music, Natalie Hemby makes her long-anticipated solo debut with Puxico. Releasing Jan. 13, the album was inspired by the annual homecoming celebrations of her grandfather's hometown of Puxico, Mo...

By MIKE MCCOY SEMO News Service The Stoddard County 911 Services Board of Directors approved a 2017 budget showing $296,500 in expenditures and $505,869 in revenue at their regular November meeting held recently. The budget also includes an additional $300,500 in expenditures for capitol improvements. The capitol improvement funds will be used to replace answering and recording equipment in the 911 Call Center as well as provide software upgrades...

The Puxico Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter and nearly 2,000 youth members and adult advisers gathered in Orlando, Fla. Nov. 18-20 for the annual National Cluster Meeting. By attending NCM, Puxico High School students were given opportunities to demonstrate skills they've learned through FCCLA, while also exposing them to a new city, cultures, and situations that they may encounter in their colleges and careers...

By AMY WALKER On Saturday, Dec. 3, the Future Business Leaders of America hosted their second Christmas Bazaar to kick off the Holiday season by earning money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. The event took place from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and included in the fun was a Santa's workshop, opened to kids of all ages, for only $2 per child. A total of 31 students and seven faculty helped to host the holiday special...

Judith A. Jaco Judith A. Jaco, 74, of Wappapello died Nov. 23, 2016 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.

JONESBORO, ARK. - Puxico native Hannah Barnett is the program coordinator for the Center for Nonprofit and Small Town Support, announced the staff at the Crowley's Ridge Development Council. Barnett is a 2013 graduate Puxico High School Class. She attended Arkansas State University for her Bachelor of Science degree in Management with a Minor in Accounting. ...

If you have been practicing 1 Thessalonians 5:18, then you have had a very busy observance of Thanksgiving. It says: "In everything give thanks: for it is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." How long would it take you to enumerate everything for which you are thankful or ought to be? The Book renders this verse-"No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." I have experienced some hardships and misfortune a few times in my life, but, as I look back on them, I am thankful for them, for they deepened my faith, helped me grow spiritually and kept me humble.. ...

By SCOTT BORKGREN Sports Writer CAMPBELL -- Bernie followed one big run with another and looked to have everything under control. Then it lost all of its momentum during the break between the third and fourth quarters and had to hold off Puxico to win 72-68 in the Campbell Invitational semifinals...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor JACKSON, Mo. -- Jury selection is expected to begin Tuesday afternoon in Cape Girardeau County in the trial of a Doniphan, Mo., man who is accused of beating his stepfather to death. Court officials report about 80 Cape Girardeau County residents were expected to report to the courthouse at 1:30 p.m. to begin the selection process in the trial of Johnny H. Stanley. Pretrial matters reportedly will be taken up prior to jury selection beginning...

John Wesley Moler QULIN, Mo. -- John Wesley Moler, 93, of Qulin, died Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 at his residence in Qulin. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Qulin. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Gary Hancock officiating...

PUXICO, Mo. -- William Edward Dunivan, 89, of Puxico, Mo., son of the late Clarence and Ella Jackson Dunivan, was born in Swinton, Mo. on Aug. 31,1927 and passed away on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, at his home in Puxico. Mr. Dunivan lived in Brownwood, Mo., then moved to Puxico in 1956. He was a member and deacon of the First General Baptist Church for 50 years. He loved to camp and see the sights. He retired from the Missouri Department of Transportation where he worked 40 years...