Stories from Thursday, January 5, 2017

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Poplar Bluff Police say they believe a tainted batch of heroin has hit the streets of Poplar Bluff, citing one death and five overdose calls in the past week. "I think this past summer, St. Louis had a number of deaths related to heroin that had been laced with fentanyl. I am worried that because a lot of our heroin comes from St. Louis, we may have gotten something similar," Police Chief Danny Whiteley said...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Following Gov.-elect Eric Greitens' appointment of Sikeston Department of Public Safety director Drew Juden to head up the Missouri Department of Public Safety, long-time friend Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley discussed some of the reasons why he will be a good fit for the position...

By MARK BLISS SEMO News Service Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder remembers when Democrats were the political heavyweights at the state Capitol in the 1990s and for decades earlier. Republicans, he said, were a "permanent minority." Democrats held most of the political offices in Southeast Missouri, too...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Authorities say an Arkansas woman overdosed on heroin in her hospital bathroom less than a day after giving birth to her daughter, who tested positive for the illegal substance when she was born. At about 2:50 p.m. Saturday, Poplar Bluff Police Patrolman Jamie Sample reportedly was sent to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center regarding a patient, later identified as Misti Lyn Hill, who "overdosed in a room with (her) infant."...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A registered sexual offender was charged Tuesday with possessing child pornography after authorities seized a cellphone containing what is believed to be sexually explicit photographs of young girls. James Francis Hartley, 36, of the 3600 block of Highway 53 was charged with the Class B felony of possession of child pornography by Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour...

By MARK BLISS SEMO News Service State Rep. Kathy Swan wants the Missouri Legislature to take budgetary control of state tax credits, even as she seeks to add another tax credit. For the third year in a row, the Cape Girardeau Republican has introduced legislation that specifies all new and existing tax credits must be approved by lawmakers as part of the budget process...

By BEN KLEINE SEMO News Service Governor-elect Eric Greitens announced Monday that Drew Juden was named director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, according to a news release. Juden has served as the director of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety since 2001 and had worked for the Sikeston Department of Public Safety since 1978, according to the release...

24 arrests a waste of money Yes, I just like to know what the 24 arrests (Drug Probe) at what cost to the taxpayers -- 24 arrests, 24 months -- one arrest for one month. I'm guessing it's up there high for taxpayers. Is that really where are taxes should be going for drug stings where police set up people make controlled buys? It's just a waste of taxpayers' money. 24 arrests. 24 months. What a waste!...

Secretary of State John Kerry used the word "conscience" over and over again as he attempted to explain and justify the Obama administration's decision not to veto a one-sided U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israel. He added that the U.S. could not "stand idly by" while Israel torpedoed any hope for a two-state solution...

On Dec. 22, President-elect Donald Trump startled the worldwide community of arms-control experts with a message on Twitter. He wrote, "The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes."...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Viewing 2016 in retrospect -- doing so is unpleasant, but less so than was living through it -- the year resembles a china shop after a visit from an especially maladroit bull. Because a law says "the state of California may not sell or display the Battle Flag of the Confederacy ... ...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN In retaliation for the hacking of John Podesta and the DNC, Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats and ordered closure of their country houses on Long Island and Maryland's Eastern shore. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that 35 U.S. diplomats would be expelled. But Vladimir Putin stepped in, declined to retaliate at all, and invited the U.S. diplomats in Moscow and their children to the Christmas and New Year's party at the Kremlin...

To the Editor: Is right-to-work legal? Look back in history. The colonists held the "Boston Tea Party" because they were being taxed without having any representation. The right-to-work is just the opposite, it is right to work without being taxed (paying dues). ...

By JUSTIN HASKINS Tribune News Service Shortly after being sworn into office in January 2009, President Barack Obama, along with Democrats in Congress, spent trillions of dollars on government bailouts, stimulus packages and various social welfare programs all passed with the promise they would reverse one of the most significant economic crashes the country has experienced...

Jeanne Wallace LOCUST GROVE, Okla. -- Jeanne Rebecca Wallace, 75, of Sapulpa, Okla. died Friday, Dec. 30, 2016 in Sapulpa. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in Locust Grove, Okla. Pastor Matt Franks will officiate. Burial will follow at Hogan Cemetery in Locust Grove, Oklahoma. Locust Grove Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements...

Rephah "Sonny" Hamilton QULIN, Mo. -- Rephah "Sonny" Hamilton, 80, of Farmington, Mo., died Sunday, Jan. 01, 2017 at his residence, in Farmington. Mr. Hamilton was born April 05, 1936 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was retired from Ford Motor Company. Mr. Hamilton was a member of the Farmington Church of the Nazarene. On July 04, 1954 he married Louise Miller. She survives...

By MARGARET SHACKLEFORD As part of the partnership with the Vietnam War Commemoration for the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, the Poplar Bluff Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution announces James "Hand" Caraway as Vietnam veteran of the Month for December...

Unity Academy of Poplar Bluff and Broseley Preschool and Daycare today joined a growing number of Missouri early care facilities becoming Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care facilities. A Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care proactively supports the families they serve and their employees who choose to breastfeed their infants...

For the opening 4 1/2 minutes of the second half, the Poplar Bluff Mules pulled away from Farmington. They spent the final 4 1/2 minutes fending off the Knights. Xander Martin hit a layup with 62 seconds left after Farmington missed a game-tying 3, Willie Lucas scored 18 seconds later and Steven Anderson completed Poplar Bluff's 67-63 win by splitting two free throws with 5.5 seconds left Tuesday night...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- It wasn't quite the showing Doniphan wanted against one of the top teams in the SEMO Conference. Then again, it wasn't quite the display Charleston wanted either after a big tournament win and one of its most anticipated games of the season on the horizon...

BROSELEY -- Forgive Lindsey Vermillion for going off the grid for the last week and a half. Her head coaching debut came a lot earlier than expected. Just four years removed from her playing days, the Neelyville assistant coach became the temporary leader for the Lady Tigers after the suspension of head coach Becky Hale, who was ejected after receiving two technical fouls in the Lady Royals Christmas Classic championship against Dexter on Dec. ...

Lexi Vaughn showed off some speed Tuesday as the Poplar Bluff senior won two races and helped a relay win. "Usually she has more of the endurance side," Mules coach Beth Lewis-Muse said. "That's kind of throwing our lineup for a loop right now." Vaughn won the 200-yard freestyle then took the 50 in 29.27 seconds before swimming a leg on the winning 400-freestyle relay to end a 135-21 Poplar Bluff win over Farmington at the Black River Coliseum Aquatic Center...

GREENVILLE -- Sophomore Tye Huff poured in a game-high 28 points, as the Greenville boys basketball team started off the new year right with an 81-50 victory over Lesterville on Tuesday. Huff knocked down six 3-pointers and was a perfect 4 of 4 from the free-throw line while senior Trey McDaniel pitched in 19 points for the Bears, who only led by six points at halftime. Greenville (7-2) went on to outscore Lesterville 45-22 in the second half to come away with a win...

Carol Ann (LeGrand) Lemons DEXTER, Mo. -- Carol Ann Lemons, 72, of Essex, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitations will be held from 6 - 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Watkins & Sons Funeral Service in Dexter. Funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter...

Charles Phillip Fanter Charles Phillip Fanter, 77, of Broseley, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 30, 2016 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Charles was born on Sept. 30, 1939 in Cook Co. Ill. He is survived by his close companion and caregiver, Mary Baugus, six children, two step-children, one sister, one brother and several grandchildren. A memorial service is planned for a later date...

Kameron J. Wood Kameron J. Wood, 45, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, in Wayne County, Mo. A memorial visitation will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2016 at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff. A memorial service will follow at 5 p.m. with Devon Black officiating...

Lillie Moore PIEDMONT, Mo. - Lillie M. Moore, 91, of Piedmont, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 2, 2017 at Clark's Mountain Nursing Center in Piedmont. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the Masonic Cemetery...

Linda L. Britton Linda L. Britton of Poplar Bluff, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. She was born Feb. 2, 1951 in Ogelsville. She was of the Baptist faith. She loved taking care and being there for her family. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She liked to bowl, swim, golf, garden, but most of all, to watch her grand kids grow up. She liked to cook and have family and friends over to eat and fellowship on Sunday after church...

MaryLou Dinkins WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- MaryLou Dinkins was born Aug. 11, 1937 in Winger, Minn. and passed away Jan. 1, 2017 at her home in Wappapello, after a lengthy battle with cancer. After retirement, MaryLou lived in Stonewall and Keatchie, La. before returning to Wappapello in 2014 to the home where she raised five children...

Catherine Arrendale Sheets Holland Much loved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Catherine Arrendale Sheets Holland, 75, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Dec. 31, 2016 in Poplar Bluff surrounded by her family after a sudden battle with cancer. Catherine was born on Feb. ...

Carol Ann Stone PUXICO, Mo. -- Carol Ann Stone, 76, died at her home in Wappapello. Arrangements pending with Morgan-Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico.

Verna D. Osborn Clanahan Hudson, 85, of Poplar Bluff, passed away peacefully in her sleep Friday, Dec. 30 2016, at home surrounded by family. She was born Dec. 5, 1931, in Poplar Bluff to the late Eli and Freida Hendrickson Osborn. She was a lifelong resident of Poplar Bluff and a member of the First Christian Church where she enjoyed volunteering...

Patti Jean McCracken Becker WILLIAMSVILLE, Mo. -- Patti Jean McCracken Becker of Williamsville, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, surrounded by family. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Jim, three children: Bob (Pam) Becker of Williamsville, Dianne Becker of Kirkwood, and Brian (Toni) Becker of Williamsville, and five grandchildren: Kaylin, Andrea, Coulton, Benjamin and Jackson. ...

Opal Parish PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Opal G. Parish, 86, of Piedmont, Mo. died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Friday at Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont. Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the Boliver Cemetery in Harrisburg, Ark...

Mildred Yarbrough DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Mildred Yarbrough, 98-year-old resident of Doniphan, Mo., died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017 at the Current River Nursing Center. Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Kent Wilfong officiating. Visiting will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will take place in the Valhalla Burial Park in Belleville, Ill...

Lillie Moore PIEDMONT, Mo. - Lillie M. Moore, 91, of Piedmont, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 2, 2017 at Clark's Mountain Nursing Center in Piedmont. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the Masonic Cemetery...

Jacob Garrett "Jake" Knuckles Jacob Garrett "Jake" Knuckles, 24, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. passed away Friday, Dec. 30, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Jake, the son of Mark Knuckles and the late Debbie Robert Knuckles, was born Sept. 18, 1992 in Poplar Bluff. He was a member of Westside Church of God and worked in construction. Jake enjoyed listening to music, hanging out with his family and friends, being outdoors and spending time on Current River...

Robert J. Ruble Robert J. Ruble, 81, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Robert, the son of the late Joel Albert and Desi Moss Ruble, was born Oct. 31, 1935 in Gads Hill, Mo. He was a member of First Liberty Missionary Baptist Church and was a self-employed contractor. ...

Donna Mae Whithorn Donna Mae Whithorn, 55, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2016 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Donna was born Oct. 18, 1961 in Grand Prairie, Texas. She was a member of The Lord's Chapel Church and was a homemaker. Donna enjoyed spending time with her family and fishing...

Corey P. Gilmore FISK, Mo. -- Corey P. Gilmore, 37, of Broseley, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016 at St. Louis University Hospital, in Saint Louis. Mr. Gilmore was born Nov. 28, 1979 in Broseley. He enjoyed singing, fishing and spending time with his family...

Toni Sly PIEDMONT, Mo. - Toni R. Sly, 59, of Greenville, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Greenville High School gymnasium. Online condolences may be made at www.morrisonworley.com...