Stories from Wednesday, February 8, 2017

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Poplar Bluff City Council members are putting traveling employees on a diet. Meal expenses are being trimmed under a proposed policy reviewed by the council Monday that caps daily food costs at $43. The city has never had a formal policy that defines out-of-town spending by staff, according to city manager Mark Massingham...

By BEN KLEINE SEMO News Service The SEMO Drug Task force seized significantly larger amounts of methamphetamine, hydrocodone and Xanax in 2016 than in 2015. The task force consists of 15 law-enforcement officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Cape Girardeau Police Department, Sikeston Department of Public Safety, Perry County Sheriff's Office, Stoddard County Sheriff's Office and New Madrid County Sheriff's Office...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Surrounded by workers at a Poplar Bluff plastics plant, Gov. Eric Greitens ceremonially signed legislation officially making Missouri the nation's 28th right-to-work state. Greitens made two such symbolic signings - one earlier in Springfield, Missouri, and the second at Revere Plastics Systems in the Poplar Bluff Industrial Park. He officially signed the bill into law Monday evening in Jefferson City, Missouri...

By MARK BLISS SEMO News Service U.S. Rep. Jason Smith has filed legislation to block Federal Highway Trust Fund dollars from going to states and local governments that refuse to obey federal immigration laws. "Over 300 cities and counties employ policies to stonewall the federal government and prevent the Department of Homeland Security from effectively enforcing our immigration laws," Smith wrote in a statement issued Thursday before introducing the legislation...

By CHELSAE CORDIA Staff Writer "Home I'll be there tomorrow To the place where distance And the longing touched You You're the only reason that I go To remind me of the roots that I've grown from" Lyrics from '"Return" by Natalie Hemby resonate with the songwriter's passion for her southern roots and for a little town nestled in the heart of Southeast Missouri - Puxico...

By MAE ANDERSON AP Technology Writer (Eds: Resends to include wider audience. With AP Photos.) NEW YORK (AP) -- The New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons during a nailbiter Super Bowl 51 -- and there were clear winners and losers off the field, too...

By STEPHEN MOORE Donald Trump's wise and humanitarian move to reinstate the Reagan-era "Mexico City policy," which prohibits U.S. foreign-aid dollars from going to non-government organizations that perform or provide referrals for abortions, has incited a torrent of liberal outrage...

President Trump exercised one of the most significant responsibilities given to him by Article II of the United States Constitution this week when he nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. Filling Justice Scalia's shoes will be no easy task, but I have no doubt that a conservative pro-life judge like Gorsuch will be up to the challenge...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Tight labor markets shrink income inequality by causing employers to bid up the price of scarce labor, so policymakers fretting about income inequality could give an epidemic disease a try. This might be a bit extreme but if increased equality is the goal, Stanford's Walter Scheidel should be heard. ...

The American Cancer Society is seeking volunteers in Butler County to be a part of the annual Relay For Life event scheduled for September. Community volunteers lead and organize each local event with the support of Society staff. From assisting with planning the annual event to taking part the day-of, there are various volunteer opportunities for interested community members...

Sacred Heart Students of Month Andrew Cisneros-Orozco is Sacred Heart School's February preschool student of the month. Andrew lives with his dad, Ricardo Cisneros, and his mom, Ana Orozco. He also lives with his brother, Matthew and his uncle Chalio and aunt Sharon. He enjoys everything about his family...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Each semester, students at Missouri State University who attain academic excellence are named to the dean's list. Area students earning places on the fall dean's list include: Poplar Bluff: Lacey G. Baker, Elizabeth I. Bottorff. ...

Autumn Dodd had a huge first quarter. Kiley Bess had a huge second quarter. But two late turnovers prevented either one of them from sinking a game-winner. The Lady Mules turned it over on their final two possessions and lost to Saxony Lutheran 62-54 on Monday at the Senior High Gym...

DONIPHAN -- Neelyville's dominating run over the last decade in the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament rolled on Monday. The top-seeded Lady Tigers scored the first 15 points and controlled No. 4 Twin Rivers in every facet of the game with an impressive 70-36 victory at the Bill L. Wright Gymnasium...

DONIPHAN -- For the third time in as many seasons, the Naylor Lady Eagles are heading back to the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament championship game. But it took another grind-it-out first half over Doniphan to get there. Even without leading scorer Callee Pickrell for most of the first 16 minutes, second-seeded Naylor gained the lead just before the second quarter, maintained it and surged ahead in the second half for a 48-31 win Monday night at the Bill L. Wright Gymnasium...

James E. "Sonnie" Groves PIEDMONT, Mo. -- James E. "Sonnie" Groves, 73, of Poplar Bluff, formerly of Williamsville, died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at Military Crossing Cemetery under the care of Ruegg Funeral Homes, Inc. Pastor Helen Edwards will minister to the family. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Henry D. Miller Henry D. Miller, 54, of Cape Girardeau, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2017 at St. Francis Medical Center. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Lloyd " Red" Harris BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- "Red" Harris of Bloomfield, 85, of Bloomfield, son of the late Manuel Everet Harris and Annie Rona Simmers Harris Scowden, was born in Sturdivant, Mo., March 28, 1931, and passed away at the Bloomfield Living Center Bloomfield, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017...

Troy Austin Firebaugh, Jr. PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Troy Austin Firebaugh Jr, 70, of Van Buren, formerly of Annapolis, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation was held Monday at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont. Services were held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, at Beulah Baptist Church, Brunot. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Byron Kirby Byron Kirby, 31, of Comfort, Texas, formally of Poplar Bluff, died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017 at his residence. Arrangements are pending with Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff. Online Condolences: www.moorefuneralservice.com

William Cooley QULIN, Mo. -- William Cooley, 76, of Poplar Bluff, formerly of Qulin, died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017 at Mark Twain Caring Center, in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Cooley was born Jan. 31, 1941 in Broseley, son of the late George and Gladys (Ross) Cooley. ...

Ronnie Allen Collins MALDEN, Mo. -- Ronnie Allen Collins, 65, of Bernie, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, at his residence. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. - 10:40 a.m., Wednesday at the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. Graveside funeral will follow at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Bernie Cemetery in Bernie. Burial in Bernie Cemetery...

Paul Jaco PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Paul Jaco, 85, of Greenville, died Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, at Greenville Healthcare. Arrangements are currently pending with Ruegg Funeral Homes, Inc. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com

Onia Faye Hendley True DEXTER, Mo. -- Onia Faye Hendley True, 72, of Poplar Bluff, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, in her daughter's home in Poplar Bluff. Visitation will be held from 5 - 8 p.m., Wednesday, at Watkins & Sons Funeral Service in Dexter. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, at the Watkins & Sons Chapel with Rev. Tim Russell of Dexter officiating...

Napoleon Williams, Jr. Napoleon Williams, Jr., 61, of Poplar Bluff, died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff. Online condolences: www.moorefuneralservice.com...

Mickey Pollock Mickey Pollock, 54, of Poplar Bluff, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 at The Manor in Poplar Bluff. A full obituary will be published in Wednesday's Daily American Republic. Visitation will be held from 5 - 6 p.m., Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff...

Joyce Owens Joyce M. Owens, 71, of Poplar Bluff, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2017 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

Johnnie Davis DEXTER, Mo. -- Johnnie Davis, 83, of Grayridge, died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, at her residence. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Friday, at Watkins & Sons Funeral Service in Dexter. Funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m., be held Friday, at the Watkins & Sons Chapel...

James Freeman Hampton DEXTER, Mo. -- James Freeman Hampton, 69, of Essex, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, at the Ridgeview Living Center in Malden. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Friday, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will follow at 12:30 p.m., Friday, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter with Amos Hampton of Sikeston officiating...

By BEN KLEINE SEMO News Service The SEMO Drug Task force seized significantly larger amounts of methamphetamine, hydrocodone and Xanax in 2016 than in 2015. The task force consists of 15 law-enforcement officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Cape Girardeau Police Department, Sikeston Department of Public Safety, Perry County Sheriff's Office, Stoddard County Sheriff's Office and New Madrid County Sheriff's Office...

The American Red Cross urgently needs blood donors to make an appointment to give this winter so that patients can continue to receive lifesaving treatments. Upcoming blood donation opportunities: Butler County: 12-4 p.m. Feb. 28 at the John J, Pershing VA Medical Center, 1500 N Westwood, Hwy 67 N in Poplar Bluff...

By MIKE MCCOY SEMO News Service BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Stoddard County Commission discussed the recently approved county budget for 2017 and the possibility of implementing a prescription drug monitoring program at a recent meeting. Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis said preparing the 2017 budget has been one of the most difficult tasks he has faced since becoming a commissioner. ...

By TRAVIS L. QUERTERMOUS BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Before the game started on the road against the Bloomfield Wildcats, Coach Nathan Martin said he was really pleased with how his Puxico Indians team was playing. They had won two games in a row and he felt like they were gelling really well as a team.Then the game started and it looked like Puxico's winning streak was over.Bloomfield raced out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and seemed like they were on their way to an easy win on their Homecoming game.But Puxico recovered and hung around for the rest of the game. ...

Missouri's 2016-2017 deer-hunting season ended Jan. 15 with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reporting a preliminary total harvest of 263,832 deer. Top counties for the overall season were Franklin with 5,272 deer harvested, Howell with 5,242, and Texas with 4,608. Hunters harvested 273,249 deer during the 2015-2016 deer hunting seasons...

Joyce Lavern King , 81, of Las Vegas, Nev. and the wife of the late George King, of Littleton, Colo. died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017 in Littleton, Colo. Services are pending and will be announced at a late date. Burial will be in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield...

Richard Arthur Massey went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. Richard attended Puxico High School. He was father to Amy Smith, preceded in death by his son, Kevin and his parents the late Dorothy and William Massey of Puxico. He was loved by his sisters, Lila Bryant of Cape Girardeau, Mildred Looney of Oldsmar, FLa., Pansy McGee and Velva Buehler of Advance, Mo., Roger Massey of St. Louis, Mo. and Jim Massey of Bakersfield, Calif. Preceded in death by brothers, Joe and Ed Massey...

The 90th Psalm is a prayer of Moses during the wilderness wandering of he and the Israelites. In it, he recognizes the eternal nature and greatness of God and that their predicament was a result of the sins of the people. He notes most of the people are dying by the time they are 70 years old. ...

Marjorie Ann Crites, 75, of Oran passed away Feb. 3, 2017 at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Funeral services were held Feb. 6, 2017 at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Puxico. Interment followed in the Puxico Cemetery. Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Puxico in charge of arrangements...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer It's a common and simple question from most dentists. How would you rate your smile? For nearly all of Karen Whitt's life, she answered "0." Traditional braces changed that for the 52-year-old Poplar Bluff, Mo., resident...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Danielle Mischka of Doniphan, Mo., believes a smile can make all the difference. The 39-year-old is a year into the Invisalign process and says she is more confident because of it. "It has remarkably changed my smile and made me feel so much better about myself," said Mischka, who had braces as a teenager but needed additional help as an adult...

By CHELSAE CORDIA Staff Writer When a not-so-exhilarating run through the park ends in pain, a visit to the PARC may be where the pain ends. The PARC, or physical assessment rehabilitation center, Fitness and Rehab is an extension of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. The facility is a full-service, multi-specialty group featuring physical, occupational and speech therapies, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, athletic training and a community fitness center...