Stories from Wednesday, September 27, 2017

A petition drive by Poplar Bluff residents could force a vote on the location of a new municipal building, but some city council members say it would not change their opinion. City attorney Mark Richardson confirmed Tuesday that if a petition drive collects 2,689 signatures, or the support of 25 percent of registered voters, state law requires a vote of the people before proceeding...

Once the City of Poplar Bluff takes ownership of the Northwest Medical Center property, according to Butler County Collector Emily Parks, the city and county will see a reduction in tax-based funding, with the biggest hit impacting the Poplar Bluff R-1 School District...

An 82-year-old Williamsville, Mo., woman died Tuesday night after being involved in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. 67 and Highway W. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, at about 9:45 p.m. Constance M. Woodring was operating a northbound 2001 Ford Taurus, which was entering the intersection and struck a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix being driven southbound by Adam P. Woodard, 17, of Poplar Bluff, Mo...

From Staff Reports Carolyn Cravens of Poplar Bluff collected $2,525 from family and friends to earn first place and pick of the prizes offered at the 29th Annual Trail Ride to benefit Haven House. Right on her heels were Susan Lawson with $2,368 in pledges and Miranda Hall, whose donations totaled $1,900...

The Neelyville High School cheerleaders have plenty to cheer about this upcoming season. Coming off a performance in Columbia, Mo., at the state basketball tournament this past March and a successful summer camp, the group is looking toward more opportunities with the growth of the squad...

The following individuals have made donations to the Stoddard County Children's Home in the Memory of or In Honor of a loved one for May, June and July of 2017. They are as follows; May 2017 John and Marsha Howser in Memory of Deane Williams Becky L. Williams in Memory of Deane Williams...

The Wappapello Civic Center will have country music and dance from 7-10 p.m. each Saturday evening unless notified otherwise. This week's entertainment will feature Dennis Worley & Red Light Band. The WCC is a smoke and alcohol free facility inside the building...

If asked, "Do you believe the Bible?" You would quickly answer, "Of course, I do." Then you believe Psalms 119:89: "Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven." Obviously this means God has spoken to man, and his will and plan for man's salvation as revealed in the word is unchangeable. ...

The University of Missouri Extension in Butler County is offering a Boost Your Brain & Memory: Brain Fitness Class. Just as you can control and improve your general physical health with good habits, so too can you improve the health of your brain--boosting your memory and mental agility, as well as reducing your risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease or other dementias...

The congregation of the Egypt Community Church announces its new they have a pastor. He and his wife are Pastor Brother Wayne and Sister Erma Lee Page. Their former pastor Brother Rick Knotts had to step down due to illness in his family. Please join in praying for God's hand to be upon them...

From Staff Reports Carolyn Cravens of Poplar Bluff collected $2,525 from family and friends to earn first place and pick of the prizes offered at the 29th Annual Trail Ride to benefit Haven House. Right on her heels were Susan Lawson with $2,368 in pledges and Miranda Hall, whose donations totaled $1,900...

A 56-year-old Wappapello, Mo., man was killed in a one-vehicle crash at 8:20 p.m. Saturday on Highway T, four miles southwest of Puxico, Mo. According to the report, Donnie J. Crawford was operating a 2004 Chevrolet pickup northbound when it an off the road and struck several trees...

PUXICO, Mo. -- The Bearcats have swept their regular season Stoddard County Activities Association schedule. Dexter, which hasn't lost in nearly a month, beat Puxico 25-6, 25-11 to complete its county schedule. Of its SCAA opponents, Bloomfield was the only team to win a set against the Bearcats...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Governor Eric Greitens has appointed Bradley D. Jarrell, of Dexter, as Associate Circuit Court Judge for the 35th Judicial Circuit, which covers Stoddard County. Jarrell will replace the Honorable Stephen Mitchell, who retired earlier this month...

Charles Hedspeth last wore his Army uniform nearly 50 years ago, following a tour in Vietnam. The Puxico, Mo., veteran donned his Class A uniform again for Patriot Pictures Day at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. The event held Sept. 16 celebrated veterans by snapping photographs of the men and women in uniform and with family, or even playing a few tunes on a favorite banjo...

The annual Williamsville/Black River Volunteer Fire Department Benefit Chili Supper will be held from 4-8 p.m. Oct. 7 at the fire department in Williamsville on Highway A. Attendees will be able to choose from chili and a peanut butter sandwich, a hot dog and chips, or a chili dog and chips. All meals include dessert and a drink...

By STEPHEN MOORE Back in 1996, a Republican Congress and a Democratic president (Bill Clinton) enacted one of the most historic bipartisan policy victories in modern times: the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act for welfare reform...

Hefner Furniture & Appliance is in the process of adding a new upscale furniture option for the area. According to Hefner Furniture & Appliance owner Slug Hefner, a new generation of Ashley Home Store will take over the building next to the main furniture store. "This is a new generation of Ashley Home Store," Hefner said. "This is the latest and greatest in home design."...

Shoe Sensation of Poplar Bluff, Mo., celebrated its local team and community Sept. 20, part of an ongoing customer appreciation event. The retailer provided a donation to local charity Sole Providers (see photo on 9A) and gave away a one-year lease on a new car to an employee...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN "America refuses to address the pervasive evil of white cops killing black men, and I will not stand during a national anthem that honors the flag of such a country!" That is the message Colin Kaepernick sent by "taking a knee" during the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner" before San Francisco '49s games in 2016. No NFL owner picked up his contract in 2017. But a few players began to copy Colin and to "take a knee."...

Honesty in gasoline prices? I just wanted to say I gassed up yesterday in Pocahontas, Ark. for $2.29 a gallon. I gassed up today in Doniphan for $2.29 a gallon and that's the price all over seems like, except for Poplar Bluff. I wonder what the problem is with Poplar Bluff? Are these people honest?...

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Samuel L. Cure, 73, of Grandin, Mo., died Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation will begin at noon Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, in the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will start at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Brother Doug Rose officiating. Burial will follow in the Beaver Dam Cemetery...

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Daniel Ray Kearbey, 62, of Doniphan, Mo., died Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, at Southeast Hospital in Ripley County. Visitation will be held from 5 - 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. A private burial will take place...

Virginia Darlene Casinger, 88, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017 at Mark Twain Caring Center. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

Margaret Nely Jaynes Worley, 58, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017 at her residence in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Worley was born Sept. 6, 1959 in Poplar Bluff, Mo., the daughter of the late Donald and Shirley Nely. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandsons. She had formerly worked at Carlsbad Caverns...

The Poplar Bluff softball team was in a giving mood Tuesday. After committing four errors in an eight-run fifth inning of a 10-8 loss, the Mules honored their seniors then presented gift bags to the six Kelly seniors at Bobby Strenfel Field. "Francis Howell did it for our seniors and our seniors really liked it," Mules coach Lisa Boyer said. "We thought that was so nice, they liked it so much they thought to pay it forward."...

BERNIE -- The Bernie volleyball team hasn't always been a model of consistency this season. And on Tuesday, the Mules looked like two different teams. After cruising in the opening set, then struggling to find its rhythm in Game 2, Bernie overcame its inconsistency woes, beating Twin Rivers 25-7, 22-25, 25-12 to snap the Royals' six-match win streak...

BERNIE -- In the bottom of the fourth inning, everyone briefly forgot they were in the middle of a pitchers' duel. After three scoreless innings, Bernie broke through for eight runs, including a grand slam by Nate Dillinger. It was the only frame where either team scored as Bernie went on to win the Bernie September Showdown, and final game of its fall season, 8-0 over Neelyville...

The Poplar Bluff soccer team had a state-ranked opponent on its heels for 55 minutes Tuesday night. Daniel Lozano had a hat trick for the Mules before Notre Dame rallied for a stunning 4-3 win at Mules Stadium. The Bulldogs scored four times in the final 25 1/2 minutes, tying the game with 98 seconds left before Griffin Stewart's winner with five seconds remaining...

Jack and Gerry Rogers will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary with an open house from 2 - 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 at Community Church of Christ in Lowndes, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers were married Sept. 26, 1947 in Midland, Mich. They have lived in Missouri most of their married life, including Shook, Pevely, Dexter, Zalma and Lowndes...

GREENVILLE -- Tye Huff tossed a no-hitter and Alex Hicks provided all the offense as the Greenville baseball team handed East Carter a 1-0 loss in an Ozark Foothills Conference game on Tuesday. Huff needed 79 pitches to mow down the Redbirds. He struck out six and walked one while throwing 57 pitches for strikes in the win for Greenville (3-9, 1-3 OFC)...