Stories from Wednesday, December 20, 2017

A mobile home fire Sunday morning led to a double tragedy for a Doniphan family. Ripley County Coroner Mike Jackson said Wednesday that he was awaiting full autopsy reports for Letha Neeley, 33, and her stepfather, J.T. Robertson, 60. Neeley and her two children reportedly resided with Robertson at his mobile home on County Road 21N-2, three miles north of Doniphan...

District 153 State Rep. Steve Cookson recently was appointed by Gov. Eric Greitens to serve on the state's Organ Donation Advisory Committee. His term will last until Jan. 2020. Earlier this year, Cookson was diagnosed with kidney failure and in April announced on the Missouri House of Representatives floor that he is in need of a life-saving liver transplant. Cookson said he plans to use his position on the committee to raise awareness about the need for organ donation...

No candidates have come forward more than one week into filing for two Poplar Bluff City Council seats. Some officials believe this is the first time in decades that no candidate has signed up on the opening day of filings, let alone a week into the time frame...

Funds to address issues with a downtown parking garage on South Broadway are not included in a 2018 budget for the city of Poplar Bluff. It will likely be at least 2019 before officials could have the money to find a solution for the 40-year-old concrete structure...

DEXTER, Mo. - Bobby Gene Hayden, 74, of Dexter died Friday, Dec. 15, 2017 at the Puxico Nursing Center in Puxico, Mo. Visitation was from noon - 1 p.m., Tuesday, Dec.19 at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. The funeral followed at 1 p.m. in the chapel with Rev. Dale Holman of Dexter officiating...

We have many beautiful songs written about the birth of our Lord and Savior that inspired us to have faith in him and to love and serve him. Many of our deepest feelings can be expressed best in poetry and song. Such was the case in announcing the birth of Jesus who was to become our Savior...

More than 130 former members of the National Guard gathered at the Poplar Bluff Armory recently for breakfast, to share memories and salute departed comrades for the 25th Annual Southeast Missouri National Guard Breakfast and Reunion. "The focus continues to be on renewing friendships with former fellow soldiers from near and far away," Chief Warrant Officer 4, Retired Cecil Brake said...

Rev. Alan Lohmann, 73, of Poplar Bluff died Friday, Dec. 8, 2017 at the John J. Pershing V.A. Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Visitations services were held Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 at the Lakeland Assembly of God in Wappapello followed by the funeral service at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military rights Dec. 12,...

PUXICO -- In two weeks time, the script flipped in a rematch from the Bernie Invitational. Puxico never put together a sustained run and Twin Rivers steadily pulled away for a 67-46 win Dec. 12 at Puxico. The Royals (3-4), who lost by 14 to Puxico two weeks ago, bookended their win with two substantial runs, one in the first quarter and one in the fourth. Both featured several buckets by Hayden Thomas, who led all scorers with 37 points...

A restaurant worker at the Huddle House in Dexter, Mo., was confirmed to have hepatitis A and was potentially contagious while handling food, state health officials said Thursday. Anyone who ate at the restaurant between Nov. 21 and Dec. 2 should seek medical care if they have symptoms of hepatitis A...

By CALEB H. SWALLOWS Puxico Press For a high school basketball player to hit 1,000 points in their high school basketball career is quite a feat and the Puxico High School Girls' Basketball team has not just one but two players to hit this incredibly, difficult goal...

President Donald Trump has recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and it absolutely, undeniably is and has been for 70 years. In fact, an American law has said as much since 1995 and past presidents named Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all echoed the indubitable verdict at one time or another...

With a focus on community safety, Buffalo Wild Wings has taken steps to ensure all of its servers are properly trained in how check identification before serving alcohol. Approximately 30 servers received responsible beverage server certification, said Rachel Crockett, general manager...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS Before the question, how about a few statistics? The 20th century was mankind's most brutal century. Roughly 16 million people lost their lives during World War I; about 60 million died during World War II. Wars during the 20th century cost an estimated 71 million to 116 million lives...

O'Neal Elementary School has selected their Students of the Month for September, October and November. September First grader Audrina Dye, daughter of Andrea Ferguson and Jimmy Dye, Jr. was selected her teacher, Amy Courtney. Her hobbies are playing with her little pony, shopping, hanging out with her sisters, paint pictures, feed and take care of turkeys at her at dad's house. ...

By CYNTHIA M. ALLEN Fort Worth Star-Telegram via Tribune News Service I have never before taken much interest in Alabama politics. But like millions of people across the nation with no ties to the "Heart of Dixie," I anxiously awaited the results of the special election between Republican Roy Moore and Democrat Doug Jones...

DEXTER, Mo.-- Mertie G. Cates, 97, of Dexter died Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, at the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center in Dexter. Visitation will be held after 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, until time for services at 11 a.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter with Rev. ...

NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Robert Donald Balling Jr., 56, of Oxly, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, at Southeast Health Center of Ripley County in Doniphan, Mo. He was born July 28, 1961, in Lakewood, Calif. He had worked as a security guard. Survivors are his fiance, Barbara Henry of Fairdealing, Mo.; stepchildren, Kassandra Taylor Revelle and husband, Joey, of Fairdealing, and Cameron Taylor of Poplar Bluff; mother, Helen Balling Wright of Nevada, Mo.; and brother, Travis Baling...

Carol-Lynn Julie Steiger, 64, a long time resident of Poplar Bluff, passed away Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Nov. 14, 1953 in Detroit, Mich. to the late Murel Franklin Payne and Betty Alice Lyle Payne. She was of the Protestant faith...

BROSELEY -- New Madrid County Central's unbeaten start to its season came to a grinding halt in the quarterfinals of the Lady Royals Christmas Classic on Tuesday. The Eagles were held to a season-low point total in shooting 29.8 percent from the field and host Twin Rivers rebounded enough to secure a 58-43 win...

BROSELEY -- Lexi Liau's putback off a missed 3-pointer to start the game Tuesday was a preview of what was to follow. Neelyville crashed the boards and any hopes of an upset by seventh-seeded Doniphan as the Tigers advanced with a 74-44 win in the Lady Royals Christmas Classic quarterfinal at Twin Rivers High School...

Barbara Lee Cowin, 68, of Harviell, passed away on Dec. 16, 2017 at her residence in Harviell. She was born on Aug. 30, 1949 to John and Marie (Pixley) Sides in Bell City, Mo. Barbara graduated Mineral Area College with her RN degree in 1986. Barbara worked at Lucy Lee Hospital as a Psychiatric Nurse where she retired...

John Edgar Nelson, 71, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in his residence. He was born Sept. 27, 1946, in Pontiac, Mich. His hobbies were riding Harleys and fishing. Survivors are his children, Johnny Mike Nelson, Carmon Nelson and Laura Kennedy; sisters, Judy Cox, Carmen Flesher and Sharron Chaepel; brothers, Joseph Marler and Jimmy Livingston; ten grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren...

BROSELEY -- Naylor senior Callie Pickrell scored 36 points Saturday in the Eagles' first-round win over Kelly at the Lady Royals Christmas Classic. Chaffee coach Andrew Boone took notice. The Red Devils held Pickrell to 15 points Tuesday night, and fifth-seeded Chaffee beat No. 4 Naylor 48-26 in the quarterfinals at Twin Rivers High School...

VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Katherine Lou Segraves, 94, of Van Buren, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at Riverways Manor Nursing Home in Van Buren. Visitation will be at 5 p.m., Thursday, at the South Van Buren General Baptist Church in Van Buren, with the funeral service at 1 p.m., Friday, at the Biggers Baptist Church in Biggers, Ark. Rev. Charles Ray will officiate. Burial will be in the Hite Cemetery, Biggers, Ark...

BROSELEY -- Another day, another lopsided victory for the Dexter Bearcats. The top-seeded Bearcats rolled past ninth-seeded Kennett 69-22 Tuesday night in the quarterfinals of the Lady Royals Christmas Classic at Twin Rivers High School. After crushing 16th-seeded East Carter 104-21 in the first round Saturday, the Bearcats built a huge lead against Kennett that resulted in a running clock in the fourth quarter because they led by 30 or more points...

Tommy Knodell, 82, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. passed away Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 at Mark Twain Caring Center. Mr. Knodell was born May 26, 1935 at Wappapello, Mo. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf and especially gospel music, singing with various quartets over the years including the Little Brushy Quartet and the Gospel Lights. He also preached in nursing homes, and on local radio stations for over 40 years, He also served in the National Guard...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Lucille Pratt, 81, of Dexter died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter with Rev. Gary Cooper of Swinton officiating. Burial will be in the Harper Cemetery in Aid, Mo. with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service in charge of arrangements...

Mary Meador of Patterson, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at Southeast Hospital, Cape Girardeau, Mo. Arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville, MO.

Gary Worley, 55, of Puxico, Mo. passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 at Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital. He was born on Aug. 15, 1962 to Gene Worley and GigiAlexanderin Springfield, Mo. Garyworked at Worley Implement with his family for most of his life. Gary was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending the days on Current River with his wife and son. Gary frequented Duck Creek and Mingo as part of his daily routine...

Lloyd Miller, 89, of Rombauer, Mo. died Monday, December 18, 2017 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. He was born July 3, 1928 in Edege Hill, Mo. to the late John Floyd Miller and Rosa Jones Miller. He was a long time resident of Butler County...

PUXICO, Mo. -- Georgia Kay Stilts, 90, of Puxico died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter. Visitation will be at 5 p.m. Thursday at Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico. Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, at Morgan Sifford Funeral Home.. Rev. Ray Placher will officiate. Burial will be in the Puxico City Cemetery...

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- William Benjamin "Bill" Teasdale, 80, Doniphan died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation will begin at noon Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, at Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Brother John Harwell officiating...

VIBURNUM, Mo. -- Kory Ricker hit a game-winner at the buzzer to lift Van Buren to a 71-70 win over Viburnum. Ricker finished with eight points and the buzzer beater was his first points since the first quarter. Jacob Brown led the Bulldogs (4-3) with 23 points after sinking six 3-pointers, including three in the third quarter. Hayden Towner and Conner Jackson each had 12 points for Van Buren...

FISK, Mo. -- Christopher David Veatch, 48, of Kennett, died Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 at his residence. Mr. Veatch was born Oct. 7, 1969 in Poplar Bluff. He was a branch manager for World Finance in Kennett. He enjoyed music, hunting, archery, arrowhead hunting, attending music concerts and visiting State Parks. ...

Barbara Cowin -- Harviell, Mo. Mertie Cates -- Dexter, Mo. John Edgar Nelson -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Carol-Lynn Steiger -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Robert D. Balling, Jr.-- Oxly, Mo. Christopher D. Veatch -- Kennett, Mo. Katherine Seagraves -- Van Burne, Mo. Obie Lee Cole, Jr. -- Bremerton, Wash...

Letha Leoma Neeley, 33, of Doniphan, Mo., passed away Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 at her home. Mrs. Neeley was born Dec. 5, 1984 in Fort Worth, Texas. She is survived by her children; Anastasia Rayne Brame, Jensen Alexander Boggs; parents; Terry Neeley and Maggie Heath; one brother; Allen Wayne Myers; and one sister; Carrie Ann Myers, and many cousins and friends...

Karen Rae James, 52, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017 at her home. Karen was born Jan. 19, 1965 to the late Larry L. James and Nancy Locke (James) Ferraro. Her three brothers, Tommy James, Kenny James and Michael James; her loving friend, Pat Waddell; many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews survive her...

George Reed of Puxico, son of the late Anthony Leroy and Eva Marcella Clodfelter Reed, was born Dec. 2, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri and passed away at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff Tuesday Dec. 12, 2017, at the age of 75 years and 10 days...

ADVANCE, Mo.-- Jerry Dewayne Coffee, 72, of Advance died Monday, Dec. 11, 2017 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Services were held Thursday, Dec. 14, at the Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance. Rev. Kevin Coffee officiated. Burial followed in the Dongola Cemetery in Dongola, Mo. with full military rites...