Stories from Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Poplar Bluff city council chambers and city court are expected to move to the Black River Coliseum in April, following a decision Monday by city council members. The item was not part of the regular council agenda, and was discussed during the city manager's report...

The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 1056 is hosting its annual Vietnam War Veterans Day celebration to recognize the men and women who served in the Vietnam War at 11 a.m. Friday at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on the Three Rivers College (TRC) campus...

Representatives say a majority of Poplar Bluff police officers want to be part of a union, but some city council members believe the discussion should wait until after an April 3 municipal election. The matter was discussed Monday, but no decisions were made and no time frame was set for the matter to be brought back before the council...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Kenneth Lee Simpson, 50, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at the Southeast Health of Stoddard County in Dexter. A memorial service was held Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the New Life Baptist Church in Wappapello. Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter in charge of arrangements...

W. Reid Brotherton, 50, of Wappapello died Monday, March 12, 2018 in Perry County, Mo. Visitation was held March 16, 2018 and the funeral service March 17, 2018, both at the Morgan Sifford Funeral Chapel in Puxico, Mo. Rev. Roy Michaels officiated. Burial followed in the Post Oak Cemetery in Patton, Mo...

QULIN. Mo. -- George B. Tidwell, 90, of Qulin, Mo., died Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Oakdale Care Center, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation and funeral were Saturday, March 17, 2018 at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Qulin with Rev. Gary Hancock officiating. Burial was in Brown Chapel Cemetery at Broseley, Mo...

About six months before Jesus was to be crucified, he began to intensify his teaching of the Apostles. It was an effort to prepare them for the coming shock of his death and the disappointment and hopelessness it was sure to bring. He took Peter, James and John upon a mountain and was transfigured before them. ...

Robert Therman "Sonny" Arnold, 81, son of the late Robert and Leora Arnold, was born in Zalma, Mo., on Nov. 4, 1936, and passed away at the Westchester House in Chesterfield, Mo. on March 12, 2018. Robert had lived in St. Louis, Melbourne, Fla. and Poplar Bluff before moving to Chesterfield six months ago. He had been an auto body specialist and mechanic, working out of the Machinist Hall #777. He enjoyed old cars and motorcycles...

Puxico Elementary School teachers have announced the following students are on the third quarter honor roll. Third Grade: Dominick Allen, Jaden Arnold, Jonah Beavers, Emma Brown, Emberlyn Buchanan, William Burkman, Gracie Campbell, Hope Clark, Jalynn Credille, Kiersten DeLong, Kaylee Dumas, Aidyn Earnheart, Hayden Farris, Tyler Fortner, Brody Frost, Makenzie Grubbs, Layla Hale, Addison Hancock, Miley Harmon, Bryson Helm, Dillan Lambert, Jude Lawrence, Aydn Mainard, Mary McClure, Jacob McMeans, Riley McIntyre, Grant McMillan, Emily Melton, Taylor Muller, Phoebe O'Dell, Garrett Oliver, Lilly Oliver, Kylee Peters, Kelsi Placher, Aubree Powell, Kaitlynn Powers, Maggie Reinert, Carlee Smith, Shalen Smith, Megan Smothers, Chasidy Taylor, Cody Wallace, Maddalyn Ward, Johnathan Watkins, Kelley Welch, Arica Wilkinson and Brayden Zych.. ...

By TERRY PAULSON The March unemployment report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that, in February, the unemployment rate remained 4.1 percent for the fifth consecutive month and the number of unemployed persons was essentially unchanged at 6.7 million...

Marjorie Wright, 69, died Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. There are no services planned. www.fowlersullivanfuneralhome.com

By MONA CHAREN There are so many things to lament about the modern world -- fracturing families, the rise of authoritarianism, the rage for torn jeans -- but there is also much to celebrate and savor. One is the abundance of great conversation available through podcasts. There's my own, of course, "Need to Know," and then there is the master...

Signaling that the priorities and values of the Midwest no longer take a back seat to those of the coastal elite, for the third time in less than eight months, this week President Trump once again visited our great state. Last August, I joined our President in Springfield to officially kick off our push for comprehensive tax reform to reduce the tax burden on American businesses, farmers, families and workers. ...

Marjorie Wright, 69, died Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. There are no services planned. www.fowlersullivanfuneralhome.com

PUXICO, Mo. -- Richard Dean Hendrix, 79, of Puxico, Mo., died Wednesday March 14, 2018 at his daughter's home in Caldwell, Idaho. A memorial service will be held, Friday, April 4, 2018 at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. Arrangement are under the direction of Morgan-Sifford Funeral Home...

Ilaha Fern Bunn, 103, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, March 19, 2018 at The Manor. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff, Mo.

FISK, Mo. -- Alma Adell Finley, age 83, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Raised in Southeast Missouri, Mrs. Finley was born September 6, 1934 in New Madrid County, Mo. to the late Martin Luther and Audrey Vera (James) Rhodes. Growing up she attended Caledonia Elementary School and Fisk High School. She attended First Assembly of God Church, and Recycling Grace in Poplar Bluff...

CORNING, Ark. - Garland "Jake" Duff, 97, of Doniphan, MO passed away Sunday, March 18, 2018. He was born on September 5, 1920 in Maynard AR to Andrew J. Duff and, Alma Crowell Duff. On September 5, 1938 he married the love of his life, Sybil Carter...

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Barbara Shearrer, 69 of Patterson, Mo., passed away Thursday, March 15, 2018, at St. Louis University Hospital. She was born August 27, 1948 at Patterson, to parents William Walter and Gladys (McAllister) Bailey. Barbara was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. ...

Irene Smith, age 89, left her earthly residence on Sunday evening with her loving family at her side. She is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ experiencing the joys of heaven, having become a believer and being river baptized in 1950...

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Amy Katherine Peppers, 84, of Piedmont, died Saturday, March 17, 2018, at Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 11 a.m. until funeral services beginning at 1 p.m., at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery near Piedmont. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Steffen L. Hastings, 27, of Piedmont, died Friday, March 16, 2018, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 22, 2018, at 5 p.m., at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont. Services will follow Friday, March 23, 2018, at 1 p.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont. ...

The temperature may still be cool outside, but it is a perfect time of year to start getting prepared for the boating season. Boating safety advocates are urging boaters to enroll in a boating education course prior to the summer boating season. "Spring Aboard-Take A Boating Education Course," is nationally coordinated campaign effort, during the week of March 18-24, to increase the awareness of taking a boating education course...

The Raiders had as many errors as they had hits Sunday. The offense and defense had trouble at times as Three Rivers was swept by St. Charles 5-1 in the opener and 10-2 in seven innings in the nightcap at Roger Pattillo field. Three Rivers (8-10, 4-8 Region XVI) had seven hits and seven errors on the day, but despite that, was competitive until late in both games. St. Charles scored 13 of its 15 runs after the fourth inning...

Madison Kacynski of Fisk has received the Harry & Ida Blue Memorial Scholarship to attend Three Rivers College. Kacynski plans to major in elementary education while at Three Rivers. The Harry & Ida Blue Memorial Scholarship is earmarked for students who attended a Butler County high school and are pursuing a degree in elementary or secondary education. The scholarship is administered by the Three Rivers Endowment Trust, the recognized 501(c)(3) fundraising partner for Three Rivers College...

The Stoddard County Courthouse will soon see cupola repairs thanks to a partial grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and State Historic Preservation Office. The county was awarded a grant for $60,000 while putting in $40,000 for cupola repairs including sheet metal cladding restoration and application of an elastomeric finish coating, sealant replacement and painting. Construction is expected to be completed by Sept. 1...

The University of Missouri Extension in Butler County is offering a Boost Your Brain & Memory: Brain Fitness Class. The workshop will cost $35 and will meet on eight consecutive Mondays, starting April 2 at the Extension Center located at 614 Lindsay Ave, Suite 3 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m...

PUXICO, Mo. -- The pan seat was taller than its 7-year-old driver. It had a crank start that needed adult hands. There was no power steering, and not even a pair of rubber tires to cover the bare steel wheels. "That's what I started out on. That there is rough riding," 68-year-old Allen Parsley said on a rainy March afternoon, as he ducked under the cover of a shed sitting off a series of gravel roads near Puxico...

The Puxico OAKS Nutrition Center is participating in the 16th Annual March for Meals- a month long, community-by-community celebration of Meal on Wheels and the vulnerable seniors who rely on the vital service to remain independent at home. The Puxico Nutrition Center's celebration will culminate Friday, March 23 for an all community luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Missouri Foundation for Health is an affiliate sponsor for this event...