Stories from Friday, May 25, 2018

By MONA CHAREN My youngest son's college graduation ceremony was scheduled to be held outdoors. The invitation specified that it would be moved inside to the gym only in the event of "severe" weather. As it turned out, the day was unseasonably cold (low 50s) with occasional drizzle -- probably about as nasty as the weather gets in May without qualifying for severe status...

During her 13-years with Poplar Bluff Schools, Tracey Cox and her son Tyson have been a team. She started with the district when he was in kindergarten and has been able to experience his youth "from the inside," a unique perspective most parents don't get to see, she said...

By ADRIANA COHEN The NFL is standing for America. It finally displayed leadership Wednesday, announcing that it has banned players from kneeling on the field while our national anthem is played. Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement, "This season, all league and team personnel shall stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem."...

During the school year, I visit the classrooms on a rotating basis, to share something about our faith with each group. After first grade, I usually share a discussion about some item of interest. With the pre-school and kindergarten, we usually sing. One of their favorites is the chorus: "I've got that joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart..." This song is always a guarantee for enthusiasm...

BLOOMFIELD -- Mission accomplished. The Bloomfield Wildcats set a goal for a top four finish in the MSHSAA Class 1 Boys Golf State Championship and brought home the hardware to commemorate their accomplishment. "Going into this year, we knew we had everybody coming back, the five guys who went to state the year before," said Bloomfield coach Travis Westbrook, whose team finished seventh in the 2017 state tournament. ...

ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Dianna Gail Wilson, 70, of Ellsinore, Mo., died Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Online condolences: www.mcspaddenfh.com

MALDEN, Mo. -- Billy Bailey, 89, of Malden died Sunday, May 20, 2018 at his residence in Malden. Visitation will be from 10 - 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at the Landess Funeral Home in Malden. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Aulden LeBlanc officiating. Burial with military honors will be at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield at 2 p.m...

Henry Lee Mosbey, 82, of Fisk, Mo. died Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at Poplar bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. He was born Sept. 17, 1935 in Fisk to the late James Henry and Bessie Jane Mosbey. On Dec. 27, 1954, he married Bobbie (Johnson) Mosbey, who preceded him in death July 7, 2013...

Electric, water and sewer upgrades have been completed at the 25 original campsites that make up the front loop of the Old Greenville Recreation Area. A contractor can now come in and begin widening the campsite pads, as $1 million in repairs and upgrades continue...

Staff Reports Visitors and residents will be out in full force along Route 25 Memorial Day weekend in search of bargains at the 100-Mile Yard Sale, but MoDOT wants you to remember the greatest savings of the event could be a life. "It's a fun weekend that people look forward to each year," says Traffic Engineer Craig Compas, "but we want people to remember that there's more traffic and more congestion along Route 25 this weekend than any other and drivers need to keep that in mind."...