Stories from Tuesday, July 3, 2018

pā*tri*ot*ism /'pātr�""�,tiz"�m/ noun the quality of being patriotic; vigorous support for one's country From the moment we first lay eyes on their tiny face, fingers and toes, we do our best to protect our children, and keep them out of harm's way...

The city of Poplar Bluff and Municipal Utilities had a combined debt of nearly $52 million at the end of 2017, according to audit documents reviewed Monday by the city council. The audit was presented by Steve Austin of Kraft, Miles and Tatum. Additional information on the audit will appear in Friday's edition of the Daily American Republic...

NEELYVILLE, Mo. - Elmer Russ Williams Jr., 86, of Corning, AR, died Friday, June 29, 2018 at Arkansas-Methodist Hospital in Paragould, AR. A memorial visitation will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 3 at Fowler & Sons Funeral Home in Neelyville. The memorial service will follow at noon in the funeral home. Burial will be in Corning Cemetery at a a later date...

VAN BUREN, Mo. - Ronald "Ron" Leland Jackson, 50, of Poplar Bluff, MO, died Thursday, June 28, 2018 at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 3 at the McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren, MO. The funeral will follow at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel will Rev. Don Richmann officiating. Burial will be in Brown's Chapel Cemetery in Broseley, MO...

The true definition of a neighbor is someone who, without thinking, comes to the aid of those in need. This is the glue that holds a community together. This past Friday (June 15), at approximately 11:53 a.m. the Poplar Bluff Fire Department got to witness first hand what makes our community so special. ...

VAN BUREN, Mo. - Ronald "Ron" Leland Jackson, 50, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, June 28, 2018 at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 3 at the McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren, Mo. The funeral will follow at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel will Rev. Don Richmann officiating. Burial will be in Brown's Chapel Cemetery in Broseley, Moss...

Republicans are right to call for tough measures to deter illegal immigration -- which means building the wall, ending the "catch and release" policy and challenging the harboring strategies of sanctuary cities. But where Republicans are wrong is in calling for strict caps and even reductions in legal immigration visas. Rather than be restricted, the so-called H-1B program, which brings skilled workers to our country, should be expanded...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN "No Borders! No Nations! No Deportations!" "Abolish ICE!" Before last week, these were the mindless slogans of an infantile left, seen on signs at rallies to abolish ICE, the agency that arrests and deports criminal aliens who have no right to be in our country...

History will not likely portray this time in our nation as our finest hour. We are indeed in the midst of an ideological civil war that threatens to undermine confidence in our federal government. Having spent the last half of the 1960s on a college campus, I am familiar with protests. Changing attitudes and policies on civil rights and the strong and growing opposition to the war in Vietnam combined to incite countless protests across this country from coast to coast...

DEXTER, Mo. - Dale Vaughn, 61, of Essex, Mo., died Sunday, July 1, 2018 at his residence. Visitation will be after 10 a.m., Thursday, July 5 at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter until time of service at noon in the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter. Burial will be in the Triplett Cemetery near Dexter with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements...

DEXTER, Mo. - Jo Anne Morgan, 83, of Dexter, died Monday, July 2, 2018 at the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center in Dexter. Visitation will be at 11 a.m., Friday, July 6, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. The funeral will follow at 1 p.m. in the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter...

PUXICO, Mo. - Verlon "Joe" Wilfong of Puxico, died Saturday, June 30 at Puxico Nursing and Rehab. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 3 at Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. in the Morgan Sifford Chapel with Rev. Ray Placher officiating. Burial will be in Brown Church Cemetery in Puxico...

MALDEN, Mo. - Pearl Louise Headley, 89, of Wappapello, Mo., formerly of Malden, died Friday, June 29, 2018 at her residence. Visitation will be at 12:30 p.m., Friday, July 6 at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. The funeral will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Bradshaw Chapel with Rev. Aulden LaBlanc officiating. Burial will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield...

Construction has started on two new retail buildings in Poplar Bluff, as a dental clinic prepares to open on the north side. Space for approximately 17 businesses is planned for two buildings on Tucker Road, near Shelby Road, said David Kearbey of Turn-Key Investments. The buildings will be similar to one constructed by Turn-Key at Three Rivers Boulevard and Shelby, he said...

Dorothy Ann Stacy, 70, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., left this earth to join her Heavenly Father Monday, July 2, 2018 at her home. Dorothy, the daughter of the late Paul and Anna Tyler was born Dec. 30, 1947 in Manila, Ark. She was a member of the Pentecostal Church of Harviell and was a retired Licensed Practical Nurse. She enjoyed going to church and singing. Dorothy's greatest joy was time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren...

Patriotic festivities will continue into the weekend with the American Cancer Society's Red, White & Blue Party at The Camp at Lake Wappapello. The All-American themed event will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday. Slated events for the evening include live music, an auction, games and more to support the American Cancer Society's mission to save lives from the disease...

Local authorities are searching for a non-compliant sex offender who missed his required 90-day address verification check-in. Poplar Bluff Police Capt. David Sutton said Michael Heath Owen, 37, failed to verify his current address with the Butler County Sheriff's Department...

First Lt. Kacey Proctor has visited 11 different military installations in the last seven months with his National Guard unit. Its soldiers have traveled to Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to help strengthen ties with partner nations and assess mission progress...

VAN BUREN, Mo. - Daniel Gerald "Danny" Allmon, 62, of Springfield, MO, died Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield. Visitation will be at noon, Saturday, July 7 in the McSpadden Funeral Home Chapel in Van Buren. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Sue Warner officiating. Burial will be in the Gresham Cemetery in Ellsinore, MO with Patriot Guard and Missouri Military honors...