Stories from Thursday, July 12, 2018

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS The Canadian government, lining the pockets of its dairy producers, imposes high tariffs on American dairy imports. That forces Canadians to pay higher prices for dairy products. For example, Canadians pay $5.24 for a 10.5-ounce block of cheddar. ...

Kudzu can, and will, take over an area once it is established. The plant chokes out most of the native vegetation in an area, creating a monoculture that displaces native wildlife dependent on native flora. In 2014, Mark Twain National Forest leadership established a well-defined Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) program; and the kudzu infestation at Hendrickson Recreation Area was one of the first sites of their focused efforts...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- The president, who might not be fully acquainted with the pertinent Supreme Court case law, says the appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel was unconstitutional. The president's opinion, because it is his, is prima facie evidence for the opposite conclusion. It is, however, not sufficient evidence. Consider the debate between two serious people who have immersed themselves in the history of the Appointments Clause, which says:...

By MARC A. THIESSEN WASHINGTON -- It is difficult to imagine any Republican senator opposing President Trump's nomination to the Supreme Court of Brett M. Kavanaugh, a judge with impeccable credentials, strong intellect and sterling character. If Republicans stay united, Kavanaugh's confirmation as the next associate justice is assured. ...

"Fishing is kind of slow." That's the word from Charlie Brotherton at Sundowner Marina on Wappapello Lake. "It's just a hot summer and there's not much going on," he said. Brotherton rated crappie fishing as fair, with most fish being caught in shallow water in the lake's upper reaches...

Although temperatures are peaking into the 90s, now is the time to get ready and prepare for fall deer and turkey hunting. July is the time to apply for managed deer hunts in the state of Missouri. The first thing to do is either pick up a copy of the "2018 Fall Deer & Turkey" pamphlet at a local permit vendor or review the information online at mdc.mo.gov...

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Mark Allan Richey, 48, of Doniphan, formerly of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, died Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at his home in Doniphan. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 14, 2018, at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Brothers Larry Earl and John Durham officiating...

FISK, Mo. -- Nadine Barton, 86, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Swift Creek Residential Facility, in Poplar Bluff. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, July 13, 2018 at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. Funeral will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Bro. Dale Swain Officiating. Burial will be in Rombauer Cemetery at Rombauer, Mo...

NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Jerome "Jerry" McDowell Cox, 84, of Neelyville, Mo. passed away Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at the Westwood Hills Therapy Facility. Mr. Cox was born Feb. 22, 1934 in Neelyville. He worked as a math teacher and enjoyed woodworking, gardening, genealogy of the family tree and fishing. He was a member of the Neelyville Methodist Church and the Odd Fellows...

Sherley A. Harley, 67, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, July 10 2018 at her residence. A Celebration of Life will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 19 2018 at the Cotrell Funeral Chapel. The evangelist John Hale will officiate. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotrellfunealservice.com...

BERNIE -- With flames billowing hundreds of feet in the air, firefighters from around the area battled a fire for four hours Wednesday afternoon. Shortly after 1 p.m., Bernie Fire Department responded to a diesel fuel tank fire at Highway Z and County Road 779, eight miles east of Bernie at Lowery Farms...

While immersed in the gentle motions of Tai Chi, men and women lined the aisles of the Tinnin Center on Wednesday during a mental health and suicide awareness conference. The fluid movements aimed to relax muscles and instill calmness within each participant...

As rangers with the Ozark National Scenic Riverways helped a family of five into their boat during a historic Current River flood, the 40-foot water level and rough conditions were enough to scare even those who had grown up on the waterway. Joshua Gibbs, Lindel Gregory, Patrick Jackson and Daniel Newberry conducted more than 30 of these swift-water rescues in April 2017...

Facing a 6-2 deficit heading into the fourth of six total innings, the odds of Century 21 American Realty hoisting the championship trophy looked bleak. That changed when a barrage of hits swung the score -- and the odds -- in the team's favor. Off of those bats, Century 21 reeled in seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings, toppling Walker and Sons 9-6 to win the Poplar Bluff Parks Dept. Civic League Championship...

Investigators with the Butler County Sheriff's Department learned earlier this week that the bones recovered in November from a drained lake are that of Edward Acie Goodwin. Goodwin was reported missing on July 5, 2015, by his mother, Connie Goodwin. Investigators have verified the 32-year-old was last seen on June 29, 2015...

BLOOMFIELD -- A warrant was issued Wednesday for the arrest of a Dexter man who authorities say fled to Colorado after he allegedly stabbed another man to death in late June. Joshua James Koonce, 30, of the 1100 block North Sassafras Street was charged with the Class A felony of second-degree murder and the unclassified felony of armed criminal action by Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver...