Stories from Friday, October 21, 2011

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Whether the school district should pay for fuel for academic competition trips was the main topic of discussion at Tuesday night's Twin Rivers R-X board meeting. Board member Donna Sue Ashcraft-Fincher said the district pays for fuel for the athletic teams but not for clubs like Beta and Future Business Leaders of America when they go to state and national competitions...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man charged in connection with an alleged August robbery at a local home in which money, a cellular telephone and car were stolen at gunpoint was to appear in court today. Michael McNair Jr., 25, was formally arraigned Monday by Associate Circuit Judge John Bloodworth on two Class A felonies of first-degree robbery, the Class B felony of first-degree attempted robbery, three unclassified felonies of armed criminal action and the Class C felony of stealing.. ...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Residents living along Highway PP west of Cane Creek are happy the 1926 bridge will be replaced, but they dislike a three-month closure. "We plan to replace the bridge next summer when school is out," Missouri Department of Transportation Project Manager Eric Krapf told residents during an open house briefing Thursday in the Schultz and Summers engineering firm office...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer A Poplar Bluff, Mo., native's song cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals is getting play on NewsRadio 1120 KMOX in St. Louis. Scott Innes wrote "Go Nuts St. Louis ... Go Nuts!" and teamed with Nelson Blanchard to record it. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Despite dipping into reserves in the previous fiscal year, Poplar Bluff schools saw several million dollars in decreased spending for staff salaries, supplies and other areas, according to audit documents presented Thursday during the Board of Education's monthly meeting...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Dexter, Mo., father and son will stand trial for their alleged roles in the recent assault of a Dexter police officer. Accompanied by his attorney, Catherine Rice with the Public Defender's Office, Austin Mace appeared Thursday afternoon in a Stoddard County courtroom for a preliminary hearing in his case before Associate Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Two Poplar Bluff, Mo., men are in jail after allegedly forcing their way into a local home Thursday night at gunpoint and stealing cash, a gaming system and television. Eddie Lee Holmes, 23, of the 2200 block of Wood and Davion J. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education approved during Thursday's monthly meeting budget amendments totaling a little more than $122,000. The majority of these are budget neutral, meaning grants will provide the additional revenue to cover new expenses, explained Associate Superintendent of Business Rod Priest...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Nearly 400 experienced dancers will whirl and twirl across the floors of the Black River Coliseum during this weekend's 52nd Annual Missouri State Square N' Round Dance Festival. Held for the first time in Poplar Bluff, the event features a banner parade and opening ceremonies at 7 tonight and dancing throughout the day Saturday and Sunday. A fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was held Thursday. Viewing is open to the public...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Residents living along Highway PP west of Cane Creek are happy the 1926 bridge will be replaced, but they dislike a three-month closure. "We plan to replace the bridge next summer when school is out," Missouri Department of Transportation Project Manager Eric Krapf told residents during an open house briefing Thursday in the Schultz and Summers engineering firm office...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer A Poplar Bluff, Mo., native's song cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals is getting play on NewsRadio 1120 KMOX in St. Louis. Scott Innes wrote "Go Nuts St. Louis ... Go Nuts!" and teamed with Nelson Blanchard to record it. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Despite dipping into reserves in the previous fiscal year, Poplar Bluff schools saw several million dollars in decreased spending for staff salaries, supplies and other areas, according to audit documents presented Thursday during the Board of Education's monthly meeting...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Dexter, Mo., father and son will stand trial for their alleged roles in the recent assault of a Dexter police officer. Accompanied by his attorney, Catherine Rice with the Public Defender's Office, Austin Mace appeared Thursday afternoon in a Stoddard County courtroom for a preliminary hearing in his case before Associate Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Nearly 400 experienced dancers will whirl and twirl across the floors of the Black River Coliseum during this weekend's 52nd Annual Missouri State Square N' Round Dance Festival. Held for the first time in Poplar Bluff, the event features a banner parade and opening ceremonies at 7 tonight and dancing throughout the day Saturday and Sunday. A fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was held Thursday. Viewing is open to the public...

Bass tournament season has ended for this year, except possible Current River cold-weather events in December and January. The dates have not been set yet, but the first one should be the first Saturday in December. Now the emphasis is on deer, quail, rabbit, waterfowl and furbearer hunting. The coon dog competition gets better as the weather gets cool enough for hunters and their dogs to enjoy their sport...

At least in cyberspace, the Poplar Bluff cross country teams are on the bubble heading into the MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 meet Saturday. Using a website's virtual meet software, the Lady Mules rank fourth and the Mules fifth at the 11-team event which will be held at Jackson City Park...

PIEDMONT -- It truly was a match of three different types of games for Clearwater and Doniphan as they played Thursday night for the Ozark Foothills Conference championship. The first game was as tight it can be with both teams battling. The second game Doniphan dominated. The third game Clearwater dominated...

Synthetic pot kills athlete ANDERSON, SC -- The death of an Anderson University basketball player was caused by synthetic marijuana, according to the Anderson County coroner. Lamar Jack, 19, collapsed during practice on Oct. 4 and died several days later, Coroner Greg Shore said...

By ANN McFEATTERS Scripps Howard News Service It's becoming clear that no politician has a viable plan to get us out of this economic mess. "People want action," said President Obama at a press conference with South Korea's leader. That was just after the Senate rejected his $447 billion jobs creation plan, which might help create work for one out of seven unemployed Americans at most...

To the Editor, For nearly two centuries, government employees have organized into labor unions to fight for dignity, respect, and improved standards of living for working families. The White House, Congress, Office of Personnel Management, and other government agencies have never "given" government employees improved or respectful working conditions without a fight and as government employees, we had to fight for every single benefit...

EPA oughta do something You know this is supposed to be the All-American City, but every year they burn this big rubber pile down and if burn that big old rubber pile down at night time scaring the hell out of people. People cain't breath and nothin' else. ...

An open house is planned for the one room Carter School House on HH Highway, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Anyone interested is welcome. For more information, call Bill Phelps, 573-785-4068.

Wathena VanAmburg CAMPBELL, Mo. -- Wathena VanAmburg, 79, of Ballwin, Mo., died Saturday, Oct. 15, 1931, at Luther Senior Service of Meramac Bluff in Ballwin, Mo. The daughter of William Olin Malin and Maggie Place Malin Williams, Mrs. VanAmburg was born Dec. 16, 1931, at Campbell, Mo...

Audry Fralick DEXTER, Mo. -- Audry C. Fralick, 92, of Dexter, Mo., died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Fralick was on March 16, 1919, born in Clarkton, Mo. He had lived in Dexter, Mo. most of his life. He had been co-owner of the Hickory Log Restaurant in Dexter until his retirement. He had served in the U. S. Air Force and was a member of the V.F.W., American Legion Post 59, the Elks Lodge and the Lion's Club...

Bud Whitehead FISK, Mo. -- Marion E. "Bud" Whitehead, 76, of Broseley, Mo., died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Whitehead was born July 27, 1935 in Campbell, Mo. He had lived at Broseley since 1972 and was a member of the First Baptist Church at Broseley where he served as a deacon for 39 years. He was vice-president of the Broseley Senior Center Board...

Emma Lou Adams DEXTER, Mo. -- Emma Lou Adams, 76, of Dexter, Mo., died Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center at Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mrs. Adams was born on May 22, 1935, at Piggott, Ark. She was a member of the Second General Baptist Church in Dexter and a homemaker...

Jamie McClure Jamie McClure, 83, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

Leroy Patterson Leroy Patterson passed from the world at 4:50 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. Leroy was born May 14, 1956 in Gideon, Mo., to Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Leona (Duvall) Patterson, both now deceased. He graduated from high school in 1974 from Twin Rivers, and attended classes at Three Rivers College and SEMO. ...

Ruth Dunlap ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- Ruth Fern Adams Dunlap, 76, of O'Fallon, Ill., formerly of St. Charles, Mo., died Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, at her home with her two sisters, special nurse and sister-in-law, Donna Dunlap and daughter by her side. Mrs. Dunlap was a member of the Senior Center PSOP, Shiloh and the American Heart Association...

Harold Jones PUXICO, Mo. -- Harold Eugene Jones, 88, of Puxico, Mo., died Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation will begin at noon Saturday at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Puxico Cemetery in Puxico...

Alpha Hendricks Alpha E. Hendricks, 96, of Ellsinore, Mo., died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She was born Aug. 28, 1915, in Allenville, Mo. Mrs. Hendricks was a cook at East Carter School. She enjoyed sewing, being with family and was a member of the Red Hat Society, Ellsinore Street Walkers Exercise Club, Eastern Star, and Friendly Bunch. She also attended Grace Baptist Church of Ellsinore...

Wappapello Christmas light ceremony The Lake Wappapello Community will hold a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Wappapello Civic Center. There will be caroling, refreshments, door prizes and Santa Claus will be present for the children...

Lance Espey DEXTER, MO.-- Lance Alan Espey, 51, of Dexter died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Espey was born Aug. 12, 1960, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He worked on heating and air conditioning units in the area. Survivors are his parents, Beverly Webb Hunter of Dexter and Watt Espey of St. ...

The Poplar Bluff eighth grade football ended its season on a high note as it topped Jackson, 20-8, at Morrow Stadium on Thursday night. The Mules scored once in the first half and twice in the second and didn't allow Jackson to score until the last minute...

At least in cyberspace, the Poplar Bluff cross country teams are on the bubble heading into the MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 meet Saturday. Using a website's virtual meet software, the Lady Mules rank fourth and the Mules fifth at the 11-team event which will be held at Jackson City Park...

Wappapello Christmas light ceremony The Lake Wappapello Community will hold a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Wappapello Civic Center. There will be caroling, refreshments, door prizes and Santa Claus will be present for the children...

Alpha Hendricks Alpha E. Hendricks, 96, of Ellsinore, Mo., died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She was born Aug. 28, 1915, in Allenville, Mo. Mrs. Hendricks was a cook at East Carter School. She enjoyed sewing, being with family and was a member of the Red Hat Society, Ellsinore Street Walkers Exercise Club, Eastern Star, and Friendly Bunch. She also attended Grace Baptist Church of Ellsinore...

Emma Lou Adams DEXTER, Mo. -- Emma Lou Adams, 76, of Dexter, Mo., died Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center at Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mrs. Adams was born on May 22, 1935, at Piggott, Ark. She was a member of the Second General Baptist Church in Dexter and a homemaker...

Bud Whitehead FISK, Mo. -- Marion E. "Bud" Whitehead, 76, of Broseley, Mo., died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Whitehead was born July 27, 1935 in Campbell, Mo. He had lived at Broseley since 1972 and was a member of the First Baptist Church at Broseley where he served as a deacon for 39 years. He was vice-president of the Broseley Senior Center Board...

Wathena VanAmburg CAMPBELL, Mo. -- Wathena VanAmburg, 79, of Ballwin, Mo., died Saturday, Oct. 15, 1931, at Luther Senior Service of Meramac Bluff in Ballwin, Mo. The daughter of William Olin Malin and Maggie Place Malin Williams, Mrs. VanAmburg was born Dec. 16, 1931, at Campbell, Mo...

EPA oughta do something You know this is supposed to be the All-American City, but every year they burn this big rubber pile down and if burn that big old rubber pile down at night time scaring the hell out of people. People cain't breath and nothin' else. ...

By ANN McFEATTERS Scripps Howard News Service It's becoming clear that no politician has a viable plan to get us out of this economic mess. "People want action," said President Obama at a press conference with South Korea's leader. That was just after the Senate rejected his $447 billion jobs creation plan, which might help create work for one out of seven unemployed Americans at most...

Synthetic pot kills athlete ANDERSON, SC -- The death of an Anderson University basketball player was caused by synthetic marijuana, according to the Anderson County coroner. Lamar Jack, 19, collapsed during practice on Oct. 4 and died several days later, Coroner Greg Shore said...

Lance Espey DEXTER, MO.-- Lance Alan Espey, 51, of Dexter died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Espey was born Aug. 12, 1960, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He worked on heating and air conditioning units in the area. Survivors are his parents, Beverly Webb Hunter of Dexter and Watt Espey of St. ...