Stories from Tuesday, November 8, 2011

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer A Missouri House committee charged with studying methods to promote strong families statewide held their fourth and final regional meeting Friday in Poplar Bluff, Mo. The Interim Committee on Strengthening Missouri Families heard testimony from area residents throughout the afternoon at Three Rivers College on everything from drug abuse to foster care...

As the six-month anniversary of the May 9 presidential disaster declaration for Missouri approaches, federal disaster grants and loans in the six-county area surrounding Butler have reached more than $3.6 million. Butler County alone received more than $3.9 million, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Following a lengthy discussion, the Poplar Bluff City Council plans to proceed with attempts to resolve liens in excess of $3,000 on 32 properties. City officials have been trying to decide how to handle the situation since a local contractor, Bob Taylor, asked to have a $4,435 lien forgiven on a vacant lot at 705 Ash St. that he wants to purchase so he can build a new house. He will pay the $365 in back taxes on the property...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Salaries for Butler County officials will not change in 2011. Meeting as the Butler County Salary Commission this morning, the officials approved a motion by Assessor Marion Tibbs for the salary schedule to be set at the curent rate of pay for all county officers...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Gov. Jay Nixon was among the dignitaries breaking ground Monday for the construction of the long awaited Poplar Bluff Industrial Park Bypass. Part of the funding for the 2.1-mile, two-lane highway from the industrial park to the Bypass 67 interchange at Highway M came from two Delta Regional Authority grants totaling $635,000 that were made available by Nixon's administration...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Two Poplar Bluff, Mo., residents, including the former bookkeeper of the Northside Nutrition Center, have been charged with forging checks belonging to the center. Hailey Dawn Coston, 35, of the 800 block of Hart was charged with four Class C felonies of forgery by Assistant Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Oesterreicher, who also charged Lonnie Hamilton, 27, of the 500 block of South C Street with three Class C felonies of forgery...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor CORNING, Ark. -- Clay County voters will go to the polls Tuesday to help decide the issuance of up to $575 million in federal bonds to help finance much-needed improvements to interstate highways in Arkansas. Polling places for the special election will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Brian Becker, owner of semo.net in Poplar Bluff, Mo., has collected sufficient signatures on petitions to place the open access issue on the ballot in February 2012. During the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Monday night, Becker presented affidavits signed by Barbara Rexroat and Jared Starks, which indicate 3,448 signatures were obtained...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Gov. Jay Nixon was among the dignitaries breaking ground Monday for the construction of the long awaited Poplar Bluff Industrial Park Bypass. Part of the funding for the 2.1-mile, two-lane highway from the industrial park to the Bypass 67 interchange at Highway M came from two Delta Regional Authority grants totaling $635,000 that were made available by Nixon's administration...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Salaries for Butler County officials will not change in 2011. Meeting as the Butler County Salary Commission this morning, the officials approved a motion by Assessor Marion Tibbs for the salary schedule to be set at the curent rate of pay for all county officers...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Following a lengthy discussion, the Poplar Bluff City Council plans to proceed with attempts to resolve liens in excess of $3,000 on 32 properties. City officials have been trying to decide how to handle the situation since a local contractor, Bob Taylor, asked to have a $4,435 lien forgiven on a vacant lot at 705 Ash St. that he wants to purchase so he can build a new house. He will pay the $365 in back taxes on the property...

As the six-month anniversary of the May 9 presidential disaster declaration for Missouri approaches, federal disaster grants and loans in the six-county area surrounding Butler have reached more than $3.6 million. Butler County alone received more than $3.9 million, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)...

Phillip and Terri Wilkins, owners of Medical Center Pharmacy at 513-B Grand Ave., are proud to have their business in Doniphan. Phillip brings 20 years of experience as a pharmacist to the business. Phillip and his friendly staff insists on being your healthcare partner and are willing to go above and beyond to take care of your healthcare needs. Phillip's motto is "No is not an acceptable answer when providing customer service."...

Kevin Jenkins, who played basketball at Three Rivers from 1982-84 and made a trip to the National Tournament with the Raiders, was recently inducted into the Lyon College Hall of Fame. Jenkins is entering his 24th year with the program and 15th as head coach of the men's basketball team. Jenkins served as an assistant for nine seasons under Terry Garner before taking over the program. He also coached women's basketball, track and cross country...

PARK HILLS -- Mineral Area College volleyball, which features 2011 Bloomfield graduate Taylor Pulley, is headed to the NJCAA National Tournament in West Plains next week after defeating Jefferson College on Saturday, 26-24, 25-22, 25-22. It is the first appearance in school history for the Lady Cardinals...

By BILL O'REILLY Put aside Herman Cain's social problems for a moment, and look at his resume: successful businessman with a patriotic streak. That's pretty much it. Yet, Cain leads the Republican field in some polls, prompting a new Quinnipiac survey to ask: "Does the fact that Herman Cain never served in public office make you more likely to vote for him for president, less likely to vote for him for president, or doesn't it make a difference?"...

We ended the special session called by the governor that began Sept. 6. We understand the importance of working together to address Missouri's high unemployment rate and an on-going budget crisis. That is why the Senate worked diligently to pass an economic development bill coupled with tax credit reform that both Republicans and Democrats supported the first week of special session. ...

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. -- Makayla Drwenski of Doniphan, Mo., has been awarded a Leadership Scholarship to attend Williams Baptist College. The scholarship is awarded to incoming WBC students based on their college entrance examination scores. Drwenski is a senior at Doniphan High School. She is the daughter of James and Angela Drwenski of Doniphan...

PIGGOTT, Ark. -- The Piggott Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the annual Christmas Fest from 11-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Depending on the weather, it may run later than 3 p.m. Vendors will fill the downtown square offering arts and crafts and lots of food. Interested vendors should call the Piggott Chamber of Commerce to reserve a spot...

Cravens Road needs overpass This is about the new by-pass we're gonna have in Poplar Bluff. Hey, that railroad track down there across Craven Road is--if anybody remembers back in the old days South Fifth St. before we got the viaduct how the trains used to mess with the traffic there. ...

GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Scott M. Foster and Trevor Wade Bennett have been named Greenville High School students of the month. Bennett is the son of Paul and Lisa Bennett of Greenville and is involved in basketball, baseball, ETS and Pep Club. He enjoys playing sports, spending time with his family and friends...

The first quarter honor roll for Hillview Elementary is as follows: A Honor Roll First Grade: Ella Eaker, Brock Davis, Taylor McDaniel, Breanna Pennington, Ethan Pruett, James Buffington, Ryan Brown, JD Burton, Hayley Shepard, Jacob Simmons, Lila Tubb,Shawn Edwards, Morgan Faraone, Allison George, Hanna Herald, Camden Owens, Lucas Scott and Karissa Tilley...

Three Rivers Student Veterans Association will hold a Veterans Day USO-style dance beginning at 6 p.m. Friday at the Bess Activity Center. Free and open to the public, the event will be set up in the style of a USO dance from World War II, with a dance floor, music from the 1940s, cookies and punch...

The East Carter Co High School first quarter Honor Roll is as follows: 9th Grade: Ashley Albright, Hannah Andrews, Emily Carter, Samantha Carter, Dylan Coleman, Bethany Colvin, Brooke Eaves, Rachel Eudaley, Abby Freeze, Gary Glover, Katlyn Griffin, Hailey Hahn, Joshua Hartley, Wyatt Kirkman, Trevor Layman, Hailey LeGrand, Thomas Madison, Joshua Million, Megan Mullins, McKenzie Newman, Jacob Phares, Jackie Pierce, Mariah Richardson, McKenna Sandage, Kaitlyn Schleh, Carly Stucker, John White, Miranda White.. ...

BROSELEY, Mo. -- The Route AA bridge over Drainage Ditch No. 10 in Butler County is open to traffic. Improvements to the bridge were completed as part of the Missouri Department of Transportation Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program. The program has already repaired or replaced more than 600 of the state's 800 lowest-rated bridges...

Leader Linda Morgan opened the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Mo 734 meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2. In attendance were 19 TOPS and three KOPS members. Lou Ann Wrather read the secretary's report and co-leader, Ruth Fisher presented the exercise report. Both reports were approved as submitted...

Wilma Parker MALDEN, Mo. -- Wilma Dean Parker, 72, of Malden, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, at Golden Living Center in Malden. She was born Nov. 16, 1938, at Clinton, Ark. She was of the Church of the Latter Day Saints at Sikeston, Mo. On Dec. 4, 1954, she was married to Verlon Ray Parker at Kennett. He survives...

Rachel Stratton NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Rachel P. Stratton, 77, of Qulin, Mo., died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, at her residence. She was born Jan. 22, 1934, at Greenville, Mo. She had lived in Qulin since 1974 and formerly lived in St. Louis. She was of the Baptist faith...

Mainus Funk Mainus M. Funk, 87, of Annapolis, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 in Clarks Mountain Nursing Center. He was born Dec. 22, 1923, in Annapolis, Mo., son of the late Otto Funk and the late Maude Mann Funk. Mr. Funk enjoyed raising fox hounds for the enjoyment of listening to them run at night when it was too dark to work on the farm. ...

Glen Williams Glenon R. "Glen" Williams, 83, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

Brenda Lantis PUXICO, Mo. -- Brenda Lantis, 60, of Griffin, Ga., died at Newman Hospital in Atlanta, Ga., on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. Mrs. Lantis was born on Dec. 31, 1950, in Puxico, Mo. She was a former resident of Puxico. On May 25, 1991, she was married to Thomas Lantis...

Myrl Hastings Myrl L. Hastins, 82, of Poplar Bluff died Monday at her daughter's house in Ballwin, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

Norman Murray DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Norman Murray, 84, of Doniphan, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at The Cedargate in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan, Mo.

Norman Victery Norman Eugene Victery, 63, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Victery was born Dec. 14, 1948, in Poplar Bluff and was a lifetime Butler County resident. He was a member of the Latter Day Saints. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era and was a roofer by trade. He enjoys drawing and trains...

Rose Griffith Rose Griffith, 61, of Williamsville, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at her residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

Wilma Parker -- Malden, Mo. Mainus Funk -- Annapolis, Mo. Rachel Stratton -- Qulin, Mo. Brenda Lantis -- Griffin, Ga. Norman Victery -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Myrl Hastings -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Rose Griffith -- Williamsville, Mo. Bobby Dennington -- Malden, Mo...

Bobby Dennington MALDEN, Mo. -- Bobby Dennington, 54, of Malden, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, at his residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home of Malden.

Kevin Jenkins, who played basketball at Three Rivers from 1982-84 and made a trip to the National Tournament with the Raiders, was recently inducted into the Lyon College Hall of Fame. Jenkins is entering his 24th year with the program and 15th as head coach of the men's basketball team. Jenkins served as an assistant for nine seasons under Terry Garner before taking over the program. He also coached women's basketball, track and cross country...

Mainus Funk Mainus M. Funk, 87, of Annapolis, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 in Clarks Mountain Nursing Center. He was born Dec. 22, 1923, in Annapolis, Mo., son of the late Otto Funk and the late Maude Mann Funk. Mr. Funk enjoyed raising fox hounds for the enjoyment of listening to them run at night when it was too dark to work on the farm. ...

Rachel Stratton NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Rachel P. Stratton, 77, of Qulin, Mo., died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, at her residence. She was born Jan. 22, 1934, at Greenville, Mo. She had lived in Qulin since 1974 and formerly lived in St. Louis. She was of the Baptist faith...

Wilma Parker MALDEN, Mo. -- Wilma Dean Parker, 72, of Malden, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, at Golden Living Center in Malden. She was born Nov. 16, 1938, at Clinton, Ark. She was of the Church of the Latter Day Saints at Sikeston, Mo. On Dec. 4, 1954, she was married to Verlon Ray Parker at Kennett. He survives...

BROSELEY, Mo. -- The Route AA bridge over Drainage Ditch No. 10 in Butler County is open to traffic. Improvements to the bridge were completed as part of the Missouri Department of Transportation Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program. The program has already repaired or replaced more than 600 of the state's 800 lowest-rated bridges...

Leader Linda Morgan opened the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Mo 734 meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2. In attendance were 19 TOPS and three KOPS members. Lou Ann Wrather read the secretary's report and co-leader, Ruth Fisher presented the exercise report. Both reports were approved as submitted...

Three Rivers Student Veterans Association will hold a Veterans Day USO-style dance beginning at 6 p.m. Friday at the Bess Activity Center. Free and open to the public, the event will be set up in the style of a USO dance from World War II, with a dance floor, music from the 1940s, cookies and punch...

Brenda Lantis PUXICO, Mo. -- Brenda Lantis, 60, of Griffin, Ga., died at Newman Hospital in Atlanta, Ga., on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. Mrs. Lantis was born on Dec. 31, 1950, in Puxico, Mo. She was a former resident of Puxico. On May 25, 1991, she was married to Thomas Lantis...

Rose Griffith Rose Griffith, 61, of Williamsville, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at her residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

Norman Victery Norman Eugene Victery, 63, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Victery was born Dec. 14, 1948, in Poplar Bluff and was a lifetime Butler County resident. He was a member of the Latter Day Saints. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era and was a roofer by trade. He enjoys drawing and trains...

Norman Murray DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Norman Murray, 84, of Doniphan, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at The Cedargate in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan, Mo.

Myrl Hastings Myrl L. Hastins, 82, of Poplar Bluff died Monday at her daughter's house in Ballwin, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

Glen Williams Glenon R. "Glen" Williams, 83, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

Bobby Dennington MALDEN, Mo. -- Bobby Dennington, 54, of Malden, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, at his residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home of Malden.