Stories from Sunday, November 20, 2011

Residents with developmental disabilities will be able to receive new services in three area counties with expansion of a program which provides home- and community-based services. Partnership for Hope will now be available in Reynolds, Stoddard and Wayne counties...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer As the holiday season gets into full swing, members of the community already have begun an effort to make sure Butler County's neediest children will have a Merry Christmas. Project Christmas Promise, now in its third year, has received requests to help purchase presents for 168 children from 58 families...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Starting Monday, volunteers will begin preparing what has become a tradition in Poplar Bluff, Mo.: the United Gospel Rescue Mission's annual Thanksgiving dinner. The free dinner will begin at 11 a.m. and food will be served through the early afternoon. The meal will consist of turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, other sides and dessert. Mike and Zach's BBQ will smoke the turkeys, which were donated by Francisco Esquivel, owner of Maya's/Las Margaritas...

Listed here are a few of the needs Project Christmas Promise would like to help fill this holiday season. The Daily American Republic will continue to publish these lists between now and Dec. 25. Please contact AmeriCorps Project Manager Misty Dunkin at Poplar Bluff's Promise Volunteer Center if you would like more information about a family's needs, to adopt a family for the holiday or to help with some of a family's needs. ...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Twelve veterans at the Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo., were presented medals by the state of Missouri Friday. The veterans are John Angel, Richard Austill, Lonnie Brown, Murrell Duffie, Cowan English, Rudolph Lynch, Willard Pendergrass, Raymond Pew, Allen Roberson, Archie Rommel, Joe Ward and Stanley Weinert...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Starting Monday, volunteers will begin preparing what has become a tradition in Poplar Bluff, Mo.: the United Gospel Rescue Mission's annual Thanksgiving dinner. The free dinner will begin at 11 a.m. and food will be served through the early afternoon. The meal will consist of turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, other sides and dessert. Mike and Zach's BBQ will smoke the turkeys, which were donated by Francisco Esquivel, owner of Maya's/Las Margaritas...

Listed here are a few of the needs Project Christmas Promise would like to help fill this holiday season. The Daily American Republic will continue to publish these lists between now and Dec. 25. Please contact AmeriCorps Project Manager Misty Dunkin at Poplar Bluff's Promise Volunteer Center if you would like more information about a family's needs, to adopt a family for the holiday or to help with some of a family's needs. ...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Twelve veterans at the Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo., were presented medals by the state of Missouri Friday. The veterans are John Angel, Richard Austill, Lonnie Brown, Murrell Duffie, Cowan English, Rudolph Lynch, Willard Pendergrass, Raymond Pew, Allen Roberson, Archie Rommel, Joe Ward and Stanley Weinert...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer As the holiday season gets into full swing, members of the community already have begun an effort to make sure Butler County's neediest children will have a Merry Christmas. Project Christmas Promise, now in its third year, has received requests to help purchase presents for 168 children from 58 families...

PARK HILLS -- After fighting back to take a second-half lead Friday night, a few defensive lapses proved costly for the Three Rivers Raiders. Against fourth-ranked Indian Hills, the Raiders allowed 3-pointers on three straight possessions in the second half as the Warriors held on down the stretch for the 89-82 win...

PARK HILLS -- Once Three Rivers got Wabash Valley down in the second half, it kept its foot on the gas pedal. The Raiders expanded their lead to double digits in the second half and held down the Warriors for a 79-65 win on Saturday at the Bob Sechrest Fieldhouse. The win comes on the heels of a tough loss to Indian Hills on Friday...

After five seasons away, Three Rivers basketball will be back at the Black River Coliseum. The Raiders and Lady Raiders will host Mineral Area on Saturday, Jan. 7. Black River Coliseum director Bobby Godwin said he set up a meeting with Three Rivers president Dr. Devin Stephenson and assistant men's basketball coach Will Durden, who also oversees athletics at the college...

SEDALIA -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders dropped two games at State Fair over the weekend to even their record at 3-3. On Saturday, the Lady Raiders had five players score double figures but just couldn't get over the hump in a 73-67 loss to Arkansas Baptist...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Shortly before the Supreme Court agreed to rule on the constitutionality of Obamacare's individual mandate, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit affirmed, 2-1, its constitutionality. Writing for the majority, Judge Laurence Silberman, a Reagan appointee, brusquely acknowledged that upholding the mandate means there is no limit to Congress' powers under the Commerce Clause. ...

Eliminate O'Neal parking problem Yes. I, too, live near O'Neal School and I think problem of parking at the O'Neal School could be partially eliminated if the teachers and personnel would park in the parking lot instead of on the street. Maybe the city should post "No Parking" signs in front of the school. At least, it wouldn't be quite as congested. Thank you...

By OLIVER NORTH JUPITER, Fla. -- Not one of the old "frogmen" or young Navy SEALs who gathered this week at the nearby National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum for the annual Muster wants to see another war. Those who came here are veterans of combat spanning from World War II to the present wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to numerous other unnamed fights around the world. ...

What do you get when two libraries team up to offer an Oscar-worthy film series? The answer: Popcorn on the Red Carpet, a run of Academy Award winning films hosted by the Poplar Bluff Public Library in conjunction with Rutland Library at Three Rivers College...

Troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol will take part in the 20-mile Trooper project over the extended Thanksgiving holiday. From Wednesday, Nov. 23, through Sunday, Nov. 27, Troop E officers will participate in the effort to promote safety and to reduce the number of traffic crashes in the Southeast Missouri area...

Rachel Johanna Blaich and Aaron Aden, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo., were united in marriage on Saturday, June 18, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff. The Rev. Dave Elledge performed the double-ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John R. Blaich of Poplar Bluff...

James and Bonnie Vaughn of Poplar Bluff, Mo., recently celebrated 60 years of marriage with a party. The couple was married Nov. 23, 1951. They have three daughters: Annetta King, Pam Armor and Nancy Berry, all of Poplar Bluff. They also have eight grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren...

AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary to Post 29 met on Monday, Nov. 7 at the post home. At 5:31 p.m. the gooup had a short meeting with Bluffette Unit 22 members and presented a scholarship to Teresa Lambert to further her education in nursing. This is a fun program of the AMVETS Auxiliary, giving nursing scholarships every year. Dinner was served at 6 p.m. followed by the monthly meeting...

Dean and Susan Whitlow of Jackson, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter Dede Michelle Whitlow of Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Garrett Ray Ross, also of Poplar Bluff. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of Patrick and Clara Ross of Golden, Colo., and Jim, Sr. and Lynette Willard of Williamsville, Mo...

The November Lake Road Students of the Month include: First Grade: Dakota Armiger is the first grade student of the month. She is the daughter of Steven and Tracy Armiger. She is also the big sister to Katelyn and Andrew. Dakota likes to collect toy horses and would like to have a real horse one day. ...

Oak Grove Elementary School has named its students of the month for November. Ethan Smith is the son of Lori and Greg Smith and is a first grader in Debby Holt's class. She nominated him He is an excellent and hard-working student who always gives his very best in reading and math...

Jamie Downing Jamie L. "Buckwheat" Downing, 54, of the Agee Community in Butler County died Friday, Nov. 18, 2011, at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Downing was born Sept. 3, 1957, in San Diego, Calif. He was of the Protestant faith, and was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Mr. Downing enjoyed playing pool, riding motorcycles, listening to music and putting together model cars and motorcycles...

Glenn Clyburn MALDEN, Mo. -- Glenn Rickard Clyburn, 62, of Malden, Mo, died Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter, Mo. He was born Dec. 5, 1948 in St. Louis. Mr. Clyburn was a member of Oneness Pentecostal Church in Tallapoosa. He was an over-the-road truck driver...

Karen Pippins DEXTER, Mo. -- Karen Ann Pippins, 54, of Dexter, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She was born on March 31, 1957 in Nevada, Mo. Mrs. Pippins was a teacher in the Dexter Public School System for 30 years and had just retired in June. ...

Mary Street MALDEN, Mo. -- Mary Ann Street, 54, of Hayti, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, in Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home of Malden, Mo.

Lucille Littles VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Lucille Ora Littles, 88, of Springfield, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, in Springfield. She was born March 12, 1923 in Wilderness, Mo. Mrs. Littles had lived in Springfield for the past six years and formerly was of Doniphan, Mo...

Roger W. Parker BUNKER, Mo. -- Roger W. Parker, 71, of Bunker, died Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011. Survivors include his companion, Ann Sullivan of Bunker; one son, Scott Parker of Hillsboro, Mo.; one daughter, Christine Seidler of St. Charles, Mo.; and two grandchildren...

Emilie Hawkins VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Emilie Diane Hawkins, 31, of Van Buren, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 18, 2011, in Van Buren. She was born Jan. 18, 1980, in Belleville, Ill. Mrs. Hawkins had lived in Van Buren for the past nine months and formerly was of Piedmont, Mo. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith...

After five seasons away, Three Rivers basketball will be back at the Black River Coliseum. The Raiders and Lady Raiders will host Mineral Area on Saturday, Jan. 7. Black River Coliseum director Bobby Godwin said he set up a meeting with Three Rivers president Dr. Devin Stephenson and assistant men's basketball coach Will Durden, who also oversees athletics at the college...

Emilie Hawkins VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Emilie Diane Hawkins, 31, of Van Buren, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 18, 2011, in Van Buren. She was born Jan. 18, 1980, in Belleville, Ill. Mrs. Hawkins had lived in Van Buren for the past nine months and formerly was of Piedmont, Mo. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith...

Lucille Littles VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Lucille Ora Littles, 88, of Springfield, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, in Springfield. She was born March 12, 1923 in Wilderness, Mo. Mrs. Littles had lived in Springfield for the past six years and formerly was of Doniphan, Mo...

Karen Pippins DEXTER, Mo. -- Karen Ann Pippins, 54, of Dexter, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She was born on March 31, 1957 in Nevada, Mo. Mrs. Pippins was a teacher in the Dexter Public School System for 30 years and had just retired in June. ...

Jamie Downing Jamie L. "Buckwheat" Downing, 54, of the Agee Community in Butler County died Friday, Nov. 18, 2011, at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Downing was born Sept. 3, 1957, in San Diego, Calif. He was of the Protestant faith, and was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Mr. Downing enjoyed playing pool, riding motorcycles, listening to music and putting together model cars and motorcycles...

Dean and Susan Whitlow of Jackson, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter Dede Michelle Whitlow of Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Garrett Ray Ross, also of Poplar Bluff. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of Patrick and Clara Ross of Golden, Colo., and Jim, Sr. and Lynette Willard of Williamsville, Mo...

AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary to Post 29 met on Monday, Nov. 7 at the post home. At 5:31 p.m. the gooup had a short meeting with Bluffette Unit 22 members and presented a scholarship to Teresa Lambert to further her education in nursing. This is a fun program of the AMVETS Auxiliary, giving nursing scholarships every year. Dinner was served at 6 p.m. followed by the monthly meeting...

What do you get when two libraries team up to offer an Oscar-worthy film series? The answer: Popcorn on the Red Carpet, a run of Academy Award winning films hosted by the Poplar Bluff Public Library in conjunction with Rutland Library at Three Rivers College...

PARK HILLS -- After fighting back to take a second-half lead Friday night, a few defensive lapses proved costly for the Three Rivers Raiders. Against fourth-ranked Indian Hills, the Raiders allowed 3-pointers on three straight possessions in the second half as the Warriors held on down the stretch for the 89-82 win...

PARK HILLS -- Once Three Rivers got Wabash Valley down in the second half, it kept its foot on the gas pedal. The Raiders expanded their lead to double digits in the second half and held down the Warriors for a 79-65 win on Saturday at the Bob Sechrest Fieldhouse. The win comes on the heels of a tough loss to Indian Hills on Friday...

SEDALIA -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders dropped two games at State Fair over the weekend to even their record at 3-3. On Saturday, the Lady Raiders had five players score double figures but just couldn't get over the hump in a 73-67 loss to Arkansas Baptist...

Roger W. Parker BUNKER, Mo. -- Roger W. Parker, 71, of Bunker, died Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011. Survivors include his companion, Ann Sullivan of Bunker; one son, Scott Parker of Hillsboro, Mo.; one daughter, Christine Seidler of St. Charles, Mo.; and two grandchildren...