Stories from Sunday, November 27, 2011

Donations needed to make holiday brighter By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Local law enforcement and emergency responders again are teaming up this year to make Christmas brighter for some less fortunate Butler County children. Last year, more than 100 children got to shop for themselves and/or family members thanks to the efforts of the Poplar Bluff Fraternal Order of Police No. 48 and what was then known as its "Shop with a Cop/Hero"program...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer A local soldier's generous donation set off a chain reaction and led to more than $2,000 in donations to the Boys & Girls Club of Poplar Bluff, Mo. In early November, Gary Pride received a tour of the Boys & Girls Club while attending a Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon there. ...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer A local soldier's generous donation set off a chain reaction and led to more than $2,000 in donations to the Boys & Girls Club of Poplar Bluff, Mo. In early November, Gary Pride received a tour of the Boys & Girls Club while attending a Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon there. ...

Donations needed to make holiday brighter By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Local law enforcement and emergency responders again are teaming up this year to make Christmas brighter for some less fortunate Butler County children. Last year, more than 100 children got to shop for themselves and/or family members thanks to the efforts of the Poplar Bluff Fraternal Order of Police No. 48 and what was then known as its "Shop with a Cop/Hero"program...

Daniel Bruce NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Daniel F. Bruce, 76, of Naylor, No., died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, at The Manor in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Bruce was born Oct. 4, 1935, at Naylor where he was a lifelong resident. He was a farmer and enjoyed animals, the outdoors, and coon hunting...

A key offensive dry spell cost Three Rivers dearly on Friday night. The Raiders scored just three field goals in the final six minutes as they surrendered a double-digit lead to Kaskaskia before losing 74-71 at the Bess Activity Center. It was the first time Kaskaskia has ever defeated Three Rivers in nine meetings and also the Raiders' first home loss of the season...

After letting one slip away the previous night, the Three Rivers Raiders put away seventh-ranked Vincennes on Saturday. After Three Rivers had double-digit lead for most of the second half, Vincennes got within single digits with less than 10 minutes remaining but the Raiders made stops on defense and held on for a 75-66 win at the Bess Activity Center...

QUINCY, Ill. -- After a 64-point loss the previous night, the Poplar Bluff Mules bounced back Saturday to finish 2-1 at the Quincy Thanksgiving Tournament. The Mules never trailed in beating Normandy of St. Louis 53-46 after losing to host Quincy 92-28 on Friday...

VAN BUREN -- Greenville and East Carter each tipped off the season in style Friday night at the Current River Challenge. Coming off 1-win seasons, both teams matched that with East Carter beating Summersville 59-55 and Greenville knocking off Bunker 71-42...

University of Missouri Extension, USDA-NRCS and the Stoddard County Soil and Water Conservation District are hosting a minimum tillage meeting. The meeting will be at the USDA Service Center, located on Highway 25 between Dexter, Mo. and Bloomfield, Mo. The meeting will be from 1- 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- The Jacksonian-era movement to keep the Sabbath pure deplored Sunday mail delivery. Said one evangelical: "We have always viewed it as a national evil of great magnitude, and one which calls for national repentance and reformation, that the mails are carried, and the post offices kept open, on that holy day in every part of our country."...

A stem cell miracle Yeah, I was watching CBS News the other night about the stem cell surgery on a man's heart. He was 39 years old and had 30 percent scar tissue on his heart, 98 percent blockage. They took the stem cells out of his heart and rejuvenated them and made more in a laboratory and then put 'em back in his damaged heart. ...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS Thomas Edison invented the incandescent bulb, the phonograph, the DC motor and other items in everyday use and became wealthy by doing so. Thomas Watson founded IBM and became rich through his company's contribution to the computation revolution. ...

Drew Dye, son of Dean and Martha Dye, has been chosen as a Poplar Bluff High School Student of the Month. His school activities include: three years of TAR (Teen Age Republicans) and current president, Junior Class president, three year member of Student Council and current junior vice-president, second year academic letterman, and two year member of Drama Club...

Wenqi Jin and Weiying Lv of Beijing, China announce the engagement of their daughter, Xiuming Jin to Clinton Travis Kilgore, both of Athens, Ohio. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of Dr. Larry and Patricia Kilgore of Knoxville, Tenn., and the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. William Morehead of Malden, Mo...

Candace Washington and Antonio Deshaun Coleman, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo., were married Saturday, July 2, 2011 at Holy Cross Episcopal Church. Rev. Keith Frye performed the double-ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Linda and Gary Deaner of Poplar Bluff and Dwayne Washington of Chicago, Ill...

Caitlin Rebecca Bahn of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Kirtley James Weitzel of Orlando, Fla., were united in marriage at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, at the First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau. The bride is the daughter of Dr. Taylor and Nancy Bahn of Cape Girardeau and the granddaughter of Wilma Lee Wilson of Harviell, Mo., and the late William Wilson...

Valarie Jewell Brensing and Jesse Skye Graves, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo., were married Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011, in Poplar Bluff. The bride is the daughter of Nelson Brensing III of Pawnee, Okla. Margaret Goebel and Phillip Graves, both of Poplar Bluff, are parents of the bridegroom...

Mendy Nicole and Jeremy Lynn Ray of Poplar Bluff, Mo., have chosen the name Shelby Lynn Ray for their 7-pound, 11-ounce daughter, who was born at 8:21 a.m., Monday, Nov. 21, 2011 at St. Francis Medical Center's Family Birth Place in Cape Girardeau, Mo...

Ronald Eakens Jr. MALDEN, Mo. -- Ronald Eakens Jr., 43, of Parma, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden.

Ed Miller MALDEN, Mo. -- Edward Alvin "Ed" Miller, 86, of Malden, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Miller was born on Jan. 8, 1925, in Risco. He was owner/operator of Miller's Masonry Contractors and was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Malden...

Steven Glenn Cosby NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Steven Glenn Cosby, 52, a lifelong resident of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Cosby was born Jan. 13, 1959, in Poplar Bluff. He was a tool and die machinist and enjoyed hunting, fishing, art, drawing and collecting Indian artifacts...

Rayferd Hays BERNIE, Mo. -- Rayferd Eugene Hays, 51, of Dexter, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, at his home. He was on March 3, 1960, born in Chicago, Ill. Mr. Hays had served in the National Guard, had been an EMT and enjoyed playing the piano. Surviving are his mother, Lou Rice of Dexter, Mo.; one son, Charles Wayne Hays of Essex, Mo.; three daughters, Amanda Oliver of Bernie, Mo., Tiffany Hays of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Alyssa Hays of Essex; 10 brothers, Gary Hays and Gregory Hays, both of Ridgely, Tenn., Danny Hays, John Paul Hays, Sam Hays and Tony Hays, all of Chicago, Ill., Ronnie Hays of Tiptonville, Tenn., Joey Hays of Portageville, Mo., Bob Hays of Wappapello, Mo., and Jim Johnson of Bernie, Mo.; seven sisters, Shirley Spencer of Romeoville, Ill., Ruth Sereno of Tucson, Ariz., Janie Hays of Malden, Mo., Bonnie Barks of Bloomfield, Mo., Charlene Rieheman of Puxico, Mo., Lisa Bollinger of Glen Allen, Mo. ...

Carlee Davis Carlee Davis, 79, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, at her residence. She was born Aug. 6, 1932, in Fordyce, Ark. She was a member of Faith Tabernacle. She had worked with the University of Missouri with children with green thumb. She enjoyed cooking and sewing...

Bill Graham SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Private services were held in Scottsdale, Ariz., for William "Bill" Wynn Graham, 69, of Scottsdale, Ariz., who died at his home on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, after a long battle with cancer. Mr. Graham was born on Dec. 31, 1941, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Robert and Wynona (Hawkes) Graham, both of whom preceded him in death. He attended Western Military Academy in Alton, Ill, and was a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army...

The Senate Bill 40 Board will have a meeting which will be held at the MAG Building at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. The budget for 2012 will be presented in this meeting.

Daniel Bruce NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Daniel F. Bruce, 76, of Naylor, No., died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, at The Manor in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Bruce was born Oct. 4, 1935, at Naylor where he was a lifelong resident. He was a farmer and enjoyed animals, the outdoors, and coon hunting...

QUINCY, Ill. -- After a 64-point loss the previous night, the Poplar Bluff Mules bounced back Saturday to finish 2-1 at the Quincy Thanksgiving Tournament. The Mules never trailed in beating Normandy of St. Louis 53-46 after losing to host Quincy 92-28 on Friday...

VAN BUREN -- Greenville and East Carter each tipped off the season in style Friday night at the Current River Challenge. Coming off 1-win seasons, both teams matched that with East Carter beating Summersville 59-55 and Greenville knocking off Bunker 71-42...

A key offensive dry spell cost Three Rivers dearly on Friday night. The Raiders scored just three field goals in the final six minutes as they surrendered a double-digit lead to Kaskaskia before losing 74-71 at the Bess Activity Center. It was the first time Kaskaskia has ever defeated Three Rivers in nine meetings and also the Raiders' first home loss of the season...

Valarie Jewell Brensing and Jesse Skye Graves, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo., were married Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011, in Poplar Bluff. The bride is the daughter of Nelson Brensing III of Pawnee, Okla. Margaret Goebel and Phillip Graves, both of Poplar Bluff, are parents of the bridegroom...

Caitlin Rebecca Bahn of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Kirtley James Weitzel of Orlando, Fla., were united in marriage at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, at the First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau. The bride is the daughter of Dr. Taylor and Nancy Bahn of Cape Girardeau and the granddaughter of Wilma Lee Wilson of Harviell, Mo., and the late William Wilson...

Candace Washington and Antonio Deshaun Coleman, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo., were married Saturday, July 2, 2011 at Holy Cross Episcopal Church. Rev. Keith Frye performed the double-ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Linda and Gary Deaner of Poplar Bluff and Dwayne Washington of Chicago, Ill...

Wenqi Jin and Weiying Lv of Beijing, China announce the engagement of their daughter, Xiuming Jin to Clinton Travis Kilgore, both of Athens, Ohio. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of Dr. Larry and Patricia Kilgore of Knoxville, Tenn., and the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. William Morehead of Malden, Mo...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS Thomas Edison invented the incandescent bulb, the phonograph, the DC motor and other items in everyday use and became wealthy by doing so. Thomas Watson founded IBM and became rich through his company's contribution to the computation revolution. ...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- The Jacksonian-era movement to keep the Sabbath pure deplored Sunday mail delivery. Said one evangelical: "We have always viewed it as a national evil of great magnitude, and one which calls for national repentance and reformation, that the mails are carried, and the post offices kept open, on that holy day in every part of our country."...

University of Missouri Extension, USDA-NRCS and the Stoddard County Soil and Water Conservation District are hosting a minimum tillage meeting. The meeting will be at the USDA Service Center, located on Highway 25 between Dexter, Mo. and Bloomfield, Mo. The meeting will be from 1- 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20...

Carlee Davis Carlee Davis, 79, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, at her residence. She was born Aug. 6, 1932, in Fordyce, Ark. She was a member of Faith Tabernacle. She had worked with the University of Missouri with children with green thumb. She enjoyed cooking and sewing...

Bill Graham SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Private services were held in Scottsdale, Ariz., for William "Bill" Wynn Graham, 69, of Scottsdale, Ariz., who died at his home on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, after a long battle with cancer. Mr. Graham was born on Dec. 31, 1941, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Robert and Wynona (Hawkes) Graham, both of whom preceded him in death. He attended Western Military Academy in Alton, Ill, and was a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army...

Steven Glenn Cosby NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Steven Glenn Cosby, 52, a lifelong resident of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Cosby was born Jan. 13, 1959, in Poplar Bluff. He was a tool and die machinist and enjoyed hunting, fishing, art, drawing and collecting Indian artifacts...

Ed Miller MALDEN, Mo. -- Edward Alvin "Ed" Miller, 86, of Malden, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Miller was born on Jan. 8, 1925, in Risco. He was owner/operator of Miller's Masonry Contractors and was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Malden...

Ronald Eakens Jr. MALDEN, Mo. -- Ronald Eakens Jr., 43, of Parma, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden.

Mendy Nicole and Jeremy Lynn Ray of Poplar Bluff, Mo., have chosen the name Shelby Lynn Ray for their 7-pound, 11-ounce daughter, who was born at 8:21 a.m., Monday, Nov. 21, 2011 at St. Francis Medical Center's Family Birth Place in Cape Girardeau, Mo...

The Senate Bill 40 Board will have a meeting which will be held at the MAG Building at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. The budget for 2012 will be presented in this meeting.