Stories from Sunday, December 4, 2011

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Farmland values across the Midwest rose significantly in the past year, according to a report released recently by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Mo., and local properties are no exception. Realtor Terry Stewart of Poplar Bluff Realty said per acre values have increased $1,000 or more over the past five years. Stewart also farms 250 acres of soybeans and rice south of Qulin, Mo...

By ERIN RAGAN SEMO News Service The Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher Education has hit a midway point in a three-year evaluation of a collaboration between Southeast Missouri's colleges and state university aimed at enhancing access to postsecondary education...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Two local students earned the top officer positions at the Missouri State Junior Beta Convention, held Thursday and Friday at the Black River Coliseum. Drayden French of Neelyville Junior High was named president, while Malden Junior High Student Allison Hampton won vice president...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The state of Missouri, Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance program has obligated more than $23 million to the state of Missouri for reimbursements of disaster-related expenses and damage in local communities caused by severe storms, tornados and flooding April 19 through June 6...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The Rev. David Coon, pastor of the Sacred Heart Parish in Poplar Bluff, Mo., is learning new wording for prayers offered at Mass and the members are learning new responses. "These changes are a more authentic and accurate translation of the Latin texts in which the Mass prayers were originally composed," Coon said. "The translations reflect more precisely the doctrines of our faith and are more firmly rooted in sacred Scripture."...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The state of Missouri, Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance program has obligated more than $23 million to the state of Missouri for reimbursements of disaster-related expenses and damage in local communities caused by severe storms, tornados and flooding April 19 through June 6...

Missouri Natural Gas Co. will host the first "Warm Up A Child's Christmas" Toy Drive now through Friday, Dec. 16. Toys collected will be donated to local families in need to make their holidays a little warmer. Non-perishable food items will be donated to local food pantries...

By SHARON RANDALL Scripps Howard News Service What is it about Christmas that makes kids try to be "good" and old people act like kids? For weeks, my husband has been nagging, "Can we please put the tree up now?" The man loves Christmas. I love it, too. But I can usually wait for it until Christmastime...

Dodging the recession bullet According to at least two of the local politicians, the recession has bypassed Poplar Bluff and Butler County. If it hadn't, I guess there would be even more foreclosures listed in the DAR and the people who have lost jobs when some of the local factories and businesses closed are also happy this area has dodged the recession bullet. ...

By GEORGE F. WILL LOS ANGELES -- In 1941, Carl Karcher was a 24-year-old truck driver for a bakery. Impressed by the large numbers of buns he was delivering, he scrounged up $326 to buy a hot dog cart across from a Goodyear plant. And the war came...

Tori Cole, Kailee Hicks and Shana Jennings are the Twin Rivers High School October Students of the Month. Eleventh grader Tori Elizabeth Cole, daughter of Sheila Cole and David Cole, is an active member of Beta. She won All Conference and All District in basketball her sophomore year and All District Volleyball her Junior year...

Jamie John and Marcia Jean Jones Sr. of Harviell, Mo., recently celebrated 25 years of marriage by renewing their wedding vows. The ceremony and reception, hosted by their children, Jamie John and Deondra Dee Jones Jr. of Overland Park, Kan., and Olivia Ellen Jean Jones of Harviell, was held at 2 p.m. Oct. 9, 2011, at Elm Grove Church in Naylor, Mo...

John Larmore DONIPHAN, Mo. -- John Robert Larmore, 87, of Gatewood, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Larmore was born June 7, 1924, in Malden, Mo. He had been a groundskeeper at a golf course and had worked many years ago at the CCC Camp. Mr. Larmore enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and playing music...

Louis P. and Betty J. Walls Smith of Chaffee, Mo., celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, with a surprise party at the Holiday Inn Ballroom in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Hosts for the party were their children: Perry of Chaffee, James of Poplar Bluff, Jeff of Spring Hill, Tenn., and Sam Smith of Woodland, Calif., with daughter Jan Andrews Fedora of Nashville, Tenn. ...

The Poplar Bluff Fifth and Sixth Grade Center's students of the month have been announced. Fifth-grader Emily Mestas has been recognized by her teacher, Mrs. Darnell. She is the daughter of Michelle Mestas and Clay Mestas. She enjoys soccer, reading, spending time with her family and helping others...

Lindsy Brooke Johnson of Harviell, Mo., and Cody David Wilson of Campbell, Mo., were married on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, at the Hemingway/Pheiffer House in Piggott, Ark. Brother Steve Sanders of Doniphan, Mo., performed the double-ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Johnson of Harviell. Her grandparents are Alvie and Jane Johnson of Harviell, and Carlena Jones of Naylor, Mo., and the late Armand Jones...

Fisk Elementary School has named its Students of the Month. They include: Abigail McCollough, daughter of Kevin and Cathy McCollough, has been chosen as the First Grade Student of the Month for November. She is a student in Ms. Emmons' class. Her favorite food is pizza and her favorite animal is an elephant. Abigail's hobbies include painting and drawing. Her favorite thing about school is her teacher...

Bernice Moore Bernice Soares Moore, 74, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Mrs. Moore was born July 8, 1937, in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was a member of Poplar Bluff Apostolic Worship Center...

Francis Prevatt Francis R. Prevatt, 67, of Harviell, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. She was born Sept. 23, 1944 in Higdon, Ark. She had lived in Harviell for the past 35 years and formerly lived in California. She was of the Southern Baptist faith and had worked as a cake decorator...

Claudette Stewart ELLINGTON, Mo. -- Claudette Lucille Stewart, 73, of Ellington, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at St. John's Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. She was born Oct. 30, 1938, in Inverness, Fla. Mrs. Steward was a member of Webb Creek Baptist Church. She had retired as the office manager of an engineering company. She enjoyed her church, flowers, feeding wild birds, sewing and cooking...

George Stewart George Stewart, 89, longtime resident of Butler County, died Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Stewart was born Feb. 22, 1923, in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was a retired salesman after 35 years of working for Amoco Oil and enjoyed making bird houses, painting, and was very active with Boy Scouts of America. ...

Loyd McCain BERNIE, Mo. -- Loyd Denzil McCain, 83, of Bernie, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, in the Golden Living Center in Malden, Mo. He was born on July 23, 1928, in Bernie. Mr. McCain was a farmer; had served as Civil Defense director of Bernie for numerous years and currently was owner/operator of Southern Missouri Car Parts in Bernie. He also had served as an evangelist through his life and attended Unity Full Gospel Church of Bernie...

Ronald L. Eakens Jr. MALDEN, Mo. -- Ronald L. Eakens Jr., 43, of Risco, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo. Mr. Eakens was born Sept. 21, 1968 at Kirkwood, Mo. On Nov. 25, 1989, he was married to Tammy Gray at Risco. She survives of the home...

Kenneth Dock MALDEN, Mo. -- Kenneth Dock, 71, of Dexter, Mo., formerly of Malden, Mo, died Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, at his residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Landess Funeral Home of Malden.

Virginia Trimmer ELLINGTON, Mo. -- Virginia Louise Trimmer, 83, of Ellington, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at Advanced Healthcare in Ellington. She was born Aug. 30, 1928, in Riverton, Wyo. Mrs. Trimmer was a member of the Ellington United Methodist Church and Eastern Star for 50 years...

Tom Mangnall Jr. ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Tom William Mangnall, Jr., 43, of High Ridge, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 at his residence. He was born May 9, 1968 in Kirkwood, Mo. Mr. Mangnall was a lifetime resident of High Ridge and was a carpenter with the Local 1839 of Washington, Mo. He was of the Protestant faith...

COLUMBIA -- Despite some early foul troubles, the Poplar Bluff Mules were in decent shape at halftime against Hickman at the Norm Stewart Classic at Columbia College Saturday afternoon. The Kewpies got up early on the Mules but saw a 10-point lead turn into one in the second quarter...

VAN BUREN -- Make it an even eight straight years for Van Buren keeping the Yellow Sucker title that's awarded to the winner between the Carter County schools. East Carter didn't make it as easy for the Bulldogs as the 79-61 score might indicate though...

FARMINGTON -- Thirty-seven is not a lucky number for the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules. For a second straight game, and in a span of less than 24 hours, the Lady Mules managed that point total and lost at the Farmington Tournament. In the semifinal Friday, it was a 48-37 loss to Dexter while Jackson edged Poplar Bluff 41-37 Saturday for third place...

BERNIE -- The Risco Tigers lived up to their top-seed selection in the Bernie Invitational as they topped Holcomb for the championship, 74-64, Friday night. It was the first Bernie Invitational championship for Risco since 1974. "Winning this tournament is big," Risco coach Brandon Blakenship told the Daily Dunklin Democrat. "We wanted to win this tournament and that was one of the goals the guys talked about (before the season)."...

The Three Rivers Raiders overwhelmed Southeastern Illinois early on Saturday night. Three Rivers got up double digits in the first half and rolled to a 89-66 win over the Falcons at the Bess Activity Center. "It is always good to get a win," Three Rivers sophomore Tarius Johnson said. "We let up a little bit and looking at the score and that is not good by us but we are going to get past that and learn from our mistakes."...

The Three Rivers Lady Raiders locked it down on defense when it mattered most on Saturday. Three Rivers had a one-point lead with less than three minutes to go before ending the game allowing just one hoop to hold on for the win over Rend Lake, 65-56 at the Bess Activity Center...

Jamie John and Marcia Jean Jones Sr. of Harviell, Mo., recently celebrated 25 years of marriage by renewing their wedding vows. The ceremony and reception, hosted by their children, Jamie John and Deondra Dee Jones Jr. of Overland Park, Kan., and Olivia Ellen Jean Jones of Harviell, was held at 2 p.m. Oct. 9, 2011, at Elm Grove Church in Naylor, Mo...

By SHARON RANDALL Scripps Howard News Service What is it about Christmas that makes kids try to be "good" and old people act like kids? For weeks, my husband has been nagging, "Can we please put the tree up now?" The man loves Christmas. I love it, too. But I can usually wait for it until Christmastime...

Missouri Natural Gas Co. will host the first "Warm Up A Child's Christmas" Toy Drive now through Friday, Dec. 16. Toys collected will be donated to local families in need to make their holidays a little warmer. Non-perishable food items will be donated to local food pantries...

Louis P. and Betty J. Walls Smith of Chaffee, Mo., celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, with a surprise party at the Holiday Inn Ballroom in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Hosts for the party were their children: Perry of Chaffee, James of Poplar Bluff, Jeff of Spring Hill, Tenn., and Sam Smith of Woodland, Calif., with daughter Jan Andrews Fedora of Nashville, Tenn. ...

John Larmore DONIPHAN, Mo. -- John Robert Larmore, 87, of Gatewood, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Larmore was born June 7, 1924, in Malden, Mo. He had been a groundskeeper at a golf course and had worked many years ago at the CCC Camp. Mr. Larmore enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and playing music...

The Poplar Bluff Fifth and Sixth Grade Center's students of the month have been announced. Fifth-grader Emily Mestas has been recognized by her teacher, Mrs. Darnell. She is the daughter of Michelle Mestas and Clay Mestas. She enjoys soccer, reading, spending time with her family and helping others...

Lindsy Brooke Johnson of Harviell, Mo., and Cody David Wilson of Campbell, Mo., were married on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, at the Hemingway/Pheiffer House in Piggott, Ark. Brother Steve Sanders of Doniphan, Mo., performed the double-ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Johnson of Harviell. Her grandparents are Alvie and Jane Johnson of Harviell, and Carlena Jones of Naylor, Mo., and the late Armand Jones...

COLUMBIA -- Despite some early foul troubles, the Poplar Bluff Mules were in decent shape at halftime against Hickman at the Norm Stewart Classic at Columbia College Saturday afternoon. The Kewpies got up early on the Mules but saw a 10-point lead turn into one in the second quarter...

Virginia Trimmer ELLINGTON, Mo. -- Virginia Louise Trimmer, 83, of Ellington, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at Advanced Healthcare in Ellington. She was born Aug. 30, 1928, in Riverton, Wyo. Mrs. Trimmer was a member of the Ellington United Methodist Church and Eastern Star for 50 years...

Loyd McCain BERNIE, Mo. -- Loyd Denzil McCain, 83, of Bernie, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, in the Golden Living Center in Malden, Mo. He was born on July 23, 1928, in Bernie. Mr. McCain was a farmer; had served as Civil Defense director of Bernie for numerous years and currently was owner/operator of Southern Missouri Car Parts in Bernie. He also had served as an evangelist through his life and attended Unity Full Gospel Church of Bernie...

Claudette Stewart ELLINGTON, Mo. -- Claudette Lucille Stewart, 73, of Ellington, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at St. John's Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. She was born Oct. 30, 1938, in Inverness, Fla. Mrs. Steward was a member of Webb Creek Baptist Church. She had retired as the office manager of an engineering company. She enjoyed her church, flowers, feeding wild birds, sewing and cooking...

Fisk Elementary School has named its Students of the Month. They include: Abigail McCollough, daughter of Kevin and Cathy McCollough, has been chosen as the First Grade Student of the Month for November. She is a student in Ms. Emmons' class. Her favorite food is pizza and her favorite animal is an elephant. Abigail's hobbies include painting and drawing. Her favorite thing about school is her teacher...

The Three Rivers Lady Raiders locked it down on defense when it mattered most on Saturday. Three Rivers had a one-point lead with less than three minutes to go before ending the game allowing just one hoop to hold on for the win over Rend Lake, 65-56 at the Bess Activity Center...