Stories from Friday, December 9, 2011

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Brian Becker, owner of semo.net in Poplar Bluff, Mo., announced today he will work to change the city's leadership after City Clerk Pamela Kearbey determined he still lacks sufficient signatures to put the issue of open access on the city's broadband communication system on the April 3 city election ballot...

Story and photos By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer A new program at Neelyville R-IV schools has helped double high school honor roll rates and administrators expect to see similar results among lower grades. At the high school, Tiger Time is held from 2:55 to 3:25 p.m. each day. The school board voted to extend the school day to accommodate the period. Because of the added time, the last day of school is scheduled to be May 4...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer With the Christmas mailing season now in full swing, the Poplar Bluff Post Office handles, processes and delivers an average 74,000 pieces of mail each day. This is a 15 to 20 percent increase over other months, according to Fredericktown Post Master Mark Montgomery, who is serving as officer in charge for the local office. Package volume alone increases to about 37,000 per month in December, compared to about 25,000 in other months...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Brian Becker, owner of semo.net in Poplar Bluff, Mo., announced today he will work to change the city's leadership after City Clerk Pamela Kearbey determined he still lacks sufficient signatures to put the issue of open access on the city's broadband communication system on the April 3 city election ballot...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer With the Christmas mailing season now in full swing, the Poplar Bluff Post Office handles, processes and delivers an average 74,000 pieces of mail each day. This is a 15 to 20 percent increase over other months, according to Fredericktown Post Master Mark Montgomery, who is serving as officer in charge for the local office. Package volume alone increases to about 37,000 per month in December, compared to about 25,000 in other months...

Coming off a one-point win, the Three Rivers Raiders will look to add to their three-game win streak this weekend. The Raiders will host Shawnee (Ill.) at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bess Activity Center then play Southwestern Ill. at 5 p.m. Sunday in St. Louis...

SIKESTON -- Another rough start put the Poplar Bluff Mules in a hole Thursday night and a chance to finish off a comeback slipped away late. The Mules missed two chances to take the lead and New Madrid County Central sank two free throws over the final 55 seconds to edge Poplar Bluff 45-43 in the SEMO Conference Tournament...

A year ago Lorenzo Dailey didn't know if he'd ever play football again. Now the Poplar Bluff senior is one of the best players in the state, earning a second team all-state honor in Class 5 when the media released its list Friday. "Ever since my doctor told me that I was cleared to play, I started working hard from there," Dailey said. "If I got to play football, God answered my prayer...

VAN BUREN -- Van Buren looked like it was going to coast to victory on Thursday night. The Lady Dawgs led Greenville by 17 heading into the fourth quarter but the Lady Bears still had some fight in them. After scoring just three points in the third quarter, Greenville beat Van Buren 22-8 in the fourth quarter but came three points shy as the Lady Dawgs won 39-36...

PARAGOULD, Ark. -- After cutting a 16-point second-half deficit to a single possession, the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules couldn't complete the comeback Thursday. Buffalo Island (Ark.) Central held off the Lady Mules 49-45 in the opening round of the Paragould Shootout...

BROSELEY -- Both Butler County teams didn't feel too confident about how they played Thursday night. Neelyville and Twin Rivers battled back-and-forth for three quarters before the Lady Tigers got on a run to begin the fourth quarter. The Lady Royals surged back but only could make it a more respectable looking score with a 49-43 loss in an Ozark Foothills Conference title game rematch from last winter...

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has awarded a $782,751 contract to Joe's Bridge & Grading, Inc., of Poplar Bluff, Mo., to replace the Highway PP bridge over Cane Creek in Butler County with a wider structure. Weather permitting, work is anticipated to begin in May 2012, with completion in August 2012...

Police Chief Danny Whiteley wishes to inform the public that the Poplar Bluff Police Department began increasing police presence in local businesses on Nov. 25. The purpose of this program is to increase police presence in the shopping centers during the peak: shopping periods...

By SCOTT RASMUSSEN Sixty-nine percent of voters nationwide are angry with the policies of the federal government. To understand why, it's important to remember that most voters believe tax cuts and government spending cuts are good for the economy. Collectively, voters have voted for politicians who promised spending cuts and tax cuts in just about every election over the past four decades...

Please Sheila, back to reality Representative Sheila Jackson Lee recently while in one of her general speeches touting this past Friday (Black Friday) for the sales of Americans rushing out to buy American-made products. Sheila, what world are you living in? America no longer produces electronics, toys, clothes -- most of its domestic auto is clones from Japan, so, Sheila, what is America making right now that we're buying on Black Friday? Please, Sheila, tell America, won't you? Just one American item that we bought enough of to bring this country back from the brink. ...

The Butler County Retired Teachers and School Personnel Association will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Altrusa Room at Twin Towers. Members of the Poplar Bluff High School Music Department will perform a selection of Christmas songs under the direction of Brenda Allen...

Native in line for national DAV head In about two years, a former Poplar Bluffian and graduate of Poplar Bluff High School will assume the duties of National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans. Joe Johnston graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1966. He was born in Poplar Bluff and still has many relatives in the area...

The Van Buren Community Center Christmas Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday. Shoppers will have an assortment of gifts to choose from: crafts, fishing lures for the men on your list, small ATVs, jewelry, and lotions. Various churches will be selling baked goods: cake, pies, breads, cookies, and candies. A number of small business will have booths, too. The school Booster Club is holding a drawing. Quilters will raffle a quilt. Relay for Life will sell their merchandise...

President Emily Rhodes convened the November meeting of the Women's Citizenship Club on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at Twin Towers. Cathy Plunkett led the opening prayer, Rita McVey, the Pledge of Allegiance and Pauline Hearne, club collect. After calling roll, the secretary, Lola Crain, presented the minutes for October...

The Imaginary Theatre Company of St. Louis, Mo., will bring its production of the beloved children's tale "The Elves and the Shoemaker" to the Tinnin Fine Arts Center at 3 p.m. Sunday. The show is part of the Patrons of the Arts series at Three Rivers College, and is sponsored by a generous donation from Kissinger and Kirkman Investment Centre in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Hank Taylor MALDEN, Mo. -- Harold "Hank" Clayton Taylor, 83, of Malden, Mo., died Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Taylor was born May 21, 1928, in Malden. He attended Bethany General Baptist Church and was a farmer. On Oct. 2, 1948, he was married to Betty Loafman at Piggott, Ark. She survives of the home...

Evelyn Hayes FISK, Mo. -- Evelyn Hayes, 81, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Hayes was born March 25, 1930 in Broseley, Mo. She had lived in Poplar Bluff for the past 10 years and had formerly lived in the Broseley area most of her life. She was of the Baptist faith, a homemaker and enjoyed crocheting...

Joyce Reed Joyce Marie Reed, 78, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, at her residence. Mrs. Reed was born Aug. 1, 1933 in St. Louis County, Mo. She was of the Lutheran faith, and had retired after 30 years as owner and secretary of Bluff Trash Service. Mrs. Reed enjoyed spending time with her family, collecting birdhouses, bowling and the watching the St. Louis Cardinals...

Martha Shewmaker CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Martha Louise Shewmaker, 69, of St. Petersburg, Fla., formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. She was born April 5, 1942, at Harviell, Mo., and had lived most of her life in Michigan. She had worked for Meijer Inc. She enjoyed bingo, animals, gardening, cooking, family and friends...

Johnny Wilburn Sr. GIDEON, Mo. -- Johnny Wilburn Sr. of Gideon, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, at his residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Brawshaw Funeral Home of Malden, Mo.

Omma Baysinger Omma Mae Baysinger, 87, of Godfrey, Ill, formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the home of her son. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Holy Cross Episcopal Church will hold it's Blue Christmas service at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 21. For those unfamiliar with it, the Blue Christmas Service is designed for those who are grieving due to the loss of a loved one, a recent personal or loved one's diagnosis, break-up of a marriage, loss of a job or a home, economic stress or coping with depression. ...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Tehran's capture of a largely intact, top secret U.S. drone, which it displayed on state television, not only lays bare America's surveillance program over Iran, but it also puts sensitive, advanced technology in hostile hands. A former U.S. ...

Hank Taylor -- Malden, Mo. Joyce Reed -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Evelyn Hayes -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Martha Shewmaker -- St. Petersburg, Fla. Omma Baysinger -- Godfrey, Ill. Johnny Wilburn Sr. -- Gideon, Mo.

Native in line for national DAV head In about two years, a former Poplar Bluffian and graduate of Poplar Bluff High School will assume the duties of National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans. Joe Johnston graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1966. He was born in Poplar Bluff and still has many relatives in the area...

Please Sheila, back to reality Representative Sheila Jackson Lee recently while in one of her general speeches touting this past Friday (Black Friday) for the sales of Americans rushing out to buy American-made products. Sheila, what world are you living in? America no longer produces electronics, toys, clothes -- most of its domestic auto is clones from Japan, so, Sheila, what is America making right now that we're buying on Black Friday? Please, Sheila, tell America, won't you? Just one American item that we bought enough of to bring this country back from the brink. ...

By SCOTT RASMUSSEN Sixty-nine percent of voters nationwide are angry with the policies of the federal government. To understand why, it's important to remember that most voters believe tax cuts and government spending cuts are good for the economy. Collectively, voters have voted for politicians who promised spending cuts and tax cuts in just about every election over the past four decades...

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has awarded a $782,751 contract to Joe's Bridge & Grading, Inc., of Poplar Bluff, Mo., to replace the Highway PP bridge over Cane Creek in Butler County with a wider structure. Weather permitting, work is anticipated to begin in May 2012, with completion in August 2012...

BROSELEY -- Both Butler County teams didn't feel too confident about how they played Thursday night. Neelyville and Twin Rivers battled back-and-forth for three quarters before the Lady Tigers got on a run to begin the fourth quarter. The Lady Royals surged back but only could make it a more respectable looking score with a 49-43 loss in an Ozark Foothills Conference title game rematch from last winter...

Coming off a one-point win, the Three Rivers Raiders will look to add to their three-game win streak this weekend. The Raiders will host Shawnee (Ill.) at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bess Activity Center then play Southwestern Ill. at 5 p.m. Sunday in St. Louis...

Holy Cross Episcopal Church will hold it's Blue Christmas service at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 21. For those unfamiliar with it, the Blue Christmas Service is designed for those who are grieving due to the loss of a loved one, a recent personal or loved one's diagnosis, break-up of a marriage, loss of a job or a home, economic stress or coping with depression. ...

Johnny Wilburn Sr. GIDEON, Mo. -- Johnny Wilburn Sr. of Gideon, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, at his residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Brawshaw Funeral Home of Malden, Mo.

Martha Shewmaker CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Martha Louise Shewmaker, 69, of St. Petersburg, Fla., formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. She was born April 5, 1942, at Harviell, Mo., and had lived most of her life in Michigan. She had worked for Meijer Inc. She enjoyed bingo, animals, gardening, cooking, family and friends...

Evelyn Hayes FISK, Mo. -- Evelyn Hayes, 81, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Hayes was born March 25, 1930 in Broseley, Mo. She had lived in Poplar Bluff for the past 10 years and had formerly lived in the Broseley area most of her life. She was of the Baptist faith, a homemaker and enjoyed crocheting...

Hank Taylor MALDEN, Mo. -- Harold "Hank" Clayton Taylor, 83, of Malden, Mo., died Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Taylor was born May 21, 1928, in Malden. He attended Bethany General Baptist Church and was a farmer. On Oct. 2, 1948, he was married to Betty Loafman at Piggott, Ark. She survives of the home...

The Imaginary Theatre Company of St. Louis, Mo., will bring its production of the beloved children's tale "The Elves and the Shoemaker" to the Tinnin Fine Arts Center at 3 p.m. Sunday. The show is part of the Patrons of the Arts series at Three Rivers College, and is sponsored by a generous donation from Kissinger and Kirkman Investment Centre in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

President Emily Rhodes convened the November meeting of the Women's Citizenship Club on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at Twin Towers. Cathy Plunkett led the opening prayer, Rita McVey, the Pledge of Allegiance and Pauline Hearne, club collect. After calling roll, the secretary, Lola Crain, presented the minutes for October...

The Butler County Retired Teachers and School Personnel Association will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Altrusa Room at Twin Towers. Members of the Poplar Bluff High School Music Department will perform a selection of Christmas songs under the direction of Brenda Allen...

Hank Taylor -- Malden, Mo. Joyce Reed -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Evelyn Hayes -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Martha Shewmaker -- St. Petersburg, Fla. Omma Baysinger -- Godfrey, Ill. Johnny Wilburn Sr. -- Gideon, Mo.