Stories from Tuesday, December 13, 2011

As a line formed Saturday at the Boys and Girls Club during a Christmas party for children in foster care, the first boy to visit with Santa Claus had a simple request, "I want my dad." The holidays are difficult for these children, explained foster care mother Lorene Garrison, while the two boys in her care now, aged 9 and 10, played basketball nearby. Almost 70, Garrison has cared for about 25 youths since moving to Doniphan, Mo., in 2003 from Colorado...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer A Butler County native's leap from the banking and insurance industries to hairstyling has taken the fast track, thanks in large part to the Matrix Spread the Love contest. Joe Hornbeck, who now lives in St. Charles, Mo., was named as one of 20 finalists in the nationwide contest. Six winners will be chosen this week. They will be paired up and travel the country, working and learning at various salons and attending hair shows...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A Dexter, Mo., man pleaded guilty Monday afternoon in federal court on child pornography charges related to him allegedly exploiting a teenage relative by taking nude videos of her. Michael Lee Wilson, 37, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of possession of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr., according to the U.S. Attorney's Office...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Ed DeGaris was the first candidate to file today for the April 3 city election in Poplar Bluff. DeGaris is seeking re-election to his second three-year term as the Ward 2 council member. The council elected DeGaris as mayor in April for one year...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer A Butler County native's leap from the banking and insurance industries to hairstyling has taken the fast track, thanks in large part to the Matrix Spread the Love contest. Joe Hornbeck, who now lives in St. Charles, Mo., was named as one of 20 finalists in the nationwide contest. Six winners will be chosen this week. They will be paired up and travel the country, working and learning at various salons and attending hair shows...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A Dexter, Mo., man pleaded guilty Monday afternoon in federal court on child pornography charges related to him allegedly exploiting a teenage relative by taking nude videos of her. Michael Lee Wilson, 37, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of possession of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr., according to the U.S. Attorney's Office...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Ed DeGaris was the first candidate to file today for the April 3 city election in Poplar Bluff. DeGaris is seeking re-election to his second three-year term as the Ward 2 council member. The council elected DeGaris as mayor in April for one year...

As a line formed Saturday at the Boys and Girls Club during a Christmas party for children in foster care, the first boy to visit with Santa Claus had a simple request, "I want my dad." The holidays are difficult for these children, explained foster care mother Lorene Garrison, while the two boys in her care now, aged 9 and 10, played basketball nearby. Almost 70, Garrison has cared for about 25 youths since moving to Doniphan, Mo., in 2003 from Colorado...

PIEDMONT -- The Clearwater Lady Tigers used free throws to their advantage Monday night to beat South Iron 54-39. Clearwater went 22-for-36 from the free-throw line. "Team-wise it was a rough game," Clearwater coach Darren Garrison said. "A lot fouls and we had to adjust early. We had to take care of the ball."...

VAN BUREN --Other than sharing a home in Carter County, Van Buren and East Carter had an even more relatable connection on the basketball court Monday night. The dreaded injury bug. The Lady Dawgs returned one of their injured players and that helped them over the Lady Redbirds, 48-38...

DEXTER -- Their record isn't the greatest at this point but it's been a tough road for the Kennett Indians thus far. With a 2-3 record, the Indians could very well be 4-1 coach Jim Vaughan said at Monday's Bloomfield Christmas Tournament seed meeting...

By RYAN J. FOLEY Associated Press IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- The U.S. Postal Service's plan to close 252 mail processing facilities and cut 28,000 jobs by the end of next year may help the agency curb its mounting financial problems, but it faces big practical obstacles...

By BERNARD CONDON AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) -- NEW YORK (AP) -- Europe's fiscal pact may save the euro from collapse and stave off worldwide financial panic. But the concerns of many investors are more personal: Will it lift my flagging 401(k)?...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN In August 2008, as the world's leaders gathered in Beijing for the Olympic games, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, hot-headed and erratic, made his gamble for greatness. It began with a stunning artillery barrage on Tskhinvali, capital of tiny South Ossetia, a province that had broken free of Tbilisi when Tbilisi broke free of Russia. As Ossetians and Russian peacekeepers fell under the Georgian guns, terrified Ossetians fled into Russia...

Corporations raiding treasury I would like to respond to people talking about the old vet's comments. It is true that when the blacks and the women went into the military, everybody got on their soap box and said they're going to destroy the military. ...

By MONA CHAREN After a two-hour meeting in Cairo, Khaled Mashaal, unelected leader of Hamas, and Mahmoud Abbas, unelected leader of the Palestinian Authority, were all smiles. "We want to assure our people and the Arab and Islamic world that we have turned a major new and real page in partnership on everything to do with the Palestinian nation," Mashaal announced. "There are no more differences between us now," agreed Abbas...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- In the first month of his presidency, Barack Obama averred that if in three years he hadn't alleviated the nation's economic pain, he'd be a "one-term proposition." When three-quarters of Americans think the country is on the "wrong track" and even Bill Clinton calls the economy "lousy," how then to run for a second term? Traveling Tuesday to Osawatomie, Kan., site of a famous 1910 Teddy Roosevelt speech, Obama laid out the case...

By OLIVER NORTH MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Seventy years ago, Japanese Cmdr. Mitsuo Fuchida led an airborne strike force of 49 "Kate" bombers, 40 torpedo bombers, 51 "Val" dive bombers and 43 "Zeke" fighters on the first wave of an attack on Pearl Harbor and plunged America into World War II. ...

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...

Christine A. Boyer PUXICO, Mo. -- Christine A. Boyer, 97, of Puxico, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at her residence. Mrs. Boyer was born July 14, 1914, at DeKalb, Texas. She formerly lived in Flora Ill. In March of 2011, she moved to Puxico to live with her daughter, Patricia Gorton. She was a member of Oak Street Baptist Church in Flora, Ill., and enjoyed quilting and going to church. She was a homemaker...

Josie Ann Zimmerman Josie Ann Zimmerman, 80, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Deland, Fla., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at her residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Lawrence Calder MALDEN, Mo. -- Lawrence Lee Calder, 69, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Malden, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. He was born Sept. 12, 1942, in Peach Orchard, Mo. He was a member of the United Voice of Zion...

Dorothy Baucom DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Dorothy L. Baucom, 92, of Doniphan, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at the Walnut Street Boarding Home in Doniphan. Mrs. Baucom was born July 23, 1919, in Ripley County, Mo. She was retired from Vitronic Manufacturing after 40-plus years of employment. Mrs. Baucom enjoyed gardening and quilting and was a member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary...

Alice Ellis Alice Boyers Ellis, 88, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel...

Juli Hunt DEXTER, Mo. -- Juli Hunt, 39, of Dexter, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. She was born on Aug. 31, 1972, at Sikeston, Mo. Mrs. Hunt was a registered nurse at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and worked on the Medical Surgery Floor. She was married to Ronald Hunt on Sept. 27, 2003, at Dexter. He survives of the home...

Needs for Project Christmas Listed here are a few of the needs children's charity 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 for more information about a family's needs, to adopt a family for the holiday or to help with some of a family's needs. ...

Three Rivers College president Dr. Devin Stephenson has released his newest fundraising CD "The Promise." The gospel album featuring Stephenson on piano and keyboards is on sale for $15 online and at college facilities and events. Also available are copies of "The Gift," the Christmas-themed album Stephenson released for the college last year. ...

The Lake Road Elementary students of the month include: First Grade: Dustin Dean is the first grade student of the month. He is the son of Keith and Ann Dean. Dustin's favorite thing to do at school is recess. Reading is his favorite subject because he gets to learn new words. ...

Margaret Featherston DOUGLAS, Wyo. -- Margaret Pauline (Epps) Featherston, 93, of Douglas, Wyo., died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, at Central Wyoming Hospice Home in Casper, Wyo. Mrs. Featherston was born Oct. 23, 1918, in Butler County. While living in Poplar Bluff, Mo., she worked as a nursing aid at Doctor's Hospital. ...

John Flanigan CAMPBELL, Mo. -- John "J.M." Flanigan, 72, of Qulin, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Flanigan was born Jan. 19, 1939, in Parma, Mo. He was owner and operator of John Boy's in Qulin and was a member of the Campbell General Baptist Church...

Mary Thurman CAMPBELL, Mo. -- Mary Louis Thurman, 77, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Clarkton, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mary Louis Thurman Mrs. Thurman was born Aug. 16, 1934, in Piedmont, Mo. She worked at Brown Shoe Company for 36 years. She also worked as a cashier at Casey's and worked in the deli at Country Mart in Poplar Bluff. She was of the Baptist faith...

Nancy Rankins DEXTER, Mo. -- Nancy Elizabeth Jones Rankins, 70, of Dexter, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mrs. Rankins was born Feb. 3, 1941, in Rock County, Wis. She enjoyed crafting, painting, country music, knitting, puzzles, crocheting, drinking coffee and spending time with her husband in the morning...

Russell Ramsey PUXICO, Mo. -- Russell Ramsey, son of the late Lloyd Ramsey and Alveda Baker Russell, was born in Marble Hill, Mo., on Oct. 25, 1946, and passed away at his farm on Dec. 10, 2011, at the age of 65 years. He had been a resident of Puxico, Mo., for 40 years. ...

Pauline Whittington Pauline Whittington, 96, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

VAN BUREN --Other than sharing a home in Carter County, Van Buren and East Carter had an even more relatable connection on the basketball court Monday night. The dreaded injury bug. The Lady Dawgs returned one of their injured players and that helped them over the Lady Redbirds, 48-38...

DEXTER -- Their record isn't the greatest at this point but it's been a tough road for the Kennett Indians thus far. With a 2-3 record, the Indians could very well be 4-1 coach Jim Vaughan said at Monday's Bloomfield Christmas Tournament seed meeting...

PIEDMONT -- The Clearwater Lady Tigers used free throws to their advantage Monday night to beat South Iron 54-39. Clearwater went 22-for-36 from the free-throw line. "Team-wise it was a rough game," Clearwater coach Darren Garrison said. "A lot fouls and we had to adjust early. We had to take care of the ball."...

Juli Hunt DEXTER, Mo. -- Juli Hunt, 39, of Dexter, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. She was born on Aug. 31, 1972, at Sikeston, Mo. Mrs. Hunt was a registered nurse at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and worked on the Medical Surgery Floor. She was married to Ronald Hunt on Sept. 27, 2003, at Dexter. He survives of the home...

Needs for Project Christmas Listed here are a few of the needs children's charity 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 for more information about a family's needs, to adopt a family for the holiday or to help with some of a family's needs. ...

Three Rivers College president Dr. Devin Stephenson has released his newest fundraising CD "The Promise." The gospel album featuring Stephenson on piano and keyboards is on sale for $15 online and at college facilities and events. Also available are copies of "The Gift," the Christmas-themed album Stephenson released for the college last year. ...

Mary Thurman CAMPBELL, Mo. -- Mary Louis Thurman, 77, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Clarkton, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mary Louis Thurman Mrs. Thurman was born Aug. 16, 1934, in Piedmont, Mo. She worked at Brown Shoe Company for 36 years. She also worked as a cashier at Casey's and worked in the deli at Country Mart in Poplar Bluff. She was of the Baptist faith...

Nancy Rankins DEXTER, Mo. -- Nancy Elizabeth Jones Rankins, 70, of Dexter, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mrs. Rankins was born Feb. 3, 1941, in Rock County, Wis. She enjoyed crafting, painting, country music, knitting, puzzles, crocheting, drinking coffee and spending time with her husband in the morning...

Dorothy Baucom DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Dorothy L. Baucom, 92, of Doniphan, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at the Walnut Street Boarding Home in Doniphan. Mrs. Baucom was born July 23, 1919, in Ripley County, Mo. She was retired from Vitronic Manufacturing after 40-plus years of employment. Mrs. Baucom enjoyed gardening and quilting and was a member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary...

Alice Ellis Alice Boyers Ellis, 88, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel...

Christine A. Boyer PUXICO, Mo. -- Christine A. Boyer, 97, of Puxico, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at her residence. Mrs. Boyer was born July 14, 1914, at DeKalb, Texas. She formerly lived in Flora Ill. In March of 2011, she moved to Puxico to live with her daughter, Patricia Gorton. She was a member of Oak Street Baptist Church in Flora, Ill., and enjoyed quilting and going to church. She was a homemaker...

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...

By OLIVER NORTH MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Seventy years ago, Japanese Cmdr. Mitsuo Fuchida led an airborne strike force of 49 "Kate" bombers, 40 torpedo bombers, 51 "Val" dive bombers and 43 "Zeke" fighters on the first wave of an attack on Pearl Harbor and plunged America into World War II. ...

By MONA CHAREN After a two-hour meeting in Cairo, Khaled Mashaal, unelected leader of Hamas, and Mahmoud Abbas, unelected leader of the Palestinian Authority, were all smiles. "We want to assure our people and the Arab and Islamic world that we have turned a major new and real page in partnership on everything to do with the Palestinian nation," Mashaal announced. "There are no more differences between us now," agreed Abbas...

Corporations raiding treasury I would like to respond to people talking about the old vet's comments. It is true that when the blacks and the women went into the military, everybody got on their soap box and said they're going to destroy the military. ...

By BERNARD CONDON AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) -- NEW YORK (AP) -- Europe's fiscal pact may save the euro from collapse and stave off worldwide financial panic. But the concerns of many investors are more personal: Will it lift my flagging 401(k)?...

Russell Ramsey PUXICO, Mo. -- Russell Ramsey, son of the late Lloyd Ramsey and Alveda Baker Russell, was born in Marble Hill, Mo., on Oct. 25, 1946, and passed away at his farm on Dec. 10, 2011, at the age of 65 years. He had been a resident of Puxico, Mo., for 40 years. ...