Stories from Wednesday, December 14, 2011

After more than two years of service at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, director Glenn Costie announced recently Thursday will be his last day at the facility. Costie has been asked by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki to serve as director of the Dayton VA Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Butler County is still in the new Missouri Senate District 33, but Ozark County has been replaced by Reynolds County. The change was made when the Appellate Apportionment Commission filed a revised state Senate redistricting plan and map Friday. Most of the other changes were in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas...

From Staff Reports For most people, the holidays can get a little stressful, but for some they may become downright dangerous. For women who are already living in an abusive marriage or relationship, maintaining a sense of peace for their children and extended families is increasingly difficult with the added stress of the holiday season.  ...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man was charged today in connection with the weekend shooting death of another man authorities say he had ongoing conflicts with over the sale of illegal narcotics. Paris Thomas, 23, of the 800 block of Garfield was charged with the Class A felony of first-degree murder, the unclassified felony of armed criminal action and the Class C felony of unlawful possession of a firearm by Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour...

After more than two years of service at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, director Glenn Costie announced recently Thursday will be his last day at the facility. Costie has been asked by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki to serve as director of the Dayton VA Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Butler County is still in the new Missouri Senate District 33, but Ozark County has been replaced by Reynolds County. The change was made when the Appellate Apportionment Commission filed a revised state Senate redistricting plan and map Friday. Most of the other changes were in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas...

From Staff Reports For most people, the holidays can get a little stressful, but for some they may become downright dangerous. For women who are already living in an abusive marriage or relationship, maintaining a sense of peace for their children and extended families is increasingly difficult with the added stress of the holiday season.  ...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man was charged today in connection with the weekend shooting death of another man authorities say he had ongoing conflicts with over the sale of illegal narcotics. Paris Thomas, 23, of the 800 block of Garfield was charged with the Class A felony of first-degree murder, the unclassified felony of armed criminal action and the Class C felony of unlawful possession of a firearm by Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour...

The Three Rivers Raiders used a jackhammer to chip away at Lewis & Clark on Tuesday. The Raiders trailed by 17 points with a little more than 15 minutes remaining and went into a tough half-court trap nicknamed 'The Jackhammer.' Slowly, Three Rivers crept back into the contest and took their first lead of the second half with a little more than 6 minutes remaining before going on to beat the Trailblazers 64-55 at the Bess Activity Center...

By the time the Three Rivers Lady Raiders' offense got back on track, it was too late Tuesday night. Three Rivers trailed by double digits with less than 3 minutes remaining and got back within five but Arkansas Baptist made its free throws to hold off the Lady Raiders 71-65 at the Bess Activity Center...

The familiar rims of Peters Gym were not friendly Tuesday night for the Poplar Bluff Mules. Playing at home for the first time, the Mules' offensive struggles continued in a 54-38 loss to Blytheville (Ark.). "What happened tonight was not a product of them not being capable of producing, some nights it's like that," Poplar Bluff coach Lamont Frazier said. "These guys have worked at it, they know it's going to come...

CAMPBELL -- The Naylor Eagles advanced in the Campbell Christmas Tournament Tuesday night with an 82-59 win over Southland in the first round. The Eagles play Armorel, Ark., a 14-point winner over Delta-Deering, in the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday...

To the Editor: It is with mixed feelings that I write to notify you and your readers that I will soon be leaving the Poplar Bluff VA Medical Center. I have been asked by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to lead another hospital in Dayton, Ohio, effective Dec. ...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS The most prevalent theme in President Barack Obama's Dec. 6 Osawatomie, Kan., speech was the need for greater "fairness." In fact, though the president never defined the term fair(ness), he used it 15 times. Explaining his new hero, Teddy Roosevelt, Obama said: "But Roosevelt also knew that the free market has never been a free license to take whatever you can from whomever you can. ...

By MONA CHAREN The headline reads like a piece from the Onion: "U.S. Navy Paying $15/Gallon for Green Fuel." But it's real enough. It seems that, fresh from its success with Solyndra, the Obama administration is slated to spend $12 million to buy a biofuel/gasoline blend that runs $15 a gallon to power a portion of the Navy's fleet in a demonstration project...

How much is too much? Yes, I read in yesterday's paper about how, I'm a little confused about whether it's the City of Poplar Bluff or the county--Butler County, but how they were over budget for the year, but it was okay because the cost override was gonna be paid out of the "Reserve Account" of something around the nature of $7,000,000. ...

Alice Ellis Alice Boyers Ellis, 88, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Ellis was born Nov. 2, 1923, in Poplar Bluff. She was a member of First Assembly of God, where she was a dedicated teacher of Sunday School and Children's Church for many years. Mrs. Ellis enjoyed being a homemaker and mother and felt her ministry in life was raising her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren...

Marcus McFarland HOWARDVILLE, Mo. -- Marcus Darnell McFarland, 29, resident of Poplar Bluff died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born June 9, 1982 in Blytheville, Ark. He was a graduate of New Madrid County Central High class of 2000 where he was active in track and wrestling. He attended Paducah Technical College and was a self-employed electrician...

Joyce Ward DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Joyce Irene Ward, 48, of Doniphan, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at Ripley County Memorial Hospital in Doniphan. Mrs. Ward was born July 17, 1963, in Washington, D.C. She enjoyed being with her family and doing crafts and flowers...

Josie Zimmerman Josie Ann Zimmerman, 80, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Deland, Fla., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 at her residence. Mrs. Zimmerman was born Nov. 6, 1931, in Memphis, Tenn. She was a member of First Baptist Church, where she was active in the J.O.Y. ...

Thelmon Starnes NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Thelmon L. Starnes, 82, of Neelyville, Mo., died Monday Dec. 12, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. He was born Nov. 11, 1929, in Alabama. He was a farmer and was of the Assembly of God faith. He enjoyed coon hunting and fishing...

Pauline Whittington Pauline Whittington, 96, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Whittington was born July 25, 1915 in Morgantown, Ky. She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, and was a homemaker. Mrs. Whittington enjoyed spending time with her family...

Geneva Fortner BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Geneva Eva Fortner, 86, of Advance, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She was born on April 9, 1925, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Fortner had lived in the Advance area all her life except a brief time when she lived in St. Louis, Mo. She was a member of Pleasant Valley Church in Dexter, Mo...

Susan Miller DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Susan Miller, 87, of Doniphan, Mo., died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, at Ripley County Memorial Hospital in Doniphan. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan.

Greenville High School has named Hannah Malone, daughter of David and Lisa Malone of Greenville, Mo., as a Student of the Month. She is treasurer of FBLA, president of French Club, and secretary/treasurer of the Senior Class. In addition to these offices, Hannah is a member of Pep Club, 4-H, Bear Ambassador, Spanish Club, FCCLA and A+...

A pair of Poplar Bluff brothers has won second place in a video production contest sponsored by nationally syndicated talk show host Rush Limbaugh whose program, "The Rush Limbaugh Show", boasts 25-million listeners. Michael and Chris Hibler of Dark Hamlet Video Production Studios submitted their 30 second video commercial for "Two if By Tea" Nov. ...

Lola M. Bethel A memorial service for Lola M. Bethel will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at New Covenant Fellowship. Formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Mrs. Bethel, 90, died Oct. 30, in Marietta, Ga.

Hailey Cagle GIDEON, Mo. -- Hailey Cagle, 15, of Gideon, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Gideon. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home of Gideon.

Scottie Vires Jr. GIDEON, Mo. -- Scottie L. Vires Jr., 31, of Gideon, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Gideon. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home in Gideon.

CAMPBELL -- The Naylor Eagles advanced in the Campbell Christmas Tournament Tuesday night with an 82-59 win over Southland in the first round. The Eagles play Armorel, Ark., a 14-point winner over Delta-Deering, in the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday...

The familiar rims of Peters Gym were not friendly Tuesday night for the Poplar Bluff Mules. Playing at home for the first time, the Mules' offensive struggles continued in a 54-38 loss to Blytheville (Ark.). "What happened tonight was not a product of them not being capable of producing, some nights it's like that," Poplar Bluff coach Lamont Frazier said. "These guys have worked at it, they know it's going to come...

By the time the Three Rivers Lady Raiders' offense got back on track, it was too late Tuesday night. Three Rivers trailed by double digits with less than 3 minutes remaining and got back within five but Arkansas Baptist made its free throws to hold off the Lady Raiders 71-65 at the Bess Activity Center...

Hailey Cagle GIDEON, Mo. -- Hailey Cagle, 15, of Gideon, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Gideon. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home of Gideon.

Pauline Whittington Pauline Whittington, 96, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Whittington was born July 25, 1915 in Morgantown, Ky. She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, and was a homemaker. Mrs. Whittington enjoyed spending time with her family...

Josie Zimmerman Josie Ann Zimmerman, 80, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Deland, Fla., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 at her residence. Mrs. Zimmerman was born Nov. 6, 1931, in Memphis, Tenn. She was a member of First Baptist Church, where she was active in the J.O.Y. ...

Alice Ellis Alice Boyers Ellis, 88, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Ellis was born Nov. 2, 1923, in Poplar Bluff. She was a member of First Assembly of God, where she was a dedicated teacher of Sunday School and Children's Church for many years. Mrs. Ellis enjoyed being a homemaker and mother and felt her ministry in life was raising her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren...

How much is too much? Yes, I read in yesterday's paper about how, I'm a little confused about whether it's the City of Poplar Bluff or the county--Butler County, but how they were over budget for the year, but it was okay because the cost override was gonna be paid out of the "Reserve Account" of something around the nature of $7,000,000. ...

Lola M. Bethel A memorial service for Lola M. Bethel will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at New Covenant Fellowship. Formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Mrs. Bethel, 90, died Oct. 30, in Marietta, Ga.