Stories from Thursday, December 29, 2011

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer After learning the United Gospel Rescue Mission could not distribute Christmas food baskets, representatives from Poplar Bluff's Promise and AmeriCorps, as well as other volunteers, came together to provide baskets for 50 needy families...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor Law enforcement officers across the area are mourning the loss of Patrick Baird, retired captain of the Missouri Highway Patrol Troop E, who died Wednesday afternoon while walking at McLane Park. Baird exercised almost daily by walking 30 to 45 minutes, said Highway Patrol Capt. ...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Scam artists have been very active in Southeast Missouri recently, with one scam targeting at least dozens of residents in one night. Residents in Butler and Carter counties received calls Tuesday, supposedly on behalf of VISA. The automated call stated the recipient's card had been suspended due to suspicious activity, and account information should be entered to clear up the matter...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer After learning the United Gospel Rescue Mission could not distribute Christmas food baskets, representatives from Poplar Bluff's Promise and AmeriCorps, as well as other volunteers, came together to provide baskets for 50 needy families...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor Law enforcement officers across the area are mourning the loss of Patrick Baird, retired captain of the Missouri Highway Patrol Troop E, who died Wednesday afternoon while walking at McLane Park. Baird exercised almost daily by walking 30 to 45 minutes, said Highway Patrol Capt. ...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Scam artists have been very active in Southeast Missouri recently, with one scam targeting at least dozens of residents in one night. Residents in Butler and Carter counties received calls Tuesday, supposedly on behalf of VISA. The automated call stated the recipient's card had been suspended due to suspicious activity, and account information should be entered to clear up the matter...

MESA, Ariz. -- The Three Rivers Raiders started their trip to the desert off on the right foot Wednesday afternoon. The Raiders took an early lead and held off fifth-ranked Salt Lake 80-69 in the opening round of the Fiesta Bowl Shootout at Mesa Community College...

BLOOMFIELD -- Even though they improved to 3-0 against Twin Rivers this season, the Bloomfield Wildcats have seen enough of the Royals. Twin Rivers nipped at the Wildcats' heels all Wednesday afternoon before Bloomfield was finally able to pull away to a 67-53 victory in the consolation semifinals of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament...

DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- They may not have had their best shooting performance of the season, but the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules got a season-best point total anyway. The Lady Mules avoided a rare four-game losing streak with a 67-40 win over the University School of Jackson (Tenn.) at the Dyersburg Tournament on Wednesday morning...

STE. GENEVIEVE -- The Greenville Bears turned up the heat in the second half at the Valle Catholic Warrior Winter Classic on Wednesday as they beat Jefferson in pool play, 77-58. The Bears (2-4) held a three-point at halftime before beating the Bluejays, 23-10, in the third quarter...

BLOOMFIELD -- A major hiccup by Portageville's Dion Foster allowed Doniphan to force overtime in the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament semifinal Wednesday. Foster didn't let the mistake effect him though. The junior helped the Bulldogs seize momentum in overtime in a 65-62 win which advanced them to the championship game for the first time since 2008...

BLOOMFIELD -- In order to play for their third straight Bloomfield Christmas Tournament championship, Kennett first had the face the team they ousted for the trophy last year. It proved to be no easy task. The top-seed Indians got a steal and a fastbreak bucket by Kevonte Mitchell to take a one-point lead with 15 seconds left and held on for a 49-48 win Wednesday...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN Returning from Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta dropped some jolting news. Asked by CBS's Scott Pelley if Iran could have a nuclear weapon in 2012, Panetta replied: "It would probably be about a year before they could do it. Perhaps a little less. But one proviso, Scott, is that if they have a hidden facility somewhere in Iran that may be enriching fuel."...

The circus of politics Ah, the circus of politics as we watch the merry-go-round in Washington continue right up to Christmas. One truly wants to hang their head and shake it in shame. These gentlemen hired by the people to work for the people and the state's, respectively. ...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Deborah Hersman has called for states to mandate a total ban on cellphone usage while driving. She has also encouraged electronics manufacturers -- via recommendations to the CTIA-The Wireless Association and the Consumer Electronics Association -- to develop features that "disable the functions of portable electronic devices within reach of the driver when a vehicle is in motion." That means she wants to be able to turn off your cellphone while you're driving.. ...

Glennonville Glennonville is a postage stamp-sized village in the "boot heel" of Missouri. The town is not actually in the "boot heel," but in a somewhat undefined northeast part of the southeastern corner of the state. The town was named for Archbishop John Joseph Glennon of St. ...

Bill Hutchen DEXTER, Mo. -- Bill Hutchen, 67, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Hutchen was born in St. Louis County on Oct. 20, 1944. He had previously lived in Piedmont, Mo. and Rolla, Mo. and before moving to Dexter in 2008. He was a member of the Dexter Elks Lodge and a security guard at Tyson Food...

Joy Jones Joy Jones, 79, of Malden, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, at her daughter's home in Spartanburg, S.C. She was the widow of Marion Jones. Survivors include her daughter Brenda Throckmorton and husband John; Edwina Jones, widow of her son Virgil (Junior) Jones. ...

During the holidays, my office mates and I really try not to gain weight. A recent study found that most people gain about one pound during the holidays. That may seem worth it to be able to enjoy all the holiday treats. The downside, however, is that most people don't ever lose that one pound. Year after year, those pounds start adding up...

Joann Cookson PUXICO, Mo. -- Joann Cookson of Wappapello, Mo., died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Watkins and Sons Funeral Service in Puxico, Mo.

Amanda Elaine and Ryan John Bader of Campbell, Mo., have chosen the name Brooklyn June Bader for their 7-pound, 4-ounce daughter born at 1:48 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 at Saint Francis Medical Center's Family Birth Place in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Grandparents are Marilyn Trout of Broseley, Mo., and Stan and Pam Bader of Campbell...

With the New Year upon us, there are still a lot of hunting seasons that are open. The firearms deer season is closed except for the youth portion which is Jan. 7 and 8. All other game seasons are open except waterfowl. The Middle Zone will close Jan. 3 and the South Zone will be open until Jan. 22...

Bill Hutchen -- Dexter, Mo. Cora Lee Fair -- Maryland Heights, Mo. William Littrell -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Charles Rickman -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Joy Jones -- Malden, Mo. Joann Cookson -- Wappapello, Mo. Norma Jamison -- Owensville, Mo. Larry Boyer -- Fisk, Mo...

Cora Lee Fair MALDEN, Mo. -- Cora Lee Fair, 81, of Maryland Heights, Mo., died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, in Brookview Nursing Home in Maryland Heights. She was born June 4, 1930, in Oran, Mo., and formerly lived in Malden. She was a member of the Church of God in Christ in Malden...

Larry Boyer FISK, Mo. -- Larry M. Boyer, 58, of Fisk, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, at Fisk. Mr. Boyer was born July 31, 1953, in East St. Louis, Ill. He had lived in Cahokia, Ill., before moving to Fisk in June. He was a cook in restaurants and enjoyed fishing...

Norma Jamison LESTERVILLE, Mo. -- Norma Jean Jamison, 92, of Owensville, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, at Frene Valley Healthcare in Owensville. Ms. Jamison was born June 9, 1919, in Lesterville, Mo. She previously lived in Cedar Hill, Mo. She was a member of Cedar Hill Baptist Church and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Cedar Hill. She had retired as the office manager of a publishing company. She enjoyed reading...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer A Williamsville, Mo., woman is being held today at the Wayne County jail, charged with shooting her husband in the abdomen Wednesday morning during a domestic dispute. Rita Pollack, 43, is charged with felony first degree domestic assault. Charles Pollack was taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. His condition was stable yesterday, according to officials, but his status this morning was not known...

Martavius Newby took one on the chin Wednesday night, then delt a decisive blow in the opener of the 25th Poplar Bluff Showdown. Newby, who missed half of the second quarter with a cut on his chin, scored 16 of his game-high 34 points in the third to lead Memphis Booker T. Washington past Forrest City (Ark.) 72-63...

STE. GENEVIEVE -- The Greenville Bears turned up the heat in the second half at the Valle Catholic Warrior Winter Classic on Wednesday as they beat Jefferson in pool play, 77-58. The Bears (2-4) held a three-point at halftime before beating the Bluejays, 23-10, in the third quarter...

BLOOMFIELD -- Even though they improved to 3-0 against Twin Rivers this season, the Bloomfield Wildcats have seen enough of the Royals. Twin Rivers nipped at the Wildcats' heels all Wednesday afternoon before Bloomfield was finally able to pull away to a 67-53 victory in the consolation semifinals of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament...

DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- They may not have had their best shooting performance of the season, but the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules got a season-best point total anyway. The Lady Mules avoided a rare four-game losing streak with a 67-40 win over the University School of Jackson (Tenn.) at the Dyersburg Tournament on Wednesday morning...

Charles Rickman Charles Edward Rickman Sr., 87, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Rickman was born Nov. 9, 1924 in Butler County. He served as a private first class with Company C of the 84th Infantry Division, Ninth Army during World War II, while it moved across northern Germany near the Siegfried Line. ...

BLOOMFIELD -- A major hiccup by Portageville's Dion Foster allowed Doniphan to force overtime in the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament semifinal Wednesday. Foster didn't let the mistake effect him though. The junior helped the Bulldogs seize momentum in overtime in a 65-62 win which advanced them to the championship game for the first time since 2008...

Amanda Elaine and Ryan John Bader of Campbell, Mo., have chosen the name Brooklyn June Bader for their 7-pound, 4-ounce daughter born at 1:48 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 at Saint Francis Medical Center's Family Birth Place in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Grandparents are Marilyn Trout of Broseley, Mo., and Stan and Pam Bader of Campbell...

Bill Hutchen DEXTER, Mo. -- Bill Hutchen, 67, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Hutchen was born in St. Louis County on Oct. 20, 1944. He had previously lived in Piedmont, Mo. and Rolla, Mo. and before moving to Dexter in 2008. He was a member of the Dexter Elks Lodge and a security guard at Tyson Food...

Joy Jones Joy Jones, 79, of Malden, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, at her daughter's home in Spartanburg, S.C. She was the widow of Marion Jones. Survivors include her daughter Brenda Throckmorton and husband John; Edwina Jones, widow of her son Virgil (Junior) Jones. ...

William Littrell NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- William "Beaver" Littrell Sr. 60, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Littrell was born Dec. 7, 1951, in St. Louis, Mo. He enjoyed fishing, spending time with his family, going to the movies, spending time at home and watching and feeding birds. Mr. Littrell worked as a machine operator at Briggs & Stratton...

Larry Boyer FISK, Mo. -- Larry M. Boyer, 58, of Fisk, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, at Fisk. Mr. Boyer was born July 31, 1953, in East St. Louis, Ill. He had lived in Cahokia, Ill., before moving to Fisk in June. He was a cook in restaurants and enjoyed fishing...

Norma Jamison LESTERVILLE, Mo. -- Norma Jean Jamison, 92, of Owensville, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, at Frene Valley Healthcare in Owensville. Ms. Jamison was born June 9, 1919, in Lesterville, Mo. She previously lived in Cedar Hill, Mo. She was a member of Cedar Hill Baptist Church and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Cedar Hill. She had retired as the office manager of a publishing company. She enjoyed reading...