Stories from Friday, February 3, 2012

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Grandin Head Start moved one step closer to a permanent location in Ellsinore, Mo., Thursday with a ground breaking for the program's new 4,700 square-foot building. The nearly $700,000 project will include two classrooms, a larger kitchen, a tornado safe room and office space for the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency's Community Service Block Grant program. The SCMCAA also operates the Head Start...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer From abandoned urban structures known for their dark past, photographer Dennis Minner Jr. seeks to capture in sharp detail the beauty within. Through his lens, Larry Braun shows the landscape of Scott County in soft focus...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Grandin Head Start moved one step closer to a permanent location in Ellsinore, Mo., Thursday with a ground breaking for the program's new 4,700 square-foot building. The nearly $700,000 project will include two classrooms, a larger kitchen, a tornado safe room and office space for the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency's Community Service Block Grant program. The SCMCAA also operates the Head Start...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer From abandoned urban structures known for their dark past, photographer Dennis Minner Jr. seeks to capture in sharp detail the beauty within. Through his lens, Larry Braun shows the landscape of Scott County in soft focus...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON - Once upon a time, small ball was not Barack Obama's game. Tuesday, it was the essence of his State of the Union address. The visionary of 2008 -- purveyor of hope and change, healer of the earth, tamer of the rising seas -- offered an hour of little things: tax-code tweaks to encourage this or that kind of behavior (manufacturing being the flavor of the day), little watchdog agencies to round up Wall Street miscreants and Chinese DVD pirates, even a presidential demand "that all students stay in high school until they graduate or turn 18." Under penalty of what? Jail? The self-proclaimed transformer of America is now playing truant officer?. ...

The phrase hard-nosed has a literal meaning for Three Rivers freshman Abbie Warren. Warren injured her nose in a hard fall in a contest at State Fair and came out of the game but only for a few minutes. "I got tripped and shoved down," Warren said. "Instead of being normal and catching myself with my hands, I caught myself with my nose."...

Down 10 points with one of their top scorers on the bench in foul trouble, things looked bleak early Thursday night for the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules. That all changed after a timeout. Sara Eyler scored 14 of her game-high 17 points during a first-half rally and the Lady Mules took over first place in the SEMO Conference with a 44-33 win over Jackson at Peters Gym...

MURRAY, Ky. -- The Murray State basketball machine keeps rolling along. Not even digging an 11-point second-half hole against surging Southeast Missouri State could derail the Racers. MSU solidified its status as the nation's only undefeated Division I men's team Thursday night, rallying past the Redhawks 81-73...

Dan Connolly watched from the sideline in street clothes when New England made the Super Bowl in 2008. The Southeast Missouri State product will be much more involved this time. Connolly is the starting center for the Patriots, who play the New York Giants in Sunday's Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis...

After finishing off a 123-point win Thursday, the Poplar Bluff swim team had even more fun as seniors from all four teams combined to race their coaches. "I think she had really good form," Poplar Bluff senior Celina McCain said of her coach Beth Lewis-Muse...

By SHARON RANDALL Scripps Howard News Service The flight to Las Vegas, where I live, from California, where I'd been visiting my kids, sounded like a tuberculosis ward. Seriously? Who goes to Sin City when they're sick? Don't they know you're supposed to wait until it's time to go home, after you've partied for days, lost a month's wages, gotten a tattoo you can't explain and suddenly remembered you have to go to work on Monday?...

By GEORGE F. WILL FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz. -- Dina Galassini does not seem to pose a threat to Arizona's civic integrity. But the government of this desert community believes you cannot be too careful. And state law empowers local governments to be vigilant against the lurking danger that political speech might occur before the speakers notify the government and comply with all the speech rules...

By MONA CHAREN The advice columns of newspapers are good windows into the conscience of a culture. There you will find a field guide to what is considered socially acceptable and unacceptable. One of the advice columnists for the Washington Post, Carolyn Hax, is consistently sensible and solid in her suggestions. Straightening out busybodies, drug abusers, interfering in-laws and ungrateful children with equal aplomb, she's usually a pleasant read with the morning coffee...

Mary Jo Jackson Mary Jo Jackson, 58, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012. Mrs. Jackson was born Dec. 6, 1953, in Poplar Bluff and was of the Pentecostal faith. She was a homemaker. She enjoyed reading, poetry, cooking, gardening and spending time with friends and family...

Wayne Baker CORNING, Ark. -- Wayne Baker, 55, of Corning, Ark., died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Born Sept. 7, 1956 in El Dorado, Ark., Mr. Baker was a truck driver and a member of First Baptist Church in Corning...

Wendell Clinton PUXICO, Mo. -- Wendell L. Clinton, 71, of Puxico, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at his residence. The son of the late Floyd and Cora Beal Clinton, he was born in Puxico on Sept. 19, 1940. He was a lifelong resident of Puxico and graduated from Puxico High School, Class of 1959. ...

Bobby Zook PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Bobby G. Zook, 77, of Piedmont, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home of Piedmont.

Marilyn Burnett Marilyn V. (Rennison) Burnett, 75, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Burnett was born July 30, 1936 in Minneapolis, Minn. She was a member of West Side Church of God, and was a homemaker...

George Watson DEXTER, Mo. -- George T. Watson, 84, of Dexter, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at Golden Living Center in Dexter. Funeral arrangements are pending with Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Gavin Eads PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Gavin Louis Eads, son of Chelsea Eads, was stillborn on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012. His family includes his mother, Chelsea Lynn Eads; his father, Carlton Louis Minor; his grandparents, Michael and Tina Eads; two aunts; a great-aunt; five cousins; his great-grandparents, Linda Brinkley, Jack and Edith Eads and Sandy Cattlett; and great-great-grandparents, Robert and Pearl Lowe...

Shirley Taylor DEXTER, Mo. -- Shirley Taylor, 83, of Dexter, died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at her residence. She was born on Dec. 16, 1928, in Lake City, Ark. Mrs. Taylor was a local artist, painting primarily in oil and watercolor, and exhibiting her work at art shows and galleries in Missouri, Arkansas and Kentucky during the 1960s and 70s. ...

Richard Hampton Richard LaVern Hampton, 79, of Hurst, Texas, formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at Harris HEB Methodist Medical Center in Bedford, Texas. Mr. Hampton was born May 24, 1932, in Malden, Mo. He was a member of The Lord's Church in Poplar Bluff, and was a retired carpenter and builder. Mr. Hampton enjoyed spending time with his family and dancing...

Helen Jane Wilson Helen Jane Wilson, 90, of Bowling Green, Ky., formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, in Bowling Green. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

The East Carter High School second quarter honor roll is as follows: Freshmen: Ashley Albright, Hannah Andrews, Samantha Carter, Dylan Coleman, Bethany Colvin, Brooke Eaves, Rachel Eudaley, Brenna Fordham, Elizabeth Freeze, Gary Grover, Katlyn Griffin, Hailey Hahn, Wyatt Kirkman, Trevor Layman, Hailey LeGrand, Joshua Million, McKenzie Newman, Jacob Phares, Mariah Richardson, McKenna Sandage, Kaitlyn Schleh, Carly Stucker, John White, Miranda White...

Walter Pippin PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Robert Walter Pippin, 90, of Odessa, Mo., formerly of Piedmont, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Mo. Mr. Pippin was born Oct. 5, 1921, at Jewett, Mo. He lived in St. Louis where he drove a truck for the Teamsters Union...

Hursel Newingham Hursel "Slim" Newingham, 87, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Monte Dilbeck DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Monte Bedford "Junior" Dilbeck, Jr., 72, of Doniphan, Mo, died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Dilbeck, son of Monte and Rubye (Spencer) Dilbeck, Sr., was born Dec. 25, 1939, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He retired as a factory worker with Vitronic Manufacturing. Mr. Dilbeck, an avid reader, enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren...

Wayne Baker -- Corning, Ark. Mary Jo Jackson -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Wendell Clinton -- Puxico, Mo. Gavin Eads -- Piedmont, Mo. Alene Laird Rice -- DeSoto, Mo. Walter Pippin -- Odessa, Mo. Marilyn Burnett -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Shirley Taylor -- Dexter, Mo...

Alene Laird Rice Alene Laird Rice, 87, of DeSoto, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Crystal City, Mo. Mrs. Rice was born on May 1, 1924, in Kewanee, Mo. She had been a resident of Dexter, Mo., for many years before moving to Fenton several years ago and currently resided in DeSoto. She was a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Sikeston, Mo...

Down 10 points with one of their top scorers on the bench in foul trouble, things looked bleak early Thursday night for the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules. That all changed after a timeout. Sara Eyler scored 14 of her game-high 17 points during a first-half rally and the Lady Mules took over first place in the SEMO Conference with a 44-33 win over Jackson at Peters Gym...

VAN BUREN -- The Twin Rivers Lady Royals led after each quarter Thursday night and came away with a 60-51 victory over Van Buren. Junior Tori Cole was dominate inside the paint and from long-range as she knocked down 11 field goals including two 3s for a game-high 30 points. Cole scored 13 of the Lady Royals' 17 fourth-quarter points...

MURRAY, Ky. -- The Murray State basketball machine keeps rolling along. Not even digging an 11-point second-half hole against surging Southeast Missouri State could derail the Racers. MSU solidified its status as the nation's only undefeated Division I men's team Thursday night, rallying past the Redhawks 81-73...

By SHARON RANDALL Scripps Howard News Service The flight to Las Vegas, where I live, from California, where I'd been visiting my kids, sounded like a tuberculosis ward. Seriously? Who goes to Sin City when they're sick? Don't they know you're supposed to wait until it's time to go home, after you've partied for days, lost a month's wages, gotten a tattoo you can't explain and suddenly remembered you have to go to work on Monday?...

By MONA CHAREN The advice columns of newspapers are good windows into the conscience of a culture. There you will find a field guide to what is considered socially acceptable and unacceptable. One of the advice columnists for the Washington Post, Carolyn Hax, is consistently sensible and solid in her suggestions. Straightening out busybodies, drug abusers, interfering in-laws and ungrateful children with equal aplomb, she's usually a pleasant read with the morning coffee...

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. -- Truman State University has released the Fall 2011 Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs List. To qualify for this list, an undergraduate student must attain a semester 3.50-3.99 grade point average and must complete 12 semester hours of credit...

Walter Pippin PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Robert Walter Pippin, 90, of Odessa, Mo., formerly of Piedmont, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Mo. Mr. Pippin was born Oct. 5, 1921, at Jewett, Mo. He lived in St. Louis where he drove a truck for the Teamsters Union...

Hursel Newingham Hursel "Slim" Newingham, 87, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Monte Dilbeck DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Monte Bedford "Junior" Dilbeck, Jr., 72, of Doniphan, Mo, died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Dilbeck, son of Monte and Rubye (Spencer) Dilbeck, Sr., was born Dec. 25, 1939, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He retired as a factory worker with Vitronic Manufacturing. Mr. Dilbeck, an avid reader, enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren...

Marilyn Burnett Marilyn V. (Rennison) Burnett, 75, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Burnett was born July 30, 1936 in Minneapolis, Minn. She was a member of West Side Church of God, and was a homemaker...

George Watson DEXTER, Mo. -- George T. Watson, 84, of Dexter, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at Golden Living Center in Dexter. Funeral arrangements are pending with Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Gavin Eads PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Gavin Louis Eads, son of Chelsea Eads, was stillborn on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012. His family includes his mother, Chelsea Lynn Eads; his father, Carlton Louis Minor; his grandparents, Michael and Tina Eads; two aunts; a great-aunt; five cousins; his great-grandparents, Linda Brinkley, Jack and Edith Eads and Sandy Cattlett; and great-great-grandparents, Robert and Pearl Lowe...

Richard Hampton Richard LaVern Hampton, 79, of Hurst, Texas, formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at Harris HEB Methodist Medical Center in Bedford, Texas. Mr. Hampton was born May 24, 1932, in Malden, Mo. He was a member of The Lord's Church in Poplar Bluff, and was a retired carpenter and builder. Mr. Hampton enjoyed spending time with his family and dancing...

Helen Jane Wilson Helen Jane Wilson, 90, of Bowling Green, Ky., formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, in Bowling Green. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Bobby Zook PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Bobby G. Zook, 77, of Piedmont, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home of Piedmont.

Wayne Baker CORNING, Ark. -- Wayne Baker, 55, of Corning, Ark., died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Born Sept. 7, 1956 in El Dorado, Ark., Mr. Baker was a truck driver and a member of First Baptist Church in Corning...

Mary Jo Jackson Mary Jo Jackson, 58, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012. Mrs. Jackson was born Dec. 6, 1953, in Poplar Bluff and was of the Pentecostal faith. She was a homemaker. She enjoyed reading, poetry, cooking, gardening and spending time with friends and family...

Alene Laird Rice Alene Laird Rice, 87, of DeSoto, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Crystal City, Mo. Mrs. Rice was born on May 1, 1924, in Kewanee, Mo. She had been a resident of Dexter, Mo., for many years before moving to Fenton several years ago and currently resided in DeSoto. She was a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Sikeston, Mo...