Stories from Sunday, February 5, 2012

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer More than 700 students gathered at the Rodgers Theatre Wednesday night to learn how to "Rethink" fulfillment, forgiveness, favoritism and focus. Rethink started in 2011 by a group of area youth pastors who wanted to encourage students to reconsider their views on image, sexuality, family and anger. Curriculum was based on the story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel in Genesis...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Organizers estimate almost $100,000 was donated during the 2011 Christmas season to charitable organizations which serve Butler County families. Both the Salvation Army bell ringing campaign and Project Christmas Promise saw record years, according to Poplar Bluff's Promise Volunteer Center Director Rebecca Winters, who coordinates the programs...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Organizers estimate almost $100,000 was donated during the 2011 Christmas season to charitable organizations which serve Butler County families. Both the Salvation Army bell ringing campaign and Project Christmas Promise saw record years, according to Poplar Bluff's Promise Volunteer Center Director Rebecca Winters, who coordinates the programs...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor Dance the evening away Saturday, Feb. 18, and help the local Beta Sigma Phi Sorority City Council raise funds for Haven House, the local domestic violence shelter/sexual assault victim services program. The international social organization's theme this year "Building our future on traditions" prompted local members to revive one of their traditions, the Valentine's Day Dance, also known as the Yellow Rose Ball...

The Poplar Bluff chapter of Altrusa International, Inc., had an active and successful 2011 with its community service projects. These projects included the community nutrition program with monetary and hands on contributions to the Twin Towers nutrition program. ...

The Zalma General Baptist Church Special Needs Funds will host its 6th Annual dinner and silent auction on Saturday, March 3. Dinner will be served from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. Silent Auction will run from 3:30 - 7 p.m. Adults (age 13 - adult) $6; Children (5-12) $4. Children under five, eat free. Menu will include chili, soup, hot dogs, desserts and drinks...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is launching a statewide roundup to rid homes of mercury, sponsoring nearly 50 mercury drop-off locations throughout the state, including nine in Southeast Missouri. The department, working with fire departments and county health offices throughout the state, is providing drop-off locations where private citizens or nonprofit agencies can leave mercury-containing instruments like thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, thermostats or switches.. ...

Second-chance points may have given the Three Rivers Raiders a second chance in the Region XVI race. Three Rivers got 22 second-chance points and took control for good early in the second half to beat State Fair 88-75 Saturday night at the Bess Activity Center...

SIKESTON -- Already without two starters due to injuries, the Poplar Bluff Mules were missing a third Friday night. It showed. Sikeston scored the first eight points as Poplar Bluff turned the ball over five times to open the game as the defending Class 4 state champions ran past the Mules 70-30 in SEMO Conference play...

The Three Rivers Lady Raiders made just enough free throws Saturday night. The Lady Raiders made 3 of 6 with less than 30 seconds remaining as they held on for a 68-62 win over region-leading State Fair at the Bess Activity Center. "The kids have really been working hard the past three weeks and we just haven't seemed to beat a good team," Three Rivers coach Jeff Walk said. "Tonight, we beat a good team."...

PUXICO -- Brett Ruch and Adam Vandiver had 14 points each for Bloomfield as the Wildcats held on for a 49-43 win over Puxico on Friday. Bloomfield led by three heading into the fourth quarter where the Wildcats sank 7 of 11 free throws and got a pair of baskets from Vandiver and another from Ruch...

NAYLOR -- He was literally the biggest guy on the court for Naylor but he figuratively played the biggest game as well. Mark Gargac, a 6-foot-7 junior turned in one of his best performance's of the season Saturday as his fifth-seeded Eagles upset No. 4 East Carter 54-39 in the first round of the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament...

After his fourth-place showing in Florida, Ron Paul, by then in Nevada, told supporters he had been advised by friends that he would do better if only he dumped his foreign policy views, which have been derided as isolationism. Not going to do it, said Dr. Paul to cheers. And why should he?...

By GEORGE F. WILL LOS ANGELES -- The worst day of Sugar Bear's 55 years was one of the days -- there have been many of them -- when he got out of prison. In the early 1990s, in a prison where persons whose sentences have ended and are being released, and who see those whose sentences are just beginning, he saw one of his sons coming in...

Won't fly until US out of debt During the last windy spell we had my flag was shredded pretty badly. So I have taken it down. Speakout I have decided to not fly another flag until America gets out of debt. To be as heavily in debt as we are is un-American. So like it or lump it everybody I am not going to fly another flag I don't think until America gets out of debt. Thank you...

Rebekah Grace Hotz of Little Rock, Ark. and Nathan Eugene Baltz of Fayetteville, Ark., were married at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Subiaco, Ark. Father Mark Stengel officiated over the double-ring ceremony...

Melissa and Joshua Ladyman of Poplar Bluff, Mo., have chosen the name Kaiden Joshua Ladyman for their 8-pound, 6-ounce son who was born at 12:40 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. He was 21 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are Harold Kinder and Tina Crow of Greenville, Mo., Jim Ladyman of Ellsinore, Mo., and Dixie Meyers of Kalamazoo, Mich...

Stephanie Rena and Jeffrey Dale Lucas of Jackson, Mo., have chosen the name Avery Gabriella Lucas for their 7-pound, 10-ounce daughter born at 10:58 a.m., on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center's Family Birthplace in Cape Girardeau, Mo...

Seifert plans trip to New York A trip to New York City is offered to students and adults June 3-8. The package includes round-trip airfare from St. Louis, hotel for six days/five nights, city bus tour, a Broadway musical, Off-Broadway show, Off-Off-Broadway show, guided walking tours, Little Italy, Chinatown, Greenwich Village, Radio City Music Hall, Apollo Theatre, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty and more. The cost is $1795 per person...

Diana L. Clarkson and Honorable and Mrs. William J. Clarkson of Poplar Bluff, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter Brooke Irene Clarkson to Brian David Risley, both of Springfield, Mo. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Risley of Campbell, Mo...

Poplar Bluff High School will present Brighton Beach Memoirs, a comedy by Neil Simon, at the Kay M. Porter Theatre. Performances will be Friday and Saturday, March 16 -17 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, March 18 at 2 p.m., and Monday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $4. Tickets may be purchased at the door...

Rick and Vicki Hinton of Stevensville, Md., announce the engagement of their daughter, Lynne Marie, also of Stevensville, to Joshua Sheridan of Grasonville, Md. The bridegroom-elect is the son of Marvin and Brenda Sheridan of Poplar Bluff, Mo. The bride-to-be is a home school graduate and is employed by Post Haste of Annapolis, Md...

Alexandra Campbell of Poplar Bluff, Mo., was one of 40 outstanding students initiated into the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society. The Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Inc., the national leadership honor society for college students, recognizes and encourages, superior scholarship, leadership and exemplary character. ...

Thomas Knodell PUXICO, Mo. -- Thomas Knodell died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, Ky. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. at Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico. A complete obituary will be published in Monday's Daily Amercian Republic...

Jordan Elizabeth Reece and Scottie Dewayne Lindsay of Poplar Bluff, Mo., were married on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, at the Westwood Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The bride is the daughter of Steve and Sheliah Reece of Malden, Mo. Parents of the bridegroom are Louie and Carol Lindsay of Broseley, Mo...

Helen Jane Wilson Helen Jane Wilson 90, of Bowling Green, Ky., and a former longtime resident of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, after a long illness. Mrs. Wilson was born July 17, 1921, in Dexter, Mo. She was a graduate of Dexter High School, and Southeast Missouri State where she received a degree in Business Education.  Mrs. ...

Junior Harmon PUXICO, Mo. -- Junior Harmon of Puxico died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at Puxico Nursing and Rehab. Funeral arrangements are pending with Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico.

Brian Dueker Brian James Dueker, 42, of Wappapello, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Dueker was born July 28, 1969 in St. Louis, Mo. He was an active participant in the family-owned business, Miller Motor Lodge in Wappapello, and was an honorary deputy sheriff with the St. ...

George Watson DEXTER, Mo. --George Thurston Watson, 84, of Dexter, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at Golden Living Center in Dexter. He was born on Feb. 1, 1928, in Leachville, Ark. Mr. Watson was a member of the Bernie Church of Christ for the past seven years. ...

Edward Duffey DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Edward B. Duffey, 75, of Fairdealing, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at the Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan, Mo. Mr. Duffey was born Dec. 8, 1936, in Springfield, Ill. He was an over-the-road truck driver and enjoyed model trains...

Harold Smith DEXTER, Mo. -- Harold Robert Smith, 89, of Dexter, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at the Arbors at Auburn Creek in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He was born on July 17, 1922, in Newark, N.J. He had lived in New Jersey and moved to Douglasville, Ga., where he lived for 20 years before moving to Southeast Missouri in 1988. ...

ELLINGTON, Mo. -- Steven Joe Foster Sr., 48, of Ellington, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at Advanced Healthcare in Ellington. Mr. Foster was born Dec. 19, 1963, in St. Louis, Mo. He was a member of Ellington United Methodist Church and was past president of the Reynolds County Saddle Club...

Hursel Newingham Hursel "Slim" Newingham, 87, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Newingham was born Feb. 6, 1924, in Grandin, Mo. He was of the Baptist faith, and had retired from Riley Tar and Chemical Company. Mr. Newingham was also a veteran of the U.S. Army. He enjoyed spending time with his family, and being a jack-of-all-trades he especially enjoyed restoring old knives, woodworking, sewing and fishing...

Misty Dawn and Marcus Kyle Johnson of Poplar Bluff, Mo., have chosen the name Brendan Cordell Johnson for their 7-pound, 10-ounce son born at 12:42 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012 at Saint Francis Medical Center's Family Birthplace in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Brendan was 20 inches in length...

Stanley Howard GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Stanley Wayne Howard, 73, of Greenville, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at Benchmark Health Care in Greenville, Mo. He was born June 13, 1938 in Duke, Mo., to the late Albert S. Howard and the late Viola M. (Creason) Howard. He attended numerous schools due to his father's work and graduated from Plato High School in 1963...

Brian Dueker -- Wappapello, Mo. George Watson -- Dexter, Mo. Helen Jane Wilson -- Bowling Green, Ky. Hursel Newingham -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Harold Smith -- Dexter, Mo. Bobby Zook --Piedmont, Mo. Steven Foster Sr. -- Ellington, Mo. Thomas Knodell Junior Harmon -- Puxico, Mo...

Bobby Zook PIEDMONT, Mo.. -- Bobby Gene Zook, 77, of Piedmont, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Zook was born April 24, 1934 in East Prairie, Mo. He was raised and finished grade school in East Prairie, Mo. In 1958, he began working for Hussman Refrigeration in St. Louis, Mo. as a sheet metal worker...

Lauren White and Abby Simpson, students at Poplar Bluff High School, performed recently with the Missouri All-State Band at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Lake of the Ozarks. More than 1,000 students from across Missouri met at Hickman High School in Columbia to audition for the honor of participating in the top honor band in the state. Only 108 students were accepted into this elite ensemble...

SEARCY, Ark. -- The following local residents are among nearly 1,200 Harding University students included on the dean's list for grades achieved during the fall 2011 semester. Logan Page and Jasmin Sumrall, both of Poplar Bluff and both juniors. The dean's list is published each semester by Dr. ...

PUXICO -- Brett Ruch and Adam Vandiver had 14 points each for Bloomfield as the Wildcats held on for a 49-43 win over Puxico on Friday. Bloomfield led by three heading into the fourth quarter where the Wildcats sank 7 of 11 free throws and got a pair of baskets from Vandiver and another from Ruch...

The Three Rivers Lady Raiders made just enough free throws Saturday night. The Lady Raiders made 3 of 6 with less than 30 seconds remaining as they held on for a 68-62 win over region-leading State Fair at the Bess Activity Center. "The kids have really been working hard the past three weeks and we just haven't seemed to beat a good team," Three Rivers coach Jeff Walk said. "Tonight, we beat a good team."...

The Zalma General Baptist Church Special Needs Funds will host its 6th Annual dinner and silent auction on Saturday, March 3. Dinner will be served from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. Silent Auction will run from 3:30 - 7 p.m. Adults (age 13 - adult) $6; Children (5-12) $4. Children under five, eat free. Menu will include chili, soup, hot dogs, desserts and drinks...

By GEORGE F. WILL LOS ANGELES -- The worst day of Sugar Bear's 55 years was one of the days -- there have been many of them -- when he got out of prison. In the early 1990s, in a prison where persons whose sentences have ended and are being released, and who see those whose sentences are just beginning, he saw one of his sons coming in...

Won't fly until US out of debt During the last windy spell we had my flag was shredded pretty badly. So I have taken it down. Speakout I have decided to not fly another flag until America gets out of debt. To be as heavily in debt as we are is un-American. So like it or lump it everybody I am not going to fly another flag I don't think until America gets out of debt. Thank you...

Rebekah Grace Hotz of Little Rock, Ark. and Nathan Eugene Baltz of Fayetteville, Ark., were married at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Subiaco, Ark. Father Mark Stengel officiated over the double-ring ceremony...

Activities at Twin Towers will begin at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 6 when the Genealogy Society Book committee meets in the Toellner meeting room. At 9:30 a.m., the P.A.C.E. (people with Arthritis can exercise) class will meet in the Assembly room. P.A.C.E. is sponsored by the Independent Living Center. Then at 10:30 a.m., Book Study Club will gather in the Altrusa Room. For information about the Book Study Club, call Nancy at 714-4134. Darcus will come together in the Altrusa room at noon...

Kirstie Danielle Carda and Clay Houston Lawson, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo., announce their engagement. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Greg and Lisa Carda of Poplar Bluff. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of John Del Lawson of Poplar Bluff and the late Deidre Lawson...

Hursel Newingham Hursel "Slim" Newingham, 87, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Newingham was born Feb. 6, 1924, in Grandin, Mo. He was of the Baptist faith, and had retired from Riley Tar and Chemical Company. Mr. Newingham was also a veteran of the U.S. Army. He enjoyed spending time with his family, and being a jack-of-all-trades he especially enjoyed restoring old knives, woodworking, sewing and fishing...

Harold Smith DEXTER, Mo. -- Harold Robert Smith, 89, of Dexter, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at the Arbors at Auburn Creek in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He was born on July 17, 1922, in Newark, N.J. He had lived in New Jersey and moved to Douglasville, Ga., where he lived for 20 years before moving to Southeast Missouri in 1988. ...

George Watson DEXTER, Mo. --George Thurston Watson, 84, of Dexter, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at Golden Living Center in Dexter. He was born on Feb. 1, 1928, in Leachville, Ark. Mr. Watson was a member of the Bernie Church of Christ for the past seven years. ...

Ashley Ann and Brandon Eugene Woolard of Broseley, Mo., have chosen the name Jacquelyn Roze Woolard for their 8-pound, 9-ounce daughter born at 2:11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012 at Saint Francis Medical Center's Family Birthplace in Cape Girardeau. Jacquelyn was 20 1/4 inches long...

Alexandra Campbell of Poplar Bluff, Mo., was one of 40 outstanding students initiated into the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society. The Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Inc., the national leadership honor society for college students, recognizes and encourages, superior scholarship, leadership and exemplary character. ...

Rick and Vicki Hinton of Stevensville, Md., announce the engagement of their daughter, Lynne Marie, also of Stevensville, to Joshua Sheridan of Grasonville, Md. The bridegroom-elect is the son of Marvin and Brenda Sheridan of Poplar Bluff, Mo. The bride-to-be is a home school graduate and is employed by Post Haste of Annapolis, Md...

Poplar Bluff High School will present Brighton Beach Memoirs, a comedy by Neil Simon, at the Kay M. Porter Theatre. Performances will be Friday and Saturday, March 16 -17 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, March 18 at 2 p.m., and Monday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $4. Tickets may be purchased at the door...

Diana L. Clarkson and Honorable and Mrs. William J. Clarkson of Poplar Bluff, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter Brooke Irene Clarkson to Brian David Risley, both of Springfield, Mo. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Risley of Campbell, Mo...

Seifert plans trip to New York A trip to New York City is offered to students and adults June 3-8. The package includes round-trip airfare from St. Louis, hotel for six days/five nights, city bus tour, a Broadway musical, Off-Broadway show, Off-Off-Broadway show, guided walking tours, Little Italy, Chinatown, Greenwich Village, Radio City Music Hall, Apollo Theatre, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty and more. The cost is $1795 per person...

Brian Dueker -- Wappapello, Mo. George Watson -- Dexter, Mo. Helen Jane Wilson -- Bowling Green, Ky. Hursel Newingham -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Harold Smith -- Dexter, Mo. Bobby Zook --Piedmont, Mo. Steven Foster Sr. -- Ellington, Mo. Thomas Knodell Junior Harmon -- Puxico, Mo...

Bobby Zook PIEDMONT, Mo.. -- Bobby Gene Zook, 77, of Piedmont, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Zook was born April 24, 1934 in East Prairie, Mo. He was raised and finished grade school in East Prairie, Mo. In 1958, he began working for Hussman Refrigeration in St. Louis, Mo. as a sheet metal worker...