Stories from Friday, February 10, 2012

By SCOTT MOYERS SEMO News Service WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' intentional breaching of a levee in Southeast Missouri last year was front and center on Capitol Hill on Thursday as U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill grilled the nominee looking to become the corps' next commander...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor K2 developer Ryan Kiser discussed what he has been doing to make possible the future growth of Poplar Bluff, Mo., during an interview Thursday. "Thousands of cities are dreaming of this kind of opportunity. Why is it happening in Poplar Bluff? Can Poplar Bluff sustain the growth? These are the questions I am frequently asked," said Kiser, who began working with community leaders four years ago to create the proposed Eight Points Commercial Development...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The financial picture for Three Rivers College has improved considerably this week, according to President Dr. Devin Stephenson, who joined other 2-and 4-year higher education officials Thursday in Jefferson City to discuss with the governor a plan expected to reduce scheduled funding cuts from 12.5 percent to 7.8 percent...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The financial picture for Three Rivers College has improved considerably this week, according to President Dr. Devin Stephenson, who joined other 2-and 4-year higher education officials Thursday in Jefferson City to discuss with the governor a plan expected to reduce scheduled funding cuts from 12.5 percent to 7.8 percent...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor K2 developer Ryan Kiser discussed what he has been doing to make possible the future growth of Poplar Bluff, Mo., during an interview Thursday. "Thousands of cities are dreaming of this kind of opportunity. Why is it happening in Poplar Bluff? Can Poplar Bluff sustain the growth? These are the questions I am frequently asked," said Kiser, who began working with community leaders four years ago to create the proposed Eight Points Commercial Development...

Bertha Garner PHOTO AVAILABLE NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Bertha Ann Garner, 71, died Monday, Jan. 30, 2012. She was born Oct. 23, 1940, in Chicago, Ill., and moved to Neelyville at an early age. Her parents, Gilbert and Corine Fields, a brother, Robert L. Fields, and a sister, Sharon K. Fields, all preceded her in death...

NAYLOR -- For the second time in as many weeks, the Twin Rivers Royals jumped out and overwhelmed Naylor early. Twin Rivers took a 17-point lead midway through the second quarter Thursday and beat the Eagles 69-51 for in the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament...

NAYLOR -- Clearwater freshman Lexi Morris came through in the clutch Thursday night. Morris scored the last six points for the Lady Tigers as they took the lead with less than 30 seconds remaining and got a key defensive stop to edge Doniphan 49-48 for third place in the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament...

MOBERLY -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders were put to sleep slowly on Thursday night. Three Rivers trailed Moberly by double digits at halftime and made a second-half run before losing 67-51 to the Lady Greyhounds. "The kids played hard last night," Three Rivers coach Jeff Walk said. "They battled pretty much all night long...

The Three Rivers Raiders may have to play first-place MSU-West Plains without their leading scorer. Tarius Johnson, who is averaging a region-high 20.6 points per game, has not practiced this week with a knee injury and his status is uncertain for the 7 p.m. Saturday tipoff at the Bess Activity Center...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- A season of firsts for the Poplar Bluff swim team was capped off Thursday with another feat. Julia Dragon, Campbell Keele, Sarah Crites and Anslee Latourette picked up Poplar Bluff's first-ever conference title in a relay as the Lady Mules won the 200-yard freestyle...

VAN BUREN -- The Van Buren Lady Bulldogs captured its second win this week with a 60-42 decision Thursday night. Lady Dawgs junior Gavy Cipponeri led all scorers with 22 points on the night. Junior Brittany Hager knocked down a 3-pointer and was also 5-of-6 from the line as she totaled 14 points...

To the Editor: As your readers may have seen in the news, our area of the State experienced a manmade disaster last year that disrupted lives, destroyed private property and wrecked public infrastructure. There have been attempts by some in the political arena to use "our disaster" to their own benefit and to promote their own political agenda. ...

Integrity? Then resign As a citizen of Butler County I see one of my employees plans to work to get another job. My opinion is he should forego any salary or benefits while trying to get a new job. After all I shouldn't have to pay him while he is doing a job search. As a matter of fact perhaps he should resign now to preserve his perceived integrity as he seeks new employment...

I'm not sure how it happened. It's not like we planned it. Between my husband and me, our collective five children and their significant others, most of the birthdays in our immediate family fall within four short weeks, January to February. Yes, just after Christmas, when we've all pretty much exhausted our credit limits, not to mention any clever ideas for cheap gifts...

The first session for this spring's Butler County Master Gardener's classes will begin Thursday, Feb. 16, and run through April 26. The weekly classes will run from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Classes will be held at the University of Missouri Extension Office located at 222 N. Broadway...

In celebration of Black History month, the Three Rivers College Music Department will host the 21st annual Three Rivers College Jazz Band Festival on Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 16-18, in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center. The three-day festival will include performances by area junior high, high school and college jazz bands, the Three Rivers College Jazz Combo, and the All-District High School Jazz Band...

The Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis will perform "Othello in a Breath" at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on Tuesday evening, Feb. 21. The show is presented by the Patrons of the Arts Society of Three Rivers College, and sponsored by the Missouri Arts Council. Tickets are on sale now...

Alma Payton PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Alma Verneil Payton, nee Reed, 80, of Springfield, Mo., died Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. Mrs. Payton was born Sept. 19, 1931, to the late Claude Ray Reed and the late Rose Ella (Woods) Reed in Annapolis, Mo. She spent most of her life in the Piedmont, Mo., area and worked for Ark-MO Power Company for more than 20 years. ...

Clo Ella Sparks MALDEN, Mo. -- Clo Ella Sparks, 92, of Malden, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter, Mo. Mrs. Sparks was born March 12, 1919, in Malden, Mo., to William L. Roehm and Sybol Lynn Roehm. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Malden, the United Methodist Women's Circle and a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She had worked as a sales clerk...

Robert Lowe DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Robert William "Bob" Lowe, 92, of Grandin, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, at the John J. Pershing VA Hospital in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Lowe was born Oct. 10, 1919, in Hunter, Mo. He was a farmer and retired carpenter. Mr. Lowe enjoyed coon hunting with his favorite dog, Major, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II...

Shirley Williams DEXTER, Mo. -- Shirley Williams, 73, of Jonesboro, Ark., died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, at her residence. She was born on Sept. 17, 1938 in Bono, Ark. Mrs. Williams was a former resident of Dexter currently living in Jonesboro. She was the owner of Saveway Petroleum in Dexter...

Lucille Wilson MALDEN, Mo. -- Velma Lucille Wilson, 63, of Memphis, Tenn., died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at Methodist South Hospital in Memphis. She was born June 25, 1948, in Gideon, Mo., and had formerly lived in Malden, Mo. She was a member of World Life Ministries International Church in Memphis...

Students on the Greenville High School second Quarter Honor Roll are: SENIORS Trevor Bennett, Austin Birmingham, Ceann Clubb, Krystal Crable, Austin Crane, Jessica Eads, Morgan Edwards, Scott Foster, Tim Hillis, Hannah Malone, Sarah Mann, Nathan Middleton, Hunter Norden, Ashley Payne, Alyssa Reed, Troy Roberson, William Massey-RodgeRs, Katie Rose, Shayanne Sandman, Noah Stotts, Danielle Stovall, Chelci Turner, Akayla White, Summer Willard...

Arlue Cantrell BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Arlue Cantrell, 79, of Bloomfield, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, at her residence. She was born on Oct. 8, 1932, in Arkansas. Mrs. Cantrell had lived in Bloomfield most of her life. She attended the Bible Tabernacle and had worked at Gateway Shoes before her retirement...

Men's Conf. of Bootheel is Feb. 25 The 15th annual Men's Conference of the Bootheel will take place Saturday, Feb. 25, at the First Southern Baptist Church Mission Center in Tallapoosa, Mo. The theme for this year: Men on Mission for God. There will be two sessions, beginning at 8 a.m. ...

In celebration of Black History month, the Three Rivers College Music Department will host the 21st annual Three Rivers College Jazz Band Festival on Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 16-18, in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center. The three-day festival will include performances by area junior high, high school and college jazz bands, the Three Rivers College Jazz Combo, and the All-District High School Jazz Band...

I'm not sure how it happened. It's not like we planned it. Between my husband and me, our collective five children and their significant others, most of the birthdays in our immediate family fall within four short weeks, January to February. Yes, just after Christmas, when we've all pretty much exhausted our credit limits, not to mention any clever ideas for cheap gifts...

The first session for this spring's Butler County Master Gardener's classes will begin Thursday, Feb. 16, and run through April 26. The weekly classes will run from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Classes will be held at the University of Missouri Extension Office located at 222 N. Broadway...