Stories from Thursday, March 1, 2012

DEXTER, MO - Rob Mayer, a Stoddard County native, announced today he intends to seek the judicial seat of the 35th Circuit, currently held by Judge Stephen R. Sharp. The seat is up for election in November. Mayer is currently serving as a state senator, representing the 25th District. Due to term limits, he cannot seek re-election...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man was placed on probation Tuesday after pleading guilty to stealing money from The Stage Company. Ronald Gilliland of the 500 block of North Main Street pleaded guilty as charged to the Class C felony of stealing before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett, according to Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour...

By CAROLYN SMITH Staff Writer Thanks to Valentine's Day, February is often referred to as month of love. However, Bill and Barbara Crawford of Wappapello, Mo., keep romance alive in their marriage without the commercialization of Valentine's Day. Every year, the Crawfords relive the moment they first met by returning to the train depot in Poplar Bluff, Mo., at 8:20 p.m. Feb. 16. This year was no different even though it was the 50th anniversary of their first meeting...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A former Illinois teenager, with apparent gang affiliations and on probation for drug-related charges, sits in jail accused of firing two rounds into a passing car Wednesday afternoon. Just after 4 p.m., Poplar Bluff Police officers were sent to the area of Alice and Valley "in reference to a male subject firing a handgun. ...

Compiled from news service reports Gov. Jay Nixon will meet with local and state emergency management officials at 12:30 today at Puxico City Hall and view the early Wednesday tornado damage between Puxico and Leora. Mark Champlin, 50, who lived in a mobile home on County Road 267 northeast of Puxico, died at 7:35 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, according to Stoddard County Coroner Aaron Mathis...

DEXTER, MO - Rob Mayer, a Stoddard County native, announced today he intends to seek the judicial seat of the 35th Circuit, currently held by Judge Stephen R. Sharp. The seat is up for election in November. Mayer is currently serving as a state senator, representing the 25th District. Due to term limits, he cannot seek re-election...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A former Illinois teenager, with apparent gang affiliations and on probation for drug-related charges, sits in jail accused of firing two rounds into a passing car Wednesday afternoon. Just after 4 p.m., Poplar Bluff Police officers were sent to the area of Alice and Valley "in reference to a male subject firing a handgun. ...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man was placed on probation Tuesday after pleading guilty to stealing money from The Stage Company. Ronald Gilliland of the 500 block of North Main Street pleaded guilty as charged to the Class C felony of stealing before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett, according to Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour...

To the Editor, In regards to the Lee Greenwood Valentine's for Veterans Concert, and being a fan of Lee's music, I am sorry to say that (I) could not sort out the words being sung because of the decibels the instruments were putting out. I believe they are used to playing in open air arrangements where that volume would be permissible, but not in an enclosed area. Sorry, but I enjoyed as much as I could...

To the Editor, MoDOT explains in a handout for the March 5 meeting from 4 to 6 pm at the Bill Emerson Visitor's Center at Lake Wappapello that the U.S. Corps of Engineers will not allow them to "encroach" on the NO BUILD ZONE. This means no bridge, but a crossing of the washout that is even below the current temporary road. ...

To the Editor, Obama's birth control mandate is correct, but I don't believe the Obama Administration will stand fast even though it is right. Wallace Knapp Grandin, Mo.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a firm statement to the Syrian elite this week, urging them to overthrow the regime of Bashar al-Assad. "The longer you support the regime's campaign of violence against your brothers and sisters, the more it will stain your honor," she advised...

It's getting a little closer to spring and early garden veggies can be planted in March. One of the first vegetables to plant will be carrots. Carrots have been grown for thousands of years and originated in the Middle East and central Asia. There are over 100 varieties of carrots and according to the Vegetable Planting Calendar, you will want to plant carrot seeds anytime between March 5 and 25. ...

Lewis Lawson PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Lewis Lawson, 76, of Mill Spring, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, at his home. Funeral arrangements are pending with Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont.

Sandra Degunia Sandra Lee Degunia, 58, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Ms. Degunia was born Dec. 22, 1953 in St. Louis and was of the Catholic faith. Surviving are three daughters, Jessica Degunia, Samantha Degunia, both of St. Louis, Mo., and Danielle Juengst of St. Charles, Mo., one granddaughter, one sister, Catherine Thomas of St. Louis and one brother, Michael Paulus of Virginia...

Virginia Bowen MALDEN, Mo. -- Virginia Elizabeth Bowen, 73, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at Westwood Hills Health and Rehabilitation in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She was born June 21, 1938, in St. Louis, Mo. On March 5, 1960, she was married to James Floyd Bowen Sr. in St. Louis. He preceded her in death on Jan. 9, 2009...

Nearly 270 waterfowl supporters turned out for Saturday night's Bluff City Mallards/Ducks Unlimited banquet, marking the highest attendance for the event in several years. "We had a big crowd, and they all got excited about what was going on," said Ducks Unlimited Area Chairman Grant Collins. "We had a great night and everything flowed really smoothly."...

With the storm that devastated parts of our area Tuesday night, there is very little outdoor activity. The creeks and rivers are off-color, so that will slow down any weekend fishing. Wappapello Lake should be good fishing. The lake can take a little mud and still produce some good fishing...

By PAUL DAVIS Outdoors Editor This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of Ducks Unlimited, the largest wetland conservation organization in the world. Ducks Unlimited was founded by a group of concerned conservationists and waterfowlers during the Great Depression, a time when farmers were draining wetlands and Americans, and wildlife, were suffering from the effects of severe "dust bowl" drought...

By JOHN PRATT Mo. Dept. of Conservation Each year at this time, there are usually some banquet dinners and fund-raisers for various outdoor related organizations. One group has been in existence for many years. The group I am going to talk about is a local organization that has been having fund-raising dinners and spending the money on a local basis for well over 30 years...

By Teresa Rogers Missouri DNR JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. ­-- A mild winter has not lessened any enthusiasm for a springtime ritual - the opening of trout fishing season March 1 in Missouri's three state parks featuring rainbow trout. Trout fishing season officially begins at 6:30 a.m. ...

BLOOMFIELD -- On Leap Day, the Doniphan Dons stumbled in the fourth quarter. After scoring the first eight points and leading until the final minute of the third quarter, the Dons scored just once over a 3 1/2-minute stretch in the fourth. Led by junior Antonio Primer, second-seeded Kennett ran away with a 59-51 win in the MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 semifinal...

PARK HILLS -- The Dexter Lady Bearcats have been known all season for having a balanced scoring attack, but for one half in Wednesday night Brittany Harris stole the show. The junior scored 18 first-half points and pulled down nine rebounds before the rest of the Lady Bearcats took over in a 64-49 win over Park Hills Central in the MSHSAA Class 4 playoff at Mineral Area College...

Regina Jones Regina Josephine Jones, 91, of Grand Blanc, Mich., and a former resident of Fredericktown, Mo, died Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, in Flint, Mich. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

David Rendleman DEXTER, Mo. -- David Scott Rendleman, 61, of St. Louis, Mo., died Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at Select Specialty Hospital in Springfield, Mo., following a period of declining strength and health.  Mr. Rendleman was born on Oct. 29, 1950, in Sikeston, Mo. ...

Nita Miller PUXICO, Mo. -- Nita Miller, 75, of Wappapello, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are pending with Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico, Mo.

Andrew Sukel Jr. DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Andrew J. Sukel, Jr., 65, of Briar, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at his home, surrounded by his family. Mr. Sukel, son of Andrew and Nellie (Seliga) Sukel, Sr., was born Oct. 11, 1946, in Hazleton, Pa. He was retired from General Foam/Tennaco Chemicals...

HILLSBORO -- Three Rivers got behind early in the first half and never could recover. The Lady Raiders trailed by 16 at halftime and struggled in the second half as they lost to Jefferson 108-61 Wednesday. Three Rivers (9-20, 2-9 XVI) was led in scoring by Candace Miller who had 12 points and Brooke Godsey who finished with 11. Whitney Mills had nine points and Alex Hower finished with seven for the Lady Raiders, who lost their seventh straight game...

Jeffrey Livesay DEXTER, Mo. -- Jeffrey Alan Livesay, 52, of Essex, Mo., died Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012, in Scott City. Mr. Livesay was born on April 27, 1959 in Anna, Ill. Mr. Livesay was a veteran of the United States Navy, a former truck driver for WW Wood Products in Dudley, Mo...

Chris Pogue CORNING, Ark. -- Chris Pogue, 64, of Belton, Mo., died Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at her at home. Born Jan. 28, 1948, in Hikoria, Ark., Mrs. Pogue worked for Hart's Manufacturing, the Corning School District, and Dollar General. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, fishing, and spending time with family. She was a member of Apostolic Fellowship Church in McDougal, Ark...

To the Editor, In regards to the Lee Greenwood Valentine's for Veterans Concert, and being a fan of Lee's music, I am sorry to say that (I) could not sort out the words being sung because of the decibels the instruments were putting out. I believe they are used to playing in open air arrangements where that volume would be permissible, but not in an enclosed area. Sorry, but I enjoyed as much as I could...

It's getting a little closer to spring and early garden veggies can be planted in March. One of the first vegetables to plant will be carrots. Carrots have been grown for thousands of years and originated in the Middle East and central Asia. There are over 100 varieties of carrots and according to the Vegetable Planting Calendar, you will want to plant carrot seeds anytime between March 5 and 25. ...

To the Editor, Obama's birth control mandate is correct, but I don't believe the Obama Administration will stand fast even though it is right. Wallace Knapp Grandin, Mo.

Sandra Degunia Sandra Lee Degunia, 58, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Ms. Degunia was born Dec. 22, 1953 in St. Louis and was of the Catholic faith. Surviving are three daughters, Jessica Degunia, Samantha Degunia, both of St. Louis, Mo., and Danielle Juengst of St. Charles, Mo., one granddaughter, one sister, Catherine Thomas of St. Louis and one brother, Michael Paulus of Virginia...

With the storm that devastated parts of our area Tuesday night, there is very little outdoor activity. The creeks and rivers are off-color, so that will slow down any weekend fishing. Wappapello Lake should be good fishing. The lake can take a little mud and still produce some good fishing...

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a firm statement to the Syrian elite this week, urging them to overthrow the regime of Bashar al-Assad. "The longer you support the regime's campaign of violence against your brothers and sisters, the more it will stain your honor," she advised...

By Teresa Rogers Missouri DNR JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. ­-- A mild winter has not lessened any enthusiasm for a springtime ritual - the opening of trout fishing season March 1 in Missouri's three state parks featuring rainbow trout. Trout fishing season officially begins at 6:30 a.m. ...

Nita Miller PUXICO, Mo. -- Nita Miller, 75, of Wappapello, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are pending with Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico, Mo.

PARK HILLS -- The Dexter Lady Bearcats have been known all season for having a balanced scoring attack, but for one half in Wednesday night Brittany Harris stole the show. The junior scored 18 first-half points and pulled down nine rebounds before the rest of the Lady Bearcats took over in a 64-49 win over Park Hills Central in the MSHSAA Class 4 playoff at Mineral Area College...

Andrew Sukel Jr. DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Andrew J. Sukel, Jr., 65, of Briar, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at his home, surrounded by his family. Mr. Sukel, son of Andrew and Nellie (Seliga) Sukel, Sr., was born Oct. 11, 1946, in Hazleton, Pa. He was retired from General Foam/Tennaco Chemicals...

Chris Pogue -- Belton, Mo. Sandra Degunia -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Virginia Bowen -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Andrew Sukel Jr. -- Briar, Mo. Jeffrey Livesay -- Essex, Mo. Lewis Lawson -- Mill Spring, Mo. David Rendleman -- St. Louis, Mo. Regina Jones -- Grand Blanc, Mich...

Jeffrey Livesay DEXTER, Mo. -- Jeffrey Alan Livesay, 52, of Essex, Mo., died Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012, in Scott City. Mr. Livesay was born on April 27, 1959 in Anna, Ill. Mr. Livesay was a veteran of the United States Navy, a former truck driver for WW Wood Products in Dudley, Mo...