Stories from Tuesday, April 17, 2012

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Buff Up The Bluff, the city's spring cleanup effort, will be from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Poplar Bluff Leaf Disposal Site southeast of the Twin Towers. To reach the site, follow South F St. onto County Road 604...

By ALAN FRAM Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats and Republicans are forcing votes in Congress this coming week on competing tax plans that affect millionaires and smaller businesses, and they know the proposals are doomed from the start...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Taking groceries to a hungry family, befriending a small child while mom or dad complete home testing for drug and alcohol use or sitting on the tailgate of his truck and lending a participant a friendly ear -- These are a few of the reasons a Butler County, Mo., man is the first law enforcement officer to receive the Unsung Hero Award from the Missouri Association of Drug Court Professionals...

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) -- Starting next year, the check will no longer be in the mail for millions of people who receive Social Security and other government benefits. The federal government, which issues 73 million payments a month, is phasing out paper checks for all benefit programs, requiring people to get payments electronically, either through direct deposit or a debit card for those without a bank account...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A Butler County jury took about 45 minutes Friday to acquit a local man charged in connection with an August robbery at a local home in which money, a cellular telephone and a car were stolen at gunpoint. Michael McNair Jr., 25, of the 300 block of West Center Street stood trial before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett on the Class A felony of robbery, the Class B felony of attempted robbery, two unclassified felonies of armed criminal action and the Class C felony of tampering with a motor vehicle.. ...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer The Neelyville R-IV school board is examining ways to improve the Neelyville and Hillview campuses after a tax levy to support new construction failed April 3. Superintendent Brad Hagood recommended beginning with roofs and the high school principal's office building, which would have been demolished had the levy passed...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Neelyville R-IV Schools will receive a new activity bus after the school board approved the purchase at Monday night's regular monthly meeting. Board member Carrie Jones was absent. The board reviewed bids from Central States Bus Sales Inc. and Midwest Transit Equipment Inc. From each, the district requested bids for a 77-passenger school bus and a 71-passenger activity bus, which has two seats removed to accommodate luggage compartments...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Registration closes Friday for Butler County's Fourth Autism Conference, which will be held in one week at First United Methodist Church. The free event, which normally draws more than 100 parents, educators and members of law enforcements, offers residents a local resource to learn more about autism...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Ed DeGaris was re-elected mayor during the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Monday night. DeGaris, who is the Ward 2 councilman, thanked the council members, City Manager Doug Bagby and the department heads for their help and support during the past year...

MORLEY, Mo. -- A giant black oak in Scott County has been certified as the largest known tree of its species in the state. Doug Sikes contacted the Missouri Department of Conservation about the tree, which dominates a field he purchased last fall in Morley, Mo., according to a conservation department news release. Sikes said he bought the field to protect the tree and so his family could enjoy it...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor CORNING, Ark. -- U.S. 67 project updates and the need for more funding to complete the gap were presented Monday by the Arkansas and Missouri transportation directors during a Highway 67 Coalition meeting in the Community Center at Corning, Ark...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor An updated ordinance appointing a custodian of city records and adopting a Sunshine Law policy was discussed by City Manager Doug Bagby during the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Monday night. "This is a model ordinance from the Missouri Municipal League. We have not made any changes in our ordinance since 1988," Bagby said. "This will bring us into compliance."...

By ALAN FRAM Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats and Republicans are forcing votes in Congress this coming week on competing tax plans that affect millionaires and smaller businesses, and they know the proposals are doomed from the start...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Buff Up The Bluff, the city's spring cleanup effort, will be from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Poplar Bluff Leaf Disposal Site southeast of the Twin Towers. To reach the site, follow South F St. onto County Road 604...

Original paintings by more than 50 local artists will displayed and offered to bidders at the opening reception for "Art for Animals" from 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Artfully Framed in the Bluff Estates Shopping Center. Admission to the wine-and-hors d'oeuvre reception is free and open to the public...

The Woman's Citizenship Club held its April 1 meeting at 11:30 a.m. in the Westwood Country Club, hosted by Rita McVey. President Emily Rhodes called the meeting to order; prayer was led by LaVerne Matthews. There were 14 members and one guest present...

Krystal Jean Craple, daughter of Cindy McCoy and John Brown of Williamsville, Mo., has been named Student of the Month for Greenville High School. She is a member of FCCIA. Her hobbies are Zumba and hanging with her best friend. Krystal plans to go to college to do something with children who have disabilities...

To the Editor: It is a disgrace to live in an area that doesn't value human life. Some of you readers may think that's a bit harsh, particularly since a new, larger hospital is under construction in Poplar Bluff. The ultimate revenue benefits to the hospital and Poplar Bluff City Hall are obvious, but what about the intrusion into the lives of more than 100 local citizens. ...

Chad and Dusti Drew of Poplar Bluff, Mo., have chosen the name Hoyt Greyson Drew for their 7-pound, 11-ounce son born at 10:04 a.m., Friday, March 30, 2012, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Hoyt was 20 and one-half inches long. Grandparents are Gene and Cindy Chestnut and Lanny and Pat Drew, all of Poplar Bluff...

Jeremy and Colby Catt of Poplar Bluff, Mo., have chosen the name Jaci Jo Catt for their 7-pound, 2-ounce daughter born at 7:26 p.m., Thursday, March 22, 2012, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Jaci was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Doug and Cheryl Link and Sherry Link, all of Poplar Bluff, Terry and Judy Catt of Cave City, Ky., and Bob and Sharon Moore of Maynard, Ark...

By ERIC TALMADGE Associated Press YOKOSUKA, Japan (AP) -- To the world's military leaders, the debate over climate change is long over. They are preparing for a new kind of Cold War in the Arctic, anticipating that rising temperatures there will open up a treasure trove of resources, long-dreamed-of sea lanes and a slew of potential conflicts...

Lynn Luke WILLIAMSVILLE, Mo. -- Lynn Luke, 64, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, April 14, 2012, in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Luke was born Dec. 21, 1947, in Poplar Bluff. He was of the Pentecostal faith and was a church member in Poplar Bluff and Williamsville, Mo. Mr. Luke spent his childhood and adult life in Williamsville...

A.C. Lay DEXTER, Mo. -- A. C. Lay of Dexter, Mo., died Monday, April 16, 2012, in the Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

JACKSON --Cape Central sophomore Travis Simmons made the par that eluded him one year ago, and it set him apart from the field Monday at the Jackson Invitational at Kimbeland Country Club. Simmons completed an even-par 70 round by calmly rolling in a 1-foot putt on the par-3 18th hole for a one-stroke victory over Notre Dame sophomore Brady Dixon...

Three Rivers freshman Cindy Nippe continues proving herself in the cleanup spot. Nippe, who leads the team with seven home runs on the season, had a go-ahead home run for the Lady Raiders as they pulled out the first game over Southeastern Illinois, 4-2, before winning the second game, 7-2 at Rains Field...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN God save me from my friends; I can take care of my enemies. That thought must be coursing through the mind of President Obama right now as his White House rigs for silent running in the murder trial of George Zimmerman. Obama foolishly inserted himself into this volatile case weeks ago, and injected the issue of race. Expressing empathy with the family of Trayvon Martin, Obama flashed a signal of racial solidarity:...

Give lady a ride to church This is Thursday, April 12th. I'm calling in regards to the lady that lives around Fisk and she can't get a church bus to pick her up. You know, it's a shame that she can't, but it's a cryin' shame that people that go to her church won't come by and pick her up in their individual cars. ...

By OLIVER NORTH WASHINGTON -- Nine years ago this week, our Fox News team accompanied U.S. Marines as they swept into Baghdad and then north up the Tigris River to seize Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit. It took less than three weeks to drive the tyrant from power in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and it appeared then that the force of American arms could ensure a new era of tranquility in a part of the world where brutality and anti-American despots had ruled for too long. But it was not so...

Naylor honor roll Naylor Elementary 3rd Quarter Honor Roll A Honor Roll First Grade: Makenzie Armstrong, Jade Colyott, Cole Crofford, Samuel Dillon, Preston Goodnight, Caleb Green, Zella Layton, Tyler Rice, Hank Rogers, Haley Sullivan, Harley Sullivan, Damian Thilman, Destiny Thomas...

Jimmy Turner ELLINGTON, Mo. -- Jimmy Turner of Ellington, Mo., died Monday, April 16, 2012, at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Louis. Funeral arrangements are pending with McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellington.

Maggie Crutchfield GREENVILLE, MO. -- Maggie Ethel Crutchfield, 89 of Puxico, Mo., died Sunday, April 15, 2012, at her home. Mrs. Crutchfield was born Feb. 18, 1923 in Shook, Mo. She was of the Baptist faith and was member of Egypt Church of Puxico, Mo...

The Poplar Bluff tennis team snapped a four-match losing streak Monday by sweeping doubles and getting a lift from senior reserve Collin Gullett in a 7-2 win over visiting Sikeston. Gullett won his first singles match in place of senior Marcus Coleman, who missed his second match with an illness. Gullett won 8-3 over Sikeston's Sydney Gadberry in the No. 6 singles match and helped Jimmy Parrison win in doubles, 8-3, over Gadberry and Mark Jones...

Emma Niehaus DEXTER, Mo. -- Emma Mae Niehaus, 90, of Dexter, Mo., died Sunday, April 15, 2012, at the Golden Living Center in Dexter. She was born on Feb. 13, 1922 in Bernie, Mo. Mrs. Niehaus was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Dexter, a former employee of Medler's Cleaners in Dexter and a housewife...

NAYLOR -- Naylor's Carleigh Lane made the most of her late-inning opportunity Monday. Lane hit a walk-off 2-run home run for the Lady Eagles as they held on for a win over Greenville, 3-1. "Not bad for the nine hitter," Naylor coach Gene Deckard said...

Thomas White MALDEN, Mo. -- Thomas "Tom" White, 79, of Jackson, Mo., died Thursday, April 12, 2012, at his residence. Mr. White was born June 3, 1932, at Bolden, Miss. He was a member of The Rock International Ministries in Jackson. Surviving are four sons, James White of Oakland, Calif., Michael Sherrod of St. ...

The Poplar Bluff Junior High track and field team won 12 events Monday as the Mules won their own meet and the Lady Mules were second. Denzell Britton won the 100 and 200 meters while helping the 400-relay team win as the Mules won by 48.5 points over Jackson in the eight-team meet...

Bettie Rowland DEXTER, Mo. -- Bettie Rowland, 93, of Dexter, Mo., died Sunday, April 15, 2012, at Cypress Point Skilled Care Facility in Dexter. Mrs. Rowland was born on Sept. 9, 1918, at Sikeston, Mo. Mrs. Rowland was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dexter and a seamstress for Elders Manufacturing...

Dorthea Callow Dorthea Irene Callow, 70, of Sikeston, Mo., died Sunday, April 15, 2012, at The Manor in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Ms. Callow was born Aug. 4, 1941, in Poplar Bluff. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Sikeston, Mo., and was a homemaker. Ms. Callow enjoyed spending time with her family, her church and quilting...

Original paintings by more than 50 local artists will displayed and offered to bidders at the opening reception for "Art for Animals" from 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Artfully Framed in the Bluff Estates Shopping Center. Admission to the wine-and-hors d'oeuvre reception is free and open to the public...

The Woman's Citizenship Club held its April 1 meeting at 11:30 a.m. in the Westwood Country Club, hosted by Rita McVey. President Emily Rhodes called the meeting to order; prayer was led by LaVerne Matthews. There were 14 members and one guest present...

Krystal Jean Craple, daughter of Cindy McCoy and John Brown of Williamsville, Mo., has been named Student of the Month for Greenville High School. She is a member of FCCIA. Her hobbies are Zumba and hanging with her best friend. Krystal plans to go to college to do something with children who have disabilities...

JACKSON --Cape Central sophomore Travis Simmons made the par that eluded him one year ago, and it set him apart from the field Monday at the Jackson Invitational at Kimbeland Country Club. Simmons completed an even-par 70 round by calmly rolling in a 1-foot putt on the par-3 18th hole for a one-stroke victory over Notre Dame sophomore Brady Dixon...

Three Rivers freshman Cindy Nippe continues proving herself in the cleanup spot. Nippe, who leads the team with seven home runs on the season, had a go-ahead home run for the Lady Raiders as they pulled out the first game over Southeastern Illinois, 4-2, before winning the second game, 7-2 at Rains Field...

Jimmy Turner ELLINGTON, Mo. -- Jimmy Turner of Ellington, Mo., died Monday, April 16, 2012, at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Louis. Funeral arrangements are pending with McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellington.