Stories from Friday, April 20, 2012

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Jeremy Downing was in the sixth grade when his family was going through a difficult time financially. "Seventeen years ago, I had a car accident. I was off work for awhile," Buzz Downing said. "I needed grocery money so I sold the rifle. I did what I had to do to take care of my family."...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer After an unseasonably mild winter and numerous warm days early in the spring, Southeast Missouri could be facing an increase in ticks and mosquitoes this summer. Chris Grider, Butler County Health Department environmental public health specialist, said mosquitoes have made a return earlier than usual...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Attorney Janet Brown, who founded Cape Arrowhead in 1999, has arranged for Terry Murray, a fifth generation Navy veteran, businessman and author, to make two appearances in Poplar Bluff next week. Murray will present "Horses and Healing: Equine-Assisted Therapy for Combat Veterans and Families" at 3:15 p.m. ...

The Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Higher fuel prices may be applying brakes to the economy in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states. A monthly survey index of rural bankers dropped to 57.1 in April from 59.8 in March. Organizers of the Rural Mainstreet Index survey say any score above 50 suggests the economy will grow...

Enhancing passenger rail service and improving freight rail access are among the top public recommendations included in a new draft State Rail Plan, intended to provide a 20-year strategic framework for passenger and freight rail development in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Transportation seeks the public's feedback on the plan at meetings in April...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor The Thursday arrests of four individuals believed to have had a role in killing Carla Ann Austin led additional witnesses to come forward with possibly new information about what happened in August 1999. Johnny Leon Austin, 44, Melissa Jo "Missy" Austin Baggett, 39, Henry "Marlin" Rice Jr., 41, all of Qulin, and Tracy Lynn Austin Rea, 43, of Neosho, Mo., all were arrested on warrants charging them with the Class A felony of second-degree murder...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Jeremy Downing was in the sixth grade when his family was going through a difficult time financially. "Seventeen years ago, I had a car accident. I was off work for awhile," Buzz Downing said. "I needed grocery money so I sold the rifle. I did what I had to do to take care of my family."...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer After an unseasonably mild winter and numerous warm days early in the spring, Southeast Missouri could be facing an increase in ticks and mosquitoes this summer. Chris Grider, Butler County Health Department environmental public health specialist, said mosquitoes have made a return earlier than usual...

The Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Higher fuel prices may be applying brakes to the economy in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states. A monthly survey index of rural bankers dropped to 57.1 in April from 59.8 in March. Organizers of the Rural Mainstreet Index survey say any score above 50 suggests the economy will grow...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Attorney Janet Brown, who founded Cape Arrowhead in 1999, has arranged for Terry Murray, a fifth generation Navy veteran, businessman and author, to make two appearances in Poplar Bluff next week. Murray will present "Horses and Healing: Equine-Assisted Therapy for Combat Veterans and Families" at 3:15 p.m. ...

Enhancing passenger rail service and improving freight rail access are among the top public recommendations included in a new draft State Rail Plan, intended to provide a 20-year strategic framework for passenger and freight rail development in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Transportation seeks the public's feedback on the plan at meetings in April...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor The Thursday arrests of four individuals believed to have had a role in killing Carla Ann Austin led additional witnesses to come forward with possibly new information about what happened in August 1999. Johnny Leon Austin, 44, Melissa Jo "Missy" Austin Baggett, 39, Henry "Marlin" Rice Jr., 41, all of Qulin, and Tracy Lynn Austin Rea, 43, of Neosho, Mo., all were arrested on warrants charging them with the Class A felony of second-degree murder...

Construction of the $173 million Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center is ahead of schedule. The contractor is planning a topping out ceremony for 11 a.m. May 9 to celebrate completion of steel erection for the hospital which has seven stories and a basement...

The Bluff Church recently relocated its Sunday worship service to the historic Rodgers Theatre in downtown Poplar Bluff, Mo. Worship service begins every Sunday at 10:27 a.m. The Bluff Church, which was launched in Sept. 2010, as "a church for people who have given up on church." According to Dave Elledge, it was believed there a lot of people in the Poplar Bluff area who have just given up on the idea of church. ...

By NICK THOMAS What do Johnny Depp, Sean Penn, Jim Carrey, and Cher have in common? If you answered "hairy legs," you're a knucklehead - Johnny's limbs are smoother than a pirate's cutlass. But at one time, all four were considered for roles in the new Three Stooges movie, due to hit theaters on April 13, and called "The Three Stooges" - a title the producers clearly labored long and hard over...

By MONA CHAREN The president is barnstorming around the nation hoping to enrage voters at the injustice that the wealthy pay fewer taxes than the middle class. "Now that's wrong," Obama objected, "That's not fair." It also isn't true. According to the National Taxpayers Union, in 2009, the top 1 percent of earners paid 36.7 percent of income taxes. ...

To the Editor: Early on April 4th I heard a part of Mitt Romney's victory speech after he won the primaries in D.C., Maryland, and Wisconsin. Romney asked the audience if they could stand gasoline prices like these for the next four years, and there was a loud chorus of "Boo" and "No." Do they really believe that the president has any control over gas prices? All U. ...

Abe Selby MALDEN, Mo. -- Abe Wyman Selby, 84, of Malden, Mo., died Thursday, April 19, 2012, at Golden Living Center in Malden. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday followed by the funeral service at noon at First Southern Baptist Church in Malden with the Rev. Aulden LeBlanc officiating. Burial will be in the Park Cemetery...

Jackson's patience paid off Thursday night as the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules stonewalled the Indians for nearly 60 minutes. Hailey Mouser changed that with a breakaway goal then added another about than a minute later as the Indians beat Poplar Bluff 2-0 at Whiteley Park...

Lamont Frazier has been hired to coach basketball at Willard High School, ending a six-year tenure leading the Poplar Bluff Mules. Frazier was hired Thursday night by the Willard board of education, two days after the Poplar Bluff board voted to delay his re-hire until May 10 and fired Jim Brown as athletic director...

Bill Pogue PUXICO, Mo. -- William "Bill" Pogue of Cape Girardeau, Mo., died Thursday, April 19, 2012, at his home. Funeral arrangements are pending with Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Puxico, Mo. Call 573 624 9600 for funeral information or go to www.watkinsfuneralhome.com...

Abe Shelby ­-- Malden, Mo. Viola Brooks -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Jane Boyer -- Ellsinore, Mo. John Robertson -- Sikeston, Mo. Bill Pogue -- Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Viola Brooks FISK, Mo. -- Viola Brooks, 80, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at The Cedargate in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Brooks was born Nov. 7, 1931, in Malden, Mo. She had lived around Poplar Bluff most of her life. She was a homemaker and enjoyed making floral arrangements and flower gardening...

JACKSON -- Jackson catcher Clay Macke was the first to proclaim senior pitcher Alex Bolen healthy. The second and third opinions followed Thursday after the right-hander ended a 23-day hiatus from the mound due to bursitis in his throwing shoulder. Macke got a preview of Bolen's stuff before Jackson's 3-1 victory against Poplar Bluff at Whitey Herzog Stadium in Jackson...

John Robertson BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- John C. Robertson, 65, of Sikeston, Mo., died Thursday, April 19, 2012, at his home. Mr. Robertson was born on April 3, 1947, in Summerfield, N.C. He had lived in Florida before moving the Bloomfield, Mo., and had lived in Sikeston for the past five years. He had worked in management for Stanley Steamer and was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Bloomfield...

BROSELEY -- The Greenville battery of pitcher Trevor Bennett and catcher Mikey Morey tag-teamed the Twin Rivers Royals. Bennett struck out 13 while Morey came through with a tie-breaking home run in the top of the seventh as the Bears beat Twin Rivers 5-2 in an Ozark Foothills Conference game...

Jane Boyer ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Patricia "Jane" Boyer, 69, of Ellsinore, Mo., died Wednesday, April 18, 2012, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The daughter of the late H.M. Stepp and Nina Joplin, she was born on Feb. 10, 1943, in Sturdivant, Mo. Mrs. Boyer had lived in Ellsinore for the past 21 years, and was formerly of House Springs and St. ...

BLOOMFIELD -- Just like last year's Stoddard County Activities Association championship game, the Bloomfield Wildcats got a major scare from the feisty Woodland Cardinals. Bloomfield got out of a huge jam in the top of the sixth Thursday and piled on the runs in the bottom of the inning for a 9-4 win...

HILLSBORO -- After getting beat in the opener, the Three Rivers Raiders sent a message to the sixth-ranked Jefferson Vikings. After a 10-0 loss in which they got just three hits, the Raiders' offense erupted as they won the second game, 15-4. "We ran into a good pitcher that was on in the first game," Three Rivers coach Stacey Burkey said. "It was one of those games where you have to have a short memory and gear up for the second game...

NAYLOR -- The Naylor Eagles got a typical strong performance from senior ace Dalton Woodard Thursday afternoon as they topped East Carter in Ozark Foothills Conference play, 2-0. "He didn't have his best stuff but he was still solid," Naylor coach Jeff Null said...

ST. CHARLES -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders used an offensive explosion to wrap up the conference title Thursday. Three Rivers had 30 hits in two wins over St. Charles, 15-5 and 11-0. Three Rivers is now 39-15 on the season and moved to 13-3 to win the Midwest Community College Athletic Conference crown...

The Bluff Church recently relocated its Sunday worship service to the historic Rodgers Theatre in downtown Poplar Bluff, Mo. Worship service begins every Sunday at 10:27 a.m. The Bluff Church, which was launched in Sept. 2010, as "a church for people who have given up on church." According to Dave Elledge, it was believed there a lot of people in the Poplar Bluff area who have just given up on the idea of church. ...

By NICK THOMAS What do Johnny Depp, Sean Penn, Jim Carrey, and Cher have in common? If you answered "hairy legs," you're a knucklehead - Johnny's limbs are smoother than a pirate's cutlass. But at one time, all four were considered for roles in the new Three Stooges movie, due to hit theaters on April 13, and called "The Three Stooges" - a title the producers clearly labored long and hard over...

Viola Brooks FISK, Mo. -- Viola Brooks, 80, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at The Cedargate in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Brooks was born Nov. 7, 1931, in Malden, Mo. She had lived around Poplar Bluff most of her life. She was a homemaker and enjoyed making floral arrangements and flower gardening...

To the Editor: Early on April 4th I heard a part of Mitt Romney's victory speech after he won the primaries in D.C., Maryland, and Wisconsin. Romney asked the audience if they could stand gasoline prices like these for the next four years, and there was a loud chorus of "Boo" and "No." Do they really believe that the president has any control over gas prices? All U. ...

John Robertson BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- John C. Robertson, 65, of Sikeston, Mo., died Thursday, April 19, 2012, at his home. Mr. Robertson was born on April 3, 1947, in Summerfield, N.C. He had lived in Florida before moving the Bloomfield, Mo., and had lived in Sikeston for the past five years. He had worked in management for Stanley Steamer and was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Bloomfield...

Abe Selby MALDEN, Mo. -- Abe Wyman Selby, 84, of Malden, Mo., died Thursday, April 19, 2012, at Golden Living Center in Malden. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday followed by the funeral service at noon at First Southern Baptist Church in Malden with the Rev. Aulden LeBlanc officiating. Burial will be in the Park Cemetery...

Abe Shelby ­-- Malden, Mo. Viola Brooks -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Jane Boyer -- Ellsinore, Mo. John Robertson -- Sikeston, Mo. Bill Pogue -- Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Bill Pogue PUXICO, Mo. -- William "Bill" Pogue of Cape Girardeau, Mo., died Thursday, April 19, 2012, at his home. Funeral arrangements are pending with Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Puxico, Mo. Call 573 624 9600 for funeral information or go to www.watkinsfuneralhome.com...

Lamont Frazier has been hired to coach basketball at Willard High School, ending a six-year tenure leading the Poplar Bluff Mules. Frazier was hired Thursday night by the Willard board of education, two days after the Poplar Bluff board voted to delay his re-hire until May 10 and fired Jim Brown as athletic director...

Jackson's patience paid off Thursday night as the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules stonewalled the Indians for nearly 60 minutes. Hailey Mouser changed that with a breakaway goal then added another about than a minute later as the Indians beat Poplar Bluff 2-0 at Whiteley Park...

Jane Boyer ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Patricia "Jane" Boyer, 69, of Ellsinore, Mo., died Wednesday, April 18, 2012, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The daughter of the late H.M. Stepp and Nina Joplin, she was born on Feb. 10, 1943, in Sturdivant, Mo. Mrs. Boyer had lived in Ellsinore for the past 21 years, and was formerly of House Springs and St. ...

JACKSON -- Jackson catcher Clay Macke was the first to proclaim senior pitcher Alex Bolen healthy. The second and third opinions followed Thursday after the right-hander ended a 23-day hiatus from the mound due to bursitis in his throwing shoulder. Macke got a preview of Bolen's stuff before Jackson's 3-1 victory against Poplar Bluff at Whitey Herzog Stadium in Jackson...

By MONA CHAREN The president is barnstorming around the nation hoping to enrage voters at the injustice that the wealthy pay fewer taxes than the middle class. "Now that's wrong," Obama objected, "That's not fair." It also isn't true. According to the National Taxpayers Union, in 2009, the top 1 percent of earners paid 36.7 percent of income taxes. ...

BLOOMFIELD -- Just like last year's Stoddard County Activities Association championship game, the Bloomfield Wildcats got a major scare from the feisty Woodland Cardinals. Bloomfield got out of a huge jam in the top of the sixth Thursday and piled on the runs in the bottom of the inning for a 9-4 win...

HILLSBORO -- After getting beat in the opener, the Three Rivers Raiders sent a message to the sixth-ranked Jefferson Vikings. After a 10-0 loss in which they got just three hits, the Raiders' offense erupted as they won the second game, 15-4. "We ran into a good pitcher that was on in the first game," Three Rivers coach Stacey Burkey said. "It was one of those games where you have to have a short memory and gear up for the second game...

NAYLOR -- The Naylor Eagles got a typical strong performance from senior ace Dalton Woodard Thursday afternoon as they topped East Carter in Ozark Foothills Conference play, 2-0. "He didn't have his best stuff but he was still solid," Naylor coach Jeff Null said...

BROSELEY -- The Greenville battery of pitcher Trevor Bennett and catcher Mikey Morey tag-teamed the Twin Rivers Royals. Bennett struck out 13 while Morey came through with a tie-breaking home run in the top of the seventh as the Bears beat Twin Rivers 5-2 in an Ozark Foothills Conference game...

ST. CHARLES -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders used an offensive explosion to wrap up the conference title Thursday. Three Rivers had 30 hits in two wins over St. Charles, 15-5 and 11-0. Three Rivers is now 39-15 on the season and moved to 13-3 to win the Midwest Community College Athletic Conference crown...