Stories from Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Cajun meets Missouri on Saturday night as Friends of the Margaret Harwell Art Museum hold their Third Annual Garden Gala complete with an old-fashioned shrimp boil, fresh alligator from New Orleans, La., and zydeco music. The benefit is held to raise funds for the Friends' Sculpture Garden, located on the grounds of the Margaret Harwell Art Museum. Appetizers will be served at 6 p.m. and dinner starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and those interested need to RSVP by 4 p.m. Friday...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Poplar Bluff, Mo., grandmother Sharon Gingery's 9-year-old grandson, who has Asperger syndrome, will move into her home in about a month. She will go from seeing the boy, who lives in Georgia now, a couple times a year to being her daughter's primary baby sitter...

By SCOTT MOYERS SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Calling it the "appropriate thing to do" in light of the evidence, prosecutors Tuesday dismissed a weapons charge against a Jackson man who stood accused of wielding a gun during a heated argument at a Cape Girardeau gas station last November...

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which will take place Saturday. Local take-back sites are in Butler, Ripley, Carter, Reynolds, Dunklin and Stoddard counties in Missouri and Clay County, Ark...

By JAMES SAMONS SEMO News Service With the price of gas becoming a constant source of concern for drivers, a sightseeing trip around the area could seem irrational for some. But several local towns want to prove otherwise. The 22nd annual Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive is Saturday and Sunday and features 12 Southeast Missouri communities. ...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A Neelyville, Mo., man was sentenced to four years in prison Tuesday afternoon in connection with a hit-and-run accident that left a local teenager dead. Cletis W. Powell Jr., 36, of the 2700 block of County Road 246 appeared before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett for sentencing after having pleaded guilty as charged in February to the Class D felony of tampering with physical evidence...

Cajun meets Missouri on Saturday night as Friends of the Margaret Harwell Art Museum hold their Third Annual Garden Gala complete with an old-fashioned shrimp boil, fresh alligator from New Orleans, La., and zydeco music. The benefit is held to raise funds for the Friends' Sculpture Garden, located on the grounds of the Margaret Harwell Art Museum. Appetizers will be served at 6 p.m. and dinner starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and those interested need to RSVP by 4 p.m. Friday...

"CAAW" (The Cultural Arts Alliance, Wayne Ozark Region, Inc.) encourages regional and local artists to participate in its upcoming art show. All entry forms, guidelines and information are available on line at www.caawcaaw.com with winning artists eligible for awards...

Greenville High School has announced its students of the month. They include: Austin Wayne Birmingham, son of Pam and Wayne Birmingham of Silva, Mo..whose parents are Pam and Wayne Birmingham of Silva. He is involved in basketball, FBLA, A+, Skills USA, FCCLA, Votech, French Club and Pep Club...

Twin Rivers senior Kaleb Doyle of Poplar Bluff, Mo., received the Robert A. 'Red' Graham Alumni Scholarship from the Mizzou Alumni Association at the University of Missouri. Robert A. 'Red' Graham established an endowment that provides scholarships to more than 100 students every year. ...

The Butler County Republican Central Committee's April meeting has been canceled. The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 24. The May meeting will take place in the County Commissioners' Chambers at the Butler County Courthouse...

By JILL BOCK SEMO News Service NEW MADRID, Mo. -- While the nation commemorates the Civil War battles of Appomattox and Gettysburg, and of Bull Run and Shiloh, one of the key battles in the western theater of the War Between the States was fought at New Madrid. Local historians want the public to know there is a lot to learn about the war and those who fought in it in New Madrid...

Linda Morgan, leader, called the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) MO 734 chapter, to order at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, with 18 TOPS and three KOPS members present. The secretary's report by Lou Ann Wrather was read and approved. Helen Rollins, TOPS, and Gladys Hill, KOPS, were best losers...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS The Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation does a yeoman's job of keeping track of how much we're paying in taxes and who's paying what. It turns out that American taxpayers worked this year from Jan. 1 to April 17, 107 days, to earn enough money to pay their federal, state and local tax bills. That statistic requires some clarification, and I ask my readers to help me examine it...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN When survival is at stake, one may hear from a politician not what he believes -- but what he thinks the people deciding his fate wish to hear. By that standard, what do the people of France, in the final weeks of their presidential election, wish to hear from their candidates?...

EUREKA -- Carr Vernon, Collin Davis, Jake Russell and the Poplar Bluff golf team completed a district sweep Tuesday. The senior Mules won their fourth straight MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 title, winning by 12 strokes in advancing to the sectional tournament...

Pauline Cope Pauline Cope, 84, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at The Cedargate care center in Poplar Bluff. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

"Romney Camp Stumbles on Pay Equity Question" crowed The New York Times last week. "The Caucus" blog was referring to a conference call in which Romney top aides "seemed uncertain" about how to respond to a question about whether the former governor supported the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act...

Ralph Coleman CORNING, Mo. -- Ralph "Bud" Coleman, 86, of Corning, Ark., died Monday, April 23, 2012, at Corning Therapy and Living Center in Corning. Born Sept. 8, 1925 in Biggers, Ark., Mr. Coleman was a carpenter and farmer who loved to work. He attended Moark Highway Tabernacle...

Martha Baker EL PASO, Ill. -- Martha E. Baker, 85, of El Paso, Ill., died at Monday, April 23, 2012, at Heritage Health of El Paso, Ill. Mrs. Baker was born Oct. 2, 1926, in Broseley, Mo. She married Pearl Leo Baker on July 23, 1943 in Malden, Mo. He died Sept. 7, 1993...

Gloria Brewington PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Gloria L. Brewington, 66, of Piedmont, Mo., died Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont...

MALDEN, Mo. -- Othal Irvin, 95, of Malden, Mo., died Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden.

The Three Rivers pitching duo of Lauren Reinagel and Cendyl Carter led their team into uncharted territory Tuesday afternoon. The 1-2 punch gave up a combined two runs as Three Rivers beat Dyersburg State 8-0 in five innings and 6-2 at Rains Field. The sweep pushed the Lady Raiders to 45-15, two games better than the program record set in 2010...

Jerry Woods PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Jerry David Woods, 61, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Sunday, April 22, 2012, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Woods was born on Nov. 21, 1950 to the late George Rufus Woods and the late Margie Channel Woods in Caruthersville, Mo. He graduated from Caruthersville High School in 1969. On Jan. 2, 1994, he was baptized and joined Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He lived his adult life in Poplar Bluff...

Glenda Boles Williamsville, Mo. -- Glenda Boles, 68, of Williamsville, Mo., died Saturday, April 21, 2012, at her residence. Mrs. Boles was born was born on April 10, 1944, to the late Carl Weese and Pearl Walker Weese, in Seminole, Okla. She spent her childhood in Phillips, Texas, where she graduated from high school. Mrs. Boles was of the Christian faith. She was employed at Motts 5 and 10 Store, and also worked at Golden Meadows Elementary School in Garland, Texas...

Allean Triplett DEXTER, Mo. -- Allean Triplett, 96, Essex, Mo., died Monday, April 23, 2012, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter, Mo. Mrs. Triplett was born on Feb. 20, 1916, in Bernie, Mo. She had lived in Essex most of her life. She was a member of the South Pleasant Valley General Baptist Church near Dexter and was a member of the Eastern Star...

Linda Roetzel DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Linda Sue Roetzel, 59, of Fairdealing, Mo., died Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Roetzel was born May 14, 1951, in Benton Harbor, Mich. She was a housewife and enjoyed computer games and taking care of her family...

Eric and Veronica Jameson of Ellsinore, Mo., have chosen the name Jocelyn Faye Jameson for their 7-pound, 4.5-ounce daughter born at 7:06 p.m., Monday, March 26, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Jocelyn was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Rawland and Denise Thompson and Monty and Belinda Jameson, all of Ellsinore, Mo...

James Lawrence GIDEON, Mo. -- James Lester Lawrence, 90, of Gideon, Mo., died Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Lawrence was born March 8, 1922, in Appleton, Ark. He was a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Gideon. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II...

NEW MADRID -- Jeff Rowland capped a big day at the plate in the seventh inning Tuesday. The Poplar Bluff junior hit a 3-run home run to finish 4-for-4 with six RBIs in a 15-3 win at New Madrid Central. "He hit it a ton," Mules coach Stan Bullington said...

NAYLOR -- Charity McCoy had grand slam for Naylor as it beat Corning on Tuesday 14-7 to win its seventh game in eight contests. Kendal Rogers scored three runs while Mary Elder and Kayla Johnson each had two hits. Ericka Engelman got the win in the circle as she had nine strikeouts and allowed six hits for the Lady Eagles (10-5)...

"Romney Camp Stumbles on Pay Equity Question" crowed The New York Times last week. "The Caucus" blog was referring to a conference call in which Romney top aides "seemed uncertain" about how to respond to a question about whether the former governor supported the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act...

Twin Rivers senior Kaleb Doyle of Poplar Bluff, Mo., received the Robert A. 'Red' Graham Alumni Scholarship from the Mizzou Alumni Association at the University of Missouri. Robert A. 'Red' Graham established an endowment that provides scholarships to more than 100 students every year. ...

Greenville High School has announced its students of the month. They include: Austin Wayne Birmingham, son of Pam and Wayne Birmingham of Silva, Mo..whose parents are Pam and Wayne Birmingham of Silva. He is involved in basketball, FBLA, A+, Skills USA, FCCLA, Votech, French Club and Pep Club...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS The Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation does a yeoman's job of keeping track of how much we're paying in taxes and who's paying what. It turns out that American taxpayers worked this year from Jan. 1 to April 17, 107 days, to earn enough money to pay their federal, state and local tax bills. That statistic requires some clarification, and I ask my readers to help me examine it...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN When survival is at stake, one may hear from a politician not what he believes -- but what he thinks the people deciding his fate wish to hear. By that standard, what do the people of France, in the final weeks of their presidential election, wish to hear from their candidates?...

Ralph Coleman CORNING, Mo. -- Ralph "Bud" Coleman, 86, of Corning, Ark., died Monday, April 23, 2012, at Corning Therapy and Living Center in Corning. Born Sept. 8, 1925 in Biggers, Ark., Mr. Coleman was a carpenter and farmer who loved to work. He attended Moark Highway Tabernacle...

Pauline Cope Pauline Cope, 84, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at The Cedargate care center in Poplar Bluff. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

MALDEN, Mo. -- Othal Irvin, 95, of Malden, Mo., died Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden.

Gloria Brewington PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Gloria L. Brewington, 66, of Piedmont, Mo., died Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont...

EUREKA -- Carr Vernon, Collin Davis, Jake Russell and the Poplar Bluff golf team completed a district sweep Tuesday. The senior Mules won their fourth straight MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 title, winning by 12 strokes in advancing to the sectional tournament...

Eric and Veronica Jameson of Ellsinore, Mo., have chosen the name Jocelyn Faye Jameson for their 7-pound, 4.5-ounce daughter born at 7:06 p.m., Monday, March 26, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Jocelyn was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Rawland and Denise Thompson and Monty and Belinda Jameson, all of Ellsinore, Mo...

David Blaine is known for his magic show but for now on, Blaine Tanner will now be known for magically ending a 13-inning game. The Raiders freshman from North Little Rock, Ark. put down Mineral Area College for good Tuesday evening at Roger Pattillo Field...

The Three Rivers pitching duo of Lauren Reinagel and Cendyl Carter led their team into uncharted territory Tuesday afternoon. The 1-2 punch gave up a combined two runs as Three Rivers beat Dyersburg State 8-0 in five innings and 6-2 at Rains Field. The sweep pushed the Lady Raiders to 45-15, two games better than the program record set in 2010...

NAYLOR -- Charity McCoy had grand slam for Naylor as it beat Corning on Tuesday 14-7 to win its seventh game in eight contests. Kendal Rogers scored three runs while Mary Elder and Kayla Johnson each had two hits. Ericka Engelman got the win in the circle as she had nine strikeouts and allowed six hits for the Lady Eagles (10-5)...

Pauline Cope Pauline Cope, 84, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at The Cedargate care center in Poplar Bluff. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Twin Rivers senior Kaleb Doyle of Poplar Bluff, Mo., received the Robert A. 'Red' Graham Alumni Scholarship from the Mizzou Alumni Association at the University of Missouri. Robert A. 'Red' Graham established an endowment that provides scholarships to more than 100 students every year. ...