Stories from Tuesday, June 19, 2012

NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Transportation will hold an open-house community briefing 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, in the Neelyville City Hall to discuss additional Safe & Sound bridge improvement projects in Butler County. "Those interested in the upcoming projects can stop by anytime between 4 and 6 p.m. to discuss the project plans with a member of the Safe & Sound team," said District Construction and Materials Engineer Andy Meyer...

By MELISSA MILLER SEMO News Service As the summer heat is just beginning, Southeast Missouri has already seen several ground-level ozone readings above EPA limits. It's a troubling trend for economic developers to watch with another review of ozone standards set to begin next year...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor CORNING, Ark. -- The body of a unidentified man was found near Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Clay County, Ark., around 5:45 p.m. Saturday. Clay County Sheriff Gerald McClung said a crew member on a stopped northbound freight train spotted the body between Corning, Ark., and Knobel, Ark...

By ROBERT OVERMANN SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- What could be the most celebrated and accomplished lineup of speakers yet for the University Speaker Series is coming to Southeast Missouri State University this fall and next spring. Retired U.S. Army general Colin L. Powell and former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa highlight the 2012-2013 University Speaker Series...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The Poplar Bluff Police Department urges residents to be careful when accepting $20 bills after six reports of counterfeit money were made in recent days. Taco Bell Express, the AT&T store, Sonic and JD's Quick Stop have received the fake money since Tuesday, most over the weekend, according to Deputy Police Chief Jeff Rolland. A resident also reported receiving a counterfeit bill in change from Calhoun's Food Rite...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Cravens Road is closed from the north side of Con-Way Trucking Company to the Union Pacific Railroad to allow for completion work on the Poplar Bluff Industrial Park Bypass. "The contractor expects the road may be closed 2-3 weeks," said Greg Bell of the Smith and Company engineering firm in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

By ROBERT OVERMANN SEMO News Service Crops and lawns across Southeast Missouri are particularly thirsty in the wake of an unusually dry spring, with no relief coming in the near future, according to National Weather Service forecasts. Many areas across the country are in a drought after a dry spring, and much of Southeast Missouri's prime farming area is experiencing severe drought conditions...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor While good progress continues to be made on the five laning of Oak Grove Road and a new interchange at Bypass 67, an amendment to the city general fund budget concerning the Oak Grove project was approved by the Poplar Bluff City Council Monday night...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Low bids totaling $2,365,820 for three Phase II water improvement projects were accepted by the Poplar Bluff City Council Monday night. Robertson Inc. of Poplar Bluff, Mo., was awarded a $1,407,350 contract for construction of a river intake structure...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Two requests from the Butler County Fair Board were presented during the public comment period at the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Monday night. Council members approved shooting off the fireworks display at 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 4. The display is sponsored annually by the Briggs & Stratton Corp. plant in Poplar Bluff...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Doniphan attorney Christopher J. Miller was appointed Monday as the new Ripley County prosecuting attorney by Gov. Jay Nixon. Miller, who has been serving as prosecutor in an interim capacity since 5 p.m. Friday, was selected by the governor to fill the vacancy created after the resignation of the former prosecuting attorney, Monte C. Phillips...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor CORNING, Ark. -- The body of a unidentified man was found near Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Clay County, Ark., around 5:45 p.m. Saturday. Clay County Sheriff Gerald McClung said a crew member on a stopped northbound freight train spotted the body between Corning, Ark., and Knobel, Ark...

By ROBERT OVERMANN SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- What could be the most celebrated and accomplished lineup of speakers yet for the University Speaker Series is coming to Southeast Missouri State University this fall and next spring. Retired U.S. Army general Colin L. Powell and former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa highlight the 2012-2013 University Speaker Series...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Doniphan attorney Christopher J. Miller was appointed Monday as the new Ripley County prosecuting attorney by Gov. Jay Nixon. Miller, who has been serving as prosecutor in an interim capacity since 5 p.m. Friday, was selected by the governor to fill the vacancy created after the resignation of the former prosecuting attorney, Monte C. Phillips...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Cravens Road is closed from the north side of Con-Way Trucking Company to the Union Pacific Railroad to allow for completion work on the Poplar Bluff Industrial Park Bypass. "The contractor expects the road may be closed 2-3 weeks," said Greg Bell of the Smith and Company engineering firm in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Iceland is hot By BILL O'REILLY REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- President Obama would like Iceland. Geo-thermal energy, free health care and high taxes dominate the landscape. Obama would be in his element even if the actual elements are a bit harsh. Iceland is definitely worth a look if you want to understand the president's vision for America, which is why I have traveled here...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN "History does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes," said Mark Twain. Observing the uprising in Syria, the atrocities, the intervention by rival powers, it all calls to mind the Great Rehearsal for World War II, the Spanish Civil War...

By OLIVER NORTH WASHINGTON -- Senior members of Congress -- both Republicans and Democrats -- are reacting with shock and awe at the tsunami of national security leaks emanating from the Obama administration. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, told Greta Van Susteren on Fox News Channel that the unauthorized disclosures of classified information are "the most egregious breach of national security" he ever has seen. ...

Get tested I'm reading Monday's paper and it says On the Use Common Sense, Get Tested from the man with the PSA. I am here to tell you that thanks to the PSA test I still have my husband of 15 years since he had his. The PSA was right. They took it again in one month and he had prostrate cancer and treated it and cured it. ...

From Staff Reports Common sense couponing is a way of life for Women Aware member Tiffany Jenkins. Jenkins will share her couponing techniques with others at a luncheon sponsored by the Women Aware Inc. of Poplar Bluff, Mo., at noon Tuesday, June 26, at the Holiday Inn...

Area Ark. St. grads JONESBORO, Ark. -- A school record spring class of more than 2,000 candidates from 32 states and eight countries received diplomas as Arkansas State University's 2012 spring commencement ceremonies May 12. Graduates from the Poplar Bluff area include:...

The Butler County fair is nearly here! "We hope you will consider entering your home canned jars of garden produce in the fair. You may enter your canned goods at the Butler County Fair from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, or from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. Thursday, July 12, at the Black River Coliseum," said Phyllis Flanigan, University of Missouri Extension...

The Missouri State Highway Patrol will suspended temporarily motorcycle skills testing at the Poplar Bluff, Mo., driver examination station on July 9, 10 and 13 due to another event at the site. Written examinations and Class E and Class F skills tests still will be offered as normally scheduled...

Leader Linda Morgan called the weekly Wednesday meeting of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) MO 734 to order at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. In attendance were 19 TOPS and six KOPS members. Lou Ann Wrather, secretary, read the secretary's report which was approved...

2 students graduate from UCM WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- Area residents were among the more than 1,000 individuals who were eligible to participate in the University of Central Missouri's 2011 spring commencement exercises May 4-5 in the university's Multipurpose Building. Students who completed their degree requirements by the end of the fall 2011 semester were honored at the event...

The Butler County Fair Bar-B-Que contest will be held Friday and Saturday, July 6-7, at the Ray Clinton Park in Poplar Bluff, Mo. The event is sponsored by the Butler County Fair Board. According to Chairman David Johnson setup will be held Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. The cooks meeting will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. and the meat inspection will be held 6 to 9 p.m...

Chase Edward Allen McGee is the name chosen by Tyler McGee and Breanna Allen of Poplar Bluff, Mo., for their 6-pound, 15-ounce son born at 8:41 p.m., on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Chase was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Larry and Penny Allen of Ellsinore, Mo., Ed McGee of Harviell, Mo. and Lori Reid-McGee of Naylor, Mo...

Russell and Andrea Cross of Poplar Bluff, Mo., have chosen the name Lydia Ann Cross for their 8-pound, 6.5-ounce daughter born at 10:03 a.m., Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She is 19 inches long. Grandparents are Mary and Larry Cross of Poplar Bluff and Daryl and Marjorie Seckman of East Liverpool, Ohio...

By PHYLLIS FLANIGAN University of Missouri Extension The Butler County Fair Car, Truck, Motorcycle, and Antique Tractor Show will be held Saturday, July 14, at the Ray Clinton Park in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Registration will be held from 9 a.m. until noon according to committee chair, David Johnson. Entry fee will be $10 per car. There will be three trophies given per class. Judging will be held from noon until 3 p.m. and awards will be given at 4 p.m...

Horse show at co. fair The horse judging event will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 11. The classes will be: Stallions, Geldings, Mares, and Buckaroo (kid's class). The Mule Classes will be: John Mule and Molly Mule - draft and riding. Coggins papers are required. Riders are expected from many counties in Southeast Missouri, as well as Northeast Arkansas, Southern Illinois, Western Tennessee, and Kentucky...

American flag deserves honor As noted on page 7A of today's Daily American Republic, June 14th is Flag Day. A summary of flag etiquette is given on that page. Next time you attend a parade observe how very few parade onlookers stand at attention when the flag held by the honor guard passes in front of them. ...

Charles Powers STEELE, Mo. -- Charles Edward Powers, 72, of Wappapello, Mo., died Saturday, June 16, 2012 in Wappapello, Mo. Mr. Powers was born April 29, 1940, at Augusta, Ark. He was a retired Missouri State Trooper in Troop E. He later worked for Holloway Distributors in Puxico...

Jerry Seabaugh DEXTER, Mo. -- Jerry Lee Seabaugh, 64, of Dexter, Mo., died Monday, June 18, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Seabaugh was born Oct. 8, 1947, in Scopus, Mo. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church of Dexter, an active member of Kenady-Hanks American Legion Post 59 and served as the commander from 2007-2009. ...

Edna Mae O'Dell VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Edna Mae O'Dell, 86, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Van Buren, Mo., died Saturday, June 16, 2012, in Westwood Hills Health and Rehab in Poplar Bluff. Born on April 3, 1926 in Youngstown, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late James R. and Naomi (Thomas) Gill...

Allen Duane Richey HATTIESBURG, MISS. - Allen Duane Richey, 55, of Hattiesburg, Miss., lost his battle with cancer on Friday, June 15, 2012 at his home. Services with Military Honors will be held at 10 a.m. with visitation from 9 - 10 a.m., Wednesday at Kensington Woods Church of Christ, 415 S. 40th Ave. Cremation has taken place and his remains will be taken to Wyoming at a later date...

Dorothy James LITTLE ROCK, ARK. -- Dorothy Mae Brittingham James, 77, of Little Rock, Ark., died Saturday, June 16, 2012. She was born in Fisk, Mo., to the late George and Lois Sickles Brittingham. She married Curtis Ray James while living in St. Louis and later moved to Little Rock in 1972. She loved the outdoors where she camped and fished. She was also a great cook and frequently cooked meals for the whole family...

J.D Hazelwood PIDEMONT, MO. - John David "J.D" Hazelwood, 69, of Piedmont, Mo., died Friday, June 15, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Hazelwood was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 4, 1942. He worked as a general laborer at a machine shop in Texas before retiring to the Piedmont area...

Rt. 158 bridge repairs Wed. and Thurs. HARVIELL, Mo. -- Highway 158 between Butler County Road 341 and Highway 142 will be reduced to one lane from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday for bridge repairs by Missouri Department of Transportation crews...

By OLIVER NORTH WASHINGTON -- Senior members of Congress -- both Republicans and Democrats -- are reacting with shock and awe at the tsunami of national security leaks emanating from the Obama administration. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, told Greta Van Susteren on Fox News Channel that the unauthorized disclosures of classified information are "the most egregious breach of national security" he ever has seen. ...

Get tested I'm reading Monday's paper and it says On the Use Common Sense, Get Tested from the man with the PSA. I am here to tell you that thanks to the PSA test I still have my husband of 15 years since he had his. The PSA was right. They took it again in one month and he had prostrate cancer and treated it and cured it. ...

Area Ark. St. grads JONESBORO, Ark. -- A school record spring class of more than 2,000 candidates from 32 states and eight countries received diplomas as Arkansas State University's 2012 spring commencement ceremonies May 12. Graduates from the Poplar Bluff area include:...

2 students graduate from UCM WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- Area residents were among the more than 1,000 individuals who were eligible to participate in the University of Central Missouri's 2011 spring commencement exercises May 4-5 in the university's Multipurpose Building. Students who completed their degree requirements by the end of the fall 2011 semester were honored at the event...

Chase Edward Allen McGee is the name chosen by Tyler McGee and Breanna Allen of Poplar Bluff, Mo., for their 6-pound, 15-ounce son born at 8:41 p.m., on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Chase was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Larry and Penny Allen of Ellsinore, Mo., Ed McGee of Harviell, Mo. and Lori Reid-McGee of Naylor, Mo...

Horse show at co. fair The horse judging event will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 11. The classes will be: Stallions, Geldings, Mares, and Buckaroo (kid's class). The Mule Classes will be: John Mule and Molly Mule - draft and riding. Coggins papers are required. Riders are expected from many counties in Southeast Missouri, as well as Northeast Arkansas, Southern Illinois, Western Tennessee, and Kentucky...

Russell and Andrea Cross of Poplar Bluff, Mo., have chosen the name Lydia Ann Cross for their 8-pound, 6.5-ounce daughter born at 10:03 a.m., Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She is 19 inches long. Grandparents are Mary and Larry Cross of Poplar Bluff and Daryl and Marjorie Seckman of East Liverpool, Ohio...

By PHYLLIS FLANIGAN University of Missouri Extension The Butler County Fair Car, Truck, Motorcycle, and Antique Tractor Show will be held Saturday, July 14, at the Ray Clinton Park in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Registration will be held from 9 a.m. until noon according to committee chair, David Johnson. Entry fee will be $10 per car. There will be three trophies given per class. Judging will be held from noon until 3 p.m. and awards will be given at 4 p.m...

Rt. 158 bridge repairs Wed. and Thurs. HARVIELL, Mo. -- Highway 158 between Butler County Road 341 and Highway 142 will be reduced to one lane from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday for bridge repairs by Missouri Department of Transportation crews...