Stories from Thursday, June 21, 2012

By SYD HAYMAN Staff Writer A year ago, Poplar Bluff, Mo., resident Marty Warner would not have imagined her determination to do something for herself would result in a four-month, self-financed trip to Guatemala. After the death of her husband last July, Warner decided to leave her 5-year substitute teaching gig in Poplar Bluff behind in order take a trip to improve her Spanish and do social work in the Central American country...

The Public Safety Institute at Three Rivers College recently received its fourth state-funded fire training grant in less than a year. The Missouri Division of Fire Safety will release $115,000 to Three Rivers by July 1. The funds will be used to provide training sessions to fire departments across Missouri...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Butler County Coroner Jim Akers says the addition of a mobile X-ray machine and a larger refrigerated facility will make his office better able to handle not only large-scale emergencies, but day-to-day operations. Both items were purchased from a state surplus program with disasters like the Joplin, Mo., tornado in mind, said Akers. The tornado killed about 160 people a little over a year ago...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Two area men will participate in national political party conventions this year, just like they did in 2008. Hardy Billington of Poplar Bluff, Mo., will be at the National Republican Convention Aug. 27-30 in the Tampa Bay Times Forum at Tampa, Fla...

Corn-on-the-cob is always a favorite of my family during the 4th of July holiday. We all enjoy this delicious veggie. Recently I have been seeing signs for fresh sweet corn for sale. You should be finding fresh sweet corn at your favorite roadside stand or grocery...

Butler County Fair 2012 will feature for the first time rabbit and poultry exhibits Thursday, July 12, and Friday, July 13. The classes for rabbits are: dwarf, general, and meat. General classes for poultry include: turkey, fancy, meat/layer, and waterfowl. ...

This year's Butler County Fair Demolition Derby will offer action, excitement and drama, said Demo Derby Co-Chairman Derek Boyers. Boyers invites everyone to attend this year's event which he says, continues to be popular in Southeast Missouri. It is impossible to know what is going to happen next...

The University of Missouri Spring Semester 2012 dean's list is now available. Those students from the Poplar Bluff area include: Harviell, Mo. Jansen Reid Hoggard, Sophomore, Engineering Poplar Bluff, mo. Robyn Breanna Barks-Singer, Freshman, Business; Kathryn Bailie Blaich, Junior, Arts & Science; Aaron Michael Boner, Sophomore, Arts & Science; Asim Karim Choudhary, Senior, Arts & Science; Adam T Davis, Senior, Arts & Science; Grace Erin Griffith, Junior, Nursing; Kanwal L Haq, Senior, Arts & Science; Jillian Leigh Jackson, Junior, Journalism; Molly Paige Landers, Senior, Human Environment Science; Marissa Kimberly McLane, Freshman, Health Professions; Taylor Nathanial Price, Senior, Business; Darby Ruth Provance, Sophomore, Business; Sierra Nicole Schrieber, Junior, Journalism; Brooke Danielle Wiley, Freshman, Journalism; Benjamin Asa Wyatt, Senior, Engineering. ...

The Missouri State Society Daughters of the American Revolution has honored Poplar Bluff veteran Nicholas Haskins in their ongoing project recognizing Missouri veterans. The Daughters of the American Revolution honor with pride those men and women who, through their service at home or abroad, past and present, have contributed or are contributing towards our nation's ongoing efforts to maintain peace throughout the world, and secure our homeland security...

Due to the second largest smallmouth bass ever to be weighed in after their tournaments, Paul and Kason Henderson won first place with 13.65 pounds. Kason, the youngest participant in the tournament, landed the big bass, which tipped the scales at 4.51 pounds...

By PAUL DAVIS Outdoors Editor About 250 waterfowl supporters turned out for Saturday's 75th Anniversary Ducks Unlimited banquet and auction at the Black River Coliseum, an event hosted by 12 Southeast Missouri Ducks Unlimited chapters. "It was one of the most exciting banquets, and it was awesome to see the teamwork, all the chapters working as one," said Ducks Unlimited Regional Director Jimbo Robinson...

To the Editor: As with all food pantries, shelves are bare. The need to aid the less fortunate continues to grow. On Wednesday, June 6, the Southeast Missouri Food Bank conducted a "stuff the truck" drive to help the hungry of Southeast Missouri. Lake Wappapello United Methodist Church food pantry was a recipient of the food collected by Larry Hillis Dodge in Poplar Bluff...

By PAUL DAVIS Outdoors Editor From humble beginnings as a simple rifle range near Hilliard, Mo., to its current 40-acre complex off Butler County Road 546, the Poplar Bluff Gun Club continues to fulfill its mission of offering firearm owners a safe place to shoot while introducing newcomers to the shooting sports...

By MONA CHAREN In 1999, Christopher Hitchens penned an acid reflection on the presidency of Bill Clinton, titled "No One Left To Lie To." The verdict on the presidency of Barack Obama, at least during this campaign season, might be No One Left to Pander To. In three and a half years, we've gone from the "audacity of hope" to the "shameless palm grease."...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Republican officials say they're willing to negotiate an end to a potential constitutional confrontation in a document dispute, but only if the Obama administration turns over more emails and memos related to the flawed "Fast and Furious" gun-tracking operation...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Trent Hillis and Carr Vernon advanced to match play in the 105th Missouri Amateur Championships. Hillis shot a 2-over-par 74 Wednesday at Dalhousie Golf Club to finish the 36-hole stroke play part of the tournament tied for 13th at 5-over 149. Vernon was a stroke back tied for 19th with his 1-over 73...

Three Rivers basketball runs in the Sprewell family and the Raiders will feature another Sprewell next season. Ayinde Sprewell, a 6-foot-3 guard out of Agape Christian in Orlando, Fla. recently signed his letter of intent to play for the Raiders. "I picked there because it is one of the best schools in the country," Sprewell said. "It is a place I can see myself succeeding at...

Shopping mall on East Side? Yeah, I would be glad to build a shopping center over on the east side with all those blighted houses if I could get the city council to pay for it. Thank you, Ryan Kizer. Don't pick and choose sins The Gay Sin: Between you and God and you and the government...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Brevin Giebler certainly was hoping to get off to a better start than 4-over par on the front nine Wednesday afternoon at the 105th Missouri Amateur. What transpired on the back nine more than made up for it. Giebler shot a flawless 8-under-par 28 on the back nine to post a 68 on the day and capture the medalist honor in the stroke-play portion at Dalhousie Golf Club...

Like a lot young adults, Patty Robinson found her passion while in college. Robinson, who is a Poplar Bluff native and graduate in 1965, was introduced to the game of golf while attending Arkansas State University. From there, the sport has taken her around the country and world and she still can't get enough...

Richard Warn Richard Earl Warn, 78, of Harviell, Mo., died Saturday, June 16, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Warn was born July 3, 1933 in Grand Rapids, Mich., and was a graduate of Grand Rapids Junior College. His profession was accounting, and he was employed by Perry Oceanographics, Permatex and Goodwill Industries in West Palm Beach, Fla., and had a small business also in North Carolina...

Virgilene Underwood Virgilene Underwood, 74, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Underwood was born on July 27, 1937, in Swartz Creek, Mich. She was a member of Palace of Praise in Poplar Bluff...

Charles Jordan QULIN, Mo. -- Charles "Chuck" Jordan, 74, of Qulin, Mo., died Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at Oakdale Assisted Living Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Jordan was born April 10, 1938 at Portageville, Mo. He had lived around Qulin for the past 43 years and was owner and operator of Chuck's Restoration and Carpet Cleaning Service and owned and operated rental properties. ...

Carol Adams FISK, Mo. -- Carol Adams, 69, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at her residence. Mrs. Adams was born Nov. 20, 1942, in Fisk, Mo. She had lived at Dexter for 15 years and had formerly worked at Tyson's and Cypress Point Nursing Home...

Veatrice Denbow Veatrice M. Denbow, 85, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, June 21, 2012, at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff, Mo

Joseph Geuin DEXTER, Mo. -- Joseph Geuin, 56, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Geuin was born on Jan. 3, 1956, in De Ridder, La. He affiliated with United Pentecostal Church, where he was a member of the ministerial alliance for 39 years. He was the senior pastor of First Pentecostal Church in Dexter...

Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education has held votes in two special closed session meetings concerning the head boys basketball coach, but has not been able to fill the position. The board voted 4-3 on Thursday, June 14 against hiring Rod Baxter to for the coaching position and the At Risk/Graduation Center teaching job vacated by Lamont Frazier. ...

A blood drive will be held from 2-6 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, Fifth and Main streets.

Corn-on-the-cob is always a favorite of my family during the 4th of July holiday. We all enjoy this delicious veggie. Recently I have been seeing signs for fresh sweet corn for sale. You should be finding fresh sweet corn at your favorite roadside stand or grocery...

This year's Butler County Fair Demolition Derby will offer action, excitement and drama, said Demo Derby Co-Chairman Derek Boyers. Boyers invites everyone to attend this year's event which he says, continues to be popular in Southeast Missouri. It is impossible to know what is going to happen next...

Butler County Fair 2012 will feature for the first time rabbit and poultry exhibits Thursday, July 12, and Friday, July 13. The classes for rabbits are: dwarf, general, and meat. General classes for poultry include: turkey, fancy, meat/layer, and waterfowl. ...

The University of Missouri Spring Semester 2012 dean's list is now available. Those students from the Poplar Bluff area include: Harviell, Mo. Jansen Reid Hoggard, Sophomore, Engineering Poplar Bluff, mo. Robyn Breanna Barks-Singer, Freshman, Business; Kathryn Bailie Blaich, Junior, Arts & Science; Aaron Michael Boner, Sophomore, Arts & Science; Asim Karim Choudhary, Senior, Arts & Science; Adam T Davis, Senior, Arts & Science; Grace Erin Griffith, Junior, Nursing; Kanwal L Haq, Senior, Arts & Science; Jillian Leigh Jackson, Junior, Journalism; Molly Paige Landers, Senior, Human Environment Science; Marissa Kimberly McLane, Freshman, Health Professions; Taylor Nathanial Price, Senior, Business; Darby Ruth Provance, Sophomore, Business; Sierra Nicole Schrieber, Junior, Journalism; Brooke Danielle Wiley, Freshman, Journalism; Benjamin Asa Wyatt, Senior, Engineering. ...

The Missouri State Society Daughters of the American Revolution has honored Poplar Bluff veteran Nicholas Haskins in their ongoing project recognizing Missouri veterans. The Daughters of the American Revolution honor with pride those men and women who, through their service at home or abroad, past and present, have contributed or are contributing towards our nation's ongoing efforts to maintain peace throughout the world, and secure our homeland security...

Due to the second largest smallmouth bass ever to be weighed in after their tournaments, Paul and Kason Henderson won first place with 13.65 pounds. Kason, the youngest participant in the tournament, landed the big bass, which tipped the scales at 4.51 pounds...

By PAUL DAVIS Outdoors Editor About 250 waterfowl supporters turned out for Saturday's 75th Anniversary Ducks Unlimited banquet and auction at the Black River Coliseum, an event hosted by 12 Southeast Missouri Ducks Unlimited chapters. "It was one of the most exciting banquets, and it was awesome to see the teamwork, all the chapters working as one," said Ducks Unlimited Regional Director Jimbo Robinson...

To the Editor: As with all food pantries, shelves are bare. The need to aid the less fortunate continues to grow. On Wednesday, June 6, the Southeast Missouri Food Bank conducted a "stuff the truck" drive to help the hungry of Southeast Missouri. Lake Wappapello United Methodist Church food pantry was a recipient of the food collected by Larry Hillis Dodge in Poplar Bluff...

By MONA CHAREN In 1999, Christopher Hitchens penned an acid reflection on the presidency of Bill Clinton, titled "No One Left To Lie To." The verdict on the presidency of Barack Obama, at least during this campaign season, might be No One Left to Pander To. In three and a half years, we've gone from the "audacity of hope" to the "shameless palm grease."...

Three Rivers basketball runs in the Sprewell family and the Raiders will feature another Sprewell next season. Ayinde Sprewell, a 6-foot-3 guard out of Agape Christian in Orlando, Fla. recently signed his letter of intent to play for the Raiders. "I picked there because it is one of the best schools in the country," Sprewell said. "It is a place I can see myself succeeding at...

Virgilene Underwood Virgilene Underwood, 74, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Underwood was born on July 27, 1937, in Swartz Creek, Mich. She was a member of Palace of Praise in Poplar Bluff...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Trent Hillis and Carr Vernon advanced to match play in the 105th Missouri Amateur Championships. Hillis shot a 2-over-par 74 Wednesday at Dalhousie Golf Club to finish the 36-hole stroke play part of the tournament tied for 13th at 5-over 149. Vernon was a stroke back tied for 19th with his 1-over 73...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Brevin Giebler certainly was hoping to get off to a better start than 4-over par on the front nine Wednesday afternoon at the 105th Missouri Amateur. What transpired on the back nine more than made up for it. Giebler shot a flawless 8-under-par 28 on the back nine to post a 68 on the day and capture the medalist honor in the stroke-play portion at Dalhousie Golf Club...

A blood drive will be held from 2-6 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, Fifth and Main streets.

Carol Adams FISK, Mo. -- Carol Adams, 69, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at her residence. Mrs. Adams was born Nov. 20, 1942, in Fisk, Mo. She had lived at Dexter for 15 years and had formerly worked at Tyson's and Cypress Point Nursing Home...

Joseph Geuin DEXTER, Mo. -- Joseph Geuin, 56, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Geuin was born on Jan. 3, 1956, in De Ridder, La. He affiliated with United Pentecostal Church, where he was a member of the ministerial alliance for 39 years. He was the senior pastor of First Pentecostal Church in Dexter...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Republican officials say they're willing to negotiate an end to a potential constitutional confrontation in a document dispute, but only if the Obama administration turns over more emails and memos related to the flawed "Fast and Furious" gun-tracking operation...