Stories from Wednesday, July 11, 2012

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer After the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requiring individuals to purchase insurance, area health care professionals and representatives are weighing in. Some believe the legislation is good news for Missourians, while others disagree...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Gaylon Lawrence Sr., 79, of Vero Beach, Fla., who is the owner of the First Missouri State banks in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Fisk, Mo., died Tuesday, July 10, 2012, in a Memphis, Tenn., hospital. In addition to owning other banks in three states, Lawrence owned large tracts of agricultural land in four states, citrus groves and businesses in Florida and an air-conditioning distribution center in California...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The following is a list of provisions already in effect, taken from healthcare.gov. Effective in 2010: • Tax credits of up to 35 percent for businesses with 25 or fewer employers that provide health insurance...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer A proposed new Three Rivers College campus in Willow Springs, Mo., will not open in the fall as planned. Three Rivers has yet to receive approval from the Missouri Coordinating Board of Higher Education (CBHE), a delay that frustrates both college officials and city leaders...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- As an armed career criminal under federal law, a Wayne County man was sentenced to 15 years in prison Tuesday for illegally possessing a firearm. Tommy James Perry, 33, was sentenced to 180 months on one felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm by U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr., according to the U.S. Attorney's Office...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

A gathering of family and friends to remember Jerry Blemker will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday in the Three Rivers Conference Room of the Holiday Inn. Mr. Blemker died May 30, 2012, at his home (known at the Dugout) in Poplar Bluff. His wife of 43 years, the former Nita Leamon, and their four children and families were with him...

By SYD HAYMAN Staff Writer The Butler County Fair Tractor Pull will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Ray Clinton Park's pull track. The competition judges tractor drivers on pulling a certain weight along the track. "Basically, it's a competition to see who can pull a weighted sled the farthest," Tractor Chairman Jeff Dunlap said...

By DALE McFEATTERS Scripps Howard News Service I think I pay as much attention as the average person -- well, maybe less, maybe even a lot less --but I confess upfront I had never heard of a derecho. If on a quiz show I had been asked to define "derecho" I would have said it's German for what you hear back when you yodel...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS One of the more difficult lessons to teach economics neophytes -- and, many times, trained economists -- is that economic theory cannot say anything definitive about subjective statements, such as what's better, good, bad or worse. Let's try a few examples to make the point...

Plans for a future multi-family development on the west side of Channon Street north of the Brent Tinnin Apartments were discussed during the Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Monday night. Ozark Holding Company has filed an application to rezone 3.41 acres from RS-2 general residential to RA-1 residential apartment. If the rezoning is approved, Ozark Holding Company plans to sell the site to someone who is interested constructing apartments...

CHARLESTON --The Poplar Bluff Thunder were a little antsy at the plate early in Tuesday afternoon's Missouri Senior Babe Ruth Tournament semifinal. The Thunder couldn't quite adjust to Jackson's soft-tossing left-hander so coach Jeff Null had to get a little more strategic for his team to get on base...

On Monday, July 2, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary to Post 29 met at 7 p.m. at the post home. Dinner was served at 6 p.m. before the business meeting. Pat Danner, president, opened the meeting; Shirley Clark, chaplain, offered a prayer. Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the Code of Ethics...

SMITHVILLE -- Poplar Bluff golfer Ryan McVey finished tied for 74th at the Missouri Junior Amateur Championship at Paradise Point Golf Course. McVey shot a 9-over-par 81 to finish at 15-over 159 whlle Hunter Pyland was tied for 85th at 162 and John Gilmore ended up tied for 94th at 164...

The 34th Annual District Dance called the Semo Summer Swing will be held on Saturday in Arcadia, Mo. This year's dance is hosted by the Arcadia Valley Do Si Do's and will be held at the Arcadia Academy on South College Street. Larry Daven port from Munfordville, Ky. will call and Donna Barks from Glenn Allen, Missouri will cue round and line dancing. The square dance will be from 7:30 - 10 p.m. with pre-rounds beginning at 7 p.m...

Bill Shelton PIEDMONT, MO. - William E. "Bill" Shelton, 82, of Piedmont, Mo. died Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at his home near Piedmont. He was born Dec. 13, 1929 in Piedmont. He was a Korean War veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1956. He was discharged with a Purple Heart from wounds suffered in battle. ...

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- Level Ground will perform at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Lake Wappapello Outdoor Theatre The Pierce family brothers, Tom, Jeff and Dan, along with their mother, Daphna, will provide listeners with acoustic bluegrass gospel music. Open jam sessions are featured on Saturday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m...

Rachel Pritchett QULIN, Mo. -- Rachel B. Pritchett, 84, of Qulin, Mo., died Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at Westwood Hills Health Care Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Pritchett was born Sept. 5, 1927, in Marmaduke, Ark. She had lived at Qulin since 2008 and had formerly lived in Florida for about 10 years. She had lived in Michigan for several years and was employed at General Motors...

Peggy Shemwell WEST PLAINS, Mo. -- Funeral services for Peggy Jean Shemwell, 74, of West Plains, Mo., will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, July 12, 2012, at First Baptist Church in West Plains, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home of West Plains...

Ludic Opal Joyce MALDEN- Mo. - Ludic Opal Joyce, 96, of Parma, Mo., died Monday, July 9, 2012, at Gideon, Mo. Mrs. Joyce was born Oct. 7, 1915, in Scott County, Mo. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Parma. A housewife, she was married to Reecie Joyce Oct. 7, 1933, at Risco, Mo. He preceded her in death Feb. 22, 1960...

Norma Jean McNece Bishop BERNIE, MO. - Norma Jean McNece Bishop, of Ridgeland, Miss., died at 11:06 a.m. Monday, July 9, 2012. Survivors are a daughter, Joann Bishop Hoover of Dickson, Tenn.; four sons, Earl Everete Bishop Jr. of Mansfield, Texas, David Earl Bishop, Sr. ...

Greg and Allison Bell of Broseley have chosen the name Blayne Turner Bell for their 7-pound, 14-ounce son born at 2:16 p.m. Thursday, May 24, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Terry and Renae Hicks and Gary and Peggy McDonald, all of Poplar Bluff; great-grandparents, Mary Thurman, Marvin and Mildred Hicks, Eva Toole, Thurlow and Betty Webb, all of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Wanda McDonald of Malden...

Jason Leroy Tidwell Jr. Jason Leroy Tidwell Jr., 4, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Sunday, July 8, 2012, at Children's Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. He was born April 1, 2008, in Poplar Bluff, where he had been a resident all his life. He enjoyed playing with cars. Mater was his favorite car...

Amber Lynn Granier and Danny Jake Baehr II of Poplar Bluff, Mo., have chosen the name Braelynn Elena Baehr for their 9-pound, 2-ounce daughter born at 4:14 p.m., Monday, June 18, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace in Cape Girardeau, Mo...

Debbie Williams Debra Sue "Debbie" Williams, 57, of St. Peters, Mo., died Thursday, July 5, 2012, at St. Joseph West Hospital in Lake St. Louis, Mo. Ms. Williams was born June 16, 1955, in St. Louis, Mo. She was of the Protestant faith. Employed with Verizon as a customer representative since 1974, Ms. ...

Hubert Paul (Joe) Robertson MOBILE. ALA. - Judge Hubert Paul (Joe) Robertson, of Mobile, Ala., died June 29, 2012. He was 86. He was born Feb. 21, 1926 in Poplar Bluff. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve, where he served until 1946. In 1944, Robertson served aboard the Liberty ship S.S. ...

Carl Bazzell Carl Bazzell, 71, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Brittney Ann and Preston Ray Edelman of Broseley, Mo., have chosen the name Gavin Jacoby Edelman for their 6-pound, 9-ounce son born at 2:44 p.m., Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Grandparents are Larry and Barbara Thompson of Fisk, Mo., Dee Edelman and Ray Hicks, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

A gathering of family and friends to remember Jerry Blemker will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday in the Three Rivers Conference Room of the Holiday Inn. Mr. Blemker died May 30, 2012, at his home (known at the Dugout) in Poplar Bluff. His wife of 43 years, the former Nita Leamon, and their four children and families were with him...

By DALE McFEATTERS Scripps Howard News Service I think I pay as much attention as the average person -- well, maybe less, maybe even a lot less --but I confess upfront I had never heard of a derecho. If on a quiz show I had been asked to define "derecho" I would have said it's German for what you hear back when you yodel...

The list Following is a list of the top 20 most impactful TV moments of the past 50 years, according to the study. 1 September 11 attacks 2001 2 Hurricane Katrina - the levees break 2005 3 OJ Simpson murder verdict 1995 4 Challenger space shuttle disaster 1986...

Plans for a future multi-family development on the west side of Channon Street north of the Brent Tinnin Apartments were discussed during the Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Monday night. Ozark Holding Company has filed an application to rezone 3.41 acres from RS-2 general residential to RA-1 residential apartment. If the rezoning is approved, Ozark Holding Company plans to sell the site to someone who is interested constructing apartments...

CHARLESTON --The Poplar Bluff Thunder were a little antsy at the plate early in Tuesday afternoon's Missouri Senior Babe Ruth Tournament semifinal. The Thunder couldn't quite adjust to Jackson's soft-tossing left-hander so coach Jeff Null had to get a little more strategic for his team to get on base...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...