Stories from Thursday, August 16, 2012

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor DONIPHAN, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff, Mo., early head start teacher, who doubles as a bail bondsman, was arraigned earlier this week in Ripley County after being charged with possessing prescription pain pills she allegedly accepted in exchange for bond money owed her...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A former Poplar Bluff, Mo., man pleaded guilty Tuesday to molesting an infant left in his care for a short time in March. Lance Walter Hada, 21, of Hiram, Mo., pleaded guilty as charged to the Class B felony of first-degree child molestation, Butler County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ted Thompson said...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Procedures for a mail-in election regarding the creation of the proposed Poplar Bluff Regional Transportation Development District and a new sales tax that goes with it are included in an order signed by Judge Michael Pritchett in Butler County Circuit Court...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The Butler County Commission will conduct a public hearing on the proposed county tax rates at 9 a.m. Friday in the courthouse. There is no change in the county tax rates for the eighth consecutive year. They will remain at 9.95 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for the general fund and 3.42 cents for the road and bridge fund, according to Butler County Clerk Tonyi Deffendall...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A former Poplar Bluff, Mo., man pleaded guilty Tuesday to molesting an infant left in his care for a short time in March. Lance Walter Hada, 21, of Hiram, Mo., pleaded guilty as charged to the Class B felony of first-degree child molestation, Butler County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ted Thompson said...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor DONIPHAN, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff, Mo., early head start teacher, who doubles as a bail bondsman, was arraigned earlier this week in Ripley County after being charged with possessing prescription pain pills she allegedly accepted in exchange for bond money owed her...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Procedures for a mail-in election regarding the creation of the proposed Poplar Bluff Regional Transportation Development District and a new sales tax that goes with it are included in an order signed by Judge Michael Pritchett in Butler County Circuit Court...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The Butler County Commission will conduct a public hearing on the proposed county tax rates at 9 a.m. Friday in the courthouse. There is no change in the county tax rates for the eighth consecutive year. They will remain at 9.95 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for the general fund and 3.42 cents for the road and bridge fund, according to Butler County Clerk Tonyi Deffendall...

By BILL O'REILLY The presidential campaign made a stop this week in Sherwood Forest, as President Obama has declared his opponent, Mitt Romney, "Romney Hood," a play on the Robin Hood legend. The president is contending that Romney wants to take money from working Americans through taxation and give it to people like Donald Trump. ...

Green Thumb Garden Club announces its 2012 Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Matthew Boyles, son of Donna Scott and Larry Boyles. Boyles is earning a bachelor's degree in agriculture business: plant and soil science, at Southeast Missouri State University where he has a 3.5 GPA. He plans to continue working at his family's business, Boyles Farm Service, Inc., in Fisk, Mo., after he graduates in 2014...

Hunter Wright, granddaughter of Larry and Marie Everett of Malden, Mo., opened for country singer Jason Michael Carroll at the Campbell Peach Fair Saturday. Wright, 17, who lives in Kentucky, is the daughter of Belinda Wright, a high school teacher and Campbell High School alumna. ...

County GOP to meet Tues. The Butler County Republican Central Committee will hold its reorganization meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The meeting will be held in the "Doug Libla for Senate" headquarters located in the Mansion Mall Shopping Center. This meeting will take the place of the regularly scheduled monthly committee meeting...

Many home gardeners are harvesting and preserving their beets. If you would like a fall crop of beets, then plant in August. This fleshy root of a plant is believed to have originated in North Africa. Beets began to be cultivated in the United States in the early 19th century...

By DAVID LIMBAUGH Mitt Romney has outdone himself in choosing Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate. The conservative base is ecstatic, and that will translate into voter intensity and high turnout. Our country faces an unprecedented debt crisis, primarily driven by our entitlement programs. We have more than $100 trillion of unfunded liabilities -- a staggering, incomprehensible number -- and we are on a collision course with national bankruptcy...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS President Barack Obama recently wrote an executive order that established a White House initiative on educational excellence for black Americans that will be housed in the Department of Education. It proposes "to identify evidence-based best practices" to improve black achievement in school and college. ...

Wish we had a Chick-fil-A I've been hearing about the Chick-fil-A what they are doing and I would just like to say I wish we had a Chick-fil-A in Poplar Bluff where I could show my support. Thank you. World's in sad sorry shape I just saw on TV where the gays are having a same-sex "kiss" day in front of Chick-fil-A. ...

This week, I'll report on a different subject than bass tournaments. Squirrel hunting heads the list for a change. I have sat out in the yard several mornings and afternoons lately, just watching the timber and the activity of the feeding squirrels. ...

Rev. Jim Stepp DEXTER, Mo. -- James Franklin "Jim" Stepp, 80, of Bloomfield, Mo., died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Rev. Stepp was born April 25, 1932, in Grassy, Mo. He was an ordained General Baptist Minister for 30 years. He worked at several other jobs during his life. He always worked very hard to provide for his family and others...

By FRANK CAMPA Mo. Dept. of Conservation Pick up your 2012 Migratory Bird Hunting Digest now. Dove and Teal Seasons are right around the corner. These pamphlets also include information concerning hunting seasons and regulations for snipe, rail and woodcock...

Bradley Glover DEXTER, Mo. -- Bradley Charles Glover, 24, died Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, while on an outing with friends. The son of R. Kirk Glover and Charlett J. Triplett Glover of Franklin, Tenn., he was born on April 15, 1988, in Tulsa, Okla. He graduated from Centennial High School, Franklin, Tenn., in 2006. He was employed by World Champion Productions where he taught ballroom dancing, professional competitions and was a member of New Song and People Church. He enjoyed life to the fullest...

Tom Sanders DEXTER, Mo. -- Thomas C. "Tom" Sanders, 53, of Morehouse, Mo., died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Sanders was born on Nov. 19, 1958, in Gideon, Mo. He had lived most of his life in the Morehouse area. ...

Ruth Belt MALDEN, Mo. -- Ruth Belt, 84, of Malden, Mo., died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden,

Richard Alexander MADISON, Wis. -- Richard N. Alexander, 53, found peace on Monday, Aug. 13, 2012. He was born on March 14, 1959, the son of Charles and Margaret Alexander. He married Carmen Tucker on May 31, 1980. Richard received a bachelor's degree in food science and nutrition, and an MBA in information systems, both from the University of Missouri. ...

Howard Riggins LOS ANGELES, CALIF. -- Howard Riggins, 75, of Los Angeles, Calif., died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in St. John's Hospital. Mr. Riggins was born Jan. 2, 1937, in Dudley, Mo. He had been employed by McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft, Holmes Auto Body and Keystone Auto Repair. ...

Doyle Worley VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Doyle Gene Worley, 73, of Van Buren, Mo., died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, at his home. Funeral arrangements are pending with McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren.

Grover Lynn DEXTER, Mo. -- Grover Cleveland Lynn, 68, of Essex, Mo., died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, at his home. Mr. Lynn was born on June 3, 1944, in Windfield, Ala. He was a member of the Lighthouse Christian Center and had worked as a mechanic at G and S Auto...

Col. Jim Featherston ROSEBUD, Mo. -- James W."Jim" Featherston, 89, Rosebud, Mo., died Aug. 14, 2012. Mr. Featherson was born on July 3, 1923, near Doniphan, Mo. His aircrew flew in the 8th Army Air Force during World War II. He continued serving his country in the Army Reserve for more than 30 years. ...

A week from the season-opening kickoff, Poplar Bluff football coach Mark Barousse and his staff have a few questions to answer. "We're way ahead of where we were last year but we've still got some spots to figure out," said Barousse, who enters his second year back in Poplar Bluff...

Darlene Davis PUXICO, Mo. -- Rosa Darlene Davis, 60, of Puxico, Mo., died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, at Puxico Nursing Center in Puxico. The daughter of James Roy and Rachel Brady Davis, she was born on Oct. 23, 1951, in Puxico. She had lived in Puxico her entire life...

MALDEN, Mo. -- Malden police officers have arrested Raymond Williamson, 42, of Malden on suspicion of forcible rape, two counts of armed criminal action, kidnapping and forcible sodomy. According to the probable-cause affidavit provided by the Dunklin County prosecuting attorney's office, at 12:41 a.m. ...

Green Thumb Garden Club announces its 2012 Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Matthew Boyles, son of Donna Scott and Larry Boyles. Boyles is earning a bachelor's degree in agriculture business: plant and soil science, at Southeast Missouri State University where he has a 3.5 GPA. He plans to continue working at his family's business, Boyles Farm Service, Inc., in Fisk, Mo., after he graduates in 2014...

Wish we had a Chick-fil-A I've been hearing about the Chick-fil-A what they are doing and I would just like to say I wish we had a Chick-fil-A in Poplar Bluff where I could show my support. Thank you. World's in sad sorry shape I just saw on TV where the gays are having a same-sex "kiss" day in front of Chick-fil-A. ...

Richard Alexander MADISON, Wis. -- Richard N. Alexander, 53, found peace on Monday, Aug. 13, 2012. He was born on March 14, 1959, the son of Charles and Margaret Alexander. He married Carmen Tucker on May 31, 1980. Richard received a bachelor's degree in food science and nutrition, and an MBA in information systems, both from the University of Missouri. ...

Howard Riggins LOS ANGELES, CALIF. -- Howard Riggins, 75, of Los Angeles, Calif., died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in St. John's Hospital. Mr. Riggins was born Jan. 2, 1937, in Dudley, Mo. He had been employed by McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft, Holmes Auto Body and Keystone Auto Repair. ...

Doyle Worley VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Doyle Gene Worley, 73, of Van Buren, Mo., died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, at his home. Funeral arrangements are pending with McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren.

Grover Lynn DEXTER, Mo. -- Grover Cleveland Lynn, 68, of Essex, Mo., died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, at his home. Mr. Lynn was born on June 3, 1944, in Windfield, Ala. He was a member of the Lighthouse Christian Center and had worked as a mechanic at G and S Auto...

Col. Jim Featherston ROSEBUD, Mo. -- James W."Jim" Featherston, 89, Rosebud, Mo., died Aug. 14, 2012. Mr. Featherson was born on July 3, 1923, near Doniphan, Mo. His aircrew flew in the 8th Army Air Force during World War II. He continued serving his country in the Army Reserve for more than 30 years. ...

Darlene Davis PUXICO, Mo. -- Rosa Darlene Davis, 60, of Puxico, Mo., died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, at Puxico Nursing Center in Puxico. The daughter of James Roy and Rachel Brady Davis, she was born on Oct. 23, 1951, in Puxico. She had lived in Puxico her entire life...

A week from the season-opening kickoff, Poplar Bluff football coach Mark Barousse and his staff have a few questions to answer. "We're way ahead of where we were last year but we've still got some spots to figure out," said Barousse, who enters his second year back in Poplar Bluff...

Richard Alexander MADISON, Wis. -- Richard N. Alexander, 53, found peace on Monday, Aug. 13, 2012. He was born on March 14, 1959, the son of Charles and Margaret Alexander. He married Carmen Tucker on May 31, 1980. Richard received a bachelor's degree in food science and nutrition, and an MBA in information systems, both from the University of Missouri. ...

Wish we had a Chick-fil-A I've been hearing about the Chick-fil-A what they are doing and I would just like to say I wish we had a Chick-fil-A in Poplar Bluff where I could show my support. Thank you. World's in sad sorry shape I just saw on TV where the gays are having a same-sex "kiss" day in front of Chick-fil-A. ...

Howard Riggins LOS ANGELES, CALIF. -- Howard Riggins, 75, of Los Angeles, Calif., died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in St. John's Hospital. Mr. Riggins was born Jan. 2, 1937, in Dudley, Mo. He had been employed by McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft, Holmes Auto Body and Keystone Auto Repair. ...

Doyle Worley VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Doyle Gene Worley, 73, of Van Buren, Mo., died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, at his home. Funeral arrangements are pending with McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren.

Grover Lynn DEXTER, Mo. -- Grover Cleveland Lynn, 68, of Essex, Mo., died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, at his home. Mr. Lynn was born on June 3, 1944, in Windfield, Ala. He was a member of the Lighthouse Christian Center and had worked as a mechanic at G and S Auto...

A week from the season-opening kickoff, Poplar Bluff football coach Mark Barousse and his staff have a few questions to answer. "We're way ahead of where we were last year but we've still got some spots to figure out," said Barousse, who enters his second year back in Poplar Bluff...

Col. Jim Featherston ROSEBUD, Mo. -- James W."Jim" Featherston, 89, Rosebud, Mo., died Aug. 14, 2012. Mr. Featherson was born on July 3, 1923, near Doniphan, Mo. His aircrew flew in the 8th Army Air Force during World War II. He continued serving his country in the Army Reserve for more than 30 years. ...