Stories from Thursday, October 25, 2012

To the Editor, Right now while I am writing this letter it is a bit rainy and cool. Rain is needed so bad. But this had been one of the most wonderful falls here could ever be. Fall is my favorite time of the year. That started years ago when I was growing up on this lovely farm. We really worked on this farm in the spring and summer. When we had the garden all put in the jars, the sorgum made. We knew we could rest a bit. Everyone should learn how to put in a good day's work...

Meat shoot at Elks Sunday A meat shoot will be held starting at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Poplar Bluff Elks Lodge. Food and beverages will be available. Members and guests welcome.

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS Jon Hubbard, a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, has a book, titled "Letters to the Editor: Confessions of a Frustrated Conservative." Among its statements for which Hubbard has been criticized and disavowed by the Republican Party is, "The institution of slavery that the black race has long believed to be an abomination upon its people may actually have been a blessing in disguise. ...

James Swinford PIEDMONT, Mo. -- James Truman Swinford, 78, of Piedmont, Mo., died Monday, Oct. 22, 2012, at his residence. Visitation will begin at noon Thursday followed by the funeral at 1 p.m. in Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont.

By JOHN WILLEY Staff Writer Growth and the addition of new brands of merchandise necessitated the need for a larger building for Bluff Powersports, Highway 67 North. Bluff Powersports, formerly Bluff Honda, which opened its doors about three weeks ago, is the largest Polaris and second largest Honda dealer in Missouri, said Matt Griffin, owner of the business...

A benefit dart tournament for Pat Gaddis will start at noon Saturday at the Bluff City Eagles, 1400 S. Broadway, Poplar Bluff, Mo. Gaddis has inoperable lung cancer and is undergoing five days of radiation treatment and three days of chemotherapy treatment a week, said Joe Ann Hall. Gaddis has a spend down on her insurance and the money raised at the benefit will be used to help pay those monthly costs...

Jerry Holloway MALDEN, Mo. -- Jerry Holloway, 74, of Malden, Mo., died Monday, Oct. 22, 2012, at his residence after a year-long battle with cancer. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday in the Landess Funeral Home in Malden. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Aulden LeBlanc officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery...

Richard Akers PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Richard Byron Akers, 50, of Piedmont, Mo., died Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont.