Stories from Thursday, April 25, 2013

Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Andy Benes will be the keynote speaker for the annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet Thursday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Conference Center behind Gamma Laboratories. In his 14-year major league career, Benes pitched for the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners, and spent 1996-1997 and 2000-2002 with the Cardinals. ...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN During President Eisenhower's first term, 60 years ago, the United States faced an invasion across its southern border. Illegal aliens had been coming since World War II. But, suddenly, the number was over 1 million. Crime was rising in Texas. The illegals were taking the jobs of U.S. farm workers...

A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man is one of six individuals to have joined the MU Business Development Program statewide advisory board. Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce President Steve Halter will represent Missouri's southeast region. He is also president of Poplar Bluff Industries, a not-for-profit economic development organization that works with businesses wishing to expand or relocate to the greater Poplar Bluff area...

Sheri MacDonald of Poplar Bluff, Mo., who heads up the Wal-Mart Vision Center here, was honored as the top optician of the all chain's vision centers nationwide. Brandi Worley, manager of the Wal-Mart Poplar Bluff Vision Center said, "Sheri is just an overall good person who goes above and beyond in her community and that's why she received this service award."...

After a slow start Tuesday, the Poplar Bluff baseball team finally posted a crooked number. The Mules put together a 4-run third inning to take the lead and a 6-run fifth to end the game early, beating New Madrid Central 12-2 at Strenfel Memorial Field...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.- Commerce Bank has announced Timothy Woodard will assume the role of president and market manager for the Southeast Missouri Region effective May 1. Roger Tolliver, who has served in that capacity since 1992, has announced he will retire in mid-2014...

To the Editor: The Week of April 14-20, 2013, was set aside by Congress as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week to honor those emergency dispatchers that serve the public needs. I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to the owners and business that donated items to be used to recognize those that work as Police and Fire Dispatchers for the City of Poplar Bluff. ...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Vicki Henderson, who has been the broker/owner of the RE/MAX Real Estate Group for 25 years, has agreed to join Coldwell Banker Ruth Holloway Realty. "I am very pleased to make this happen," said Paul Arnold, broker/owner of Coldwell Banker. "I am delighted to have Vicki and her agents here."...