Stories from Friday, October 11, 2013

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Twin Rivers R-X School District is in a "very good financial state," according to accountant Dwayne Clark. Clark is in-charge auditor of Hillin and Clark, Certified Public Accountants, which performed the district's yearly audit...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Each year, the flu leads to 226,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths in the United States, according to nurse Bonnie Connelly, Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program manager at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. To help combat the flu in Butler County, the VA is offering free flu shots daily to veterans, while the Butler County Health Department will offer four free clinics in October...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A mule-powered wood swing, which is around 90 years old and was at the Butler County Centennial Celebration in 1949, may be viewed Saturday at the Country Bumpkins Antiques Mall northeast of Poplar Bluff, Mo. It is located west of Highway T and north of U.S. 60 at 106 Red Robin Lane (behind Scooters)...

Poplar Bluff resident and fourth generation Butler Countian, Larry Kimbrow, has formally announced his campaign as a Republican candidate for Butler County Presiding Commissioner. Kimbrow attended Broseley High School before graduating from Poplar Bluff High School. He served 28 years in a combined enlisted and officer status with the United Stated Navy and served in the Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars...

For nearly a decade, Tim and Gary Stricklin and the staff at Quality Air Heating and Cooling have been living up to their name by providing quality work to customers in the Poplar Bluff, Mo., area. Located at 4057 S. Westwood Blvd., Quality Air offers 24-hour service, as well as free estimates for the installation of new systems...

For 122 years, The Bank of Missouri has met its customers' needs with the assurance it would be there tomorrow. Founded in Perryville as The Bank of Perryville in 1891, The Bank of Missouri has grown to reach out beyond its Southeast Missouri roots to provide multiple locations in Cape Girardeau, Perryville and Jackson, as well as branches in Scott City, Marble Hill, Patton, Columbia, Republic, Springfield, Ozark and Branson. ...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Five retail stores totaling 354,000 square feet are being planned for the first section of the Eight Points Commercial Development in Poplar Bluff, Mo. "Menards is out of the ground," said City Manager Doug Bagby, as he discussed progress within the Eight Points site on the north side of Oak Grove Road between Westwood Boulevard and Bypass 67...

For some individuals a few essential residential interventions are plenty to allow the safe and healthy pursuit of quality of life. For others, a much higher level of care is indispensable. Oakdale Care Center provides skilled and intermediate nursing care, assisted living care, senior suites for those seeking a more private environment and a residential care facility which specializes in mental health...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Expansions, investments in new equipment and building improvements and the hiring of more workers describe the progress being made in five of the manufacturing plants in the Poplar Bluff Industrial Park. Poplar Bluff Industries, which is the industrial division of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, invested more than $500,000 in a 60,000-square foot building along Cravens Road in order to create a distribution center for Gates Corporation, according to chamber president Steve Halter.. ...

Keener Springs Recreation Area in Williamsville, Mo., has a variety of services provided to families and individuals interested in exploring one of the largest privately-owned springs in the country. Keener Springs emits 28,000,000 gallons per day. The spring and the unique, water-filled cave are the focal points of the 65-acre property. ...

John Lacks, 1854-1860 Civil War, 1861-1865 James F. Tubb, 1865-1868 James F. Tubb, 1872-1874 Ben F. Turner, 1878-1888 Samuel A. Gardner, 1888-1889 John H. Souders, 1889-1893 James R. Hogg, 1893-1896 John H. Souders, 1896-1898 Henry Turner, 1898-1902...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor More retailers, restaurants and hotels have been researching possible locations in Poplar Bluff, Mo., but the developers were not ready to make any announcements prior to the deadline for this Progress Edition. Another major retailer is considering the Valley Plaza Shopping Center...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Economic growth isn't driven by ballerinas and pianists. It's delivered by the farmers and industries who need a skilled labor force to fill increasingly technology-driven positions, according to Three Rivers College President Dr. Devin Stephenson...

Southern Bank remains committed to its tradition of staying involved in the communities it serves, while continuing its healthy rate of growth. Southern Bank has served the financial needs of our region for more than 126 years. Originally founded to provide financing for people to build homes in the late 1880s, Southern Bank has grown to a company with assets totaling $900 Million...

Newman Amusement, Inc., 1035 S. Broadway, Poplar Bluff, Mo., owned by Tom Newman and Sherry Wilson, has been in business for 38 years and is a member of AMOA (Amusement & Music Operators Association). Emphasizing pool and darts, this family owned and operated company supports all amusement equipment and has a ton of experience serving and repairing recreational equipment. ...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor The passage of a quarter-cent sales tax in 1993 by the citizens of Butler County made it possible for a new justice center to be built, and it continues to provide money for other law enforcement purposes, including personnel and equipment...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor When the Poplar Bluff Police Department achieved its accreditation in 2012 it transitioned from what was described as a small-town department to a nationally recognized law enforcement agency. The department received its basic law enforcement accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in July 2012, completing a more than three-year process...

By CAROLYN SMITH and ALEX WEST Staff Writers Past Citizens of the Year honored by the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce were asked why they love Butler County and Poplar Bluff, Mo. The 11 who responded and their answers follow. _ In 1983, the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce chose Dale Gaebler as the community's Citizen of the Year. Thirty years later, his love of his community is still evident in his commitment to it...

Three Rivers College in 2013 began a transformation to meet the unparalleled demands it is facing as the primary job creator and economic development engine for Southeast Missouri. In August, Three Rivers broke ground on an Eastern Campus in Sikeston, and in September, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Lambert C. ...

The locally owned and operated El Acapulco Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, 2260 N. Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, Mo., proudly serves Poplar Bluff authentic Mexican cuisine which includes their fabulous homemade chips, fresh salsa and their famous Ranchero Special...

John Bayne Sr. NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- John Clifton Bayne Sr., 65, of Qulin, Mo., formerly of Poplar Bluff, Illinois and St. Louis, Mo., died Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, at his home near Qulin. Visitation will be from 4-5 p.m. Saturday at Fowler-Sullivan Memorial Chapel in Neelyville. The funeral service will follow beginning at 5 p.m. at the chapel with burial at a later date...

Southland Irrigation, 2179 County Road 321, Poplar Bluff, Mo. owned by Chris and Parker Williams, opened their doors January 2013 to serve area farmers by offering sales, service, installation, as well as parts for center pivots, grain bins and other agriculture products. The Williams have been farming for five generations and understand how important it is to have quality products as well as companies that stand behind their products with exceptional service...

A few years ago, First Midwest Bank President Joey McLane was interviewed about what he believes makes First Midwest Bank so special. He answered that as a business leader, he has stayed focused on the bank founders' vision to keep business local with unrivaled customer service, but he has also committed to offering innovative products today's customers come to expect...

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center recently announced the opening of the new Physicians Office Plaza at 3098 Oak Grove Road in Poplar Bluff, Mo. The office plaza is located on Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center's new hospital campus. "We are excited to expand on our commitment in bringing the best healthcare home to our community," states Ken James, Market CEO of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and the Missouri Region...

By GEORGE F. WILL "Ex-Marine Asks Soviet Citizenship" -- Washington Post headline, Nov. 1, 1959 (concerning a Lee Harvey Oswald) "He didn't even have the satisfaction of being killed for civil rights. It's -- it had to be some silly little Communist."...

By DAN K. THOMASSON Scripps Howard News Service Someone needs to ask House Speaker John Boehner how bad he wants to keep his job. Is holding on to it so important that he won't buck an extreme faction of Republican conservatives to promote the greater good and prevent the nation from defaulting on its debts? If he doesn't lead, he could become among the most irresponsible men ever elected to high public office...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Each year, more than 200 members of Palace of Praise church pour hours of volunteer hours into a production that drew about 4,000 people in 2012. "The Sounds of Christmas" began three years ago as a play chronicling a young boy's discovery of the meaning of Christmas. ...

By JAY AMBROSE Scripps Howard News Service Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid prefers safeguarding a talking point over helping kids with cancer. He said as much to a reporter, calling her reckless and irresponsible for even bringing that matter up. The online AtlanticWire fumbled to the rescue, giving the exchange more context, but without success. Reid said it...

Have you noticed all of the beautiful, bright orange pumpkins appearing at local markets? On the way back from Nashville last week, I saw several roadside stands selling my favorite Halloween decoration. What do you look for when buying a pumpkin? High quality pumpkins are mature and firm. To test for maturity, press with a thumbnail. Mature pumpkins will resist scratching. Avoid cracked, decayed, or scarred pumpkins...

By MARIA CHENG AP Medical Writer LONDON (AP) -- Three years ago, French researchers declared that a centuries-old mummified head was that of the beloved King Henri IV. But now a new study says, "Non!" The original conclusion was based largely on facial reconstruction techniques and signs the skull had injuries similar to those suffered by the monarch. The new study looked at DNA instead...

Bi Nguyen's road to his 1,000th yard will be blocked by plenty of black jerseys. The Poplar Bluff junior, who is 39 yards shy of the milestone, will most likely be Farmington's focus come Friday night when the Knights host the Mules in a SEMO North Conference game...

Beulah Palmer DEXTER, Mo.--Beulah (Jenny) Palmer, 93, of Dexter died Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center in Dexter. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Saturday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter with Rev. Roger Wooten officiating. Burial will follow in the Dexter Cemetery...

Luther Medley Luther Medley, 81, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. Mr. Medley was born June 19, 1932, at Wappapello, Mo. He was of the Southern Baptist faith. He served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955. He was a lineman for a utility company and his hobbies were making and repairing wooden instruments, fishing and playing with his grandchildren...

Anna Mayberry MALDEN, Mo.--Anna Mae Mayberry, 81, of Clarkton, Mo., died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. Visitation will be 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. A graveside funeral will follow at 1 p.m. at Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton...

Mary Bennett GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Mary K. Bennett, 89, of Greenville, Mo., died Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, at Benchmark Healthcare of Greenville. Visitation will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Ruegg Funeral Home in Greenville. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday also at the chapel. Burial will be at Greenville Cemetery...

Buford Ellsworth MALDEN, Mo. -- Buford Doyle Ellsworth, 75, of St. Louis, Mo., formerly of Malden, died Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis. Buford was born May 22, 1938, in Malden, to the late George E. Ellsworth and Opal V. Gidcumb Ellsworth. He ran a tire shop and was of the Baptist faith...

By PAUL DAVIS Outdoors Editor It looks like traditional October weather finally has arrived in the region, and the cooler temperatures this week should be a boon for both anglers and hunters. With nighttime lows in the 40s, water temperatures will begin falling, which should put fish in a feeding mood...

By JOE JEREK Mo. Dept. of Conservation SHANNON COUNTY, Mo - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has confirmed the sighting of a mountain lion on private land in Shannon County approximately nine miles west of Eminence. The confirmation is based on a trail camera photo taken Sept. 29. The name of the landowner and the property location are not being released at the request of the landowner...

Being an underdog has never looked so simple. The Twin Rivers Royals entered the Ozark Foothills Conference tournament as the No. 6 seed after struggling through its fall regular season schedule. Against No. 3 East Carter Tuesday afternoon, the Royals scored a run within moments of the game starting. Against No. 2 Clearwater Wednesday afternoon, same thing...

By JOHN PRATT Mo. Dept. of Conservation Fall firearms turkey season opened on Oct. 1 and continues throughout the month. The fall season is not as popular as it once was and participation seems to be driven by the amount of flock sightings in early fall. I have seen four flocks of turkeys since the season opened. Although young turkey production was down last spring, there are birds available to hunt...

The top-seeded Neelyville Tigers didn't smack the ball around Roger Pattillo Field like they wanted to Wednesday afternoon. Instead, they took advantage of some Greenville mistakes in the field and rode one of their best pitchers. The Tigers won 10-0 in five innings over the Bears to advance to their first Ozark Foothills Conference tournament championship game since 2008...

Robert Boatwright PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Robert Boatwright, 64, St. Louis, Mo. died Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013. Visitation will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont with services following at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Carson Hill Cemetery...

George Deering PIEDMONT, Mo. -- George F. "Sonny" Deering, 75, of Greenville, Mo. died at Greenville Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013. Services are pending.

Emily Eaker played up to her nickname Wednesday, getting the win from the circle and the winning hit from the plate in the MSHSAA Class 1 District 1 quarterfinal. "We call her Cap, that's her nickname. She's our captain and it showed today," Neelyville coach Aaron Burton said...

It took Puxico just three pitches to score in the top of the first, but East Carter's Emily Neidenberg threw a no-hitter after that in the Class 2 District 2 semifinal. "We had no idea what to expect from them and when they scored that first run, it was like 'Oh boy,'" East Carter coach Teresa Kearbey said. ...

John J. Dolansky PIEDMONT, Mo. -- John J. Dolansky, 85, died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont with the service following at 2 p.m.. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhome.com...

John McKinney DONIPHAN, Mo. -- John H. McKinney of Doniphan died Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan.

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Jackson freshman Sophie Wunderlich shut down Poplar Bluff after giving up a leadoff triple Wednesday. The Lady Mules managed just two hits after Lexi Hafford tripled and later scored in the first inning as Jackson beat Poplar Bluff 6-1 in the MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 quarterfinal...

Devonte Dye Devonte Curtis Dye, 5, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Qulin, Mo. Devonte was born July 8, 2008, in Springfield, Mo. He is survived by his parents, Jimmy Dye Jr. and Amber Zoll; grandparents, Magnolia Gainwell, and Carmelita Quentin Craft, Becky Zoll and Keith Zoll; sisters, Gabrielle Lewis and Audrina Dye; and brothers Jaykob Gannon and Mason Zoll...

BizZee Kidz Therapy, LLC, located at 4358 Highway PP, Poplar Bluff, Mo., is the only pediatric therapy clinic within a 50-mile radius. "We provide therapy services to children in an interdisciplinary setting to meet the individual needs of the children and their families," said owners Staci Blankenship, MS OTR/L, Jerri Ann Rowland, MS OTR/L, and Michelle Zgaynor, PT...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Poplar Bluff Superintendent Chris Hon is aware of the critical part the next six months will play in the lives of his district's students, possibly for generations to come. R-I is poised to ask the public to fund districtwide facility improvements which could relocate the high school by the summer of 2017 and result in a new elementary school, as well as significant changes across every campus...

Poplar Bluff school long range planning committees believe a plan to move high school grades to the current 5th & 6th Grade Center would best suit the district's future needs, which include growth in student population. With voter approval, the district could access up to $52 million in school bonds by 2014 for the first phase of its facilities master plan. ...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor New businesses have opened during the past year, others are under construction or expanding and more retailers are expected to be announced soon as Poplar Bluff, Mo., continues to grow. "It is an exciting time to be in Poplar Bluff," said Steve Halter, president of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, as he reviewed progress in the community...

Smith & Co. is proud to help communities in Southeast Missouri make quality-of-life improvements that will last for years to come. "Sam Smith founded our company in 1968 and continued to grow our company to support the efforts of communities in this region," President Bob MacDonald said...

Coffman and Company, P.C. is a full service CPA firm, with a wealth of knowledge in tax, auditing, and business services. Dan Coffman, who just recently retired, started our Poplar Bluff office in 1987. We have grown today to offices in Springfield, Mo. ...

John N. Fox, D.D.S, M.S., P.C., has been providing orthodontic care in Poplar Bluff for 30 years. After purchasing the former Dental Arts building, Dr. Fox renamed the building at 1300 N. Westwood Blvd. It is now called the Center for Advanced Orthodontics. ...

Dullenty Chiropractic Family Wellness Center, 805 W. Pine, Poplar Bluff, Mo. This practice offers chiropractic care, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, relaxation massage and reflexology and oxygen therapy. Since taking over Adkins Chiropractic & Wellness earlier this year, Dr. ...

The lights are flashing and the sirens are wailing as Butler County EMS LLC, a new ambulance service in the Poplar Bluff, Mo. area, travels along the streets and highways transporting an accident victim or a critically ill patient to a local medical center...

Jack Woods Sr. Cecil "Jack" Woods Sr., 73, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, in Poplar Bluff. Jack was a longtime resident of Poplar Bluff. He was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Before retiring, he was a self-employed construction worker...

BizZee Kidz Therapy, LLC, located at 4358 Highway PP, Poplar Bluff, Mo., is the only pediatric therapy clinic within a 50-mile radius. "We provide therapy services to children in an interdisciplinary setting to meet the individual needs of the children and their families," said owners Staci Blankenship, MS OTR/L, Jerri Ann Rowland, MS OTR/L, and Michelle Zgaynor, PT...