Stories from Monday, October 21, 2013

By ALEX WEST Staff Writer A love of food and, more importantly, a love of family led to a fundraising project that benefits a local nonprofit organization that is always giving. Meda Alexander of Ellington and her family designed, published and distributed cookbooks featuring her family's collection of recipes entitled Ferguson Family Favorites. Donations for the cookbooks were collected and those funds were recently presented to the United Cancer Assistance Network (UCAN)...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man already in prison for a drug-related offense now faces a federal weapons charge stemming from the same 2012 incident. Atari Jawaun Amos, 31, recently was indicted in federal court on one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm, according to the indictment...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer In Nikki Buffington's second grade classroom at Oak Grove Elementary, students have the opportunity to learn a math skill first during whole group instruction, and then have it reinforced again and again through small group stations...

A Poplar Bluff woman was killed shortly after 11:30 a.m. Friday in a two-vehicle accident on U.S. 67, two miles north of Poplar Bluff. According to the report, Charlene H. Pasquet, 41, was northbound in a 1995 Dodge Ram when her vehicle struck the rear of a 2011 Peterbilt 387, which was stopped to make a right hand turn...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Poplar Bluff City Manager Doug Bagby filed a lawsuit last week against Councilwoman Angela Pearson for the alleged defamatory statements she published earlier this summer, which he says have tarnished and hurt his reputation...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor UNION CITY, Tenn. -- A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man recently appeared in Obion County Circuit Court after he was indicted by a grand jury there on multiple charges, including first-degree murder and aggravated robbery...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer A Van Buren, Mo., couple owes the U.S. government money because they entered a federally-held public park. The amount may seem small - a $75 ticket - but the principal is not, according to Tonya and Steve Marshall. The couple says when they removed the barricades at Big Spring during the government shutdown, they were just following through with protestors' promises...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Poplar Bluff could open a new high school within the next three years under the most recent plan released by administrators and members of long range planning committees. The facilities master plan would touch every campus in the R-I district for less than $54 million. More than $30 million has been trimmed from the plan since figures were first released this summer...

By KEITH LEWIS SEMO News Service Gillian Flynn is interested in doing a little relaxing. After writing the best-selling novel "Gone Girl" and writing the screenplay for the novel's film adaptation, Flynn, 42, is taking advantage of a well-deserved break in her schedule by spending time with her husband, lawyer Brett Nolan, and their 3-year-old son Flynn in their home in Chicago...

By CONNIE CASS Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sixteen days in October could change everything, or not much at all. Will the partial government shutdown prove to be the turning point after three years of partisan skirmishing in Washington? Or was it just a halftime show to fire up the players?...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer (One in a series looking at each school in the R-1 District.) As staff at O'Neal Elementary have begun to create a culture of consistent expectations for their students, they also have started pulling students out for small group instruction in reading and math, attacking school improvement from two fronts, behavior and academics...

Power line danger Live demo here Tues. By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The public is invited Tuesday to view a demonstration that simulates the dangers of live power lines. The event, which will begin at 6 p.m. at the Black River Coliseum, will use up to 7200 volts of electricity. It will show how electricity can be conducted through a glitter-coated kite string, live and dead tree limbs and Mylar balloons, as well as other dangers...

AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary to Post 29 met at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7. Chaplain Shirley Clark gave the opening prayer. Secretary Jewel Scholl read the minutes of the last meeting, which were approved with corrections. Community Service Chairman Patsy Phelan reported going to the nursing homes in September and will go to Oakdale Assisted Living on Oct. ...

Ashley Dawn Aden of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Timothy Adam Wagoner of Nashville, Tenn. are engaged. Miss Aden is the daughter of Belinda and Roy Winters of Poplar Bluff and the late Terry Aden. Wagoner is the son of Richard and Karen Wagoner of Orlando, Fla...

The local VVA Chapter 1056 met Oct. 10 at its new location of 502 Vine St. This new site, provided by Janet K. Brown, Attorney at Law, allows the chapter to be more hands on with members, on more than one day a month. It will allow the freedom to host meetings, activities and workshops as needed. Members are, however, very appreciative to the American Legion for allowing the use of their facility up to this point...

One in five people will have a panic attack once in their lifetime. What would you do when this happens to a co-worker, loved one, or church member? Attend the Mental Health First Aid course to recognize symptoms of mental health problems, how to help, and how to guide the person to professional help. ...

By CAROLYN SMITH Staff Writer Christmas came early for the Child Concern Center when the building at 601 Poplar St., Poplar Bluff, Mo. was donated anonymously. Currently, Child Concern, which serves the needs of low-income families, is located on Highway 53. This newly donated space will provide them with a main floor of 3,000 square feet for the store plus an additional 3,000 square foot basement...

Mr. and Mrs. Cloyd Cook of Poplar Bluff, Mo., will observe their 65th wedding anniversary Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. They will be honored at a reception which is planned from 1:30-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, in the Fox Hall at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1600 S. 11th St., Poplar Bluff...

By SHARON RANDALL Scripps Howard News Service Sometimes, if we're lucky and live long enough, we get to make a dream come true. I am sitting on a porch, writing on my laptop (thanks to the wonders of Wi-Fi) at a cabin on a lake in Carolina, North or South or maybe both. I'm not sure. The lake straddles the state line and flows between several basins, making it difficult for me to say exactly where I am...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Much is wrong with Washington these days, including much of what is said about what is wrong. Many Americans say there is "too much politics" in Washington. Actually, there is too little. Barack Obama deplores "politics as usual" here. But recently Washington has been tumultuous because politics, as the Framers understood it, has disintegrated. Obama has been complicit in this collapse...

By BILL O'REILLY When I first heard folks discussing "The Walking Dead," I thought they were talking about Congress. But no, it was zombies. The undead. Flesh-eating creatures. Bodies that do harm. The nation of Haiti embraced the zombie legend a long time ago. In fact, there's an old Bela Lugosi movie about that called "White Zombie." Apparently, in the voodoo culture, you can get a curse put on you and rise from the dead. Or something. This voodoo stuff is not easy to assess...

Kenneth and Helena Ruhl of Poplar Bluff, Mo., recently observed their 50th wedding anniversary. A celebration was held at the First Christian Church in Naylor, Mo. on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013. Friends and family gathered with the church family for Sunday morning worship, renewal of the couple's wedding vows and a dinner reception...

Xtreme Gymnastics, Dance and Cheers will hold "Claws for a Cause," from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2 at McLane Park. There will be games, raffles, snacks and much more. Proceeds will go to the Poplar Bluff Animal Shelter. Come out, bring your pet, enjoy the day, support all animals and make this a success. The goal is to make this an annual event...

American Red Cross staff and volunteers will be sharing information about Red Cross services, disaster planning and preparedness at a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, at the Trinity United Methodist Church located on Missouri 34 in Piedmont, Mo...

Jewell Bell DEXTER, Mo. -- Jewell Bell, 81, of Dexter, Mo., died Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2013. She was the oldest of nine children. She was born July 23, 1932, in Parma, Mo. to the late Lester Marion and Rachel Cardella (Barton) Stephens. She died on Oct. 18, 2013. She was the granddaughter of the late James Pendleton and Sarah Jane (Shaw) Barton and Henry Lee and Alpha Adeline (Gwaltney) Stephens...

Theressa Ridenour PUXICO, Mo. -- Theressa Snider Ridenour, 74, of Puxico, Mo., died on Friday, Oct. 13, 2013. Theressa was born in Fagus, Mo., on Nov. 23, 1938, to George Hughie and Ruby Snider. The family with Theressa's brother, Vernon, and sister, Mary, lived near Broseley, Mo. She graduated from Broseley High School in 1957...

A couple dozen school administrators and board members from throughout the state attended Poplar Bluff Schools' breakout session about the district's digital transformation at the Missouri School Boards' Association annual conference on Saturday, Oct. 5, in Osage Beach...

Rev. Walter D. Simpson ELDON, Mo. -- Rev. Walter D. Simpson, 78, of Eldon, Mo. passed away Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013 at the Eldon Nursing & Rehab in Eldon. On Aug. 17, 1935 he was born in Henryetta, Okla., the son of the late William Robert and Lucy Mae (Turpin) Simpson. He was united in marriage Aug. 26, 1956, in Weiner, Ark. to Dorothy L. (Scott) Simpson who survives of the home...

The Poplar Bluff R-I Schools will dismiss on Friday, Oct. 25; and on Monday, Oct. 28, for Teacher Collaboration. The regular class schedule will resume on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Parent-Teacher Conferences to be held the week of Oct. 21 are as follows: Junior High School - Tuesday, Oct. ...

Walter Simpson, the first all-state Mules football player and member of the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame, has died. He was 78. Simpson, who was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 1996, died Thursday in Eldon, Mo. Simpson was a three-year starter at offensive and defensive guard for the Mules and was named to the all-state team in 1952, his senior year. ...

PARK HILLS -- With 9 minutes remaining in the second quarter, facing a first-and-goal situation, Dexter's Dylan Bazarian got into the backfield and brought down Park Hills Central's DJ Buckanan for a 6-yard loss. The problem was, it was Central's only play to go for negative yardage in the first half and one of three in the game...

By SCOTT MEEKER The Joplin Globe JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) -- Each day, the interrogation would play out the same way. His German captors would enter the room and ask Keith Fiscus questions about American troop numbers and movements, The Joplin Globe (http://is.gd/hnTLdq ) reports...

BERNIE -- The Dexter Lady Bearcats volleyball team waited most of its season to secure a three-set victory and finally got it Friday night in the championship of the SCAA volleyball tournament against the host Bernie Lady Mules. Top-seeded Dexter outlasted third-seeded Bernie 25-19, 23-25, 25-12, to secure the conference tournament title and extend its winning streak to an unprecedented 14 games...

By MIKE JENSEN Publisher Sikeston Standard Democrat As I made my way to the office this morning in the all-too-dark early hours, I passed a familiar coffee shop packed with the usual suspects. And then I passed another early morning watering hole and then another and another...

The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules junior high basketball teams opened up the season with a split against Neelyville on Friday. The eighth graders won 43-29 over the Lady Tigers while the seventh grade team lost 31-21. Shelby Sievers was the leading scorer for Poplar Bluff in the eighth grade game with 13 points. Doni Everts had 10 points...

CHAFFEE -- The Chaffee Red Devils kept their perfect season alive Friday night, rolling past Jefferson 56-22. Chaffee led just 16-14 after one quarter but outscored the Blue Jays (5-3) 24-0 in the second quarter to take a 40-14 lead at halftime. The Red Devils added 16 more points in the third quarter on their way to improving to 8-0 on the season...

Cheryl Smith Cheryl A. Smith, 48, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Arrangements are pending with Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff.

Stuck in neutral for much of the first half, the Poplar Bluff offense found the right gear Friday night. Bi Nguyen broke loose for 239 yards and four touchdowns in the Mules 42-14 win over Normandy at Morrow Stadium. "They had extra hats all over the place so we started bringing an extra hat to the point of attack," Mules coach Mark Barousse said. "The whole offensive line did a good job...

MALDEN -- When it comes to playing against their county rivals, the current group of Malden Green Wave seniors can now say they've gotten it done every year. With a 54-25 Delta Bowl win over the Kennett Indians Friday night, Malden not only got its swagger back after a tough loss last week, but Senior Night was a big success...

By COL. ROBERT F. CUNNINGHAM and PATRICK RISHOR ALBUQUERQUE, NM - 15 October 2013 -- Quit trashing Obama's accomplishments. He has done more than any other President before him. Here is a list of his impressive accomplishments: First President to apply for college aid as a foreign student, then deny he was a foreigner...

By LINDSEY TANNER AP Medical Writer CHICAGO (AP) -- Human breast milk is sold for babies on several online sites for a few dollars an ounce, but a new study says buyer beware: Testing showed it can contain potentially dangerous bacteria including salmonella...

Ann Vaught DEXTER, Mo. -- Ann Vaught, 92, of Dexter died Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will then be conducted at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel with the Rev. Preston Owens officiating. Burial will follow in the Sikeston Memorial Gardens Cemetery...

Tammy Vert ELLINGTON, Mo. -- Tammy DeAnne Vert, 46, of Lesterville, Mo., died Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, in Belleview Valley Nursing Home in Belleview, Mo. Ms. Vert was born May 12, 1967, in Hammond, Ind. Survivors include her grandmother, Hazel Vert of Poplar Bluff; mother, Jane Rokosz of Lesterville; one brother, John Vert (Sarah) of Lesterville; and three sisters, Robin Gutches (John) and Jolen Maize (Gary) "Goober," all of Lesterville and Rebecca Shy (Ruben Williams) of Centerville, Mo...

Dr. Burton Cox Sr. WINTERSET, Iowa -- Dr. Burton Cox Sr., 82, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Oct. 11, 2013. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. today at the North McDonald Cemetery in Madison County. A gathering with family was also held today at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset prior to the graveside service. A memorial service will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Seventh-day Adventist Church at 2509 Roxy Road in Poplar Bluff...

EE closed thru Friday NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Route EE in Butler County will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today through Friday as Missouri Department of Transportation crews make pavement repairs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area...

Gary Hoover Gary Hoover, 70, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff.

Mary McMullin PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Mary Aileen Cole McMullin, 91, of Piedmont died Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013, at Clark's Mountain Nursing Center in Piedmont. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont. Services will follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor Jack Ruble officiating. Burial will follow in Alwood Cemetery near Piedmont...

Aleen Gambill FISK, Mo. -- Aleen Gambill, 94, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013, at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Gambill was born Jan. 8, 1919 at Broseley, Mo. She was a homemaker and had lived all her life in Butler County. On Jan. 5, 1935, she married Vernon Gambill. He preceded her in death on Jan. 27, 1996...

Downtown friends meet at 6 tonight The October Friends of Downtown meeting will be at 6 tonight in the meeting room at Kneibert Clinic. Agenda items include the Iron Horse Festival, upcoming events and what's happening in Downtown.