Stories from Wednesday, November 6, 2013

An amendment to the intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the Poplar Bluff Regional, Cripple Creek and Poplar Bluff Conference Center transportation development districts was approved by the Poplar Bluff City Council Monday night. A list of local transportation projects to be completed during Phase I is included with the amendment...

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- A former Poplar Bluff, Mo., man recently was placed on probation after pleading guilty to a weapon-related charge stemming from an incident in which his longtime friend died during a physical altercation apparently fueled by alcohol...

By EMILY PRIDDY SEMO News Service A computer glitch brought the judicial process to a screeching halt Monday morning as the software system that serves courts across Missouri went down. In Judge William Syler's courtroom in Jackson, defendants and their families fidgeted and whispered as attorneys tried to explain the problem...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Bids for Phase II of the Pike Creek Walking and Bicycle Trail will be opened at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 in City Hall, but Phase I has encountered another delay. Phase II will be a 10-foot wide paved trail for a distance of 10,270 linear feet. It will extend along the north side of Kanell Boulevard from Pike Creek to Shelby Road and then along the east side of Shelby Road to Oak Grove Road...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A second condemnation case involving land along Oak Grove Road is winding its way through Butler County Circuit Court. The city of Poplar Bluff, Mo., filed the petition for condemnation against Carsan Investments. Attorney Sanjay Varma of Poplar Bluff is listed as the registered agent for Carsan Investments...

The Missouri Office of Administration is now accepting management contract bids for the Van Buren License Office. Interested individuals and groups must submit their bids to operate the Van Buren License Office by Nov. 22. A copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) bidders are required to use to develop their bids can be viewed online. Prospective bidders may also tour the Van Buren office from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Nov. 6 to gain perspective on how a license office is operated...

By ERIN RAGAN SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Isle Casino Cape Girardeau opened its doors one year ago last month, and as expected, Cape Girardeau has seen some changes. More cars, as indicated by recent traffic counts, than in previous years go down an improved Broadway corridor. Many turn and travel up North Main Street under new lighting, installed with some of the casino's millions in revenue to the city...

Kenneth Parris DEXTER, Mo. -- Kenneth W. Parris, 69, of Dexter died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, at his residence. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Masonic services will be at 7 p.m. that evening provided by Masonic Temple Dexter Lodge 532. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Carroll McGruder officiating. Burial will follow in the Dexter Cemetery...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS The column, "Is There a Way Out?" generated quite a few responses, some a bit angry. Some people were offended by my reference to Social Security and Medicare as entitlements or handouts. They said that they worked for 45 years and paid into Social Security and Medicare and how dare I refer to the money they now receive as an entitlement. ...

IMPERIAL -- Just like in a majority of their losses this season, the Poplar Bluff Mules hung around and had their chances Monday night against Fox in the MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 tournament at Seckman High School. Both teams were pretty even in shots throughout, the Mules kept their composure in a physical game and it looked like there was potential for overtime...

Poplar Bluff Junior High School has announced its first quarter A and B honor roll for the 2013-2014 school year. Seventh Grade - A Honor Roll Destiny Rose Ackerman, Logan Jacob Wayne Anderson, Kaylee Rhiannon Barbour, Calli Jo Barker, Xzavier Joseph Bartlett, Amiah Grace Berry, Brittany Allison Nichole Bridges, Cara Lynn Bubanovich, Libby Jade Burdin, Jalae Rose Campbell, Tyler Andrew Cline, Hays Nathaniel Coleman, Lauren Mattie Lenee' Courtney, Cody Lee Daughertee, David Wayne Dorris, Rebecca Ada Edwards, Jacob Benjamin Eubanks, Brittany Grace Evans, Hunter David Ferguson, Brittney Leigh Flowers, Mikae'La Deangela Foster, Julia Grace Fox, Jacob Patrick Gaffney, Devon Allen Gholson, Makayla Elizabeth Gower, Keaira Lynn Harrison, Brianna Nichole Hatley, Breeanna Heather Glynn Helton, Taylor Merinda Hicks, Tayler Ann Hillis, Sara Gabriella Holland, Damian D'Juan Hood, Scott Allen Hood, Kaitlyn Nicole Hoon, Alivia Celeste Jenson, Ethan Wade Johnson, Marina Nicole Johnston, Brett Douglas Keele, Cali Marie King, Tucker Chase King, Megan Elysse Kirby, Abigail Grace Lawrence, Blayne J. ...

By MONA CHAREN The spectacularly dreadful debut of Obamacare represents the greatest political opportunity for conservatism and the Republican Party in two generations. Big government stands rebuked. It has overreached, overpromised, and, embarrassingly, failed to deliver. Even if the website's gremlins are banished, and even if Obamacare purrs along like a BMW from now on, voters will be disillusioned...

By STAR PARKER Scripps Howard News Service The presidential election of 2016 will be a defining moment for the nation and for the Republican Party. Not so for the Democratic Party. There's no controversy among Democrats about what America should be and what their party is about: big government, welfare state socialism and secular humanism...

Helen Jones DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Helen Jones, 91, died Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, at Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan and will be announced upon completion.

Alieen Brasher CAMPBELL, Mo. -- Alieen Skaggs Brasher, 94, of Campbell died Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013, at the General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Landess Funeral Home Chapel in Campbell. The funeral service will follow beginning at 11 a.m. at the chapel with the Rev. Aulden Leblanc officiating. Burial will be at Elder Cemetery in Campbell...

Opal Cook Opal Fern Cook, 84, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service.

Forty-seven days after Poplar Bluff and Jackson played, the two football teams will meet again Wednesday night in the MSHSAA Class 5 District 1 semifinals. About the only differences will be the location -- The Pit -- and the stakes. There's even a chance for rain, just like the first meeting, a 26-6 win by the Indians...

Ova Lane PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Ova Vernell Lane, 92, formerly of Piedmont, died Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, at Golden Living Nursing Center in St. James, Mo. Arrangements will be announced by Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont.

FULTON, Miss. -- Three Rivers forced 28 turnovers, but the Lady Raiders couldn't overcome a dreadful night shooting and lost 89-75 to Itawamba. The 12th-ranked Lady Raiders (1-1) shot 36 percent to Itawamba's 50 percent. Despite the comfortable margin at the end, there were 15 lead changes and five ties...

FULTON, Miss. -- Itawamba tipped in the game-winner at the buzzer Monday to hand Three Rivers its first loss of the season, 79-77. Uzonna Akazi has led the Raiders in scoring in all three games this season. Against Itawamba, he finished with 26 points and nine rebounds...

Lina Pinkston BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Lina Pinkston, 82, of Bloomfield died Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, at Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County in Dexter, Mo. Mrs. Pinkston was born Feb. 28, 1931, in Frankfurt, Germany. She had lived in St. Louis before moving to the Bloomfield area 40 years ago. She was a member of the Beech Grove General Baptist Church and was the past president of the Eagles Auxiliary in Wappapello, Mo...

To commemorate Veterans Day the Little Rock District of the Army Corps of Engineers will join Corps districts nationwide and waive day use fees at its recreation areas Nov. 11 for veterans, active, reserve and guard service members and their families...