Stories from Friday, November 29, 2013

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A former First Midwest Bank employee recently pleaded guilty in federal court to embezzling nearly $400,000 from the institution. Leslie Ann Eastwood Kirby, who had been the bank's teller supervisor, pleaded guilty as charged Thursday to the felony of theft or embezzlement/misapplication by a bank officer before U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr., according to a clerk for the U.S. District Court...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer This year residents can kick off the Thanksgiving holiday in unusual fashion: by running. The first event begins at 8 p.m. today with the Gobble Wobble Glow Run, benefitting Downtown Poplar Bluff. Registration for the two-mile fun run starts at 7 p.m. at the Southern Bank parking lot, 531 Vine St...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor With Christmas just around the corner, local law enforcement officers again are raising money to take some less fortunate Butler County children shopping. To aid in their efforts, a child's replica Poplar Bluff Police Department squad car is being raffled off...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The Iron Mountain Market at the Poplar Bluff Historic Train Depot between Second and Main streets will be open three days over each of the next four weekends. "We have five decorated trees and 12 vendors with more coming," said Rhonda Belcher, chairman of the event...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The United Gospel Rescue Mission in Poplar Bluff, Mo., served a record 1,643 meals on Thanksgiving Day. "It was so wonderful. It was the best Thanksgiving we have had in the eight years I have been here," said the Rev. Greg Kirk, executive director of the mission. "I couldn't believe it. I was wore out."...

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO RETAIL WRITER The holiday shopping season started as a marathon, not a sprint. More than a dozen major retailers from Target to Toys R Us opened for 24 hours or more on Thanksgiving Day through Black Friday, the traditional start to the holiday shopping period. As a result, crowds formed early and often throughout the two days...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer After the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping, residents are encouraged to shop mom-and-pop stores for Small Business Saturday. Dollars spent locally are turned over in the community six to seven times, according to Steve Halter, president of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer With the worst of the shopping crowds filtering out by about midnight, Black Friday shoppers enjoyed a more leisurely experience Friday morning. Dorris McComb of Neelyville, Mo., arrived at Wal-Mart Supercenter around 3:45 p.m. Thursday to secure a 32-inch TV for $98 and a 50-inch flat screen for $288. The sale started at 8 p.m...

County has a problem I would like to speak out about the difference in the pay between the people that work for Butler County Highway Department and the Sheriff Department Deputies. I think the people who grade these roads need to be making $2 an hour. ...

To the Editor, Once again, the busy shopping season is nearing and you are all aware the parking space in the downtown area is limited. This is a year round issue for merchants and our police department. The police department enforces the 2-Hr. parking ordinance "365.050" throughout the year; however this increases in intensity during the holiday shopping season. ...

Charles McCain NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Charles William McCain, 83, of Neelyville died at 1 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, at his residence. Mr. McCain was born March 9, 1930, in Osceola, Ark. He was a heavy equipment operator for the Butler County Highway Department and had been a lifelong resident of Butler County. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and family gatherings. Mr. McCain was a deacon and choir president at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Harviell, Mo...

Cory King Cory Andrew King, 31, of the Qulin and Glennonville, Mo. area, passed away Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in St. Louis, Mo. Mr. King was born March 27, 1982, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was a bending engineer for a pipe line company and was a member of the Episcopal Church...

Ronald Kirkpatrick GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Ronald W. Kirkpatrick, 75, of Greenville passed away Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. He was born to Robert W. Kirkpatrick and Wilma Slinkard Kirkpatrick of Marble Hill, Mo., on March 14, 1938...

Peggy Bradham DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Peggy June Bradham of Fairdealing, Mo., was called by the angels on Monday, Nov. 25, 2013. She died peacefully at home. She was born in Lawrenceburg, Tenn., on Jan. 31, 1931, to Roy and Alta (Reed) Daniels. Mrs. Bradham spent her early childhood in Tennessee and moved to Southeast Missouri where she met James Bradham. They were married on Nov. 19, 1949, in Piggott, Ark. James and Peggy walked through this life together hand-in-hand for 64 wonderful years...

Knox Lewis DENVER -- Knox Q. "Kay" Lewis, 74, died in Denver, Colo., on Oct. 26, 2013. Knox was born June 15, 1939, to K.Q. and Mildred Lewis. "Kay," as he was known throughout his childhood, was raised in Poplar Bluff on Cynthia Street with his two brothers, Jim Dave and Ed. After graduating from Poplar Bluff schools, he attended Westminster College and was an active member in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Navy, earning the rank of lieutenant...

Bernie coach Brad Botsch has had a pretty successful run since becoming head coach in 2006-07. He is 155-51 in eight years and his teams have won 20 games four of the past five seasons. The Mules have played in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 finals every year he's been on the job. In 2009-10, they made it to the state finals before losing to Sturgeon by two points. Motivated, they made it back to the finals the following year only to lose to Crane by 14...

Alan Flannigan (Dexter HS) made his only shot attempt for Lafayette College in an 81-80 overtime loss to Princeton on Nov. 20. Against NJIT on Saturday, he was 3-for-6 shooting and 4-for-4 on free throws for 10 points. He also had nine rebounds and an assist in Lafayette's 91-88 loss...

A new route has been announced for the Annual Toy Run, which will be held Saturday. This year motorcyclists will meet at Hefner Furniture on Highway 67 in Poplar Bluff at 11 a.m. and ride out at noon. From Hefner's the route will follow Westwood Boulevard south out of Hefner's and onto Kanell Boulevard, ending at the Bingo Hall at the American Legion Post 153 on Kanell Boulevard. This new route will accommodate more people and more motorcyclists...

By BILL O'REILLY LAS VEGAS -- This is a town that looks better at night. Millions of lights pierce the darkness creating a visual that is both energetic and trance-inducing. The multilayered lightshow is dazzling and unique in America. But when the sun comes up, Las Vegas speaks directly to the recession. ...

By PAUL DAVIS Outdoors Editor Because the outdoors page was moved to Wednesdays and deer still were being Telechecked late Tuesday night, I couldn't get the official Missouri firearms deer season harvest numbers for this week, but by all accounts, things look to be pretty dismal...

As the only major medical center in the area, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center takes its responsibility to provide high quality healthcare to the communities it serves very seriously. Therefore, the hospital believes it is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of hospital operations on a regular basis. ...

By CAROLYN SMITH Staff Writer "Over the hills and through the woods to Grandmother's House we go . . ." and a Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, all the trimmings, pumpkin, pecan and mincemeat pies with family is the typical American Thanksgiving, but we aren't the only country that pauses to be thankful for our blessings. Although Thanksgiving is thought of as a typical American holiday, many countries set aside a day of thanksgiving...

Sometimes overlooked, even at their own school, the Clearwater Tigers basketball team made a statement last winter. After a tough contest against St. Pius X in the Class 3 District 2 title game, the Tigers made the rare accomplishment of winning a district title on the hardwood as opposed to the diamond...

Ronald Razer DEXTER, Mo. -- Ronald G. Razer, 73, of Wappapello, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, at his home near Shook, Mo. Visitations may be made from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Monday at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. Graveside services will begin at 3 p.m. Monday at the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo., with full military honors conducted. Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Dexter is in charge of arrangements...

Harrell Kelsoe WILLIAMSVILLE, Mo. -- Harrell Kelsoe, 72, of Williamsville died Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation will be at 6 p.m. today at the Ruegg Funeral Home in Williamsville with services following at 1 p.m. on Saturday...

Editor's Note: For your convenience, Speak Out now offers two options, call 573-686-6548 or visit our website, click on "Speak Out" and leave a message. Thank you. Can't afford to pay taxes Hi, I just read in the paper about all the new building the school board is trying to get in and how many millions of dollars and how much taxes. ...

Oak Grove Elementary has released its first quarter honor roll list for the 2013-2014 school year. B Honor Roll: Second Grade Chase William Parks, Avery Keith Persons, Rylan Jeffrey Seesengood, Kearby Lance Lee, Haydin Blain Clark, William Gauge Johnson, Katelyn Marie Kassing, Elijah Allen Moore, Benjamin Law Summers, Alex Christopher Vass, Shelby Lynn Vinson, Isabelle Katelyn White, Ian Andrew Johnson, Kolyn Grady McBride, Josalyn Nadine Stoner, Kerris Jade Taylor, Eli Andrew Depew, Landon Ray Eldridge, Abigail Joyce Newcomb, Alisyn Marie Peck, Kyle Morgan Sheppard, Lukas George Tiffany, Levi Brayden Alexander, Nevaeh Mylei Soares and Amy Leeann Swigart.. ...

Velma Short GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Velma Short, 82, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, at her residence. Arrangements are pending at the Ruegg Funeral Chapel in Greenville. Condolences: www.rueggfuneralhome.com.

Lawrence Chapin DEXTER, Mo. -- Lawrence E. Chapin, 98, of Dudley, Mo., formerly of Kansas City, died Monday, Nov. 11, 2013, at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo., with full military honors conducted. Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Dexter is in charge of arrangements...

Edna Robb NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Edna Robb, 98, of Doniphan, Mo., died 5:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, at Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Mrs. Robb was born Aug. 8, 1915, in Ripley County. She had been a former resident of Corning and Marmaduke, Ark., and Illinois. She was a school teacher and had taught at Beechridge, Bumcom and Naylor and had retired from the Illinois school system. She was a member of the Church of Christ and enjoyed quilting...

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Mo. 734 met at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29 at the First Presbyterian Church. When leader Linda Morgan called the meeting to order, there wee 12 TOPS and four KOPS members in attendance. The secretary's was read and approved...

Ourangelchildren, a local group supporting parents after a child dies, will host The Compassionate Friends' Worldwide Candle Lighting ceremony at Grace Christian Fellowship, 3200 Warrior Lane, Poplar Bluff, Mo. Sunday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. -- here and around the globe. "Light a candle for all children who have died that their light may always shine." Bring a photo of your child. Candles will be provided...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- We are tomorrow's past, so this Thanksgiving give thanks for 2013, a year the future might study more for amusement than for edification. HealthCare.gov performed the public service of defeating Barack Obama's ascription of every disagreeable effect to one of two causes -- George W. ...

Listed here are a few of the needs Project Christmas Promise would like to help fill this holiday season. The Daily American Republic will continue to publish these lists between now and Christmas. Please contact AmeriCorps Project Manager Misty Dunkin at Poplar Bluff's Promise Volunteer Center if you would like more information about a family's needs, to adopt a family for the holiday or to help with some of a family's needs. ...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN "Iran's Nuclear Triumph" roared the headline of the Wall Street Journal editorial. William Kristol is again quoting Churchill on Munich. Since the news broke Saturday night that Iran had agreed to a six-month freeze on its nuclear program, we are back in the Sudetenland again...

"I'll be home for Christmas -- via Skype" will be presented at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library District at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. "Be with your loved ones this Christmas no matter how many miles separate you. Let the library show you how you can watch and be a part of Christmas morning using the Skype app," said Shannon Mangrum, assistant library director...

Three Rivers didn't play basketball on Thanksgiving for the first time since, quite possibly, the Nixon Administration. "I don't specifically remember. I think we've played every Thanksgiving since I've been here," coach Gene Bess said. Due to some scheduling troubles, the annual PARC Thanksgiving Classic at the Bess Activity Center has gone from a three-day event to a two-day event this year. It starts tonight and ends Saturday...

Charles Eaton PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Charles Owen Eaton, 59, of Piedmont died Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation will be at 5 p.m. today at the Ruegg Funeral Chapel in Piedmont. The service will be at noon Monday at the Bloomfield State Veterans Cemetery...

Ruth Craft BERNIE, Mo. -- Ruth V. Craft, 96, of Bernie died Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mrs. Craft, daughter of the late John Horton and Anna Margaritte Kleffer Horton, was born in Bernie on Nov. 24, 1917. She was a farmer's wife, had worked at Brown Shoe Factory had also worked at the Dime Store in Bernie and was a homemaker. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bernie...

IRONTON -- For a second straight year the Clearwater Tigers came a 3-pointer shy of beating South Iron for the championship of the Arcadia Valley Thanksgiving Tournament. Clearwater cut a 5-point, last-minute deficit to 39-36 and got the ball back with in the closing seconds before DayVon Slack's 3 rimmed out...

Ruth Craft PHOTO BERNIE, Mo. -- Ruth V. Craft, 96, of Bernie died Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mrs. Craft, daughter of the late John Horton and Anna Margaritte Kleffer Horton, was born in Bernie on Nov. 24, 1917. She was a farmer's wife, had worked at Brown Shoe Factory had also worked at the Dime Store in Bernie and was a homemaker. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bernie...