Stories from Monday, December 9, 2013

As the pace of their rehearsal schedule picks up, musicians of the Chancel Choir at First United Methodist Church (FUMC) are practicing to perfect the third annual Christmas at the Rodgers musical review set for the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 15. Hailed as the church's Christmas gift to the Poplar Bluff community (there will be no admission charge), each of the Sunday afternoon performances the past two years has drawn more than 700 people to the historic Rodgers Theatre at the corner of Pine Boulevard and Broadway in Downtown Poplar Bluff. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer VAN BUREN, Mo. -- A public meeting will be held from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Van Buren Youth and Community Center to discuss a draft general management plan developed to serve as the guiding document of Ozark National Scenic Riverways for the next 20 years...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Snow accumulations of up to 10 inches with temperatures below freezing through next Thursday will lead to continued hazardous travel conditions in the coming week. The highest snow total in the area was 10.1 inches north of Poplar Bluff, Mo., with 9 inches in Ellsinore, Mo...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Plans are being made for 2,380 U.S. flags to line the funeral procession for Staff Sgt. Eric William Summers, who was among four U.S. Marines killed during a tragic explosion at Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Dec. 13...

By RUTH CAMPBELL SEMO News Service Walking into Jim Niswonger's garage is like going on a trip back in time. It houses a variety of items: vintage pressed-steel trucks, Grisold cast-iron skillets of all sizes, pedal airplanes, cars, boats and tractors, plus fishing rods and bobble corks...

Darby Provance of Columbia, Mo., and Ryan Carel of Whiteman Air Force Base announce their engagement. Provance is the daughter of Tom and Mary Provance of Poplar Bluff. She is a 2011 graduate of Poplar Bluff High School and is expected to graduate in December 2014 with a degree in social work from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is employed with Shaffer and Associates...

Michael McCoin MALDEN, Mo. -- Michael "Mike" McCoin, 59, of Clarkton, Mo., died Thursday at St. Francis Medical Center, Cape Girardeau, Mo. Visitation was Saturday at Landess Funeral Home Chapel in Malden. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today, Sunday, at the funeral home chapel. Revs. Richard Blagg and Jack Allen will officiate. Burial will be in the Stanfield Cemetery...

Ross W. Moore BERNIE, Mo. -- Ross W. Moore, 81, of Bernie died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. A memorial service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Monday in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie.

Bobby Watkins Bobby Jean Watkins, 50, of Poplar Bluff, died Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013 at Poplar Bluff Regional. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at the City Cemetery...

Margorie Reese FISK, Mo. - Margorie Alene Reese, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., surrounded by her loving family, went peacefully home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013 at St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis, Mo. She was born Dec. 31, 1922 at Rombauer, Mo...

Lake Road Elementary School staff has announced its students of the month for December for the 2013-2014 school year. First grade student of the month is Gabriel Henson in Ms. Tooke's class. He is the son of Christina and Trevor Hatton of Poplar Bluff and Dewayne Henson...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- Three crises, one president, many bewildered friends. The first crisis, barely noticed here, is Ukraine's sudden turn away from Europe and back to the Russian embrace. After years of negotiations for a major trading agreement with the European Union, Ukraine succumbed to characteristically blunt and brutal economic threats from Russia and abruptly walked away. ...

It's time to think about winter storms, and the American Red Cross urges residents to take steps now to stay safer when severe weather threatens. "By preparing together for winter storms, we can make our families safer and our communities stronger," Jamie Koehler, Disaster Program Manager for Southeast Missouri Chapter said. "We can help you and your family create a disaster preparedness plan now, before our community is threatened by dangerously low temperatures, snow, ice and strong winds."...

The holidays are drawing near and most people are making plans to enjoy the season with their loved ones. But for many, the holiday season will be a very difficult time. The American Red Cross is asking people to remember those in need this year by giving something meaningful - giving hope to those in need...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- In his disproportionate praise of the six-month agreement with Iran, Barack Obama said: "For the first time in nearly a decade, we have halted the progress of the Iranian nuclear program." But if the program, now several decades old, had really been "halted" shortly after U.S. forces invaded neighboring Iraq, we would not be desperately pursuing agreements to stop it now, as about 10,000 centrifuges spin to enrich uranium...

By NOREEN HYSLOP SEMO News Service Dexter High School senior looks at promising future Jacob Robinson is going to have some tough choices to make in the coming year. But every high school senior should be so lucky. The Dexter High School senior will most likely have to choose between Harvard, Washington University, or Yale for his college destination...

Lauren Nichole Carnahan and Cameron Daniel Duvall, both of High Ridge, Mo., announce their engagement. Carnahan is the daughter of Sandy Carnahan of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and the late Don Carnahan. She is a 2007 graduate of Poplar Bluff High School and obtained a bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University. She is employed at Fox C-6 School District...

Susan Alcoy of Badoc, Philippines, and Kevin Johnson of Bertrand, Mo., formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., announce their engagement. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Leonila Alcoy of Badoc and the late Esmeraldo Alcoy. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of Christine Johnson of Poplar Bluff and the late Buren Johnson...

Cleo Jenkins PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Cleo "Allen" Jenkins, 73 of Piedmont died Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation will be at noon Sunday, Dec. 8, at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont, with services following at 2 p.m. Condolences: www.rueggfuneralhome.com...

Georgia Garrett Georgia Ann Garrett, 74, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013 at The Manor Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Garrett was born Sept. 22, 1939 in Saco, Mo. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Garrett enjoyed spending time with her family and reading...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Stepping into the shoes of a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper was an eye-opening experience for the latest graduates of its Citizens Academy who walked away with a deeper appreciation for the job troopers do daily...

Staff Sergeant Eric Summers Staff Sergeant Eric William Summers, 32, a native of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013, in Camp Pendleton, Calif. Eric was born June 7, 1981 in Poplar Bluff, to Wayne and Melodie (Howard) Summers. After graduating from Poplar Bluff High School in 1999, and attending Three Rivers Community College for one year, he joined the Marine Corps July 11, 2000, and began serving his country...

Leon Dickey Leon Henry Dickey, 76, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 at Oakdale Assisted Living in Poplar Bluff. He was born Feb. 28, 1937 at Broseley, Mo. He was a member of Black River General Baptist Church at Broseley, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent for several years. ...

Patricia Johnson Patricia Johnson, 53, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Johnson was born June 13, 1960 in St. Louis, Mo. She attended The Family Worship Center. Her hobbies were praising the Lord and her grandchildren...

Albert Mace Sr. PUXICO, Mo. -- Albert Lee Mace, Sr., 68, of Puxico died Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center Poplar Bluff, Mo. Private family services will be held at a later date. Burial will be in the Puxico City Cemetery in Puxico with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Puxico in charge of arrangements...

Esther Crook DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Because of inclement weather, funeral arrangements have been changed for Esther Crook, 94, of Doniphan, Mo., who died Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, at the Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Timothy Matthew officiating. Burial will be in the Robinson Cemetery in Ozark, Ill., at 3 p.m...

Ellen Parks Ellen Parks entered the Kingdom of God on Nov. 28, 2013, at her home in Franklin, Tenn. She was born on Jan. 26, 1921, in Broseley, Mo., to Francis and Pairlee Batten. Ellen married Loren Parks on Dec. 20, 1945, and her preceded her in death in 1992...

By SHARON RANDALL Scripps Howard News Service (Editor's Note: Sharon Randall is on vacation. The following column originally appeared in December, 2002.) "Christmas is a-coming," the old song goes, and the goose is not the only one getting fat. I've used that line before and it isn't as funny as it used to be. Just once, I would like to eat my way through the holidays without picturing, the instant I imbibe in a bit of fudge or a swig of eggnog, exactly how it's going to look on my hips...

Carr Vernon added another title to his resume when he was named the Missouri Amateur Player of the Year by the Missouri Golf Association. "It's a great honor for sure," Vernon said by phone from Akron, Ohio. "There's a lot of great names that have been Missouri golfer of the year. Proud I can be apart of that."...

How often do you see a business reverse a decision it made based on financial considerations it felt was best for the operation of its business? Not often. Ken James, market chief executive officer of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, made such a decision Thursday...

Missouri sure didn't look like an SEC East champion when I saw them back in September. The Tigers were trailing Arkansas State with 4 minutes left in the third quarter on a wet night at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. It should have been worse. The Red Wolves botched a last-second drive to end the first half, coming away with no points after getting to the Missouri 2-yard line. The Tigers led just 14-13 at the break...

Oleda Cloud MALDEN, Mo. -- Oleda Cloud, 88, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Malden, died Thursday at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Bradshaw Funeral Home of Malden is in charge of arrangements.

Velma L. Stewart GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Velma L. Stewart, 82, formerly of Piedmont, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 at the Parkland Health Center in Farmington, Mo. Visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Greenville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the Friendship-Grassy Cemetery in Grassy, Mo...

Ozark Foothills Regional Community Foundation (OFRCF), administered by the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission, provided an appreciation luncheon for individuals who have donated to funds held by OFRCF, or established funds with OFRCF in 2013. The luncheon was held at the historic Brown & Burns Law Office in downtown Poplar Bluff and was catered by the Rev. Greg Kirk and the United Gospel Rescue Mission...

Velma L. Stewart GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Velma L. Stewart, 82, formerly of Piedmont, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 at the Parkland Health Center in Farmington, Mo. Visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Greenville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the Friendship-Grassy Cemetery in Grassy, Mo...