Stories from Sunday, January 12, 2014

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Loyd Matthews, who touched the lives of numerous people while serving the Lord at First Christian Church and on the Poplar Bluff City Council, died Saturday at home with his family. As loved ones and friends mourn his departure, they are sharing many memories of working with Matthews to improve Poplar Bluff and help people...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Approximately 60 residents opposed to the possible site of a federal residential re-entry center between East Outer Road and Bypass 67 southwest of Poplar Bluff, Mo., kicked off a letter writing campaign during a meeting with the Butler County Commission Friday afternoon...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer A little more than a week ago, about 50 people gathered on the upper Current River to experience what it means to use an outboard motor craft in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Motorboat horsepower restrictions have been one of the most controversial topics of discussion in the alternative the National Park Service has said it prefers from the non-action and three action choices detailed in the draft General Management Plan...

Vince Lampe has announced his intentions to file for candidacy on the Republican ticket for Butler County Presiding Commissioner. Lampe is a life-long resident of Poplar Bluff. He graduated from Poplar Bluff Senior High in 1978. In addition to farming row crops, he has owned and operated Lampe's Home Construction for more than 30 years...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Sheriff Mark Dobbs renewed his request Friday for an additional $90,000 from the general fund to hire a full-time investigator and three part-time staff members, but it was denied. While they recognize the need for more deputies, Presiding Commissioner Ed Strenfel, Western District Commissioner Jeff Darnell and Eastern District Commissioner Butch Anderson agreed that the county's financial situation prevented them from adding $90,000 to the sheriff's budget this year.. ...

Story and photos By ALEX WEST Staff Writer SDLqI want a pony." "Daddy, can I have a horsey?" At some point, most parents hear a request for Black Beauty or Mr. Ed on their children's wish lists. One local artist offers an alternative to the neighing, trotting, carrot-crunching creature that is sure to please the equine-minded child...

Ruthie Ann Davis of Wappapello, Mo. and Richard Dale Scott of Poplar Bluff, Mo. announce their engagement. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Edith Robinson of Wappapello and the late Arla Robinson. The bride-to-be is a graduate of Greenville High School. She is retired and works part-time at Three Rivers College...

Katrina Roxanne Smith and Robert Eugene Beights, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo., announce their engagement. The bride-to-be is the daughter of the late Raymond Leon Smith and Brenda Kay and Peter James Fisher of Queensland, Australia. She is a 2003 graduate of Poplar Bluff High School and is employed as a teller with Southern Bank. Smith has two children from a previous marriage, Kaden Skylar and Kailey Renee Manis...

Two Poplar Bluff Junior High School students were recognized for completing the Charlie Classics Fall Reading Challenge. Eighth grader Adam Woodard was awarded a $150 Visa bank card for reading 17 Charlie Classics, and Sam Traxel, also of the eighth grade, took second place with 13 books, winning a $100 bank card...

By CAROLYN SMITH Staff Writer Since last fall when the Child Concern Center was gifted with a new building at 601 Poplar Street, volunteers have worked tirelessly transforming the space. Much has been accomplished, space reconfigured, walls painted, a lift installed, and carpet laid...

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. Does Qulin need a new city hall? I would like to know what is going on with the Qulin City Hall. ...

By SHARON RANDALL McClatchy-Tribune News Service We used to go out dancing, my husband and I. We still do on occasion, though not so much anymore. I'm not sure why. He's an editor by day, but a bass player by heart. You know how it is with musicians. With them, the music never stops. It's always playing somewhere, if only in their minds...

To the Editor, We would like to thank The Daily American Republic for the great color coverage you gave the Dancing with the P.B. Stars at the Rodgers Theatre. You did a great job in thanking the businesses and organizations that supported the event and in writing the article that explained the event...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Constitutional arguments that seem as dry as dust can have momentous consequences. On Monday, the Supreme Court's nine fine minds will hear oral arguments about the meaning of "the" and "happen." What they decide could advance the urgent project of reining in rampant executive power...

William Murdock William Robert Murdock, 79, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Murdock was born Feb. 7, 1934, in Maynard, Ark. He attended the Church of Christ and retired as a took and die maker for American Can Company. Mr. Murdock was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during the Korean conflict. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and collecting, trading and reloading guns...

Kathleen Board FISK, Mo. -- Kathleen R. Board, 68, of Wappapello, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are pending with White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. Condolences: www.whitesandersfuneralhome.com...

Goldie Butler Goldie E. Butler, 69, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, in Poplar Bluff. The family will have a private memorial service at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home. Online condolences: www.fitchhillisfh.com...

Reta Williams VanMatre DEXTER, Mo. -- Reta Williams VanMatre, 78, of Dexter, died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, at her residence. Visitation will be from noon-1 p.m. Sunday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at 1 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Cemetery in Dexter with the Rev. Jim Hoyt officiating...

Ivogene Walpole DEXTER, Mo. -- Ivogene Coln Walpole, 93, of Dexter, died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, at Golden Living Center in Dexter. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with the Rev. Ray Rowland officiating. Burial will follow in the Dexter Cemetery...

Mildred Jones Mildred Ruth Jones, 83, of Wappapello, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at The Manor in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service.

Walter Dunson Walter Cornelius Dunson, 83, of Broseley, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service.

Loyd Matthews Loyd Matthews, 79, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at his home. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service.

Leo Temple PUXICO, Mo. -- Leo Temple, 85, of Wappapello, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are pending with Morgan Sifford Funeral Home of Puxico.

Bennie Mitchell NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Bennie Winston Mitchell, 70, of Harviell, Mo., died Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at his home. Graveside services will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Kinsey Cemetery near Harviell. No visitation is scheduled. Fowler-Sullivan Memorial Chapel of Neelyville is in charge of arrangements...

Agnes Crabtree DEXTER, Mo. -- Agnes D. Crabtree, 75, of Dexter died Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County in Dexter. Visitation will begin at noon Monday at Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, with funeral services following at 2 p.m. The Rev. Mike Kohlbaker will officiate. Burial will be in the Morgan Memorial Park Cemetery in Advance, Mo...

NEELYVILLE -- School was cancelled Friday for Neelyville and Naylor. The Tigers' homecoming was not. Neelyville polished off the night with a picture-perfect 77-60 win over Naylor. "Homecoming always affects people, I think," Neelyville coach Patrick Morton said. "Even I was a little bit more pumped up tonight. You've got the big crowd here, everybody is here taking pictures, all the guys are pumped up, there is a lot more going on besides basketball...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- In breaking their own school record, Poplar Bluff's 200-yard freestyle relay also broke the pool record and flirted with a state qualifying time Friday at the Jackson Relays. Haylee Dragon, Cassidy Harris, Morgan McAtee and Kaelyn Moore won the race in 1 minute, 48.59 seconds, missing the state cut by 2.6 seconds...

BROSELEY -- Playing for the first time in nearly two weeks, Twin Rivers coach Dustin Benson pictured in his head what might happen to his Royals after such a long layoff Friday night. "We had been off for two weeks and I knew one of two things was going to happen," Benson said. "We were going to come out with a ton of energy and play really well early or we were just going to lay an egg."...

SEDALIA -- There probably isn't something in the water, but maybe the seat cushions on the team bus. Two days after the Raiders had their worst shooting performance of the season at Moberly, the Lady Raiders did the same thing at State Fair. The Lady Raiders (12-5, 1-2 Region XVI) shot 29 percent from the field and lost 81-62 after being down by five at the half...

Indian Hills has forfeited its 109-104 win Tuesday against Three Rivers. Indian Hills' Malik Dime committed his fourth foul going up for an offensive rebound midway through the second half and was then given his second technical foul, and thus his fifth foul, for arguing with officials after the play...

SEDALIA -- Each point that slipped through the Three Rivers Raiders' fingers in regulation was picked up by the State Fair Roadrunners in overtime. In the final minute of regulation Saturday, the Raiders were 1-for-7 at the free-throw line. In the final minue of overtime, State Fair was 7-for-8 at the free-throw line...

BERNIE -- B.J. Jennings played all 32 minutes for Bernie and led the way with 30 points in a 84-83 win at home over Advance on Friday. He also had nine rebounds. "It was great to see him step up and lead and I was very proud of him," Bernie coach Brad Botsch said. "We've spent a lot of time in practice on offense and it has improved, but defensively we were a step slow all night."...