Stories from Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Poplar Bluff Superintendent Chris Hon said this morning no decision had been made to send students home early. "We're holding onto our students for safety reasons," Hon at 9:30 a.m. as heavy snow continued to fall. "We're not going to turn around and go back out now."...

By DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Southeast Missouri lawmaker apologized Friday for being arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated but said he will remain in office while likely seeking counseling. Democratic Rep. Steve Hodges acknowledged in an interview with The Associated Press he had been drinking alcohol Wednesday evening and had been driving his vehicle. But he said he didn't believe he was drunk when he was picked up by police early Thursday morning...

Peter W. Tinsley has issued a press release officially announcing his candidacy for the Ward 5 seat on the Poplar Bluff City Council. "After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to step forward to represent Ward 5 of Poplar Bluff as a city councilman. I have always had a servant heart and feel I could be an asset to the council," Tinsley said. "I believe I bring to the table expertise in business, safety and integrity,"...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer As snow days continue to pile up for area schools -- eight are closed again today -- parents have struggled to find care for children who have missed a week or more of school just in the current round of bad weather. Poplar Bluff, Mo., mother Joanne Miller spent part of Sunday at the office making up time she missed to stay home with her 7-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter. Miller and her husband have traded off missing work to take care of the children...

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks, in partnership with Commerce Trust Company, awarded $20,000 to Whole Kids Outreach of Ellington, Mo., at a 2014 Coover Regional Grants ceremony. The grant will support an outreach specialist for its home visiting program to provide health education and life skill training to pregnant teens/women and to families with young children...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Trash has been piling up for 300 customers of Nichols Disposal of Poplar Bluff, Mo., due to a temporary restraining order obtained by Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, but service resumed today. On Jan. 28, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources cited Nichols Disposal for operating a solid waste processing facility at 3190 County Road 472 without a permit...

Poplar Bluff Municipal Library improved public access to computers by equipping a new computer lab with a $12,969 grant. The lab contains 10 new touchscreen laptops with Windows 8.1 operating systems and Microsoft Office 2013. As of February 2014, the library is partnering with the Missouri Career Center and the South Central Workforce Investment Board offering free workshops and classes at the library in basic computer use, improvement of job-seeking skills, and GED test preparation...

By MONA CHAREN From one point of view, President Barack Obama's invocation of the hoary "77 cents" myth regarding the relative earnings of women and men was a shallow and cheap political pander. Democrats, eager to maintain their advantage with women voters, stoke grievance. It's the same playbook they've used to solidify their standing with black voters -- suggest whenever and wherever possible that Republicans are racists. It's crude, offensive and libelous -- but effective...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN "If these negotiations [with Iran] fail, there are two grim alternatives," said Sen. Richard Durbin, "a nuclear Iran, or war, or perhaps both." Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham returned from the Munich security conference saying that even John Kerry agrees that President Obama's Syrian policy has failed. They are urging another look at air strikes...

By SHARON RANDALL McClatchy-Tribune News Service We make the world a better place by being better people -- kinder, gentler, slow to judge, quick to offer grace. I believe that. But some days, it's easier said than done. Last week, I stopped at the market to pick up a few things. I was in a rush to get home and start dinner. Yes, that's a lame excuse, but it's all I've got...

ROLLA, Mo. -- Missouri University of Science and Technology announces the names of students who made the honor list for the 2013 Fall semester. Brandon Joseph Bach of Poplar Bluff, Mo., a senior in chemical engineering. Isaac John Bader of Qulin, Mo., a senior in biological sciences. ...

Upcoming Red Cross blood donation opportunities: Butler County Feb. 27 from 12-4 p.m. at John J. Pershing Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1500 N. Westwood in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Carter County Feb. 27 from 1-6 p.m. at Van Buren Community Center, 1204 Highway D in Van Buren, Mo...

Sacred Heart School has released its second quarter honor roll for the 2013-2014 school year. Students named to that list are: "A" Honor Roll: First Grade: Cohen Ashcraft, Keith Ashcraft, Jackson Beis, Madelyn Cauthen, Laci Crumley, Hugo Esquivel, Emma Gutterman, Lilyanna Johnson, Jasmin Martinez, Michael Rodriguez, Yaritza Salazar, Vanessa Torres, Joshua Wheeler...

The Genealogy Society of Butler County held its first meeting of 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff, Mo. President June Allen presented certificates of appreciation to society members, Shirley Pearman, Joyce Drew, Paula Allen and Katherine Pierce for serving as officers in 2012 and 2013...

Producers who would like help starting a safety plan or who want more information on Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) should attend "Understanding Good Ag Practices." This workshop is through the University of Missouri Extension in cooperation with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Missouri Department of Agriculture...

Mary Hill Mary J. Hill, 61, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, at Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital. Arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service.

Jerry Baker DEXTER, Mo. -- Jerry Ray Baker, 64, of Dexter died Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, at his residence near Dexter. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. today at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the Bernie Cemetery in Bernie, Mo...

Demo women cancel supper Due to the snow, the Butler County Democratic Women's Club has canceled tonight's ham and bean supper at the United Gospel Rescue Mission.

Carrie Wood GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Carrie Evelyn Wood, 81, of Greenville died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, at Greenville Nursing and Rehab in Greenville. Arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home in Greenville. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhome.com...

Carl Henson VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Carl Dean Henson, 67, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Van Buren, died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, in the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Carl was born June 16, 1946, to the late John Douglas and Gertrude Pauline (Cattron) Henson, in Poplar Bluff. ...

Alvie Richmann ARNOLD, Mo. -- Alvie "Slim" Richmann, 72, of Arnold died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Mr. Richmann was born July 29, 1941. He was the beloved husband of Rose Richmann (nee Strecker); loving father of Jeff (Lisa) Richmann and Tonya (Jeff) King; beloved grandfather of Michael, Danni and Mariah; dear great-grandfather of Haily and Dominic; brother of Ivan Richmann, Eula Dunahoo and Vearleen Liley and the late Zella Richmann, Dora Atnip and O'Dell Richmann; dear uncle, cousin and friend...

Bill Pickens DONIPHAN, Mo. -- William Arlis "Bill" Pickens, 88, of Doniphan died Friday, February 7, 2014, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital. Mr. Pickens was born May 13, 1925, in Chandler, Okla. He was a veteran of the Marine Corps having served during World War II. ...

Hunting and fishing are a way of life for many in Missouri. For generations, families have come together to fish Missouri's streams and lakes. For my family, the beginning of hunting season is celebrated like a holiday. I grew up fishing on the Current River and Norfork and Clearwater Lakes. ...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS There is no material poverty in the U.S. Here are a few facts about people whom the Census Bureau labels as poor. Dr. Robert Rector and Rachel Sheffield, in their study "Understanding Poverty in the United States: Surprising Facts About America's Poor," report that 80 percent of poor households have air conditioning; nearly three-quarters have a car or truck, and 31 percent have two or more. ...

Pike Creek cancels board meeting tonight Tonight's Pike Creek Sewer District board meeting has been canceled due to the death of board member Carl Henson. Visitation will begin at 6 tonight in the McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren, Mo. A second visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, Mo., with the funeral following at 1:30 p.m...

Holly Hall DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- Holly June Hall, 35, of Doniphan, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, at her residence. Services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the chapel of Dyersburg Funeral Home with the Rev. Allen Leutert and the Rev. Kenny Chessor officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery...

Betty Denny PUXICO, Mo. -- Betty L. Denny, 77, lifetime resident of Puxico died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Arrangements are pending with Morgan-Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico.

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- In a much anticipated showdown between two district rivals, the Notre Dame girls basketball team had Dexter right where it wanted. The Bulldogs held a three-point lead heading into the final quarter on their home floor. In the blink of an eye that lead was gone, Dexter took charge, and the Bearcats outlasted Notre Dame for a 60-54 win...

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks, in partnership with Commerce Trust Company, awarded $4,500 to the Child Concern Center of Poplar Bluff, Mo., at a 2014 Coover Regional Grants ceremony Funding will help support a program to provide monthly food boxes to qualifying families in Butler County to help ensure children receive adequate nutrition. The Center distributes about 110 food boxes each month...

Three Rivers sophomore Erin Bollmann has been dismissed from the Lady Raider basketball team and will not return to it. Dr. Angela Totty, Three Rivers Vice President of Student Success, confirmed Bollmann was removed from the team because of a discipline issue. She could not comment as to whether any other parties were involved in the investigation...

Sophia Piatt CAMPBELL, Mo. -- Sophia Mae Piatt, 74, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Piatt, daughter of Samuel Edward and Anna Mary Rowland Phillips, was born on Aug. 6, 1939, in Fagus, Mo...

PERRYVILLE -- The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules won four events Monday in their final race before the conference championship. Mallory Dye, Haylee Dragon and Morgan McAtee won individual events while Dana Ziomek, Ashley Stonecipher, Hannah Fortner and Katie Huskey combined to win the 200-meter freestyle relay for the Mules...

MALDEN -- Campbell pulled away in the third quarter to advance in the opening round of the Bootheel Conference Tournament, beating Portageville 52-44 Monday. Johanna Nelson's 16 points and 12 each from Alyssa Everett and Taylor Osborn led Campbell (5-12)...

Jewell Botkin Jewell G. Botkin, 86, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, at her home. Mrs. Botkin was born July 28, 1927, to Elbert and Mary Mae Hosea McLesky. They preceded her in death, along with her husband, Jesse Lee Botkin, who died March 5, 1985...

Gilbert Thompson DEXTER, Mo. -- Gilbert D. Thompson, 75, of Dexter died Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, at his residence. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter with Rev. Lonny Mittag and Rev. Buck Cruse officiating...

Carl Henson VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Carl Dean Henson, 67, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Van Buren, died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, in the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Carl was born June 16, 1946, to the late John Douglas and Gertrude Pauline (Cattron) Henson, in Poplar Bluff. ...

Fred Agee MADRAS, Ore. -- Fred Lee Agee, 84, of Madras, Ore., died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, at his home. Mr. Agee was formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo. Arrangements are pending in Oregon.

Linn State Technical College congratulates area students who achieved academic excellence during the 2013 fall semester and one who graduated in December. Area students honored are Caleb Griffin and Angela Ormsby of Doniphan, Mo.; Jacob Slusher of Dudley, Mo.; Nicholas Saffle of Ellsinore, Mo.; Tate Heaton of Piedmont, Mo.; and Jessica Deken of Poplar Bluff, Mo...