Stories from Saturday, March 8, 2014

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Organization of a community group to support Wappapello Lake would benefit both the 73-year-old project and area towns, according to park rangers. A meeting will be held at 6 p.m. March 25 at the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center as the U.S. Corps of Engineers looks to form a friends of the lake group...

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) -- A dropped or kicked grenade was the "most probable cause" of an explosion that killed four Marines during a training exercise last year at Camp Pendleton and a captain and master sergeant who were in charge were relieved of their duties, a base spokesman said Thursday...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The birth of Colton Charest on Wednesday, two weeks early, means he now shares the same birthday as his big sister. And his dad. And his delivery doctor. While Dr. John Patty has delivered thousands of babies during more than 20 years of practice, many on his birthday, this is a first even for him. Patty has delivered all three of the Charests' children, including big sister Jasmine on their shared birthday three years ago...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Area residents are being advised to be on the alert for chunks of ice sliding off metal roofs as temperatures warm. "Do not park or walk close to a building with a metal roof." advised Bill Bach, general manager of Municipal Utilities...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer An SUV carrying six children under the age of 14 lost control Sunday morning in Stoddard County on an ice covered road. Everyone was taken to an area hospital by ambulance. A passenger in another SUV was injured in Dunklin County after the vehicle slid off a road and into a bridge support...

Donna Janes CORNING, Ark. -- Donna Blankenship Janes, 51, of Corning passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at Crittenden Regional Hospital in West Memphis, Ark. Born Aug. 6, 1962, in Paragould, Ark., Mrs. Janes was a former personnel manager for Wal-Mart where she worked for 15 years. She enjoyed spending time with her babies, dancing and singing around the house, cleaning and visiting with the church ladies...

Take Off Pounds Sensibly MO 734's Feb. 19 meeting was called to order by leader Linda Morgan with 10 TOPS and two KOPS present. Following roll call, Lou Ann Wrather read the secretary's report which was approved. Pam Kane for TOPS and Mary Lou McPherson for KOPS are the best losers this week. Chapter members welcomed longtime member Kathy Gibbs as she visited. Gibbs is recuperating from health problems but is back to work and always a TOPS member. Linda Von Ruedgsich was wished a happy birthday...

Cpt. James Jines Captain James A. Jines, 78, of Dexter died Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, at his residence. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. A graveside service will follow beginning at 11 a.m. in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery in Dexter with the Rev. Lonny Mittag officiating...

Jeffrey Clark DEXTER, Mo. -- Jeffrey Thomas Clark, 54, of Dexter died Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at his residence. Visitation will be from 3-3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. A memorial service will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Josh Carpenter officiating...

Melvin Swafford VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Melvin Junior Swafford, 84, of Baldwin City, Kan., formerly of Hillsboro, Mo., and Van Buren, died Wednesday, March 5, 2014, in Baldwin City. Mr. Swafford, son of the late Henry Melvin and Madge Henrietta (Ford) Swafford, was born June 10, 1929, in Van Buren. He had resided in Baldwin City for the past year...

Hickey College announces Luke Richards of Ellington, Mo., recently has graduated from the Veterinary Technician Associate Degree program.

The Women's Citizenship Club met Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the dining room of the Twin Towers. Lunch was served and music was performed by the Haffords prior to club members adjourning to the Snider Room for the business meeting. President Rita McVey called the meeting to order and welcomed the 11 members who were present...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN Whether saber rattling or not, word is out that the White House is "rethinking its options" on intervening in the Syrian war. The collapse of John Kerry's Geneva 2 talks between the rebels and regime, the lengthening casualty lists from barrel-bomb attacks, and a death toll approaching 150,000, are apparently causing second thoughts...

Several local University of Arkansas students have been recognized for their academic achievements during the 2013 fall semester. The following local students graduated from the University of Arkansas at the end of the 2013 summer or 2013 fall semester: Jamie Fritts, Kinesiology, College of Education and Health Professions, Bachelor of Science Education; Kara Persons, Accounting, Sam M. ...

This week the House of Representatives took action to stop government abuse that is threatening American's liberty and their hard-earned paychecks. During my short time in Washington I have been truly appalled by the power of federal agencies and the influence they have over every American. Chief among my goals in the House of Representatives is to give American families relief from unnecessary and ineffective regulatory burdens...

Glendene Nesbit DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Glendene Nesbit, 93, life-long resident of Doniphan, died Thursday evening, March 6, 2014, at the Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan and will be announced upon completion...

CAMPBELL -- It was a major sigh of relief for Neelyville coach Becky Hale and her team. They probably won't have to play against a player the caliber of South Pemiscot's Carrie Shephard for a long, long time. "It was a sigh of relief when that final buzzer sounds," said Hale following a 71-67 win in the MSHSAA Class 2 playoff Thursday...

BLOOMFIELD -- The Naylor Lady Eagles advanced in the state playoffs Thursday, but weren't satisfied with their play. After being tied at the end of the first and second quarters, the Lady Eagles closed the third quarter with a 7-0 run and carried that momentum to a trip to the MSHSAA Class 1 quarterfinals, beating Scott County Central 44-33...

IMPERIAL -- Locked in a back-and-forth battle, the Poplar Bluff Mules got stuck in a mini ice age just long enough Thursday. The Mules couldn't overcome going nearly 5 1/2 minutes without scoring in the second half as Oakville held on for a 68-66 win in the MSHSAA Class 5 District 1 semifinal...

Don Hawkins Alva Donald "Don" Hawkins, 80, of Naylor, Mo., died Thursday, March 6, 2014, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Hawkins, son of the late Nathaniel and Dovie (Berry) Hawkins, was born May 15, 1933, in Kennett, Mo. He was a member of Current River Baptist Church in Doniphan, Mo. ...

Ray Wagner NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Lawrence "Ray" Wagner, 70, of Fairdealing, Mo., passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at SouthEast Healthcare in Doniphan, Mo. He was born Sept. 13, 1943, at Neelyville to the late Lawrence Wagner and Alta LeGrand Wagner...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- A nerve-racking situation materialized for Dexter center Paige Patterson as she headed to the free throw line to attempt a pair of free throws with her team leading Kennett 58-7 in the third quarter of its district semifinal Thursday night...