Stories from Saturday, June 21, 2014

By ALEX WEST Staff Writer The Kiwanis Club of Poplar Bluff's weekly meeting Thursday at Las Margaritas featured guest speaker Paul Schuerenberg Jr. with the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. Schuerenberg discussed ways the VA benefits the approximately 50,000 veterans in its service area which covers 29 counties in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. ...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor GREENVILLE, Mo. -- When Wayne County residents cast votes in the Aug. 5 primary election, the name of a candidate they did not expect to see will be on the ballot. Robert Ramshur, who has been the Wayne County prosecuting attorney for the past six years, announced April 14 he planned to withdraw as a Democratic candidate seeking re-election to a four-year term, but he has changed his mind...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The Poplar Bluff Advisory Search Committee is ready to tackle the big job of interviewing applicants for the position of city manager. "We have received 38 applications," City Clerk Pam Kearbey said during Thursday's meeting...

Get 'er done [mail] My mom and step-dad live on Oak Grove Road. They said they are paying taxes to extend Shelby Road. This extra 1% is enforced now. When is the city going to extend Shelby Road? I live on 142 Highway and go to Three Rivers College. It will benefit many people that have to drive from 53 Highway or anywhere south to the north end. If they are paying taxes for this improvement it should get done now. Thank you...

By MIKE JENSON Publisher Sikeston Standard Democrat On Friday afternoon, as is the practice of this White House, the Obama administration quietly announced that over two years of email from embattled IRS official Lois Lerner has been "lost." So on the eve of a special Congressional investigation into the targeting of conservative groups by the IRS, we're to believe that sensitive and potentially illegal activities outlined in thousands of emails have somehow just simply vanished into thin air...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- Yes, it is true that there was no al-Qaeda in Iraq when George W. Bush took office. But it is equally true that there was essentially no al-Qaeda in Iraq remaining when Barack Obama took office. Which makes Bush responsible for the terrible costs incurred to defeat the 2003-09 jihadist war engendered by his invasion. ...

The Agee Community Club met for a delicious picnic lunch on Wednesday, June 18, at the home of Mrs. Orel Smith. Jeanie Figgins was this month's hostess. Cathy Womack, club president, opened the meeting with the members repeating the club motto. "When the heart is full of love the world is full of beauty. Orel Smith offered the invocation. Roll call was answered with, "What do you know about the American Flag?"...

Mo. Star Quilters' Guild meets The June 12 meeting of the Missouri Star Quilters' Guild was called to order by President Dori Caldwell with 19 present. The minutes from the May 2014 meeting were approved as published. Cheryl Maples presented the treasurer's report...

Dorothy Deckard PIEDMONT, Mo.-- Dorothy E. Deckard, 88, of Patterson, Mo. died Thursday, June 19, 2014, in Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. Visitation will be at 11 a.m. Sunday at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. at Ruegg Funeral Home...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Ozzie Smith, the scheduled keynote speaker for the 2014 Semoball Awards, will attend the funeral of friend and fellow Hall of Fame baseball player Tony Gwynn, and will not be available to speak Saturday at the event to be held at the Show Me Center...

James King PIEDMONT, Mo.--James Duree King, 65, of Piedmont, died Wednesday, June 18, 2014 in the Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. He was cremated and no services are planned at this time. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhome.com...

James Johnson MALDEN, Mo.--James B. Johnson, 69, of Campbell, Mo., formerly of Murphysboro, Ill., died Wednesday, June 18, 2014, in Malden. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Clarkton, Mo. with Rev. James Oldham officiating...

Eugene Cox PUXICO, Mo.--Eugene (the Barber) Cox, 83, of Wappapello, Mo., died Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at his home. Visitation will be at 6 p.m. Friday at Morgan Sifford Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Morgan Sifford Chapel with Rev. Tim Shultz officiating. Burial will be in Bloomfield City Cemetery, Bloomfield, Mo...

Ronnie Phelps Ronnie Evan Phelps, 69, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, June 19, 2014, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. He was born July 11, 1944 in Poplar Bluff. March 13, 1978, he married Francis Bebout, who survives. He was a beloved dad, son, brother, uncle and friend. Mr. Phelps retired from Chrysler. His hobbies were fishing, playing cards and cooking. He was of the Baptist faith...

The American Red Cross encourages blood donors to help prevent a summer shortage by rolling up a sleeve to give. Donors of all blood types are urged to schedule an appointment now, especially those with types O negative, B negative and A negative. Type O negative is universal and can likely be transfused to anyone who needs blood. ...

By COREY NOLES SEMO News Service BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Hearings were delayed Thursday afternoon for cases involving three individuals accused of arson and attempted murder. Donald Lafferty, Christopher Hicks and Brandy Hicks are all charged with the Class B felony of attempted murder, the Class B felony of first-degree arson and the unclassified felony of armed criminal action. Lafferty is also charged with the Class A felony of financial exploitation of the elderly ($50,000 or more.)...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Poplar Bluff campuses could see signs of construction as early as October under a proposed nearly $55.1 million budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. The budget includes almost $8.2 million in construction and design spending to start new high school and fourth through six grade center projects, as well as renovations at the junior high and elementary schools...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Poplar Bluff School District Total proposed budget: $55.1 million (Figures approximate) Operating budget: Revenue - $46.3 million Expenses - $46.8 million Revenue sources: Some of the expenses include: Construction and design...