Stories from Monday, June 30, 2014

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor Butler County residents will kickoff a two-day Independence Day celebration in Downtown Poplar Bluff with a parade Friday morning and fireworks. Activities Saturday include a 5K race downtown and Bullfest in Ray Clinton Park and the beauty pageant at the Holiday Inn...

Rocky Kingree's name will be on the Republican primary election ballot in Butler County, but more litigation is expected. "He may win this battle, but he will not win the war," Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour said in Butler County Circuit Court Friday...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Municipal Utilities requires as much as 84 million watts at any given moment to meet their customers' electric needs. At its busiest, Poplar Bluff uses 30 percent more power to operate than it did even 15 years ago. The grid stretches from two of its largest electric consumers, the 250 patient rooms at a new hospital at the north to the industrial park, where Briggs & Stratton employs about 850 people to build small engines...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- The Neelyville School Board approved an expected deficit spending 2014-15 budget, which includes the construction of a safe room, during its monthly meeting Thursday night. "That budget reflects (what will occur) if the (Aug. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Education has been the family business for three generations of Allens, who have accumulated 124 years teaching in the Poplar Bluff School District. The newest addition is Josh Allen, who just completed his first year at R-I. Josh's wife, Traci, is an elementary teacher for the district, while both of his parents and grandparents retired from R-I...

he Fourth of July has been a federal holiday since 1941. Though that may seem like a long time for the country to wait to celebrate the independence it declared in 1776, the tradition of the Fourth of July, often referred to as Independence Day, dates back to the dawn of the American Revolution and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. ...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor harles (Chuck) Ray traded his Poplar Bluff High School graduation cap and gown in 2004 for fatigues. Instead of walking with his friends to get his diploma, he was at Marine boot camp. Today, Ray is a hero. He served tours of duty in Iraq and in Afghanistan. ...

By CAROLYN SMITH Staff Writer ilitary service did not stop with Paul and Antonia Varner, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., their son, Jonathan Varner, followed in their footsteps making it a family affair. Paul Varner grew up in Kansas. He has a doctor of optometry degree from the Optometry School of St. ...

ce cream is synonymous with summer, when rising temperatures and vacations from school and work call for some refreshing celebration. Those who want to experiment with homemade ice cream may want to consider the following recipe for "Dulce de Leche Ice Cream" from Lou Seibert Pappas' "Ice Creams and Sorbets" (Chronicle Books)...

ould any food be as simplistic and delicious at the same time as a patty of beef on top of a crusty bun, served with lettuce, tomato and your choice of condiments? Burgers are the go-to item for barbecues, campouts, fast-food meals, and late night trips to the diner. A juicy burger can satisfy so many cravings in one sitting...

Lee and Ann Jordan announce the engagement of their daughter, Brooke Elizabeth Jordan, all of West Plains, Mo., to Craig Jeffery Darnell of Poplar Bluff, Mo. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of Jeff and Monda Darnell, also of Poplar Bluff. The couple will be married at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014 at the Darnell Family Farm in Poplar Bluff...

Krystal Gene Crable and Kyle Logan Wood, both of Williamsville, Mo., announce their engagement. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Cindy McCoy of Granite City, Ill. and Jason Hutson of Williamsville, Mo. Parents of the bridegroom-to-be are Tina and Bob Hillis of Williamsville and the late Randy (Sam) Wood...

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first of three stories about Poplar Bluff, Mo., writer Carolyn Smith's travels to Africa. By CAROLYN SMITH Staff Writer Part I - Zambia After years of dreaming, planning and saving for an African adventure, this was the year it all came together. ...

Gary and Judy Boehmer of Jefferson City, Mo. announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Anne Boehmer of Columbia, Mo. to Zachary Ryan Talbott, also of Columbia. The parents of the bridegroom-to-be are Rick and Carol Talbott of Neelyville, Mo. The bridegroom-to-be is also the grandson of Joan Talbott and Nadine Gardner, also of Neelyville...

Tuesday and Wednesday, beginning at 8:30 a.m., Grace Foot Care will be at Twin Towers for cutting toenails and caring for your feet. Appointments are required. Call 785-8593 for an appointment. Wednesday, 11 a.m. until noon, LakeView Home Care will be in the dining room for free blood pressure test. At 11:30 a.m., "Army of the Lord" will sing gospel songs for everyone's enjoyment...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN Looking back over the last century there were two great coalition builders in presidential politics: FDR and Richard Nixon. Franklin Roosevelt broke the Lincoln lock on the presidency that had given Republicans the White House in 56 of the previous 72 years. From 1932 to 1964, FDR's party would win seven of nine elections...

By JOHN M. CRISP McClatchy-Tribune News Service I'm skeptical about the capacity of the force of arms to provide solutions that endure very far into the future. You probably are, too, if your confidence in the use of military power during World War II -- some people call it the last "good war" -- has been undermined by subsequent wars, especially Vietnam and our decade-plus wars in Iraq and Afghanistan...

Fiber optic installers are making mess I live out on CR 468 out by Westwood Hills Country Club and Ozark Borders and M & A or somebody is putting up fiber optic line in. Nobody asked. Nobody knows. It's just running this bloomin' thing all the way making one grand mess and I guess that's the way they leave it. ...

Dear Editor: We at the INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER of SEMO would like to thank everyone involved in the "May Fund Drive" for the Independent Living Center's Arthritis Program. A big THANK YOU to Advanced Therapy Services; Baldwin Ford Toyota; Morse Harwell Jiles Insurance Company; Poplar Bluff Rehabilitation, Saint Francis Medical Center and for the many private donations we received...

Robert R. Davison Robert R. Davison, 47, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Kankakee, Ill. passed away Thursday, June 26, 2014. Robert was the owner operator of T.C.B Drywall and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Survivors include his fiancé, Cheryl Hunt of Poplar Bluff; stepdaughter, Jessica Sims and husband Paul; grandchildren: Paul Jr., Hayden, Dakota, Jordan and Lily Sims, all of Herrin, Ill.; four sisters, Rose Marie Lima and husband John, Rebecca Pippin, Rolena Dotson, and a twin sister, Rachel Ellsworth; stepfather, Guy Engelhardt; and several extended family members and many close friends.. ...

Roberta Smith Qulin, Mo. -- Roberta Agnes Larkin Fain Smith, 78, of Qulin, Mo., died Thursday, June 26, 2014, at her residence. She was born April 1, 1936, at Wilhelmina, Mo. On Nov. 16, 1963, she married Charles Fain. He preceded her in death on Nov. 22, 1990. She later married Gary Smith. He preceded her in death...

Jake Grubbs DEXTER, Mo. -- Jake Grubbs, 88, of Dexter, died Thursday, June 26, 2014 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Sunday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Sister Karen Oldham-Hardin officiating. Burial will follow in the Dexter Cemetery with full military honors...

Judy Vance DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Judy Ponder Vance, 69, a lifelong resident of Doniphan, Mo., died Thursday, June 26, 2014, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Vance, the daughter of the late Harold and Mary Ann (Ezell) Morey, was born Jan. 10, 1945, in Doniphan. She had worked at Gates, and enjoyed country music, reading, puzzle books and collecting bears...

Judith Cliff MALDEN, Mo. -- Judith Ann Cliff, 69, of Malden, Mo., died Friday, June 27, 2014, at the Golden Living Center in Malden. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home chapel...

ST. LOUIS -- Carr Vernon's early lead didn't hold up in the second round of match play at 107th Missouri Amateur Championship. The Poplar Bluff golfer won the first two holes of his match with Matt Barry of Parkville and still led with eight holes left. Barry, however, won consecutive holes starting on No. 12 at Norwood Hills Country Club then took the 16th and 17th holes for a 2 and 1 victory...

Ruth Haney DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Ruth Haney, 67, of Doniphan, Mo., died Saturday, June 28, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home chapel...

Gerri Johnson Gerri Johnson, 72, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, June 28, 2014, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She was born to the late James Loren Allison and Katie Collins Allison on June 24, 1942. Gerri was a long time resident of the Poplar Bluff area. She spent her youth at the Collins store on W Hwy...

PARAGOULD, Ark. -- The Poplar Bluff Mules had a promising start to the Paragould 7-UP Classic Friday afternoon. But after defeating Blytheville (Ark.) Senior Legion 7-6, the Mules were blitzed by a team Saturday that they beat four days earlier. The Jonesboro Ricemen took a 15-2 win to knock Poplar Bluff down to the third place game...

Gene Ferguson FISK, Mo. -- Gene Ferguson, 80, of Dillsboro, Ind., passed away Saturday, June 28, 2014, at his residence. He was born Friday, April 6, 1934, in New Madrid, Mo.,, the son of the late Jake Ferguson and the late Florence Clark Ferguson. He served his country as a member of the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He worked as a truck driver for Roadway Express, retiring after over 28 years of service...

Cynthia Wheeler Cynthia Lynn Wheeler, 20, of Anchorage, Alaska, died Thursday, May 15, 2014, at Alaskian Native Hospital. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff, Mo. A graveside service will begin at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday in City Cemetery...

An area shortage in MSHSAA baseball and softball umpires this spring raised to the surface a need for fresh faces to put on a mask and call balls and strikes. "Right now with the numbers we have, the room for advancement is great," Terry Pennington said. "When I started reffing, your first two or three years you basically did elementary and junior high. You didn't do any varsity. Well now, we have first-year guys doing varsity by necessity."...