Stories from Saturday, March 21, 2015

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Facing a more than half-million dollar increase from its current carrier, Poplar Bluff R-I schools will have a new health insurance provider after a unanimous vote by board members at Thursday's regular monthly meeting. The district decided to ditch Coventry Health Care and chose an Anthem blended plan. ...

By KATHERINE WEBSTER SEMO News Service Wednesday, March 18, 1925, was a comparatively slow news day in Cape Girardeau. Among the headlines on the front page of the Southeast Missourian's evening edition: "College not likely to get new building." "Girl, 18, makes second trip to the altar." "Left-hand turn into driveways now prohibited."...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor NEELYVILLE -- Two community informational meetings concerning the proposed $4 million bond issue to improve the Hillview and Neelyville schools will be at 6:30 p.m. March 31 and April 2. The dates were set by the Neelyville School Board Thursday night. Superintendent Brad Hagood is attempting to secure off campus sites for the meetings and will announce the locations soon...

By SHARON RANDALL Tribune News Service My P.O. box for reader mail held a card telling me to call at the window. Never a good sign. I'd been away for a month. I expected a lot of mail. Then the clerk at the window raised his eyebrows and handed me not one, but two, very full boxes...

Shanna Gilberto, community manager, Relay for Life, reports persons can now sign up to volunteer for the upcoming Relay for Life of Butler County, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 12. Organizing teams, planning entertainment and fund raising are only a few ways volunteers can help...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder recently presented the Veterans Service Awards to 25 Missouri veterans who provide exemplary volunteer service to their communities. Winners were selected from around the state and included Richard Deason of Poplar Bluff...

Lottery odds are not correct Everyone needs to know the Missouri Lottery uses deceptive business practices. The odds printed on back of the ticket that you scratch off aren't true. The lottery doesn't even go by what they show us. I thought financial gain by misrepresentation was against the law. How do they get away with this?...

Artists both known and unknown will unleash their talents for a good cause when the Fifth Annual Art for Animals exhibit and silent auction opens at Artfully Framed on Friday, April 10. The opening reception - "The Unleashing" - is from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Artfully Framed gallery in the Bluff Estates Shopping Center. ...

SIKESTON -- Missouri schools took the challenge to buckle up and made it click with students. Across the state, 105 schools participated in the 2014 Battle of the Belt Challenge -- a competition to raise seat belt use among teens. In Southeast Missouri, 23 schools participated in the challenge...

A class on how small businesses may be affected by the Affordable Care Act will be offered at noon Thursday, April 2. The class is part of the University of Missouri Extension's Missouri Business Development Program effort to help business owners understand the law and where they can go to get more assistance...

Elnora Adams DEXTER, Mo.-- Elnora Adams, 82, former resident of Dexter, died Wenesday, March 11, 2015 at the Methodist Hospital in Germantown, Tenn. Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. Saturday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter with funeral services to follow at 2 p.m. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Sikeston Memorial Park Garden of Memories in Sikeston...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN As the European Coal and Steel Community of Jean Monnet evolved into the EU, we were told a "United States of Europe" was at hand, modeled on the USA. And other countries and continents will inevitably follow Europe's example...

In celebration of the Easter season, the Daily American Republic invites its readers to submit a personal story affirming the spirit of God in their life. In 150 words or less, write a first hand account of a personal spiritual experience. Send all entries via email to: news@darnews.com Subject line should be titled: IN THE SPIRIT. Deadline for all entries is 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 25...

Marion Winters Marion L. Winters, 78, of Poplar Bluff, died Friday, March 20, 2015, at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff.

Robert Little Robert Little, 68, of Poplar Bluff, died Thursday, March 19, 2015, at his residence. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Maudie O'Neal Maudie O'Neal, 74, of Doniphan, died Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at her residence in rural Ripley County. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will follow at noon in the funeral home chapel and burial will be in the Wilson Cemetery...

Stella Gilliam Keele Stella M. Gilliam Keele, 98, of St. Louis, formerly of Poplar Bluff, died Friday, March 20, 2015, at Christian Hospital Northeast, in St. Louis. Visitation will be from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Sunday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, in Poplar Bluff. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. Sunday at Marble Hill Cemetery in Poplar Bluff...

Alyssa Kay Dawn Mitchell NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Alyssa Kay Dawn Mitchell, 4, of Naylor passed away Wednesday, March 18, 2015 near Naylor. She was born Oct. 26, 2010 at Poplar Bluff to Danny Mitchell and Christy Beaty Mitchell. They survive. Also surviving are three brothers, Ricky, Ryan and Decklan Mitchell, all of Naylor; grandparents, Christy Fletcher and step-grandfather, Jim, Tom Mitchell and step-grandmother, Gail, David Beaty and step-grandmother, Judy, and Brenda Beaty; great-aunt, Ronda Patton; one aunt, Shannon Cannon and husband, Chuck; and cousins, Payten and Jordon; her special friends, Brenda and Mark Boswell, Barbara Portwood, Kenny and Debbie Hurt and Bill and Loretta Fisher; Alyssa's best friend, Bella Fisher; and numerous friends.. ...

Jesse J. Britton Jr. DEXTER, Mo. -- Jesse J. Britton, Jr., 88, of Dudley died Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital in Poplar Bluff. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Monday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter with the funeral service following at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in the Hagy Cemetery...

The Raiders continue to get experience in close games. After going 1-2 in three 1-run games to open the season, Three Rivers won its Region XVI and home opener 7-1 against North Central before losing the nightcap 8-7. "They dropped one down the line over here that was big and put one in the gap there, we were a strike away," Three Rivers coach Stacey Burkey said...

Five years ago, the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules soccer program was on the doorstep of history. During a season in which they set the record for most wins (16) and fewest losses (5), the Lady Mules fell short of their bid for a first district title at Jackson that May...

This is the deepest Lady Tiger team that Clearwater coach Shannon England has ever had. The only problem is, almost half the team are freshmen and the two thinnest positions are pitcher and catcher. Clearwater won its first district championship last year in the first year of a MSHSAA spring season. The Lady Tigers largely relied on the veteran battery of All-Region players Hannah Rowold and Lexi Morris...

Area students get SEMO St. scholarships CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Three area students have been awarded scholarships to attend Southeast Missouri State University for the 2015-2016 academic year: Tyler Wilkerson of Puxico and Amber Wilson of Malden have received the Residence Life Leadership Awards. ...

It's no secret that Angela Pearson and I have had our differences, both during her tenure as councilwoman and mayor. And, it's no secret that her opinion of me falls far short of admiration. However, I feel there is a time when you have to push those differences aside...