Stories from Wednesday, April 15, 2015

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Michael Jackson's legal career came full circle when he took over as Wayne County's new prosecuting attorney, a position he finds to be rewarding as he seeks justice for the citizens he now serves...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Students at the R-I Technical Career Center (TCC) would have made even Thomas Edison proud after bringing home several awards in the recent state-level SkillsUSA competition. The competition saw 69 of Missouri's high schools represented in more than 90 study areas in the tech sector at State Technical College of Missouri in Linn. The first place winners at the event will represent Missouri in the SkillsUSA national competition June 22-26 in Louisville, Ky...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer This week is National Library Week and interestingly April also marks 100 years since the idea for a library in Poplar Bluff was formed and eventually executed by a local reading club of the day. Bay View Reading Club in the spring of 1915 recognized the need for a library in the growing town of Poplar Bluff. Mrs. M. C. Horton, then president of the club who had served on a library board in Oregon, hoped to foster a project of lasting good to the community...

By TYLER GRAEF SEMO News Service When Jerry Kinnaman asked his taxidermist, Danny Wahl, if he would mount an albino buck, Wahl agreed but didn't think he'd ever get the chance. "I sort of shrugged it off. He told me that last year, that he was going after that deer, but he didn't get it," Wahl said. "Then he did call me [to say he had harvested it] while I was on my way to work."...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Plans have begun to construct a new McDonald's on Shelby Road, at the corner of PP Highway. Members of the Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission discussed a permit request Monday for two drive thru lanes at the proposed location...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer A proposed marketing plan for the Black River Coliseum recommends city officials invest in ways to advertise the event center to both concert promoters and local audiences. The plan was completed by the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce tourism committee, at the request of city manager Heath Kaplan. No information was available at press time concerning how the plan could be utilized by the city...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer The University of Missouri Extension Center will host a Grandparents Raising Children Conference on Friday, April 24, at First United Methodist Church. The conference is for anyone raising the child of a family member or foster parents and will feature a wealth of information ranging from the child's transition into a new home to money management and legal issues. Registration is free and will take place at 8:15 a.m. The church is located at 500 North Main Street...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Two Poplar Bluff men may face charges after they allegedly were caught in the act Monday afternoon dumping trash along a river bank. At about 2:20 p.m., Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs said, he was driving down Fifth Street in front of the Black River Coliseum when he saw a black Chevrolet pickup headed southbound in front of him...

Charles "Jim" Franklin Smith Charles "Jim" Franklin Smith, 69, of Poplar Bluff, died Friday, April 10, 2015, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Smith was born Jan. 21, 1946, in Hazelton, Ind., to the late Elmer William and Frances Elnora Myers Smith. He attended Calvary Community Church and had retired as owner and operator of Walt's paint and auto body shop in 1999...

The Puxico High School third quarter honor roll is as follows: Highest Honors: Twelfth Grade Chelsea Baker, Christina Beauford, Kayleigh Burch, Katelyn Clark, Gabrielle Clark, Jared Coleman, Makayla Conner, Samantha Cryts, Jonathon Davis, Brianna Doublin, Hannah Fisher, Laine Friedrich, Brenna Hancock, Sarah Harp, Shelby Heaton, Bethanie Kolwyck, Logan Lizenbee, Baileigh Meadows, Brice Morgan, Corey Pratt, Phoenix Richard, Stephens Rodgers, Kelsey Steiner, Cordell Stewart, Austin Taylor and Tyler Wilkerson.. ...

By PAT BUCHANAN The Republican rout in the Battle of Indianapolis provides us with a snapshot of the correlation of forces in the culture wars. Faced with a corporate-secularist firestorm, Gov. Mike Pence said Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act would not protect Christian bakers or florists who refuse their services to same-sex weddings. And the white flag went up again...

Kathern Harris, local educator, recently was honored with the NSDAR Community Service Award by the Poplar Bluff Chapter DAR. Recognizing a lifetime of service in the field of education, Harris has touched the lives of thousands of students, from first graders to first generation college students...

O'Neal Students of Month O'Neal Elementary administration announced the students of the month for February 2015. The first grade student of the month is Lee Anna Cross. She is the daughter of Villis and Patrisha Cross. Her hobbies include going to church, swimming and going to Girl Scouts. Her favorite subjects are art, reading and crafts. She also enjoys playing soccer. When she grows up she wants to be a pastor...

Westwood Baptist Academy's third quarter honor roll is as follows: Principal's List 1st grade: Freedom Bates, Anjali Gottumukkala, Reese Hampton, Merin Inman, Bryce Nagell, Gavin Osburn, Addyson Prater, Cody VanDover; 2nd grade: Jillian Campbell, Madyson Kordick;...

Oak Grove Elementary School officials announce the February and March students of the Month. Officials are combining the two months due to the bad weather. February students of the month are first grader Blaine Summers, second grade students are Isabelle Poole and Katie-Lynn Flickinger and third grader Jaydon Mitchell...

Poplar Bluff Senior High School has announced the February 2015 Students of the Month. Ninth grader Mackenzie Murphy, daughter of Joel and Jessica Murphy, enjoys reading books, hanging out with friends, doing stuff with her family, riding horses and four-wheelers...

The Puxico Junior High School third quarter honor roll is as follows: Highest Honors: eighth Grade: Bailey Burns, Jordan Calzoni, Jacob DeVaughn, April Forshee, Sophia Hancock, Shelby Hobbs, Kaleb Miller, Marissa Peters, Bianca Thomas and Dawn Whitehead.Honor Roll: Kasen Barnfield, Ausin Billings, Dalton Heath, Lindsay Hutcheson, Tayler Jones, Easton McLain, Kyle McNew, Tommy Parsley, Brandon Siler, Zabrina Starnes, Jacob Taylor, Austin Wilson, Nick Wirz and Cole Yoebstl. ...

Schrieber has backbone Yes. Good morning, Speak Out. My wife and I moved here four years ago to Poplar Bluff. I heard a lot of good things about it. I thought we would really enjoy it, but with the city council acting the way it is and the new city manager, Mr. ...

The Puxico Elementary School third quarter honor roll is as follows: Fifth Grade: Ethan Barnfield, Shirley Buttry, Bradin Cornelius, Zaden Duncan, Madison Elsworth, Kirsten Evans, Kyle Holden, Lydia Holden, Kayla Holt, David Holyfield, Liberty Jenkins, Jade Kerley, Collin Lewis, Alyssa Lyle, Tanner Melton, Devin Mondy, Jacey Parsley, Makayla Pierce, Jerricka Powell, Ty Rommel, Kaydin Schulte, Abbigayle Siler, Courtney Smith, Dalton Stewart, Jayden Strickland and Bailey Watts...

Budget Bills Move to House-Senate Conference (HBs 1-13) The Missouri Senate approved its version of the Fiscal Year 2016 budget this week and then sent the 13 bills back to the House for consideration. House members quickly voted to send 12 of the appropriations bills to conference where key negotiators will iron out the differences between the two chambers...

The January and February Students of the Month for Greenville High school have been announced. The January Students of the month are Samantha Rainwater and Mackenzie Clark. Rainwater is the daughter of Randy and Rhonda Rainwater. She has been a part of many clubs, teams, and organizations throughout high school. She has been on the basketball and volleyball teams; she has also been a member of the Beta Club, FCCLA, National Honor Society, the Bear Ambassador Program, and Art Club...

By PAT BUCHANAN "Pat, sometimes it seems like our friends want me to go over the cliff with flags flying," President Reagan once told me. Today, it is "Bibi" Netanyahu and the neocons howling "kill the deal" and "bomb Iran" who are shoving the Republican Party toward the cliff...

The Students of the month for February at Eugene Field have been announced. The first grade student of the month is Connor Kirby. Kirby is the son of Austin and Kristy Kirby and Leslie Eastwood. He is a student in Jessica Thurston's class. He loves to play tag with his friends, and hunt for jewels with his grandmother. He enjoys reading and treasures books...

Donna CappsSClBPHOTO Donna Fae (Phillips) Capps, 62, entered her heavenly home on Sunday, April 12, 2015. Donna was born to John and Freda Phillips on Oct. 16, 1952. She married James L. Capps on Sept. 12, 1975. Donna was a member of the Third Baptist Church where she ministered alongside her husband who is pastor. ...

Orval Brown Orval Brown, 93, of Poplar Bluff, died Sunday, April 12, 2015, at Mark Twain Care Center. Arrangements are pending with Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff. Online condolences: www.moorefuneralservice.com

Lovella Rogers Lovella A. Rogers, 63, of Jackson, died Sunday, April 12, 2015, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Martha Baker DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Martha Jane Baker, 87, of Ironton, formerly of Doniphan, died Thursday, April 9, 2015, at the Baptist Home in Ironton. Visitation will begin at noon Tuesday at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Bro. Monty Flanigan officiating. Burial will be in the Antioch Cemetery...

Imogene Reed PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Imogene Reed, 96, formerly of Piedmont, died Saturday, April 11, 2015, at the St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake St. Louis. Arrangements will be announced by Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel, Piedmont.SClB

Homer Chaffin FISK, Mo. -- Homer Leon Chaffin, 87, of Poplar Bluff, died Saturday, April 11, 2015, at Mark Twain Caring Center. Mr. Chaffin was born Aug. 12, 1927, in Rombauer. He had served in the Navy during WWII and formerly worked at Western Electric in St. Louis...

Gloria McRoy BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Gloria Jean McRoy, 82, of Bloomfield, died Saturday, April 11, 2015, at her residence. Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. A graveside service will follow at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Walker Cemetery near Bloomfield with Andy Gilliam officiating. Burial will follow with Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home of Bloomfield in charge of arrangements...

Computer classes at PB library Free computer classes are available at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library April 14 through June 30. Space is limited, so registration is recommended. To register, fill out the online registration form at poplarbluff.org or call (573) 686 - 8639...

Connie DeBerry Connie Jean DeBerry, 67, of Bloomfield died Friday, April 10, 2015, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Online condolences: www.whitesandersfuneralhome.com

Geraldine Pyle DEXTER, Mo. -- Geraldine L. Pyle, 86, of Dexter, died Friday, April 10, 2015, at the Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation was Monday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. The funeral was at 10 a.m. today in the funeral home chapel with Bro. Stan Dauck and the Rev. Floyd Pyle officiating. Burial was in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery in Dexter...

BY WALTER E. WILLIAMS One of the wonders of modern times is that reality is often seen as a social construct and therefore optional. Thus, if one finds a particular reality offensive or inconvenient, he just "changes" it. Say that one is born a male or a female but believes that nature made an error. ...

Shirley Triplett Shirley Ann Triplett, 73, of Dexter, died Saturday, April 11, 2015, at the Southeast Health of Stoddard County Hospital. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home chapel with the Rev. David Looney officiating. Burial will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield...

Victoria Brimberry Victoria Brimberry, 27, of Campbell died Saturday, April 11, 2015, at Piggott Community Hospital. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the Landess Funeral Home in Campbell. The funeral will follow at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery- Landess addition...

Imogene Reed PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Melba Imogene Reed, 96, formerly of Piedmont died Saturday, April 11,, 2015, at the St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake St. Louis. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at the funeral home chapel with Rev. J.O. Purcell officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic Cemetery. Memorials have been requested to the First Baptist Church, Piedmont...

Elly DeBoard PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Elly DeBoard, 45, of Piedmont died Monday, April 13, 2015 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Arrangements will be announced by Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel, Inc., Piedmont Chapel.

By MIKE JENSEN Publisher Sikeston Standard Democrat Politicians of all stripes like to talk endlessly about "waste, fraud and abuse" primarily because it's a popular theme with voters. Granted, the Democrats tend to focus on corporate abuse while the Republicans turn their eyes toward welfare abuse...

After his team had finished a distant fourth in the season-opening tournament, Poplar Bluff golf coach Billy Pyland talked about wanting his players to be more mentally tough. The Mules passed a test Monday in the rain with flying colors. Nick Woolard shot 3-under-par 68 for medalist honors, leading Poplar Bluff to a 12-shot victory in the PB Invitational at Westwood Hills Country Club...

John Shanks BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- John Shanks, 90, of Bloomfield died Sunday, April 12, 2015. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday at the First Baptist Church of Bloomfield. The celebration of life and funeral will begin at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating and the Rev. Jerry Darby assisting. Burial will follow in at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield...

Ann Rogers Ann Rogers, 63, of Jackson, formerly of Poplar Bluff, died Sunday, April 12, 2015, at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Mrs. Rogers was born July 18, 1951, in Poplar Bluff to the late Paul and Bertha Foster Hafford. She was of the Protestant faith and had previously worked as a dietitian at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Rogers enjoyed spending time with her family, flower arranging, arts and crafts, cooking, knitting, sewing and music...

Julius Hightower Julius Romeo Aaron Hightower III, infant son of Julius and Lee Andrea Jones Hightower, passed away Sunday, April 5, 2015, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, shortly after his birth. In addition to his parents, survivors include two sisters: Alantris and Amira Allen; two brothers, Julius Hightower and baby Julius's twin brother, Juel Hightower; grandparents, Lonnie and Lekesha Moss of Poplar Bluff and Brenda Hightower of Chicago, Ill.; and great-grandparents; Pearline Jones of Poplar Bluff and Robert and Marie Jordan of Cape Girardeau.. ...

David Dudley PUXICO, Mo. -- David O. Dudley, 58, of Wappapello, son of the late George Jackson and Alma Lee Cherry Dudley, was born in Doniphan, on May 31, 1956, and passed away at his residence on Sunday, April 12, 2015. He had lived in the Puxico area most his life. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post in Wappapello...

Three Rivers freshman Justas Furmanavicius picked a few more awards at the Three Rivers basketball banquet to add to his growing collection. An All-American honorable mention and All-Region XVI nominee after this season, Furmanavicius was given the Raider 110 percent award and the Lonnie Davis highest GPA award...

Barbara Joyce Hardcastle Barbara Joyce Hardcastle, 76, of Poplar Bluff, died Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Hardcastle, daughter of the Late Ira and Geneva Hawthorne, was born Aug. 12, 1938 at Puxico. She was a CMT and had formerly worked at Little Flower Nursing Home in St. Louis. On June 14, 1969 she married Eugene Hardcastle. He preceded her in death on Aug. 16, 2005...

Night at the museum Sat. Poplar Bluff Museum will hold 1st Annual Night at the Museum at 6:30 Saturday. Tickets are $30 person. Catering by Tasteful Creations. Parking is available at the First Methodist Church and Early Childhood Center. Carriage rides will be provided throughout the night...