Stories from Thursday, May 14, 2015

By RON SMITH SEMO News Service An 83-year-old man was charged Tuesday morning with first-degree assault in connection with a Monday afternoon shooting at a Doniphan residence. Prosecuting attorney Christopher Miller in a probable cause affidavit filed with the court identified the suspect as Louis E. Campbell of Doniphan. He was being held Tuesday morning at the Wayne County Jail because of a lack of space at the Doniphan City Jail...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Members of the Poplar Bluff finance committee would like representatives of both the city and Eight Points Development to attend a future meeting to discuss how the terms of a redevelopment agreement are being met. There are significant differences in the information provided to city council last week by Eight Points representative Alan Bornstein and details given by city leaders, according to committee chairperson Sharon Kissinger...

Hannah Reasons, RN, has been named 2014 Employee of the Year for Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Employees are nominated by their colleagues based on their commitment to patient care, professionalism and contributions on the job. Reasons was chosen from among 1,250 employees...

Three Rivers College was named the 2015 Business of the Year by the Sikeston Regional Chamber. "This year's Business of the Year winner has had a tremendous, exciting last few years of growth and success," said Denny Koonce of Orgill in announcing the honor at the Sikeston Chamber's annual banquet. "Their recent substantial $7 million investment in the region will be felt throughout Sikeston and the surrounding communities for decades to come."...

To the Editor, Thank you to the sponsors of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes annual dinner. Without the financial support of these companies and individuals, we would not be able to have the ty[e f speakers we have enjoyed. This was our sixth event, and possibly the best...

By ALEX WEST Staff Writer Warm weather means bare feet slapping on patios, flip flops flopping and putting those tootsies to the test during summer hikes and adventures. Some people, however, may be battling an issue that keeps feet covered no matter the season ... nail fungus. Missouri Vein Care provides an option for getting all hands and feet summer ready...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN Who killed Freddie Gray? According to Baltimore prosecutor Marilyn Mosby, Freddie was murdered in a conspiracy of six cops who imprisoned him in a police van and there assaulted and killed him. The killer was African-American officer Caesar Goodson, driver of the van, who, with a "depraved heart," murdered Freddie...

Lee Andrea Jones and Julius Jason Hightower of Poplar Bluff have chosen the name Juel Royal Hightower for their 3-pound, 8-ounce son born at 8:55 p.m., Sunday, April 5, 2015 at Saint Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace in Cape Girardeau. Grandparents are Lekesha Moss and Connie Moss of Poplar Bluff and Brenda Hightower of Chicago, Ill...

By MICHELLE MALKIN "What Assata taught me" is the new "Hands up, don't shoot." For $35, you, too, can sport a politically correct black hoodie emblazoned with a fugitive convicted murderer's name. Assata's apparel is the new rage among perpetually enraged Baltimore and Ferguson social justice warriors. It won't be long now before hipster actresses and cable news progressives are Instagramming themselves wearing this latest entry in radical chic to show their "solidarity."...

The Three Rivers Buglers chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation had another solid big game banquet Saturday night, drawing around 400 people to the Black River Coliseum for its 17th annual event. "The banquet went really well," said Co-Chairman Rick White. "I'm happy with the turnout, and I'm very impressed with the community supporting the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. We greatly appreciate it."...

Chris and Chelsea Smith of Poplar Bluff, Mo., announce the birth of their daughter, Aubrey Anne Smith. Aubrey, born at 1:25 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2015, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, weighed 8-pounds, 3-ounces and was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Martin and Patti Elkins of Fagus, Mo., and Louie and Carolyn Smith of Poplar Bluff. Great-grandparents are Betty Moffitt of Fagus; Linda Elkins of Pollard, Ark.; and Freda Warren of Clarkton, Mo...

Jerry Sheridan NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Jerry Lee Sheridan, 73, of Naylor, died Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. No services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements are by Fowler-Sullivan Memorial Chapel, Neelyville.

By PAUL DAVIS Outdoors Editor After what seemed like a long 21 days, Missouri's spring turkey season came to a close Sunday, with hunters taking 43,991 birds. That's a small bump of 2 percent above last year's total and the fourth consecutive year for a harvest increase...

Mary Brame VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Mary Lou Brame, 60, of Mountain View, Mo., formerly of Van Buren, died Thursday, May 7, 2015 at her residence. Visitation began at 10 a.m. today at the McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren with a celebration of life service following at 11:30 a.m. The Rev. Don Black officiated. Burial followed in the Van Buren City Cemetery...

Chris and Chelsea Smith of Poplar Bluff have chosen the name Aubrey Anne Smith for their 8-pound, 13-ounce daughter born at 1:25 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2015, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Aubrey was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Louie and Carolyn Smith of Poplar Bluff...

Joe D. Russell Joe D. Russell, 76, of Williamsville, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at his residence. Mr. Russell was born July 13, 1938 in Poplar Bluff, to the late Georgia (Miller) and Leslie Russell. He was of the Baptist faith, served nine years with the National Guard, had worked as a meat cutter at Country Mart, and enjoyed horses, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family...

Wanda Whittenburg Wanda Ruth Whittenburg, 66, of Kissimmee, Fla., formerly of Poplar Bluff, died Monday, May 11, 2015, at Osceola Regional Hospital, in Kissimmee. Mrs. Whittenburg was born June 6, 1948, in Poplar Bluff to the late Leo Leonard Ward, Sr. and Wilma (Raper) Ward. She was of the Baptist faith and worked as a fruit market clerk. Mrs. Whittenburg enjoyed spending time with her family and reading...

Roger Skaggs Roger Ray Skaggs, 68, of Piedmont, died Sunday, May 10, 2015, at his residence. A memorial visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home chapel. Burial will be at Mann Cemetery in Reynolds County with full military honors...

Betty Jean Higgins MALDEN, Mo.--Betty Jean Higgins, 85, of Malden, died Saturday, May 9, 2015 in St. Louis. She was born May 5, 1930 in Malden to the late Vernie Sage and Geneva Lois Green Deen. She attended the United Methodist Church in Malden. Betty retired as office manager of Falcon Communication in Malden...

Poplar Bluff's comeback was thwarted Tuesday by -- what else? -- a tiebreaker. Leading in three matches senior Brentyn Clark forced a tiebreaker in his match with Oakville's Matt Thomas by winning six straight games. But the Tigers advanced with an 11-9 win the tiebreaker after sweeping the Mules in doubles play...

PARK HILLS -- After missing a chance to break a tie in the seventh inning, Clearwater couldn't wiggle out of a jam in the MSHSAA Class 1 playoff Tuesday. Lexi Morris singled to start the inning for Clearwater, then advanced to second on an error. With no outs and runners at first and second, their promising rally came to a screeching halt as the next three batters went down in order on pop outs...

SIKESTON -- Trailing by two runs in the top of the seventh, the East Carter Redbirds scored seven runs to take the lead for good in a 9-4 road win over Sikeston on Tuesday. East Carter senior Lane Crowley went 2-for-2 with two walks and drove in one while Brendon Hampton added a hit and two RBIs...

MALDEN -- The Green Wave couldn't keep their momentum going. Malden led 6-2 in the third inning, but allowed nine unanswered runs to lose to Scott City 11-6 on Tuesday in the first round of the MSHSAA Class 1 state playoffs. "We are back-to-back district champions and today just wasn't our day," Malden coach Eric Johnson said. "At this level, nobody is a cupcake. You've got to come and compete every time you step on the field."...

Nathan L. Baucom, 19, of Wappapello, was booked at the Butler County jail Saturday on suspicion of armed criminal action, assault, tampering with evidence, and unlawful use of a weapon. _ Shawn L. Beasley, 25, of Bernie, was booked at the Butler County jail Saturday on failure to appear warrants for shoplifting and failure to maintain financial responsibility...