Stories from Wednesday, June 17, 2015

By TYLER GRAEF SEMO News Service PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Residents of Perryville, Missouri, got a scare Sunday morning when a wild bear wandered through town. Perryville police chief Direk Hunt said police first received reports of the 200- to 250-pound black bear on U.S. 61 about 8:30 a.m...

By JONATHON DAWE SEMO News Service POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Dexter man who admitted to exposing as many as 300 people to HIV has pleaded guilty. David L. Mangum entered the plea of guilty to two counts of recklessly risking infection of another person of HIV on Tuesday at the Butler County Courthouse...

By ELEANOR C. HASENBECK Staff Writer On a hot summer day, the foul stench of sewage wafts through the gravel streets of Rombauer. It began last year, when Eddie Kirkman's neighbors dug a pit. Today, the pit is about eight feet in diameter, filled with dark water, and covered by a layer of green sludge...

SIKESTON, Mo. (SNS) -- A Sikeston man reportedly was shot twice in the back Saturday night. The victim was transported to a hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. This marks the fourth shooting in Sikeston in less than three weeks. On June 6, TyRussell Davis, along with a passenger in his sport utility vehicle, were shot in the Welter and Lee Street area, killing Davis and leaving the other victim with three gunshot wounds. ...

Westwood Baptist Academy announced today that it has earned accreditation by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools, a worldwide leader in accreditation and continuous school improvement. "We are pleased to have earned accreditation by the Middle States Association and to share in our success with the greater school community, especially the teachers, parents and students who worked so hard to make this possible," said school principal Josh Hawley. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Members of the Poplar Bluff City Council approved an electric rate increase Monday of approximately 6.5 percent for all users except industrial customers. Expected to generate almost $1.7 million in new funds, the increase will first be seen on July bills...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A former Poplar Bluff street department superintendent was ordered to stand trial Monday morning in connection with the shooting a woman during what apparently began as a child custody dispute at his home. Accompanied by his attorney, Danny Moore, Jeremy W. Grable appeared before Associate Circuit Judge Thomas Swindle for a preliminary hearing in his case...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The Poplar Bluff City Council was short on members Monday night, delaying the start of a closed session by about half an hour due to the lack of a quorum. The council was also unable to pass any measure that did not have the full support of all four members who were present...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Before presidential politics -- the game of getting to 270 electoral votes -- completely eclipses governing, there is the urgent task of getting to 217 votes in the House of Representatives to pass Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). ...

Three Rivers College was represented Saturday during Logger Appreciation Day at Legit Speedway in West Plains. South Central Education Consortium of Willow Springs is one of the sponsors for this 'free grandstand admission" event and announced plans for a new program in timber harvesting...

To the Editor It is with sadness that Three Rivers College notes the passing of Richard S. Brumitt of Doniphan, who not only was a long-time Three Rivers Trustee but also a tireless advocate for the college. The Three Rivers Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and staff extend sympathy to the Brumitt family...

Good ballfield demolished So the Poplar Bluff High School tore down its baseball field. Was it dangerous? Nope! Was it poorly built? Nope! It was demolished because another is being built as part of the new high school. This new high school and athletic facility are being paid for by the largest tax increase in the history of Butler County. ...

By MICHELLE MALKIN It's increasingly difficult to tell the difference between Teach for America -- whose leaders are at the forefront of inflammatory anti-police protests in Baltimore, Ferguson, and now McKinney, Texas -- and left-wing activist groups such as Organizing for Action (President Obama's partisan community organizing army)...

The following students have been named to the spring 2015 Dean's List at Southeast Missouri State University. Students named to the list earned at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and completed at least 12 degree credit hours during the spring session...

Greenville Junior and Senior High School has released the 4th Quarter Honor Roll. Seventh Grade: Makayla C. Alberson, Laney McKay Barfield, Charles D. Bennett, Erin R. Bennett, Emily A. Brewington, Jacob M. Clifford, Leeann M. Craig, Novalee R. Crutchfield, Bryce D. ...

Eugene Field Elementary School announces Students of the Month for April. Emmalee Burton, daughter of Crystal and Jerry Burton, was nominated by her first grad teacher, Cynthia Olsen because she is a kind person. Emmalee never utters a hard word to anyone and she will help anyone without ever being asked. She is a hard work and always tries her best at everything...

The following local residents are among more than 1,200 students included on the Harding University dean's list for grades achieved during the spring 2015 semester: Titus Dauck of Bernie, a senior Spanish major; Bryn Hester of Dexter, a senior athletic training major; and Julia Ward of Poplar Bluff, a senior accounting major...

Ethan Campbell of Poplar Bluff graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind, on May 30, 2015, with a bachelor's degree in computer science and a bachelor's degree in software engineering. Campbell is the son of Mack Campbell and Lynn Brooks, both of Poplar Bluff...

Wayne Britt PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Wayne Britt, 62, of Piedmont, died Sunday, June 14, 2015, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements are pending with Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel, Piedmont.

Bobby Brown PUXICO, Mo. -- Bobby Lee Brown, 89, of Wappapello, died Monday, June 15, 2015, at the Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements are pending with Morgan-Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico.

The Butler County Retired Teachers and School Personnel will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, in the Altrusa Room at the Twin Towers. Special guests at the meeting will be Christa Mathis from Neelyville, the scholarship recipient for 2015. Mathis intends to major in History and become an educator. Also, Executive Director, Jim Kreider, from MRTA will be will be present to speak and answer any questions about retirement...

Connie Flowers Connie Flowers, 58, of Campbell, died Friday, June 12, 2015, in Chillicothe. Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. Friday at the Landess Funeral Home in Campbell. Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Dale Holman officiating. Burial will be at Qulin Cemetery...

Bonnie Greenleaf Bonnie Greenleaf, 71, of Poplar Bluff, died Sunday, June 14, 2015, at Cedargate Nursing Home. Arrangements are pending with Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff. Online condolences: www.moorefuneralservice.com

Ellie C. Berry GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Ellie C. Berry, 81, of Greenville, died Sunday, June 14, 2015, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhome.com...

Clarence Morgan Clarence Morgan, 85, of Poplar Bluff, died Saturday, June 13, 2015, at his residence. Arrangements are pending with Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff. Online condolences: www.moorefuneralservice.com

Lula Penrod NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Lula Mae Grimes Penrod 89, of Poplar Bluff, went to be with The Lord on Sunday, June 14, 2015 at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born Aug. 13, 1925, to the late Norman L. and Sarah Hancock Grimes in Neelyville...

Kenny Marler Kenneth L. Marler, 69, of Poplar Bluff, died Saturday, June 13, 2015, at SoutheastHealth Center of Stoddard County at Dexter, Mo. He was born Sept. 20, 1945, at Poplar Bluff. Kenny graduated from Fisk-Rombauer High school. He received his master's degree from Mississippi State University and a specialists degree from Southern Mississippi University. ...

Catherine Kelso DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Catherine (Dot) Bell (Ross, Parmer) Kelso, 87, of Ripley County, Mo., passed away Saturday, June 13, 2015, at her home in rural Ripley County surrounded by family. Mrs. Kelso was born July 24, 1927, in Parma, to the late Edgar and Adelia (Brennecke) Ross. ...

Dorothy Smithson DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Dorothy Smithson, 72, of Doniphan, died Saturday, June 13, 2015, at Westwood Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center in Poplar Bluff. The Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home chapel with Jared Hancock officiating. Burial will be in Shirley Cemetery...

Jessica and William Lopez of Poplar Bluff have chosen the name Winston Jacob Lopez for their 7-pound, 1-ounce son who was born at 7:24 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Winston was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Helen and Ron Retherford of Poplar Bluff and Leon and Caridad Lopez of Tampa, Fla., and the late Maria E. Lopez, who was also of Tampa...

Stacie Nicole and Joshua Matthew Buhler of Poplar Bluff have chosen the name Finley James Buhler for their 9-pound, 7-ounce son born at 5:47 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at Saint Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace in Cape Girardeau. Finley was 21 3/4 inches long...

SUGAR GROVE, Ill. -- Carr Vernon and his American teammates reclaimed the Palmer Cup from the Europeans with an 18-12 victory. The Poplar Bluff golfer went 1-3 in the three-day event with both of his singles matches being decided on the 18th green. Vernon lost 1 up Sunday to Matthias Schwab after taking a 1-hole lead to the back 9 at Rich Harvest Farms...

Lebaron D. Wright, 33, of Poplar Bluff, was arrested at 9:55 a.m. Thursday in the 600 block of Bartlett on a Poplar Bluff failure to appear warrant for peace disturbance and a Belleville, Ill. warrant for violation of a court order. He was booked at the Butler County jail...

Jessie D. Alvey, 28, of Puxico, was arrested on a parole violation warrant. He is held without bond at the Stoddard County Jail. _ Craig A. Jones, 35, of Sikeston, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant. He is held without bond at the Stoddard County Jail...

Marissa N. Hoggard, 18, of St. Louis, was arrested at 4:04 p.m. Thursday on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. She was placed on a 24-hour hold at the Butler County jail. _ Tara J. Wiseley, 26, of Piedmont, was arrested at 7:01 p.m. Thursday on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor marijuana possession. She was placed on a 24-hour hold at the Wayne County Jail...

Randa Emily Robertson and Jason Ray Cannaday of Advance have chosen the name Preston Ray Cannaday for their 7-pound, 12-ounce son born at 9:05 a.m. Monday, June 8, 2015 at Saint Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace in Cape Girardeau. Preston was 20 1/2 inches long...

Charleston men arrested in shooting CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A four-day search by law enforcement led to the arrests of two Charleston men wanted in connection with a shooting. Lamarcus Williams, 18, and Jadarius McCain, 19, were arrested Saturday in Cape Girardeau in connection with a shooting Tuesday in Charleston. The men are charged with first-degree assault, armed criminal action and property damage...

R-I work session The Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education will hold a work session 6 p.m. Thursday in the Board of Education Room at 1110 North Westwood. Items on the agenda include discussion of the district budget, the 2015-16 board meeting schedule and the search for a new superintendent...

SIKESTON -- The Poplar Bluff Swim Team won 15 events and finished 74 points behind second-place Kennett in a meet Saturday. Raegan McAtee earned an A-time rating in the 13-14 division, 50-yard freestyle at 27.56 seconds and the 100 freestyle to go with a BB-time in the 100 butterfly...

By MIKE JENSEN Publisher Sikeston Standard Democrat Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is a bright leader and astute politician. And he should know better. Just a week or so after he vetoed a right to work bill in Missouri, it is reported that Nixon accepted a $50,000 campaign donation check from the United Auto Workers...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN Half a century ago this summer, the Voting Rights Act was passed, propelled by Bloody Sunday at Selma Bridge. The previous summer, the Civil Rights Act became law on July 2. We are in the 7th year of the presidency of a black American who has named the first two black U.S. attorneys general...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS A civilized society's first line of defense is not the law, police and courts but customs, traditions, rules of etiquette and moral values. These behavioral norms -- mostly transmitted by example, word of mouth and religious teachings -- represent a body of wisdom distilled over the ages through experience and trial and error. ...

Susan Gallamore WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- Susan Gallamore, 78, of Wappapello, died Monday, June 15, 2015, at her residence. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Wappapello.

American Legion fish fry Saturday The American Legion 630 will have a fish fry and auction Saturday. The fish fry starts at 1 p.m. The fish plate is $7 and includes fish, baked beans, slaw, french fries, and hushpuppies. The auction starts at 3 p.m. To donate items call 573-872-9225...

Jane Allen PUXICO, Mo. -- Jane Allen of Puxico, died Monday, June 15, 2015, at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. The arrangements are pending with Morgan-Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico.

Sarah Hillis DEXTER, Mo. -- Sarah Lynne Hillis, 75, of Essex, died Thursday, June 4, 2015 at her residence. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Essex Cemetery with the Rev. Roy Sherfield officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter...

Allen Goldsmith CAMPBELL, Mo. -- Allen Goldsmith, 58, of Campbell, died Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at the Southeast Health of Stoddard County in Dexter. There will be no visitation. The graveside service will be at 10 a.m. at the Rocky Hill Cemetery in Campbell...

Elzora Robey DEXTER, Mo. -- Elzora Robey, 88, formerly of Dexter, died Jan. 24, 2015, at North Village Park Care Center in Moberly. A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 28, 2015 at the Walker Cemetery in rural Bloomfield. Arrangements are under the direction of the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter...

Arville Killian Arville Dale Killian, 70, of Poplar Bluff, died Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at the Springfield Rehab & Healthcare Center in Springfield, Mo. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

When Three Rivers rodeo team members Callie Stanhouse and Kory Ann McCuiston became roommates, they told each other that they were both going to make it to the College National Finals. This week, that dream has become a reality for the two sophomores...

David Stucker OZARK, Mo. -- David W. "Pete" Stucker, 88, of Ozark, departed this life Thursday, June 11, 2015, in Springfield, Mo. He was born March 21, 1927 in Ellsinore, the son of Norvell Stucker and Vergie (Rains) Stucker. Pete joined the Navy in July 1944 and had his 18th birthday as he crossed the equator heading for the war in the Pacific. ...

Wayne Dale Britt PIEDMONT, Mo.--Wayne Dale Britt, 62, of Piedmont, died Sunday, June 14, 2015 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Home in Piedmont. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home chapel. Burial with full military honors will be in the Alwood Cemetery near Piedmont. Memorials have been requested to the St. Jude Children's Hospital...

Ellie C. Elder Berry GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Ellie C. Elder Berry, 81, of Greenville, died Sunday, June 14, 2015, at St. Francis Medical Center, Cape Girardeau. The visitation will be at 6 p.m. today at the Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, also at the chapel in Greenville...

Donnie G. Wilkerson FISK, Mo. -- Donnie G. Wilkerson, 69, of Fisk, died Monday, June 15, 2015, at his residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with White-Sanders Funeral Home at Fisk.

Sam Morgan Clarence "Sam" Morgan, 85, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2015, at his residence. Sam was born Jan. 20, 1930, to William and Vera (Cone) Morgan in Michigan. On May 27, 1951, he married Lola Randall in Piggott, Ark. He enlisted in the United States Navy where he was a Seabee. He received an honorable discharge and was very proud to serve his country...

Cape family on HGTV's 'House Hunter' A Cape Girardeau family won't have to wait much longer for their moment of fame. The episode of HGTV's "House Hunters" filmed in Cape Girardeau is scheduled to air at 9 p.m. Thursday and midnight Friday. Lauren and Travis Grammer's search for a new home in the area was filmed last fall...