Stories from Saturday, August 8, 2015

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer As Veterans Administration officials seek new ways to treat our nation's military personnel suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, one loyal patriot is putting the horse before the cart. While she may be small in size, Baybe the miniature therapy horse is 100 percent thoroughbred when it comes to helping others. She plans to do just that on Aug. 15 when she visits the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Poplar Bluff Police say they will "vigorously" investigate a theft of clothing items meant for underprivileged children earlier this week from Grace United Methodist Church. "We will use every asset we have to figure out who the scumbags were that stole from the church," said Chief Danny Whiteley...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Lacey McClintock arranged for nearly 140 veterans to travel from their homes in the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center service area to medical appointments across the state in July, covering more than 18,000 miles. As someone who helps veterans make it to their appointments, McClintock, a hospital service coordinator for Disabled American Veterans, believes VA patients are being seen more quickly...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer A new initiative at Poplar Bluff public schools is helping students meet basic needs by utilizing services already available in the community. Bright Futures started in 2010 at Joplin, Mo. to address dwindling graduation rates in relation to poverty and a lack of parental involvement. In the past five years, the initiative has grown into a nationwide program that aims to help kids by addressing the root causes of their struggles...

By GLENN MOLLETTE Medical care is a lifelong necessity to a happy normal life. Here are the solutions to solving the medical care crisis in our country. Put the very poor and disabled on Medicaid. Essentially that is where they are now. Allow those with preexisting conditions to buy into Medicare. If they are making just above the poverty rate then give them a financial break. Most people with a preexisting condition do not mind paying. They simply want some health insurance...

By STEVEN STRAUSS Los Angeles Times President Harry Truman once said that he would never lend himself "to any transaction, however respectable, that would commercialize on the prestige and dignity of the office of the presidency." His successors have not held themselves to the same standard...

Ronald Reed Ronald Reed, 63, of Poplar Bluff died Thursday, August 6, 2015 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff.

By BETSY MCCAUGHEY This week, President Obama is hailing his Clean Power Plan as "the single most important step America has ever taken in the fight against global climate change." Obama is posing as the environment's savior, just as he did in 2008, when he promised his presidency would mark "the moment when ... ...

Samuel English PIEDMONT, Mo - Samuel English of Piedmont, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015. Visitation will be at 2, Sunday, Aug. 9, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Piedmont. A Celebration of life will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the church. Cremation will follow services. Donations can be made to Wayne County Food Bank c/o Gary Rhodes or Boy Scouts of America Troop 65. Online condolences can be made at rueggfuneralhomescom...

Rhonda Bollinger Mitchem Rhonda Bollinger Mitchem, 52, of Poplar Bluff died Thursday, Aug. 6 at her residence. Arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service.

Maurice Brown VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Maurice Brown, 90, of Van Buren, son of Amos Earl and Anna Marie (Hamlin) Brown, was born May 21, 1925 in Bourbon, Mo. and died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015 at his residence in Van Buren with his family by his side. Mr. Brown had resided in Van Buren for the past 35 years and was formerly of Winona, Mo. ...

_ Robert W. Foster, 40, of the 700 block of 10th, was booked at the Butler County Jail Thursday on a parole violation. _ Billy J. Gowen, 19, of the 300 block of Murfield, was booked at the Butler County Jail Thursday on suspicion of third-degree assault, possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia...

A Doniphan, Mo. man sustained moderate injuries in a single-vehicle accident at 1:10 p.m. Thursday in Butler County and was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Nicholas E. Merritt, 28, was taken to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for treatment. Reports indicate he was wearing a seatbelt...

Jessica N. Bloom, 28, of Dexter, was arrested on a warrant for possession of a controlled substance. She remains in the county jail. _ Kalob W. Brown, 22, of Campbell, was arrested on a warrant for non-support. He bonded out of the county jail after booking...

Kyle E. White, 32, of the 100 block of Red Robin, was arrested at 7:03 p.m. Thursday in the 900 block of Park on a Poplar Bluff failure to appear warrant for shoplifting. He was booked at the Butler County jail. _ Martin W. Hicks, 50, of Broseley, was arrested at 4:39 p.m. Thursday in the 500 block of Park on a failure to appear warrant for driving without a license. He was booked at the police station and released on bond...