Stories from Saturday, October 3, 2015

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Two bystanders may have saved the life of a man discovered in a vehicle in a ditch, who was unresponsive and still holding a needle of suspected heroin in his hand. According to Poplar Bluff Police reports, two residents were on their way home from work around 2 p.m. Thursday and driving on South 11th Street when they saw a 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the ditch facing south, on the northbound side of the road...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Union Pacific Railroad will have a Katy heritage locomotive and a UP mini train in Poplar Bluff Saturday for the sixth annual Iron Horse Festival. Sponsored by Downtown Poplar Bluff, Inc., the festival commemorates the city's railroad history. Iron Horse was chosen as the festival name because the early steam engines were called "iron horses." Penny McGath, executive director of Downtown PB, made the arrangements for the UP trains...

By ALEX WEST Staff Writer Beautiful, crisp weather and the hunt for that perfect pumpkin make fall a time of excitement for many families. In this area, that excitement has often had to be found after packing up the kids for a long trip to another county. Dunlap Pumpkin Farms provides a local option with everything the season has to offer...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer A man admittedly under the influence of methamphetamine is in custody after breaking free from handcuffs, assaulting a deputy, fleeing and then becoming combative as first responders sought to treat him. The Butler County Sheriff's Department is seeking charges of third-degree assault on law enforcement, resisting arrest and escape from custody against Kevin D. Irby, 30, of Qulin, who was arrested at 3:29 a.m. Thursday in the 100 block of D Street in Qulin...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer An annual community event to provide services to the area's homeless and other residents in need is offering new services this year, including free transportation to the event, and lessons in healthy cooking on a budget...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Board members of the Highway 67 Corporation are continuing their efforts to encourage Missouri and Arkansas transportation officials to complete the four laning of U.S. 67 as quickly as possible. They plan to be at the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission meeting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Tinnin Center Theater at Three Rivers College. The public is invited to attend...

Sunday, Oct. 4, will be a momentous day for Cornerstone Tabernacle, 3516 U.S. 67 North, as they host a special service at 11 a.m. to honor their recent pastoral transition. It will be the final service for the outgoing pastor, Rev. and Mrs. Bryan Parkey, who will be recognized for 15 years of faithful service and it will be the first service for the incoming pastor, Rev. and Mrs. Steve Burns, of Parsons, Tenn. An installation service for Pastor Burns will be scheduled for a later date...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN Pope Francis's four-day visit to the United States was by any measure a personal and political triumph. The crowds were immense, and coverage of the Holy Father on television and in the print press swamped the state visit of Xi Jinping, the leader of the world's second-greatest power...

By MIKE JENSEN Publisher Sikeston Standard Democrat Pope Francis is back safe and sound in the Vatican after leaving his leftist message in America. And this week, the focus will fall on the United Nation and their leftist message. Housed in America and funded largely by American taxpayers, the United Nations in so many ways is the enemy within...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS War is nasty, brutal and costly. In our latest wars, many of the casualties suffered by American troops are a direct result of their having to obey rules of engagement created by politicians who have never set foot on -- or even seen -- a battlefield. Today's battlefield commanders must be alert to the media and do-gooders who are all too ready to demonize troops involved in a battle that produces noncombatant deaths, so-called collateral damage...

Caleb Stewart is the newest addition to the Butler County University of Missouri Extension Center serving as the 4-H Youth Program Assistant. Stewart plans to graduate in May 2015 from Southeast Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree in Ag Business. ...

Dicie Whiffen Dicie Whiffen, 89, of Poplar Bluff, died Friday, Oct. 2, 2015 at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Mildred Sweat Mildred Sweat, 89, of Poplar Bluff died Friday, Oct. 2, 2015 at Glendale Gardens Nursing and Rehab Center in Springfield, Mo. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

A little good and a little bad. It's usually how the first day of the season goes. Three Rivers men's and women's basketball programs kicked off their season Thursday with the annual Raider Madness event. Only freshman Stefan Roknic was sitting out for the Raiders. Raiders coach Gene Bess said Roknic, who was in a boot, hurt his ankle earlier in the week...

Jimmy Ray Warrick GREENVILLE, MO.-- Jimmy Ray Warrick, 50, died Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015, at Lowndes, Mo. Visitation will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, at Ruegg Funeral Home, at Greenville. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. also at the Greenville Chapel. Burial will be at New Prospect Cemetery, in Silva, Mo...

DEXTER -- Just a little over 30 miles separate Dexter and Poplar Bluff, but the two volleyball squads found it hard to distance themselves in a decisive third set Thursday. Neither team led by more than three points in a game that featured eight ties and five lead changes...

BERNIE -- The Mules suffered their first loss of the season on the last day of the regular season in the Bernie Showdown championship Thursday. After rattling off 21 straight wins, the Mules lost to No. 2 seed and defending Class 1 state champion Bell City 2-1...

The defense got the game ball once again after shutting out Sikeston 36-0 Thursday at Morrow Stadium. With no completed passes by the Mules (4-0-1), Keshawn Reid led the ground attack eight carries for 165 yards and two touchdowns. He broke loose for touchdowns runs of 48 yards and 60 yards in the second half...