Stories from Monday, October 12, 2015

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer When doctors did surgery this summer to repair a collapsed vein in Gleeda Pugh's left leg, she was instructed not to return to work for six weeks. But Pugh, who recently celebrated her 84th birthday, couldn't wait that long. She was back behind the counter at the Child Concern Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo., after just a month...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Following two shootings on college campuses in as many weeks, police and school leaders in Poplar Bluff offer some thoughts on the recent tragedy and security in our own schools. The murderous actions of a lone gunman on Oct. 1 on the campus of Umpqua Community College took the lives of 10 individuals and injured seven according to Associated Press reports...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Students in the HVAC program at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center (TCC) will save the district several thousand dollars this year by performing "much-needed" maintenance. Under teacher supervision, the class dismantled, cleaned and made necessary repairs to all of the units on the TCC campus and hope to include the service to include other district buildings in the future. ...

Butler County Health Department has more than 2,000 free flu shots to give away this flu season. Clinics have been scheduled in October and November at the health department, and area schools. A yearly flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease, according to Beverly Hargrove, a health educator with the health department...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Security cameras, an instantaneous mass notification system and armed personnel are among the steps taken by Three Rivers College to protect its students and staff members. "Following a comprehensive study to identify deficiencies, the college dedicated $25,000 per year for three years to install security cameras at the Poplar Bluff campus and other TRC sites," said Chuck Stratton, director of TRC's Department of Public Safety. ...

The Daily American Republic requested Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education members' opinions on the shooting at Umpqua Community College. Opinions are of the individual members and do not represent the board as a whole. Members Ken Davis, Cynthia Brown, Gary Simmons and Alana Robertson did not respond to calls and emails requesting comment...

Eugene Field Elementary School has named its Students of the Month for September 2015. First Grade -- Peter Maples, son of Jennifer Rogers and Steven Maples, was named student of the month by his teacher, Kristen Spain, because "Peter really stands out already because he is very polite and uses his manners with teachers and other students. ...

Thomas and Nellie (Hover) Kirkley of Poplar Bluff, Mo. were honored June 20, 2015, with a 50th anniversary celebration at the Holiday Inn. Their children hosted the catered meal which featured a three-tiered cake from McArthur's Bakery of St. Louis. A slide show was shown featuring many photos of the couple and their children and grandchildren through the years...

A long-time supporter of charities benefiting cancer patients and their families, Cotrell Funeral Service recently participated in the 27th annual Cancer Survivor's Picnic. "We were honored to participate in the 27th annual Cancer Survivor's Picnic this month," said Randy Schulz of Cotrell. "It was a great opportunity to show our support while donating to a worthy cause."...

O'Neal Elementary School announces the September Students of the Month. First Grade -- Haidyn Skye Allen, daughter of Samantha and Damien Allen, was chosen student of the month by her teacher, Amy Courtney. Haidyn's hobbies are: dancing, cheerleading, playing games, singing and watching TV. Her favorite subject is computer class and her extra-curricular activities include: cheerleading and participating in various church activities...

The Poplar Bluff Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is conducting a membership drive as part of a nationwide celebration to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. ...

Audrey Cato is Sacred Heart's October student of the month. She is the daughter of Bryan and Vicki Cato. She is a First grader. Audrey has one sister, Millie, and two brothers: Isaac and Owen. She enjoys playing games with her family, but her favorite activity is drawing because it's fun. ...

WASHINGTON -- Dr. Rick and Barb Wilkerson, of Spencer, were in Washington, D.C., Wednesday night being recognized as Angels In Adoption from the state of Iowa following a nomination for the honor by Iowa Fourth District Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. Hosted by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, the Angels In Adoption gala, featuring dinner and recognition of the award recipients, was conducted at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in the nation's capital...

By SHARON RANDALL Tribune News Service This story began 15 years ago in California, when a reader of my column wrote to say: "You need to go to the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tenn. And if you can't find a place to stay, my mother will put you up."...

Ethical? I was just reading the Speak Outs from the Tuesday, Sept. 22 paper and I was kinda shocked that the DAR would print one that mocks a person fighting for life with a deadly disease by putting this Speak Out in: Hold Kaplan Backers to Fire. The person insinuates that the battle for life that this person is facing and fighting is a sham and talks about holding the council responsible for Kaplan. ...

By GEORGE F. WILL DALLAS -- If America's 58th presidential election validates Ted Cruz's audacious "base plus" strategy, he will have refuted assumptions about the importance of independent "swing" voters and the inertia of many missing voters. Critics say his plan for pursuing the Republican nomination precludes winning the presidency. ...

Joyce Hayes FISK, Mo. -- Joyce Hayes, 77, formerly of Dexter, Mo. died Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015 at her daughter's residence in Wichita. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. Funeral Services will follow at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jerry Martin officiating. Burial will follow in the Dudley Cemetery...

Rodney Mann PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Rodney Mann, 50, died Friday, Oct. 9, 2015 at his home near Piedmont. Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home chapel with Pastor Richard Sanders officiating. Burial will be in the Mann Cemetery...

Lewis Franklin Pruitt II On Sept. 4, 1961, Betty Joyce Kanell Pruitt and Thomas Lewis Pruitt welcomed their first born, Lewis Franklin Pruitt, II into the world. He was a chubby, bouncing baby boy and immediately became the center of their world. He was a curious, sensitive boy who loved to learn by watching his dad and pawpaw do their jobs at Pruitt Glass and Paint. ...

Charles Agee FISK, Mo. -- Charles Arthur Agee, 81, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Agee was born June 9, 1934 at Poplar Bluff. He was a timber worker, mechanic, farmer and retired from Florsheim Shoe Company. He was of the Christian faith. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed horses and cattle and his beloved farm. He had served in the Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict...

Arlene Laverne Wrinkle MALDEN, MO.--Arlene Laverne Wrinkle, 55, of Clarkton, Mo., died Monday, Oct. 5, 2015, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation was Saturday, at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. Graveside funeral and burial followed Saturday afternoon at Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton...

Arlene Laverne Wrinkle -- Clarkton, Mo. Albert Gassaway -- Campbell, Mo. Charles Arthur Agee -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Herschel Lee Ward -- Williamsville, Mo. Rodney Mann -- Piedmont, Mo. Joyce Hayes -- Dexter, Mo.

ALTON, Mo. -- A day after scoring 10 runs to advance to their second straight district final, the Neelyville Lady Tigers couldn't find a hit to put them over the top. In a rematch of last year's final, the second-seeded Lady Tigers had at least one runner reach base in every inning but stranded six -- four on third base -- in a 4-1 loss to top-seeded Willow Springs in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 8 title game Friday afternoon...

The five football players who escorted candidates for homecoming queen Friday night each had starring roles for Poplar Bluff. Tristen Francisco, Steven Haley, Ross Rushin, Dustin Gatewood and Isaiah Hensley helped the Mules to a 35-18 win against state-ranked Hillsboro...

Herschel Lee Ward Herschel Lee Ward, 80, of Williamsville, Mo., passed away Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015 at his residence. He was born on May 25, 1935 to Fred and Ruby (Shipton) Ward in Wayne County, Mo.. He graduated from Williamsville High School in 1955. Herschel retired from Ford Motor Company after 30 years. Jan. 1, 1980 he married Ruby Bartle in St. Louis, Mo...

Albert Gassaway CAMPBELL, MO.--Albert Gassaway, 68, of Campbell, died Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, at his residence. There will be no visitation. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, at Wardell Cemetery in Wardell, Mo. Landess Funeral Home of Campbell in charge of arrangements...

MALDEN -- One first quarter exchange set the tone for Friday's matchup. Edward Wilson completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Fred Gooden to help claim a lead with 48 seconds left in the quarter. When the Indians kicked off moments later, Kyrus Thompson sprinted more than 80 yards for a touchdown return...

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- The duel between quarterbacks Ethan Stevens and Jake Bridges came down to a takeaway. With a chance to tie the game in the last minute, Stevens led Dexter to the 14-yard line when a third-down pass was read perfectly by Park Hills Central's Matt Richardson...

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Jeffry Hardin and Adam Vincent both scored two goals and Stephen Rowland added another to lead the Poplar Bluff soccer team in a 5-3 victory over Carbondale Saturday. Hardin scored two in the first 19 minutes and Rowland added his lone goal late in the second half to give the Mules (11-8) a 3-1 lead at halftime...