Stories from Monday, December 28, 2015

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer In the wake of a fifth-grader's petition against using collective discipline in the classroom, Poplar Bluff public schools have responded that using that method is frowned upon by the administration. Sidonia White, 11, spoke to the board of education against using collective (group) punishment as a disciplinary method during a December regular district meeting, causing administrators to take a look at the practice and the incident that led to her protest...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Members of the National Weather Service have confirmed a F1 tornado was responsible for damage done Wednesday to structures and power lines in Carter County. The twister left a trail of damage 15 to 20 miles long around 10:30 a.m. the day before Christmas Eve, said Sheriff Rick Stephens. Carter County deputies and the emergency management director met with a representative of the NWS on Christmas Eve to inspect the area...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer As heavy rains continue to soak the area, Butler County and most of southern Missouri will remain under a flood warning until Wednesday morning. City and county emergency personnel met Saturday for a conference call with the National Weather Service and to discuss potential impacts to Butler and surrounding counties in light of a storm that could dump four inches of rain on the area by Monday afternoon...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer A teen accidentally shot earlier in the week has lost brain activity and may be removed from life-support systems on Saturday (yesterday), according to the family's pastor. Kaitlyn Pullam, 17, sustained serious injury Monday after her father accidentally discharged a firearm in the family home and a bullet traveled through a wall striking her, according to local law enforcement sources...

To the Editor: In reading the December 22, 2015 edition of the DAR I found it ironic that one of the most outspoken attendees of the prior night's council meeting was Jim Chrisman. It's ironic that Chrisman, who questioned the council on several spending issues and also suggested that city employees are overcompensated in benefits when compared to other communities is the same man who had no issues, and was in fact one of the main proponents on spending hundreds of thousands of public dollars to restore the "Grand Staircase" in downtown Poplar Bluff. ...

Darla J. Grossman DEXTER, Mo.--Darla Jean Grossman, 70, of Dexter, daughter of the late Eugene Gerber and Dorothy Baker Gerber was born March 29, 1945 in Pensacola, Fla. and departed this life Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015. Darla adored her husband of 51 years, Rick Grossman, and together they raised two strong, beautiful, and successful daughters, Wendy and Kimberly...

By TED THORNBURGH Special to the DAR I am not a writer, but the story of ol' sleepy needs to be told! A hunt I will never forget This past March, I found myself in front of my PC going through the pages of the Colorado Big Game license application lottery while loading up my MasterCard with the hopes of drawing a Non-Resident Elk license for the upcoming fall season...

Wanda Lee McDonald MALDEN, Mo. -- Wanda Lee McDonald, 85, departed this life on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015 at the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center in Dexter, Mo. She was born on June 25, 1930 in Risco, Mo., to the late James A. Levart and Octa E. Cook Levart...

Nancy L. Innes Nancy L. Innes, 74, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Friday, Dec. 25, 2015 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Innes, the daughter of the late Woodrow and Betty (Frazier) Jeffries, was born Jan. 21, 1941 in Poplar Bluff. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and worked in health care for over 38 years. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and also had a love for all animals...

To the Editor Does anybody care? On Monday night, December 21st the City Council approved a repayment to New Wave of $1,750,000.00 of the purchase amount of the Cable Sale. That is approximately $100.00 from every man, woman, and child in the city of Poplar Bluff. ...

Delores "Sue" Luick VAN BUREN, MO. -- Delores "Sue" Luick, 75, of Van Buren died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015 in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. No services are scheduled at this date. McSpadden Funeral Home, of Van Buren, is in charge of arrangements...

Bobby Eudaley ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Bobby Gene Eudaley, 78, of the Walton Chapel area died Friday, Dec. 25, 2015 in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. A visitation will begin for the public at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, in the McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellsinore, with the Memorial Service following at 6 p.m. Rev. Tom Wilder will officiate. Memorial donations may be made to McSpadden Funeral Home...

Sammy Couch NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Sammy Couch, 73, of Corning, Ark., died Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015, at the Corning Therapy Living Center in Corning, Ark. Visitation will be on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, at Fowler-Sullivan Memorial Chapel from noon until service time at 1 p.m. in the chapel. Graveside service will be at 1:30 a.m. Monday at Post Oak Cemetery, McDougal, Ark...

James Asa "Cindy" Roark ELLSINORE, Mo. -- James Asa "Cindy" Roark, 89, son of the late Frank and Helen (Alexander) Roark, was born April 23, 1926 in Hunter, Mo. and died at his residence in Hunter. Cindy had resided in Hunter since 1970, and was formerly of National City, Calif. ...

Rickey F. Scrape PUXICO, Mo. -- Rickey F. Scrape, 60, of Noel, Mo., died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015, at his residence. Visitation will be held 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in the Morgan Sifford Chapel in Puxico. The funeral will be held 1 p.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel...

Floyd "Frank" Armstrong PUXICO, Mo. -- Floyd "Frank" Armstrong, 82, of Advance, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, at Puxico Nursing and Rehab. Funeral arrangements are currently pending through Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico.

Maxine Russom FISK, Mo. -- Maxine Russom, 77, of Broseley, Mo. died Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015, at Westwood Hills Health Care in Poplar Bluff. She was born June 18, 1938 at Broseley, the daughter of the late Noah and Bessie Minks. Mrs. Russom formerly owned and operated Batesville Grain and Fertilizer...

By SHARON RANDALL Tribune News Service Twenty-five years ago, when my editor called me into his office, I knew I was trouble. "Sorry I left early yesterday," I said. "I'll never do it again. After today. I have to sell hot dogs at my son's baseball game."...

Pathetic! I'd just like to call and complain about this pitiful New Wave that we have here in Poplar Bluff for the TV. They have. . . I love to watch the Local on the 8s but the last week it's not been local at all. It's got New York, Texas all over the nation in there instead of our local things. ...

BLOOMFIELD -- Maurice Farr wasn't much of a factor through the first half, but as Hayti's once mighty 15-point lead dwindled down to nothing, he took over. With a second left, the junior threw up a 3-pointer that splashed home as the buzzer sounded to give the seventh-seeded Indians a 74-73 victory over No. 10 East Prairie...

BLOOMFIELD -- The Royals had trouble stopping Dexter's offensive lineman in a basketball jersey. Gabe Jackson was a tough task for Twin Rivers in the paint. The 6-foot 4-inch sophomore center, as well as lineman on the football team, finished with 18 points and Dexter beat Twin Rivers 71-58 in the first round of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament on Saturday...

BLOOMFIELD -- Doniphan's Lucas Moe was open early, often, consistently, perpetually and mercilessly. The junior guard had 12 of his 22 points in the first quarter as fourth-seeded Doniphan rolled past Bernie 72-41 in the first round of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament on Saturday...

BLOOMFIELD -- Holding the top seed in their own tournament for the first time in 50 years suited the host Bloomfield Wildcats during the first round Saturday. The Wildcats scored the first eight points of the game, held No. 16 Richland to six points in the second half -- one in the fourth quarter -- and rolled to a 71-19 turbo-clock victory to open the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament...

BLOOMFIELD -- After Malden lost its lead late in the first quarter, something clicked for Trevor and Tyler Ison. The brothers combined to scored the Green Wave's first 12 points of the second quarter, leading fifth-seeded Malden to a 55-43 victory over No. 12 Portageville in the first round of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament Saturday...

Poplar Bluff fans will get their first look at the Mules basketball team starting Monday in the 29th annual Showdown. A lot has changed since they hoisted the championship trophy at Peters Gym last year. "I think they've been used to teams playing really hard around here," Mules coach William Durden said. "Hopefully, we can still bring that same element...

BLOOMFIELD -- Jabari Herron's basket for the opposition five seconds in wasn't a bad omen for the South Pemiscot Bulldogs. It only slowed their dominance by a play. Third-seeded South Pemiscot went on to score the next 14 points and rolled to a 62-34 victory over No. 14 Van Buren in the first round of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament...

BLOOMFIELD -- Puxico knew that Saxony was going to apply defensive pressure. That's what the Crusaders are known for. The Indians handled it early, but tired legs lost both the transition and rebounding battles in the second half and Saxony ran away for a 58-36 win in the first round of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament on Saturday in Bloomfield...

Dustin Black's 3 from half court to finish off the first quarter was the last time the Holcomb bench jumped to its feet. After that, the Kennett Indians rolled to a 77-43 win in the first round of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament. Black's long basket put the 15th seed Hornets ahead 20-13. They never trailed in the first quarter and hit four 3s along the way...