Stories from Thursday, April 21, 2016

By EVAN HOLLEY and DONNA FARLEY Staff Writers VAN BUREN, Mo. -- A judge said Tuesday there was insufficient evidence to prevent Van Buren's newly elected mayor from being sworn into office. Carter County circuit judge David Paul Evans denied a request for a preliminary quo warranto order to postpone the swearing in of Mike Hoerner. Hoerner was elected mayor on April 5 and is set to be sworn in alongside other newly elected officials on Thursday...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer GREENVILLE, Mo. -- The Greenville Board of Aldermen voted Tuesday to replace a second city employee, and say they will need another meeting to decide the fate of a third. Attorney Christina Kime will step in as city attorney, replacing Ben Thompson, who has been employed by the city for more than eight years. ...

By EVAN HOLLEY Staff Writer The Neelyville School District is revisiting its cellphone policy following a complaint by a parent that it could endanger students. The current policy allows the district to take a student's phone and keep it for three school days following a violation of policy, which also means a violation on Thursday or Friday means the phone would be kept over the weekend...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man who rang in 2016 by firing a weapon in the air now faces up to 10 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to illegally possessing that weapon...

By EVAN HOLLEY Staff Writer Having a police officer on school property currently is under consideration by the Twin Rivers School District. Superintendent Jeremy Siebert told the school board during its meeting Tuesday night a plan is being discussed to bring a police officer to the district's school in an effort to increase security presence and students' safety...

By EVAN HOLLEY Staff Writer One Poplar Bluff optometrist recently has acquired a new computerized instrument that will revolutionize the detection and treatment of an array of sight-threatening diseases. In early February, Dr. Michael Penney purchased a Cirrus SD-OCT 5000, a highly sophisticated piece of equipment by Carl Zeiss Opthalmics that provides extremely detailed images of patients' eyes...

By EVAN HOLLEY Staff Writer Area residents now have the opportunity to dive "feet first" into the shoes that are right for them. Feet First Shoe Gear is a new shoe store in Poplar Bluff and the first of its kind in the area. Feet First is owned by Ryan Pretz, a physical therapist, and Dr. Clint Vanlandingham, a podiatrist. Pretz and Vanlandingham opened the store in July 2015 with the mission of providing shoes for anyone who needs extra support and an excellent fit...

It's time to plant one of my favorite veggies. There's nothing better than fresh, delicious tomatoes. Today we have over 1,000 different varieties of tomatoes. You can plant varieties of tomatoes in nearly every color. According to the Vegetable Planting Calendar, you can plant anytime between April 20 and May 10. ...

By GEORGE F. WILL "It's not the will to win that matters. ... It's the will to prepare to win that matters." -- Paul "Bear" Bryant HOUSTON -- People here at Ted Cruz's campaign headquarters are meticulously preparing to win a contested convention, if there is one. Because Donald Trump is a low-energy fellow, Cruz will be positioned to trounce him in Cleveland, where Trump's slide toward earned oblivion would accelerate during a second ballot...

By MIKE JENSEN Publisher Sikeston Standard Democrat The headlines in our area should be cause for concern or alarm. Higher than average crimes involving handguns in far too many towns within our region. Sadly, most of the crimes have far too much in common - young men with illegal guns, too many drugs, too many family disputes and too many gangs...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN Donald Trump has brought out the largest crowds in the history of primaries. He has won the most victories, the most delegates, the most votes. He is poised to sweep three of the five largest states in the nation -- New York, Pennsylvania and California...

To benefit leukemia patient PB Realty having drive-thru meal Fri. Poplar Bluff Realty will conduct a drive-thru fundraiser Friday to benefit local leukemia patient Amber Adams. It will take place on the firm's parking lot at 1800 N. Westwood Blvd. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m...

The Raiders got a little support from every facet of the game Tuesday. The defense turned a double play and limited Southwest Tennessee to three runs on seven hits. The offense put up a season-high 17 hits and a trio of Raider pitchers had solid outings in the 11-3 win at Roger Pattillo Field...

The bats have come alive at the right time for the Neelyville softball team. The second-seeded Lady Tigers belted four triples among their 12 hits and were never threatened in a 12-1 run-rule victory over No. 3 Doniphan to advance to the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament championship Tuesday at Rains Field...

In a pitcher's duel where opposing aces worked quick and hits were hard to come by, Naylor did just enough to squeak by. The top-seeded Lady Eagles managed a game-high eight hits and fought tooth and nail to get runners across the plate in a 2-1 win over fifth-seeded East Carter in the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament semifinals Tuesday at Rains Field...

Sandra Whitmer Sandra Sue Whitmer, 70,of Poplar Bluff, Mo.,passed awayFriday, April 15, 2016 at her home. Mrs. Whitmer was born Aug. 12, 1945 in St. Louis County, Mo. She was a member of Memorial Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff. A homemaker, she enjoyed gardening, yard sales and going to the sale barn. She loved doing church activities...

The Mules topped their win total from a year ago with a second sweep in as many days Tuesday and fourth of the season as Poplar Bluff beat visiting Notre Dame 9-0. Top-seeded Humza Siddiqui beat Notre Dame's James Stroup 8-4 while Isaac Laseter won 8-0 at No. 2 for the Mules (8-1)...

Lester Edward Moore NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Lester Edward Moore, 83, of Naylor, Mo., died Monday, April 18, 2016, at his home. A longtime resident of Ripley County, Mr. Moore was a farmer, and he also drove a school bus for Naylor School District. He was born Aug. 18, 1932, in Holcomb, Mo. He married Helen Ruth Thomason Aug. 30, 1955 in Mississippi. She preceded him in death Nov. 22, 2009. His hobbies were farming, he enjoyed fish and his grandchildren and his family...

Puxico pulled off a second upset to reach the SCAA softball tournament finals, beating top-seeded Woodland 9-5 on Tuesday. Kaytlynn Haynes earned a complete-game for Puxico (8-5). She allowed two earned runs, struck out one and walked four. Bailey Burns hit a double and drove in two runs for the Indians while Gabby Baker added two RBIs. The Indians also upset fourth-seeded Advance 2-1 on Monday...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education members will vote Thursday whether to renew a contract with lunch service provider Chartwells (see related Chartwells story on A8), the first renewal since a rodent infestation was discovered in a food-storage area in January...