Stories from Saturday, April 30, 2016

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor Pray and bring an umbrella Saturday morning to the Sarah Jarboe White United Cancer Assistance Network Walk at the Danny Bell Cancer Treatment Center. "Cancer doesn't stop for rain," said UCAN Executive Director Melody Melloy. "We've had a chance of rain every year and we've never had the walk rained out. We pray about it. We've had cloudy weather and a few sprinkles but nothing has stopped the walk."...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor GREENVILLE, Mo. -- A Zalma, Mo., man was ordered to stand trial Thursday morning for abandoning the body of a Bismarck, Mo., man found dead in Black River in Wayne County. Accompanied by his attorney, Steve Walsh, Roger Dale Mayberry appeared before Associate Circuit Judge Randy Schuller...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A June patron of Brick's Off Road Park pleaded not guilty Thursday to assault charges in connection with an alleged alcohol-related crash, which left a local woman paralyzed. Jeremy Scott Sykes, 35, of Dyersburg, Tenn., appeared before Associate Circuit Judge John Bloodworth for arraignment on two Class C felonies of second-degree assault...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor CORNING, Ark. -- A Poplar Bluff, Mo., businessman was among six arrested Thursday by Clay County officials during the execution of a warrant in which suspected methamphetamine, marijuana and firearms were found...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer The community filled Black River Coliseum on Thursday evening for Taste of the Town, Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff's annual fundraiser that offers samples from more than 40 area restaurants. Exact figures of money raised to support the club were not available at press time, however, Boys and Girls Club director Chris Rushin said this year's event was likely one of the best ever...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN In a recent column Dennis Prager made an acute observation. "The vast majority of leading conservative writers ... have a secular outlook on life. ... They are unaware of the disaster that godlessness in the West has led to."...

As the owner of a small business and our family farm, tax season has always been a stressful time for me. Unfortunately, the frustration over taxes doesn't stop with just paying them, but continues when learning how those taxpayer dollars are then spent...

Last month, I celebrated the beginning of my 81st year of life. For nearly half that time, I have been writing a nationally syndicated column on many topics generating reader responses that go from supportive to quite ugly. So I thought a column making my vision, values and views explicit might settle some of the controversy...

Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis welcomed back 2-year-old heart transplant recipient Liam Gregory and his family earlier this month. In 2015, the Gregory family traveled from their hometown of Poplar Bluff, Mo., to St. Louis seeking life-saving medical treatment for their son, Liam, at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital...

The Oak Grove Homemakers Club met Wednesday, March 23, for a luncheon meeting at the home of Dorothy Robbins. Mary Thurman gave thanks for the meal. Dorothy Robbins presided at the business meeting and presented a devotional of Psalm 36:5, God's Love. Members also enjoyed an Irish Proverb published in the Daily American Republic which read, "May your neighbors respect you, Troubles neglect you, Angels protect you, and Heaven accept you."...

By MARGARET SHACKLEFORD As part of the partnership with the Vietnam War Commemoration for the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, the Poplar Bluff Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution announces U. S. Navy Commander John Holland as a "Veteran of the Month" for April...

Mary S. Cato GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Mary S. Cato, 55, of Greenville died Thursday, April 28, 2016 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements will be announced by Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel, Greenville.

Norman R. Keele Norman R. Keele, 88, of Silva, died Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at his residence. Arrangements are currently pending with Ruegg Funeral Homes, Inc. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com

COTTLEVILLE, Mo. -- Raymond Sankitts gave the Raiders a shot in the arm by dislocating his thumb Thursday. Tied in the bottom of the seventh of the opener, St. Charles had the winning run on second and singled to right field. Logan Carter picked it and threw a perfect one-hopper to Sankitts at home. The Three Rivers catcher made the tag, dislocated the thumb on his catching hand in the crash, but still held onto the ball...

MALDEN -- Malden cleanup hitter Chapen Riley knew a big opportunity was about to present itself when he arrived at the batter's box in the bottom of the fifth inning Thursday afternoon. "I knew as the inning was progressing I was going to have a chance to score some runs," Riley said. "When I got to the plate I had the mindset I wanted to get at least one run in and ended up driving in four runs."...

Alex Mintun Baker Alex Mintun Baker, 66, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Friday, April 22, 2016 at his residence. He was born Sept. 25, 1949 to Melvin and Leonore (Perry) Baker in Sacramento, Calif. He graduated high school at C.K. McClatchy in 1967 and attended Sacramento City College. ...

Mary Jane Morrow Mary Jane Morrow, 84, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at Cedargate Healthcare in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Morrow was born Nov. 19, 1931 in Naylor, Mo. She was of the Baptist faith and was a homemaker. During her earlier years, Mrs. Morrow worked at the old Avalon Motel and later at the Pear Tree Inn in Poplar Bluff. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren...

Gabbie Pattillo has been going to Arkansas State cheer camps since she can remember, but in the fall, the Poplar Bluff senior will be competing for the Red Wolves. "I've pretty much always wanted to go to ASU. All of my family has gone there so I just wanted to carry on the tradition," said Pattillo, who recently signed her National Letter of Intent to do just that...

Shirley Mae Luecke Shirley Mae Luecke died on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 in Houston, Texas after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She was 86 years young. Shirley was born on Oct. 5, 1929 in St. Louis, Mo. She was the first child of Elmer and Frieda Huch...

PIEDMONT -- After little to no success against West County in the last five years, the Clearwater softball team finally got the monkey off its back Thursday afternoon. The Lady Tigers used a four-run second inning to down the Lady Bulldogs 10-3 for the first time since 2012. Clearwater (11-8) was previously 0-7 against West County (13-2) during that span and had its last two spring seasons ended by the Lady Bulldogs...

JACKSON, Mo. --Poplar Bluff and Jackson squared off one last time Thursday before the MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 showdown. The two golf teams have now outscored the other three times each after Jackson beat the Mules and Notre Dame. The Indians shot 306 to edge Notre Dame by two shots while Poplar Bluff shot 321...

Randy Copeland DEXTER, Mo. -- Randy Copeland, 60, of Dexter died Saturday, April 23, 2016, at SoutheastHEALTH of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Visitation was Tuesday, April 26, at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 27, at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery with Rev. Tim Russell officiating...

Middle school and high school students who are you interested in a career in health care, working in the emergency room or performing surgery may want to consider the 2016 M*A*S*H Camps an opportunity to participate in hands-on learning activities which include: vital signs, CPR, first aid, suturing, injections, dissection labs, oral health, and more. The perfect way to determine if a career in health care is the right one for you...