Stories from Wednesday, June 22, 2016

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Poplar Bluff students and all others around the state will soon need to complete a CPR class to graduate. The new requirement was mandated following the recent passage and signing into law of Senate Bill 711. Beginning with the 2017-18 school year, students in public schools will have to take 30 minutes of CPR instruction and be fluent in performing the Heimlich maneuver...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer The Butler County Fair Board says this year's event will be "Bigger and Better than Ever," announcing on Monday dates and a snapshot of the itinerary for 2016. The fair will take place Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, with the carnival, and most events, held at Ray Clinton Park. Board president Jack Altman says in years prior, events were scattered throughout the area and the public found it inconvenient to attend them all...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man who authorities say was intoxicated was found safe on a river bank early Sunday morning after his car rolled into the Black River while he was still inside. A call came into the Butler County Sheriff's Department at about 12:40 a.m. Sunday reporting "someone had submerged their car in the river at the Dan River boat access, and they were still in it," explained Butler County Investigator Randle Huddleston...

Margie F. Gaskins PUXICO, Mo. - Margie F. Gaskins, 67, of Puxico, died Wed., June 1, 2016 at her residence. A memorial service will be held at a later date with Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico in charge of arrangements.

Gladys M. Rankin Gladys M. Rankin, 83, of Poplar Bluff, died Sat., June 18, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She was born in Ithaca, Mich., March 26, 1933. Mrs. Rankin married Willis A. Rankin in Lansing, Mich., July 5, 1957. To this union a daughter, Madeline C. Sauls was born...

Carl Allen Goins FISK, Mo. - Carl "Allen" Goins passed on June 19, 2016 in Troy, Mo. He was born on April 3, 1937 in Portageville, Mo. to John F. and Dollie (Bryant) Goins. He married Patricia Ann Melton on Feb. 23, 1957 in St. Clair, Ill. He is lovingly remembered by his children: Douglas (Jackie) of Wentzville Mo., Kimberly (Jim Y.) of St. ...

Angela Sue Aldridge NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Angela Sue Aldridge, 47, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in the Wheeling Hospital at Wheeling, W.Va. She was born July 8, 1969 in Poplar Bluff. She is survived by her husband, James Aldridge of Poplar Bluff, two sons: Robert Rushin and Ross Rushin, both of Poplar Bluff, step-children: Anthony Norman and Noah Aldridge both of Poplar Bluff, and Arizonia Morse of Poplar Bluff; and her father, Truman A Gaultney of North Carolina...

VA needs more than one doctor I am writing in concern with what is happening at the Poplar Bluff VA. I was talking with a Disabled Veteran the other day and was informed they only have ONE (1) FULL TIME DOCTOR on Campus and the rest are Nurse Practitioners. ...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce last week showed its appreciation for local captains of industry through its annual Industrial Appreciation Day. Dozens of representatives in the local manufacturing and retail sectors attended the event, which featured a catered meal, door prizes and a simple "thank you" to those business who continue to call Poplar Bluff home...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Mozark Realty of Poplar Bluff has been named Mossy Oak Properties "Office of the Year" during the company's recent Land Summit meeting in Starksville, Miss. "I am of course very humbled; however beaming with pride for my team. ...

In 2008, Barack Obama promised a fundamental transformation of America. Where that promise has gone unfulfilled the most is in areas of sexual and racial discrimination. What's worse is the official sanction given to such discrimination. Let's look at some of it...

Three Rivers College Board of Trustees will meet at noon Wednesday for a regular monthy meeting in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center. Items on the agenda include the college financial report and the president's report, the fiscal 2017 budget, a policy related to alternative credits, an item related to travel, a custodial bid and a vending bid...

Area students receiving honors from Crowley's Ridge College in Paragould, Ark. for the Spring 2016 Semester are Brooklyn Urich of Naylor, Mo. - presiden't list, Sigma Chi Eta; Maleah Clayton- president's list, Sigma Chi Eta and Austin Hatchel, Bernie, Mo.- dean's list...

Dana "Mac" F. Magruder Dana "Mac" F. Magruder, 65, of Poplar Bluff, died Friday, June 17, 2016, at John J. Pershing Veteran's Hospital. He was born Dec. 30, 1950 in Poplar Bluff to Juanita Cooley and the late Don F. Magruder. Dana was a long time resident of Poplar Bluff and Neelyville. He was a member of the First Baptist Church...

Edna Guess PIEDMONT, MO. -- Edna Guess, 92, of Coldwater, died Monday, June 20, 2016 at her residence. Arrangements are currently pending with Ruegg Funeral Homes, Inc. , of Piedmont. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com

Sinora Anne and Nick Westley Murphey of Doniphan have chosen the name Haven Annamarie Murphey for their 5-pound, 9-ounce daughter born at 10:56 a.m., Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at Saint Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace in Cape Girardeau. Haven was 18 inches long...

Eddie D. Mansker FISK, Mo. -- Eddie D. Mansker Sr., 66, of Doniphan, died Sunday, June 19, 2016 at his residence. Mr. Mansker was born Oct. 5, 1949 at Poplar Bluff. He was a timber worker and also worked at Waterloo Industries in Pocahontas, Ark. for 27 years. ...

Richard W. Landers, Jr. Richard W. Landers, Jr., 86, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Landers, the son of the late Richard W. Sr. and Edna Crozier Landers, was born Nov. 19, 1929 in Morehouse, Mo. ...

SIKESTON -- Wayne County's winning streak finally came to an end Monday night, but not before they extended it to nine games first. Behind an explosive offense and dominant pitching, the Lumberjacks won the opener of a doubleheader 22-6 in five innings before dropping the nightcap 10-3 to the Missouri Rage at Sikeston Legion Field...

Dr. Robert Marshall Spiker Dr. Robert Marshall Spiker, 95, a long-time retired chiropractor of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Sunday, June 19, 2016 at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff. Dr. Spiker, the son of the late Marshall and Margaret Grace Berry Spiker, was born Jan. ...

Carl Allen Goins -- Troy, Mo. Gladys Rankin -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Angela S. Aldridge -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Dana "Mac" Magruder -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Eddie Mansker -- Doniphan, Mo. Edna Guess -- Coldwater, Mo. Richard W. Landers, Jr. -- Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Edna Guess GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Edna Guess, 92, of Coldwater, Mo., died, Monday, June 20, 2016 at her residence. Visitation will be held at 11 p.m. Thursday, June 23, 2016, at Ruegg Funeral home, Greenville, Mo. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. also at the Greenville Chapel...

Col. J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds Missouri's travelers of the importance of safety during the upcoming July Fourth holiday. Many people will travel somewhere to enjoy the three-day holiday. Whether your plans will take place on land or on the water, please be courteous and follow all Missouri traffic and boating laws...