Stories from Saturday, September 3, 2016

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Louis Watson was 18, serving his first year in the U.S. Navy, when twin atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The U.S. Navy radioman witnessed the destruction in the weeks after August 1945 through a pair of binoculars from the deck of the USS Cocopa. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Five things residents should know about the city of Poplar Bluff's borrowing history: It will pay nearly $2.4 million toward a debt of just under $26.8 million in 2016. The information is included in 2015 audit documents approved in August by the city council. Payments were approximately $1.2 million on less than $14 million in debt in 2013...

By JILL BOCK SEMO News Service PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- Farmers, researchers, government employees and company officials voiced their opinions Wednesday afternoon during a hearing by the House Select Committee on Agriculture. Their concern was damage, particularly in Southeast Missouri, by illegal spraying of the herbicide dicamba...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Cities, like their residents, have a credit score. It serves as a yardstick. It tells lenders how capable a municipality is at repaying its debts. Poplar Bluff is seen as a good risk. It earned an 'A-' this year from Standard and Poor's on outstanding bonds that helped pay for construction of the Black River Coliseum and other improvements to the city's golf course, parks and library...

Former alt-rock frontwoman tells how she found Christianity Monday, August 29, 2016 By TYLER GRAEF SEMO News Service Rock 'n' roll types typically don't show up in church until they have to. Lacey Sturm, the former frontwoman of the alternative rock band Flyleaf, said she was no exception...

By GEORGE F. WILL Irish poets learn your trade Sing whatever is well made. ... -- William Butler Yeats, "Under Ben Bulben" LOS ANGELES -- For 67 years, the son of Vincent and Bridget Scully, immigrants who came to New York City from County Cavan, Ireland, has been plying his trade. ...

To the Editor: As an occasional jogger, I sometimes "slog" through the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery early in the morning. Recently, however, I overslept so it was well after 7 a.m. when I set out. Although disappointed I had overslept, on the bright side, I looked forward to seeing the American flags flying over the cemetery. The flags are raised by employees of the cemetery who come to work after I've jogged...

Frieda M. David Frieda M. David, 79, of Williamsville, Mo., died Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 at her residence. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Diana Ruth Williams KENNETT, Mo. -- Diana Ruth Williams, 58, died at her residence in Bessemer, Ala. Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016. Visitation and funeral were Friday morning at Bradshaw Funeral Home of Kennett with Rev. Johnny Bogle officiating. Burial will be at LuLu Cemetery in Senath. Bradshaw Funeral Home of Kennett in charge of arrangements...

DONIPHAN -- With an 11-run lead going into the fifth inning, Clearwater coach Cole Sheets put in the subs. They ended up putting together the Tigers' best inning en route to a 20-2, five-inning road win over Doniphan on Thursday. Clearwater scored eight runs in the fifth. The subs scored six of those runs and had four hits in the inning while the team finished with 11 hits in the game...

BLOOMFIELD -- Poplar Bluff escaped game-point twice Thursday night before winning the opener then built a big enough lead that Bloomfield couldn't return the favor in the second game. The Mules closed out a 26-24, 25-19 victory on their fifth match point after finishing the opening game with four straight points to rally...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The games don't matter, and that's why they matter so much. At least, that was the common refrain as the Notre Dame Soccer Fest opened Thursday at Notre Dame Regional High School. It would be more accurate to say the results on the scoreboard don't matter, because as the eight teams took to the field in the opening round, it provided an important opportunity for teams to get quality experience against quality teams with three games in three days...

DEXTER -- The Doniphan Dons may have to wait another week for their first touchdown in more than three decades, but for the first time since 1979, a new era of football has begun. Doniphan's Jon Coonce could finally put all of his practices, drills and anticipations to use Thursday against Dexter...

Michael "Mike" Leroy Fox WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- Michael "Mike" Leroy Fox, 51, of Puxico, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016 at his residence. Mr. Fox, the son of Franklin "Leroy" and Marylin Gray Fox, was born Sept. 9, 1964 in Poplar Bluff. In 2015, he retired from Tyson Food Corporation due to failing health. Mr. Fox loved to hunt and fish as long as he was able...

Daniel Leroy McNew Daniel Leroy McNew, 85, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016 at his home. Mr. McNew was born Feb. 11, 1931 in Butler County. He was a member of Oak Grove New Beginning Church in Poplar Bluff. He had worked as a truck driver for Rowe Furniture Co. He enjoyed playing music and singing, for years singing with the McNew Gospel Singers. He also loved teaching the Bible and being with his family...

Ralph "Chuck" McAtee GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Ralph "Chuck" McAtee, 46, of Greenville, died Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016 at the Parkland Health Center in Farmington, Mo. from injuries suffered in an automobile accident in Wayne County. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Greenville. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home chapel...

David E. Self David E. Self, 49, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016 at his residence. Mr. Self was born May 11, 1967 in Tennessee. He was of the Baptist faith and had worked for many years as a butcher. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening but his greatest joy was spending time with his daughter...

BROSELEY -- Zac Hardin and Jack LeGrand combined or a one-hitter as the Twin Rivers Royals stayed undefeated in the Ozark Foothills Conference with a 4-0 win over East Carter Thursday. Hardin started, struck out one, walked one and gave up the only East Carter hit to Hunter Berry to earn the win. LeGrabd relieved him in the fifth inning and struck out five and walked one for Twin Rivers (3-3)...

During National Preparedness Month in September, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to help ensure a readily available blood supply for emergencies. Donations decline around summer holidays like Labor Day. To thank those who come out to give Sept. 2-6, the Red Cross is providing a branded duffel bag, while supplies last...