Stories from Saturday, September 10, 2016

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer State-level results on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) reflect less than half of students in grades 3-8 are proficient in math. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released the statewide results Wednesday. Results for individual districts and schools will not be available until Nov. 3...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor MALDEN, Mo. -- The Dunklin County Major Case Squad was activated Thursday night to investigate an apparent homicide in Malden. Few details were available by press time today, but authorities say a man was found dead outside a Malden residence just before 10 p.m. Thursday...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor VAN BUREN, Mo. -- A recent inspection of the Dollar General Store at Van Buren by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration found suspected violations that could have jeopardized the safety of workers and customers, and those alleged violations could cost the company nearly $100,000...

By CHELSAE CORDIA Staff Writer Poplar Bluff High School student organization the Mule Barn encourages all football game attendees to wear St. Louis Cardinals gear tonight in memory of Robert Thomas Rowland. The group's intention is to demonstrate school spirit in a tribute to Rowland by representing his favorite team...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer When Steve Halter started the second of two community meetings held Wednesday to kick off a new look at the needs of downtown Poplar Bluff, Mo., he made three simple requests. Share ideas, be respectful and don't gripe about the past...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer A popular sandwich chain, two clothing stores, a shoe retailer and a prepaid wireless provider are expected to be among the new businesses at Eight Points shopping center, according to building plans on file with the city of Poplar Bluff, Mo...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Downtown Poplar Bluff, Inc., is asking for ideas on how to improve the oldest section of town by holding six community input meetings. About 100 people have attended the four meetings held Wednesday and Thursday, and several hundred more have participated through social media...

BY PATRICK J. BUCHANAN Were the election held today, Hillary Clinton would probably win a clear majority of the Electoral College. Her problem: The election is two months off. Sixty days out, one senses she has lost momentum -- the "Big Mo" of which George H. W. Bush boasted following his Iowa triumph in 1980 -- and her campaign is in a rut, furiously spinning its wheels...

To the Editor: The subject I am going to write about is something that I have wanted to get on the soapbox about for years. But just have not done that. It is about transplants. Who says we are supposed to live for years and years. If one has made every day a good day for them and their family, one should be happy with that. ...

To the Editor: Cape Arrowhead, Inc. wants to thank all the following for their help and donations that made our 4th Veteran's Fishing and Fun Day the best one yet, held at Don Jones' fishing pond on Highway T on August 27, 2016: Don Jones, Kenny and Tina Shirrell, Leroy and Diana Leggett, Mark and Mary Bader, Joe Balance and family, Blake Flageable, Phil Brit and the Veterans' Court volunteers, Wappapello VFW, Wappapello VFW Auxiliary, Peoples Community Bank, 1st Midwest Bank, Commerce Bank, Bank of Missouri, Ozark Federal Credit Union, Mo-Ark Distributing, Donut House, Juice Café, Brick Oven Pizza, Steak 'n' Shake, Vietnam Veterans of America Post 1056, Millies, Kohlfeld Distributing, River Radio Station, J.D's Quick Stop and West Village Express. ...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Republican congressional leaders ardently want conservative members of the House to not force a vote on impeaching the IRS commissioner. The public does not care about John Koskinen's many misdeeds. And impeachment will distract attention from issues that interest the public. ...

DEXTER -- Bernie brought a student section that rivaled Dexter's and filled the parking lot of the Bearcat Event Center. The latest match between these Stoddard County neighbors, with 10 miles separating red from blue, didn't disappoint early. Bernie went on a 6-1 run to lead 9-7 early when Dexter coach Carmen Morgan called a timeout...

Hannah Vaughn served up a pair of aces as Poplar Bluff took the first five points of each game Thursday night. The junior finished with a season-high eight aces and assisted on 19 of 24 kills as the Mules quickly beat Sikeston 25-9, 25-16 for their first win at the new Senior High Gym...

Three Rivers College will host the HiSET® High School Equivalence Test in Malden this September. The exam will be offered at Three Rivers College's Malden location on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The registration period for this test closes on Sept. 22...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Jeffry Hardin scored a career-high five goals, all in the second half, as Poplar Bluff won 6-0 at Cape Central on Thursday night. Wyatt Rowland added his first career goal and Adam Vincent had three assists while keeper Trevor Fredwell shut out the Tigers for the second time in a week...

Joseph L. Caulfield PUXICO, MO. -- Joseph L. Caulfield, 50, of Puxico died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, at his home. Funeral Arrangements are pending with Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico.

Stanley D. Wright Stanley D. Wright, 60, of Carbondale, Ill., died Friday, Sept. 9, 2016 at his residence. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers Ricky L. Vannada and Jonathan T. Wilson were promoted Thursday to the rank of corporal. Vannada will be designated assistant zone commander in Zone 2, Butler and Ripley counties. Vannada was appointed to the patrol on Oct. 17, 2004, and after graduating from the patrol's academy, he was assigned to Zone 10, Dunklin County...

Center Stage, Three Rivers College's blended community/student theater company, has released the schedule for its 2016-2017 season, which will include dramatic, comedic, and musical theater productions. As with all Center Stage shows, auditions will be open to both Three Rivers students and community members for all shows...

William Paul Street PIEDMONT, Mo. -- William Paul Street, 69, of Piedmont, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Harvest Full Gospel Church in Des Arc. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church with Pastor Jimmy Nelson officiating...

Helen Doris Jones Helen Doris Jones, 85, of Puxico, Mo., passed away at her home Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. She was born July 12, 1931 to the late Raymond and Alma Reddick of Puxico. On March 27, 1947, she married Charles M. "Sonny" Jones. He preceded her in death on July 8, 1998...

Dustin Dewayne Johnson/Stoner Dustin Dewayne Johnson/Stoner, 28, of Little Rock, Ark., passed from this life Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016 in Arkansas. He was born Aug. 17, 1988 in Poplar Bluff. He had formerly lived in Poplar Bluff. Dustin enjoyed Razorback football, fishing, sports and music. ...

Lucy Marie Spear WEST PLAINS -- Lucy Marie Spear, 91, West Plains, died Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016 at NHC Nursing Home in West Plains. Visitation will be held from 6-7 p.m., Sunday, at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Monday, at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains...

Alfred Hassell PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Alfred Hassell, 88, of Mill Spring, Mo. died Thursday, Sept. 8. 2016 at his home near Mill Spring. Arrangements are pending with the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont.V

Donald Jay Hoeltzle Donald Jay Hoeltzle, Jr., 37, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016 at his residence. Mr. Hoeltzle, son of Donald J. Hoeltzle, Sr. and the late Vickey Lynn O'Toole Hoeltzle, was born Nov. 18, 1978 in St. Louis, Mo. He was employed at Gamblin Lumber Company. Mr. Hoeltzle enjoyed spending time with his family and fishing...

Sam Gray DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Donald "Sam" Ivan Gray, 85, of Doniphan, previously, of St. Charles, Ill., loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend died of pneumonia Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016 at Southeast Health of Ripley County. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald C. and Nellie Grimes Gray...

Bill Blackwell NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Billy "Bill" June Blackwell, 84, of Hallsville, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. He was born in Torch, Mo. June 7, 1932 and grew up in Naylor, graduating from Naylor High School in 1950. He joined the United States Air Force in 1952 and was a Korean War Veteran. Upon returning to the States, Bill moved to Columbia in 1957 where he attended the University of Missouri on the G. I. Bill...

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- The Poplar Bluff Junior High football team split with Caruthersville to open the season Thursday, winning the seventh grade game 32-14 and losing 38-18 in the eighth grade game. LaBryan McDonald scored twice in the second half while Denarius Robinson scored on a 60-yard run in the first half of the eighth grade game. The Junior Mules trailed 16-6 at the break...

BROSELEY -- The Twin Rivers Royals will have to wait at least another week to attempt their comeback against Neelyville. Trailing 1-0 with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the fourth inning, Twin Rivers' Tanner Ledbetter's at-bat was delayed when heavy rain soaked the infield at Royals Field and the game was suspended Thursday...