Stories from Friday, October 21, 2016

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Students overwhelmingly chose Republican Donald J. Trump for president during a mock election held Friday at Poplar Bluff Middle School. Trump earned just over 65 percent of the vote among the 4-6 graders. A total of 1,090 ballots were received, 85 of which were rejected due to errors. Of those, Trump received 654 votes compared to Democrat nominee Hillary Clinton's 254...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer City and county leaders borrowed more money than originally anticipated to fund a 2.5 mile extension of Shelby Road, but now expect to seek bids in the early spring for the approximately $15 million project. Action taken Wednesday by the Poplar Bluff Regional Transportation District finalized the sale of almost $7.1 million in bonds to complete funding for the extension...

By KITTYE HALL Master Gardener University of Missouri Extension The Poplar Bluff Master Gardener Chapter recently had the opportunity to visit Mingo Wildlife Refuge near Puxico. Everyone attending brought a sack lunch. The day was spent learning about the operation and history of the refuge, touring the grounds and learning how to take quality pictures of the abundant wildlife there and at our own home gardens. ...

WASHINGTON -- A specter is haunting academia, the specter of specters -- ghosts, goblins and "cultural appropriation" through insensitive Halloween costumes. Institutions of higher education are engaged in the low comedy of avoiding the agonies of Yale...

We'll take good news where we can get it, and a record high in the rate of U.S. students who are earning a high school diploma certainly qualifies. On Monday, the White House proudly announced an unprecedented national graduation rate of 83.2 percent for the 2014-15 school year. And while gaps persist between white and Asian students and their black and Hispanic counterparts, those gaps are narrowing. Every group showed at least modest improvement over the previous year...

Westwood Baptist Church, 419 County Road 5231, located across the highway from Larry Hillis Dodge, Highway 67 North, is hosting a Trunk or Treat, from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday. There will be free hot dogs and chips to the first 300 people, trunks full of candy for the youngsters, bounce houses, live music and free hot chocolate...

By STEPHEN MOORE I have been asked a dozen times by news reporters over the last week: Do you still support Donald Trump? The elites at The New York Times, Washington Post and CNN would love to be able to add me and dozens more to the list of Republicans who have publicly denounced the Trump-Pence ticket...

On Friday, Sept. 30, Cotrell Funeral Service participated in the Relay for Life at Fred M. Morrow Stadium at Poplar Bluff Junior High School. The event raised nearly $24,000 and the Cotrell Funeral Service team itself exceeded their monetary goal and raised $1,368.61. Joe Chapman, Cotrell embalmer and funeral director, served as team captain, and the entire Cotrell staff team was on hand for the event. Bruce Goin, Cotrell general manager, dressed up as BeeGee the Clown to participate...

Lauren Dothage, 18, of Van Buren, has won a $500 Missouri Pacific Boosters Award to help pursue her studies at Three Rivers College. The award fund is administered by the Three Rivers Community College Foundation. Dothage is a 2016 graduate of Van Buren High School, where she graduated fifth in her class, participated in Senior Beta Club and was the starting catcher on the Lady Dawgs softball team, earning all-conference and all-district honors...

EMINENCE, Mo. -- On Saturday, Oct. 22, Ozark National Scenic Riverways will host an instructional gigging workshop at Round Spring in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation. The "Gigs and Ghosts" program will begin at 4 p.m. on the lower landing at Round Spring...

By FRANK NELSON Mo. Dept. of Conservation After a hot and humid summer, we have briefly experienced some cool blasts of air and seeing shorter days. These signs highlight that fall is under way and the opening day of waterfowl season is within striking distance. You might have wondered what the status at Duck Creek is as you begin to dust off your decoys and make preparations for the upcoming season...

By TOM UHLENBROCK Mo. State parks RHINELAND, Mo. - Maxine Witte is an ardent supporter of the Katy Trail even though, at age 84, her bike riding days are over. That's why she jumped at the chance to use a new vehicle to explore the scenery of the Missouri River Valley...

Throughout his eight-year stint at Malden, Joel Wyatt has never had a Friday night away from the gridiron during football season. Wyatt will attempt to enjoy himself away from the field for the first time this weekend as Malden, the top seed in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 tournament, received a first-round bye after Grandview forfeited its remaining games due to a lack of healthy players...

Thomas Earl Rodgers DEXTER, Mo.-- Thomas Earl Rodgers, 60, of Dexter died Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016 in his home surrounded by his loved ones. A celebration of his life will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 and Friday until time of services at 1 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. Burial will follow in the Dexter Cemetery in Dexter with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements...

There weren't many people who foresaw the Van Buren softball team embarking on a historic run three seasons ago, but there were a few, namely Summer Shockley. The senior pitcher knew that three freshmen, who'd been playing together since seventh grade, were going to give the Lady Dawgs a big boost and even predicted a run at a state title prior to last season...

SIKESTON, Mo. --Tied at 18 in the decisive third set, Poplar Bluff was seven points from its first district title in volleyball Wednesday night. Seven points. Farmington, however, got a boost from sophomore Jesse Miller who provided four of the seven points with kills as the Knights rallied past the Mules 23-25, 25-19, 25-21 in the MSHSAA Class 5 District 1 championship at the Sikeston Field House...

By Paul Davis Outdoors Editor Twenty-five hunters took part in last weekend's mobility-impaired deer hunt at Wappapello Lake, and they ended the event with six deer and two turkeys down. "It was incredible," said Park Ranger Eric Lemons. "There are stories that'll bring you to tears every year. It's emotional and touching for them as well as us."...

Most teams would be feeling nervous heading into their first appearance in a state final four. But the Van Buren softball team isn't like most, according to coach Jack Childress. Van Buren will be joined by Salisbury, Clopton and Jefferson-Conception in the MSHSAA Class 1 state final four Friday at the Killian Sports Complex in Springfield, Missouri...

A story Wednesday concerning Community Outreach Day left out the date of the event. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Black River Coliseum. A variety of services will be available for low income residents, including information on housing and jobs. Food and clothing pantries, and free health and dental services will also be on site...

Ruth Ann Hupp Ruth Ann Hupp, 82, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016 at Westwood Hills Healthcare in Poplar Bluff. Ms. Hupp, the daughter of the late Carl and Delia King Becker, was born July 10, 1934 in Holland, Mo. She was of the Methodist faith and had retired as a caregiver for Butler County Home Health. Ms. Hupp enjoyed gardening, reading and traveling...

Jessie E. Farris Jessie E. Farris, 87, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Tuesday Oct. 18, 2016 at his residence. Mr. Farris, the son of the late Claude and Ella Dillard Farris, was born Sept. 30, 1929 in Caruthersville, Mo. He was of the Church of Christ faith and was a farmer. Mr. Farris enjoyed spending time with his family, woodworking, cutting wood and fishing...

Robert Stewart, Sr. Robert Stewart, Sr., 76, died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016 at his residence in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 at Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016 in the Moore Funeral Service Chapel...

Allen Coleman "Cokie" McSpadden VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Allen Coleman "Cokie" McSpadden, 90, of Van Buren died Monday, Oct. 17. The name of one Mr. McSpadden's 11 grandchildren's spouse was listed incorrectly. Kourtney Green's husband should have been listed as Adam of Leo, Ind...

Re-Creation's "School Days" show will appear at 2 p.m. Oct. 27 at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, bringing a new stage presentation to hospitalized veterans, their guests and other visitors. The group represents Re-Creation US, Inc., which provides a national program of live entertainment for America's hospitalized veterans in VA Medical Centers and State Veterans Homes, said Donna Reynolds, voluntary services officer...