Stories from Wednesday, November 2, 2016

By CHELSAE CORDIA Staff Writer Community members pulled together Saturday in an effort to teach kids about the importance of community and responsibility. John Cooper and Betty Borders organized the project, called Jump Up, Clean Up, and invited children and young adults of all ages to come out and help pick up trash along Garfield, Alice, Fifth and Benton streets. To reward everyone for their efforts, the clean-up was followed by a picnic and later, a bonfire...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Police on Friday evening arrested a 52-year-old Poplar Bluff man on suspicion of molesting a 4-year-old girl at his home. Willard R. McCollum, 52, of the 800 block of Davis, was arrested at his home at 9:25 p.m. on suspicion of first-degree child molestation, a class B felony. He is currently held in the Butler County jail...

Thousands of brave Americans have answered the call of duty to serve our country and protect us from terrorism. These brave soldiers fought tirelessly to defend our country in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places around the globe. I was appalled this week to learn along with millions of Americans that now some fifteen years later, many of these soldiers are being asked to repay enlistment bonuses doled out during the global war on terror...

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- in 1936, President Franklin Roosevelt defeated Kansas' Gov. Alfred Landon in 46 of the 48 states, thereby creating the jest, "As Maine goes, so goes Vermont." Eight decades later, New England has gone from the Republicans' last redoubt in a bad year to their least receptive region in any year. ...

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, having a net worth of $81.8 billion, and Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos, having a net worth of $70.4 billion, are the nation's two richest men. They are at the top of the Forbes 400 list of America's superrich individuals, people who have net worths of billions of dollars. ...

Ruddicks gets Parks scholarship to TRC Teresa Ruddicks, 18, of Van Buren, has won a $1,000 Tommy Parks Memorial Scholarship to help underwrite her studies at Three Rivers College. The scholarship is administered by the Three Rivers Community College Foundation...

Richard Leon Mayo FORDLAND, Mo. - Richard Leon Mayo, 85, of Fordland, formally of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Saturday Oct. 29, 2016 at Strafford Care Center. Mr. Mayo, the son of the late Richard H. and Thelma G. Kearbey Mayo, was born April 7, 1931 in Butler County, Mo. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. Mr. Mayo had retired as an auto body repairman. He enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, fishing and woodworking...

Peggy Purl WILLIAMSVILLE, Mo. - Peggy Purl, 66, died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2016, at her residence in Williamsville. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2016 at Ruegg Funeral Home in Williamsville. Services will follow at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2016, at Williamsville Assembly of God Church. Burial will follow at Holliday Cemetery in Williamsville...

Elizabeth Ann Pruitt-Turcotte Elizabeth Ann Pruitt-Turcotte, 51, died Saturday, Oct. 29th at her residence in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements are pending at this time with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Gary L. Rhine MALDEN, Mo. - Gary L. Rhine, 67, of Malden, went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 29, 2016, after a lengthy battle with cancer that he fought with faith and dignity. Gary was born on Oct. 17, 1949 in Gideon, Mo. to Illine Boyet. He was raised by his loving grandparents, Willie and Edna Rhine who preceded him in death...

Morris DeWayne "Wayne" Richardson PIEDMONT, Mo. - Morris DeWayne "Wayne" Richardson, 82, of Piedmont, died Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016 at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont. Services will follow at the chapel at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Masonic Cemetery in Piedmont with full military honors...