Stories from Thursday, November 3, 2016

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Downtown Poplar Bluff, Inc., is calling for stricter enforcement of city codes regarding dangerous buildings in a strategic plan approved Tuesday by the city advisory board. The strategic plan, "Turnaround Downtown," is expected to be presented Nov. 21 to city council members...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor DONIPHAN, Mo. -- A Doniphan woman accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy was to appear in court this morning on multiple statutory sodomy charges. Calista Alleen Cates was to appear before Associate Circuit Judge Thomas Davis Swindle for arraignment on three Class C felonies of second-degree statutory sodomy...

By CHELSAE CORDIA Staff Writer The first of five public meetings regarding the economic outlook of Butler, Carter, Reynolds, Ripley and Wayne counties was held Tuesday in Poplar Bluff. This is the only region of the state which has been chosen to move forward with the national Stronger Economics Together program in 2016 and 2017, said Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission Associate Director Matt Winters...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Area residents are invited to get into the spirit of giving not only arts and crafts this year, but also volunteer time with the new RSVP Holiday Festival. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program has expanded its annual fundraiser to offer citizens the chance to connect with a wide variety of other non-profit organizations in need of more helping hands...

Steven Dale Whitaker, 45, of Wappapello passed away Oct. 22, 2016 at his residence. A graveside service was held Oct. 28, 2016 at the Little Brushy Cemetery in Wappapello. Ruegg Funeral Homes, Inc. in charge of arrangements. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhome.com...

Jacqueline Louise McClure, 54, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Oct. 24, 2016 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff in charge of arrangements. Online condolences: www.fowlersullivanfuneralhome.com...

Dean Alan Armstrong Jr., 39 of Puxico died at his home Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016. A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 in the Richmann Cemetery near Wappapello, Missouri.

Old people, get out and vote This is to every elderly person that is able to get out and especially to the people that goes to church. Get out and vote on Nov. 8th! Even if you don't agree with everything the candidates say. We will have one of these two people for President. ...

By ERIC J. SEGALL Los Angeles Times via Tribune News Service The U.S. Supreme Court recently released its December calendar of oral arguments. Normally, the justices hear 12 or more cases during this sitting, but this year, they have scheduled only eight _ a calendar court commentators have called "bare-boned" and "anemic."...

The voter registration deadline has passed and the people of Missouri are set to help determine the future of the state and the nation on November 8. It's now up to all the registered voters to make their voices heard at the ballot box. They will need to turn out not only to decide who will lead the country and the state, but also to determine races for statewide offices, state representative, and for a range of ballot issues that can make significant changes to the way the state operates. ...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- Last week, the U.N.'s premier cultural agency, UNESCO, approved a resolution viciously condemning Israel (referred to as "the Occupying Power") for various alleged trespasses and violations of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. ...

Dr. Mairead Ryan-Anderson received the Missouri Community College Association's Senior Service Award at the association's 52nd Annual Convention today at the Hilton Convention Center in Branson. Ryan-Anderson has taught chemistry for 32 years, 23 of those years at Three Rivers College...

With the game in hand in the final minute, Aidan Saunders got back-to-back dunks that gave him a team-high 25 points and gave the Raiders 100. The first dunk was easy. He got loose on offense, sprung up and slammed it. The second, he jumped a pass and had an open runway to the basket. Saunders took flight ... and started to worry...

Before the home and season opener, Three Rivers College coach Jeff Walk asked his team in the locker room if anyone was nervous. Freshman Olivia Crane spoke up. Why should anyone be nervous? They've already played a bunch of games together in the preseason...

Fred Kimble ST. LOUIS - Fred Kimble passed away Monday Oct. 31, 2016. Dearest Husband of the late Mary Nell Kimble. Dear Dad of Marilee (David) Fischer, Fred (Davida) Kimble, Betsy (Doug) Lindsay, Michael (Mary Ellen) Kimble, Robert Kimble, the late George (survived by Debbie) Kimble and the late Patricia Kimble...

Robert William "Bill" Gourley, 62, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Bill was born May 31, 1954 in Poplar Bluff. He was of the Protestant faith and had retired from Poplar Bluff Municipal Utilities. Bill enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, reading, history and listening to music. He was also an avid outdoorsman and loved camping and deer hunting...

Jesus told us not to worry or be overly concerned about the cares and troubles of tomorrow, for each day has enough to be concerned about, saying "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:34. This message is concerned primarily with our everyday problems of being truly Christian than with the ones related to our work and finances...

Robert Bryan Hall, was the son of late Don and Kathyn Hall of Puxico. He was born June 23, 1959 in Whitehall, Ill. and departed this life on June 28, 2016 doing his job as an over-the-road truck driver at the age of 57. He was a loving person with his family as a husband, father and friend. He loved family, trucking, whitetail deer hunting, fishing and was avid St. Louis Cardinal fan...

By MIKE MCCOY SEMO News Service BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The annual Wreaths Across America ceremony will be held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m. This marks the ninth ceremony held at Bloomfield to honor veterans buried at the cemetery and across the nation...

By MIKE MCCOY SEMO News Service BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Stoddard County Commission voted 3-0 to stop housing Stoddard County jail inmates in other counties by Dec. 1, 2016, with the exception of those who are given a change of venue. The commission took action at their regular meeting Oct. 24...

Puxico Elementary School Honor Roll Puxico Elementary School staff announces students earning places on the first quarter Honor Roll are: Fifth Grade: Erika Allen, Carly Barnfield, Keegan Burton, Emily Carr, Hanna Crawford, Christina Creason, Madison Duncan, Julia Engram, Molly Faries, Trevor Fortner, Abbigail Grubbs, Austin Harbin, Madison Helm, Micah Lane, Lydia O'Dell, Dawson Oliver, Ava Thomas, Layla Thomas and Gabe Williamson...

Our beloved mother, Joyce Lee Bridges, went home to be with her heavenly father on Oct. 30, 2016 at her residence in Puxico. She was the daughter of the late Luther and Rilta May Kindred and was born on Sept. 25, 1944 and was 72 years of age. She was united into marriage to William Frank "Dub" Bridges on Sept. 23, 1960 in Bernie, Mo. He preceded her death on July 12, 1998. She was then united in marriage to Elmer Riney on May 5, 2001. He preceded her in death on Nov. 12, 2007...

By CHELSAE CORDIA SEMO News Service In an effort to educate area students about careers in manufacturing, the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce teamed with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and local manufacturers to present Manufacturing Day recently...

The SEMO Regional Water Safety Council held its final monthly meeting for the 2016 season Tuesday, Oct. 18. Those in attendance were Heather Tuggle, president; Trevor Totten, vice president; Denver Rich, and Andrew Jefferson, Corps of Engineers Representative...

Elizabeth Ann Pruitt-Turcotte On July 4th, 1965, Betty Joyce Kanell Pruitt and Thomas Lewis Pruitt welcomed Elizabeth Ann to their family. She was a smiling, sweet baby with a strong spirit and soon became the light of their lives. Elizabeth spent her babyhood in the family's home on Peach Street, next to Pruitt Paint and Glass, where her parents and grandparents worked. ...

Roger A. Mullins PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Roger A. Mullins, of Poplar Bluff, formerly of Wayne County, Mo. died Thursday, Nov. 1, 2016 at his residence. Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 2016, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont. Funeral Services will follow at 1 p.m. also at the Piedmont Chapel...

George Edward Rennison George Edward Rennison, 83, formerly of Southeast Missouri passed away Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, at San Juan Care and Rehabilitation in Farmington, N.M. Mr. Rennison was the son of the late Claude Ray and Vera Minerva Rennison of Poplar Bluff, Mo...

James L. Jackson James L. Jackson, 58, a long time resident of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Saturday, Oct. 23, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. He was born May 14, 1958 in Ripley, Tenn. to James D. Jackson and the late Mary D. Lovell Jackson...

By PAUL DAVIS Outdoors Editor For the third consecutive year, the "Daily American Republic" in Poplar Bluff, Mo., will host a big buck contest during the November firearms deer season. Judging will be done in three categories: the total number of points at least 1-inch long, the widest outside spread and the total length of the two longest of each side of the rack...

By AMY HAYES During the past four months, one Puxico teenager has brought the small town into focus as she clears the scoreboard and placed as queen in four area pageants. Faith Oliver, Puxico native and student, has made quite the name for herself as she entered and was crowned in area pageants: Miss Puxico, Miss Stoddard County Fair, Miss Stoddard County and Mr. and Miss Tiger in Neelyville. As she plans for the future, she is now including Miss Missouri Teen into those plans...

Kenneth Eldon Gulledge Jr., 50, of St. Louis died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016 in St. Louis. Services will be held November 5, 2016 at Morgan-Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico. Matt Mattingly officiated.

Paul Cookson of Advance, son of the late Fred and Grace M. Townsend Cookson, was born in Poplar Bluff, Mo. on March 18, 1937, and passed away at his home in Advance, Oct. 26, 2016, at the age of 79 years, 7 months and 8 days. Mr. Cookson had lived in Granite City, Ill. ...

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake will not collect boat ramp fees from Nov. 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017. These boat ramps are Rockwood Point, Redman Creek, Sundowner, Peoples Creek, Greenville and both ramps at Chaonia Landing. Charging of day use fees will resume at Wappapello Lake beginning April 1, 2017...