Stories from Friday, April 7, 2017

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer About 3,500 Poplar Bluff Municipal Utilities customers were impacted by power surges after a ground line broke around 9 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Highways 60 and 67. Electric Distribution Superintendent Lyndell Coleman says the break in the line was caused by high wind gusts...

By CHELSAE CORDIA Staff Writer It's time to kick those winter blues and hit the bricks to enjoy fresh air, yummy treats and family fun this weekend in Downtown Poplar Bluff. The Fourth Annual Spring Fling will be held from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday at the Historic Train Depot. Event organizer Rhonda Belcher said her goal is to provide family fun without breaking the bank...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Instructor Jody Cochran has now won the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center teacher of the year award two years in a row, out of his three years with the district. Cochran was a local construction worker most of his life before embarking on a career change to teach building trades. He spent nearly ten years with George Wilson Construction before opening Cochran Construction in 2005, which he still operates in addition to teaching...

BY PATRICK J. BUCHANAN "If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will." So President Donald Trump warns, amid reports North Korea, in its zeal to build an intercontinental ballistic missile to hit our West Coast, may test another atom bomb. China shares a border with North Korea. We do not...

By MIKE JENSEN Publisher Sikeston Standard Democrat Newly-elected Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez went on a profanity-filled rant this weekend claiming - among other things - that "Donald Trump did not win the election and Republicans don't give a s**t about people."...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- Repeal-and-replace (for Obamacare) is not quite dead. It has been declared so, but what that means is that, for now, the president has (apparently) washed his hands of it and the House Republicans appear unable to reconcile their differences...

Citizenship Club meets The Poplar Bluff Women's Citizenship Club met Wednesday, March 1, at Twin Towers with eight members present. After lunch, the meeting was convened by President Laverne Matthews. Thelma Brannum led the Club Collect, Kathy Schneider led the Pledge of Allegiance and Gladys Hill offered the devotion...

Butler County Health Department recognizes National Public Health Week, April 3-9, by promoting this year's theme for Missouri, "Healthy Missouri 2030: Be an Advocate for Public Health." In Butler County the health department is celebrating the power of prevention, advocating for healthy and fair policies, sharing strategies for successful partnerships and championing the role of a strong public health system...

Bethany Michelle Gilmore and Michael Lee Allen of Poplar Bluff have chosen the name Cambrie Elise Allen for their 6-pound, 9-ounce daughter born at 6:37 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at Saint Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace in Cape Girardeau...

Fresh off an appearance in the MSHSAA Class 4 Show-Me Showdown, Harley Allen reeled in another honor. The Dexter senior was selected to the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State list in March and excelled both on the court and in the classroom this season...

By CHELSAE CORDIA Staff Writer Sarah Rose and her three sons spent last year in a whirlwind after her husband Jason was diagnosed with cancer in August. The Naylor Elementary School principal and associate pastor of New Covenant Fellowship Church had no symptoms other than back pain, and by the time of diagnosis, treatment was futile...

Timmy Hector and Alex Gibbs each drove in five runs as Bloomfield scored in every inning to beat Richland 19-6. Both had two hits, and Hector also scored three times. Jacob Hector went 3 for 4 with four runs and an RBI for Bloomfield (4-2). Gage McNeil had three hits and a run, and Ethan Hutchison was 2 for 3 with three runs...

Some of the best senior basketball players in Southeast Missouri will descend on Three Rivers College for the Three Rivers Booster Club All-Star game on Saturday. Hosted by the Three Rivers booster club, the girls game will be at 3 p.m., followed by the small-school boys game, and then the large-school boys game...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor The United Cancer Assistance Network's move near the Danny Bell Cancer Treatment Center almost three years ago has benefited not only the organization, but more importantly the patients. UCAN Executive Director Melody Melloy and Jessica Lane, BSRT (R) (T), director of oncology services at the center, agree that the network moving to 2620 N. Westwood Blvd. on Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center's Westwood Campus is helping the cancer patients...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor A cancer diagnosis creates fears in people's lives, but the Danny Bell Cancer Treatment Center's staff and doctors work to change that fear into a passion for recovery. Talking about the services provided at the center brings out the passion in the voice of Jessica Lane, BSRT (R) (T), director of oncology services...

James William "Jim" Privett LAMAR, Mo. -- James William "Jim" Privett, 57, son of Dale and Mebyl Privett, was born Aug. 6, 1959 in St. Louis, and passed away Tuesday, March 28, 2017 in Iowa City, Iowa. Jim attended elementary school in Ellsinore through the eighth grade and finished high school in Poplar Bluff. ...

Wesley and Kara (Rainey) Street of Collinsville, Okla., have chosen the name Rhys Eugene Street for their 8-pound, 1-ounce son born at 11:45 a.m., Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at St. John Owasso in Owasso, Okla. Rhys was 20 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are: HG and Donna Rainey of Poplar Bluff and Tom and Mary Street of Springfield. Great-grandparents are Roy and Wanda Street of Springfield and Doris Whitson of Liberal, Mo...

Students earning a place on the Westwood Baptist Academy their quarter honor roll: Principal List 1st Grade: Gracelyn Andrews, Savanna Cramer, Landon Evans, Parker Hays, Koro Osiohwo, Braydn Wood, 2nd Grade: Hadley Barker, Ethan Blackwell, Annaliese Carson, Sydney Hawley, Shelby Levan, Chloe Parkin, Wyatt Ray...

Reginald L. Boswell Reginald L. Boswell, 63, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

QULIN, Mo. - William "Diddle" Anthony Nored-Carlton, age 2, of Qulin, Mo., grew his wings Tuesday, April 04, 2017 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. William was born July 25, 2014 in Poplar Bluff. He is survived by his parents; Vincent and Taryn Carlton of Qulin, three sisters; Cheyenne, Vanessa and Destiny Carlton all of Doniphan and grandparents; John and Linda Perkins and Elizabeth Hendershot all of Qulin. ...

Lisa Hope Gentry Lisa Hope Gentry, 50, of Ellsinore, Mo., died Thursday, April 6, 2017, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Arrangements are pending with Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff.

Linda Faye Sisco Garren PONDER, Mo. - Linda Faye Sisco Garren, of Doniphan, Mo., died Monday, April 3, 2017 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 8 at the Union Cemetery in Ponder, Mo. with Brother Danny Sisco officiating...

Frankie W. Sego Shafer SAVANNAH, TENN. - Frankie W. Sego Shafer, 81, died Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at her residence in Dexter, Mo. Visitation will be from 10 -11 a.m. Friday, April 7, at Pinehill Church of Christ in Waterloo, Ala. with services at 11 a.m. at the church. Steve McFall will be officiating. Burial will be in Pinehill Church of Christ Cemetery...

By CHELSAE CORDIA Staff Writer SSLqSSLqI was asked to be here, but I wanted to be here. I love the Rodgers Theatre. I spent many a Saturday afternoon under the clock, as did anyone else who grew up in Poplar Bluff. This place has so many memories for so many people."...