Stories from Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Poplar Bluff R-1 Schools saw a substantial increase for the second year on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's annual performance report. DESE collects data in several categories from Missouri school districts and uses the compiled score as a basis for accreditation...

Butler County Health Department officials have seen a recent increase in the number of reported Hepatitis A cases in Butler County over the last couple of months, which could indicate an outbreak coming within the area. "There are less than 10 reported cases at this time," Butler County Health Department Communicable Disease Nurse Whitney Preslar said. "Our concern is public health and we want to stop this before it becomes a major health problem."...

Poplar Bluff Middle School began using a new after-school dismissal system called KIDaccount in October. One month later, school administrators say safety has effectively been enhanced but many parents interviewed are displeased with the change. Dr. ...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN A major goal of this Asia trip, said National Security Adviser H. R. McMaster, is to rally allies to achieve the "complete, verifiable and permanent denuclearization of the Korean peninsula." Yet Kim Jong Un has said he will never give up his nuclear weapons. He believes the survival of his dynastic regime depends upon them...

Geraldine Cate, 90, of Poplar Bluff, died Tues., Nov. 14, 2017 at The Manor in Poplar Bluff. Visitation will be at 9 a.m., Thurs., Nov. 16 at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the North Antioch Cemetery near Bloomfield, Mo. Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condelences: www.fowler-sullivanfuneralhome.com...

MALDEN, Mo. - Clarence Parks, 87, of Malden, died Tues., Nov. 14, 2017 at Ridgeview Living Community in Malden. Visitation will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 17 at Landess Funeral Home in Malden with the funeral following at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the Rosewood First Addition cemetery in Malden. Landess Funeral Home of Malden is in charge of arrangements...

To the Editor The Margaret Harwell Art Museum recently hosted the 64th Annual Poplar Bluff Artists Guilds' Regional Art Exhibit reception. We had 36 artists enter 92 pieces of art work. The quality of the entries was superb this year. As the title suggests, this is a regional show. ...

CAMPBELL, Mo. - Margaret Doris Aurea Schubert, 72, of Holcomb, Mo., died Sat., Nov. 11, 2017 at her home near Lake Wappapello, Mo. Visitation will be from 9 - 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 17 at Crosspointe Church in Campbell. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. in the church with Pastor Randy Vaughn officiating. Burial will be the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Peyton Bell is going to need to work on his sand game a lot before he graduates. The Bloomfield senior recently signed to play golf for John A. Logan College next year. "It feels like a lot of weight is off my shoulders, that's for sure. I'm happy with the decision. ...

DONIPHAN, Mo. - Sheila Diana Honeycutt Richmond, 56, of Doniphan, died Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 at her residence in rural Ripley County. Visitation will be at noon, Friday, Nov. 17 at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel and burial will be in the Hunt-White Cemetery...

LANCASTER, Mo. -- Wilma (Groseclose) Rector, 99 of Springfield, Mo., passed away Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 at The Fremont Senior Living in Springfield. Wilma was born at her parents' home in Downing, Mo. to Joseph Lee and Isabelle Margaret (Ballanger) Groseclose Jan. ...