Stories from Friday, November 17, 2017

The initial phase of the new Early Childhood Center will be performed by Dille and Traxel Architecture after approval by the Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education at its monthly meeting Thursday. Included in phase one are programming services and cost estimates...

Anyone who owns property in Butler County should have already received a property tax bill, which comes due Dec. 31. There are no exceptions. Penalties start accruing Jan. 1. But have you ever wondered how your property tax rate stacks up against your neighbors?...

A bridge on County Road 654 near Broseley, Mo., is closed today after an inspection by the Missouri Department of Transportation revealed major problems. The bridge is located near County Road 661, southeast of Twin Rivers High School. Pilings have rotted and need to be replaced on the structure, which is more than 60 years old, said Gary McDonald, county highway superintendant...

Neelyville R-IV Curriculum Director Heather Wells presented the school district's annual performance report scores, composed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, to the Board of Education during their monthly meeting Thursday. Scoring 131 points out of a possible 140, the Neelyville School District earned the best APR score in the county once again with a 93.6 percent and earning accreditation...

Sales tax collections are expected to drop this year in a special district created to pay for nearly $50 million in local infrastructure projects. Officials with the Poplar Bluff Regional Transportation District say this is not concerning, despite the closure next year of one of district's top 10 sales tax collectors...

By ADRIANA COHEN Will Barbies in burqas be next? That's the question every parent, especially mothers, should be asking now that Mattel has rolled out a new Barbie for little girls to look up to -- one wearing a hijab, the headscarf worn by millions of oppressed Muslim women worldwide...

Why would a Republican House, a Republican Senate and a Republican president repeal the best weapon against runaway federal spending in 30 years? That may happen later this year if Congress doesn't extend the Budget Control Act of 2011, which includes spending caps and sequester spending cuts if those caps are violated. ...

CAMPBELL, Mo. - Leory Finder, 82, of Campbell died Wednesday at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett, Mo. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Landess Funeral Home in Campbell. A Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Teresa Cemetery in Gennonville, Mo...

To the Editor, As most people already know by now, the last four seasons I have been known as the "Voice of the Raiders", taking over when Wilbur Thornton became too ill to continue. Wilbur did this gig for some 23 years before his health affected his ability to continue...

William Marvin Scott, 91, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., did Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

James "Jim" Crismon, 73, of Mesa, Ariz., formally of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 in St. Louis County, Mo. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Barbara Kay Wicklund, 73, while surrounded by her family at home, began her walk with God Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017. Kay's life journey began in Brookfield, Mo., Feb. 20, 1944. She graduated Northwestern High School in 1962, where she cheered on the mighty Eagles. ...

To commemorate the denomination's Missouri bicentennial, the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1601 N. Main St., Poplar Bluff, is adding the members of the first congregation to its rolls for the next year. Nov. 22, 1817, The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) added 13 new members and a new minister, none of whom will ever physically worship with the congregation. ...

Lorine Jordon, 87, of Qulin, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 at her residence in Qulin, Mo. Mrs. Jordon was born May 17, 1930 to the late Alton and Anna Mae Cole. She had formerly worked as a CNA at Cedargate. She enjoyed reading her Bible and romance novels, crocheting and quilting...

James "Jim" William Walker, 93, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 at The Manor in Poplar Bluff. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.