Stories from Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Some may have recently noticed groups of friends scavenging around downtown Poplar Bluff, making strange requests and taking selfies. This was all a part of the Downtown Scavenger Hunt held earlier this month and sponsored by The Bank of Missouri. "I spoke with the girls from The Bank of Missouri about ways to promote downtown businesses for the Christmas season," Downtown Executive Director Jerrica Fox said. "We thought a scavenger hunt would be a fun activity for downtown."...

The Twin Rivers R-X Board of Education will ask voters to raise their operating tax levy to fund a new high school and help pay for improvements completed over the summer. In a 4-3 vote, Proposition K.I.D.S. (Keep Improving District Schools) will appear on the April ballot. Board members Billy Watson, Donna Sue Ashcraft-Fincher and David Dugger voted against placing the question on the ballot...

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. - Nearly 20 area veterans were evacuated Sunday night during a structure fire at the Southeast Missouri (SEMO) Christian Restoration Center. The fire resulted in a total loss of the facility, operated by Ron Webb Ministries. The veterans lost nearly all of their belongings just a week before Christmas Day. ...

Not showing up to meetings about tax cuts, refusing to meet with the President to discuss our nation's budget, storming out of Committee Hearings, and trying to block President Trump's nominations - at every turn, obstructionists who disagree with our President's vision for freedom and economic growth are trying to impede progress and take him down. ...

Call museums about uniform Editor's note: In response to a recent Speak Out published in the Dec. 3 issue regarding the donating of veterans uniforms. There are a number of organizations you may contact for assistance: The Poplar Bluff History museum (573) 785-2220, The Stars and Stripes museum in Bloomfield, Mo. (573) 568-2055, or the local Veterans Administration at (573) 686-4151 just to name a few, may be able help...

Phillip James Crites, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Phillip, the son of Geraldine D. (Loberg) Crites and the late Ralph J. Crites, was born Sept. 13, 1951 in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Phillip was a member of First United Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff, where he never met a stranger...

Mary Belle Divine Smith, 90, of Cartersville, Ga., formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, in Cartersville. A graveside service and burial will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thurs. Dec. 21, 2017, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Poplar Bluff with the Rev. Jonathan Tipper officiating...

Alice Brown, 90, of Poplar Bluff, passed away on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at her residence in Poplar Bluff. She was born on January 6, 1927 to Henry and Zula (Middleton) Freeman in Charleston, SC. On June 26, 1949 she married Samuel Brown in New York, NY. He preceded her in death on July 1, 1995...

PIEDMONT, Mo. - JoAnn Ijames, 80, of Festus, Mo., formerly of Piedmont, died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 at the Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Festus. Visitation will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 21 at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont. The funeral will follow at noon in the chapel with Bro. Damon Ijames officiating. Burial will be in the Carson Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.morrisonworleychapel.com...

MALDEN, Mo. - Billie Dean Northington, 87, of Malden, died Friday, December 15, 2017 at Ridgeview Living Community in Malden. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday, December 19 at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Campbell, Mo. with Pastor Tom Zych officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Malden Methodist Church. Landess Funeral Home of Malden is in charge of arrangements...

Beginning January 2018, the children's library at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library will add a new Monday night Story Time to their early literacy programming. The new weekly story time starts at 6 p.m. Jan. 8. Tuesday story time will continue to be held at 10:30 a.m...

John E. Nelson, 71, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, December 18, 2017 at his residence. Arrangements are pending with Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff.

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- J. T. Robertson, 60, of Doniphan, died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Doniphan. Visitation will be from 5 - 8 p.m., Wednesday at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m., Thursday, in the funeral home chapel with Brother Hubert Payne officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery...

Rev. Tommy Knodell, 82, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, December 18, 2017 at Mark Twain Caring Center. Arrangements are pending with Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff.

Sharon Winters, 61, of Portageville, Mo., died Saturday, December 16, 2017 at her residence. Arrangements are pending with Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home of Poplar Bluff.

BROSELEY -- The Greenville defense dominated the first half and, with the exception of a few possessions, the entire game. The Bears allowed Campbell to score six points in the first half and won 44-34 in the consolation quarterfinals at the Lady Royals Christmas Classic on Monday...

Shelby Sievers stepped to the free-throw line in a tied game with a fraction of a second remaining Monday. The Poplar Bluff senior had been here plenty of times in practice, but it was just her sixth attempt nine games and the first of the night. With little hesitation, Sievers knocked down the go-ahead free throw to give the host Mules a 57-56 win over state-ranked Oran at the Senior High Gym...

MOSCOW (AP) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin telephoned U.S. President Donald Trump Sunday to thank him for a CIA tip that helped thwart a series of bombings in St. Petersburg, the Kremlin and the White House said. During the call, the two leaders' second in three days, Putin expressed gratitude for the CIA information. ...

ELLSINORE -- Ellington sank 12 of 16 free throws in the fourth quarter to beat East Carter 68-60 Monday. The Whippets dominated the first quarter 16-2, only to have the Redbirds take over the second 23-7. With East Carter (2-6) up by two at halftime, Ellington (4-6) got at least four points each from Kyle Conkright, Rylee Hunter and Brycen King in the third quarter to retake the lead...