Stories from Thursday, February 22, 2018

The 13th Annual Mason-Dixon Chili Society Chili Cook Off will be held from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday at the Black River Coliseum (BRC) in Downtown Poplar Bluff. The event, which benefits the United Gospel Rescue Mission (UGRM), currently has 27 teams registered to compete for one of four titles: People's Choice; fundraising; booth decorating; and Judge's Choice. The event is free and open to the public...

A lethargic baby suffering from a methamphetamine overdose was among the youngest victims this year of a drug that continues to maintain a strong hold on some area parents, according to local officials. The baby was among five children under the age of six from Butler and Ripley counties to test positive in the past year for the stimulant, said Melissa Dowd, chief deputy juvenile officer for the 36th Judicial Circuit...

Poplar Bluff R-1 Superintendent Scott Dill made the decision this morning to place the early childhood, middle and junior high schools on lockdown as a precautionary measure after receiving word that a possibly armed fugitive had been spotted nearby. Dill said the timing was inopportune, as it happened in the midst of morning drop off, but that safety was his primary concern...

To the Editor, Cape Arrowhead wants to thank the many, many people who donated and bought tickets to our "Hay for the Horses Cocktail Party" held Feb. 10. We raised enough money to buy hay to last until they start cutting hay this year. We especially want to thank Gary Scott and Jeff Walker for the wonderful buffet and champaign punch that everyone really got to enjoy. (We especially liked the chocolate fountain!) Also, we want to thank Gena Davis for the photography. Thank you everyone...

The Agee Community Club held its February meeting at Ryan's. Nickey Orton was this month's hostess. Club president Cathy Womack opened the meeting with the ladies repeating the club motto, "When the world is full of love, the world is full of beauty." Jeanie Figgins offered the invocation and read the secretary and treasurer's reports. There was no new or old business. Figgins will be the March hostess...

The Cane Creek Community Club met on February 14th at 11 a.m. at Twin Towers with five members present. President, Wilma Rains opened the meeting with a prayer after which we recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Marie's devotional was taken from "Daily Wisdom for Women - Psalm 39 - Remembering You are Loved."...

Alex Burns U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alex J. Burns graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills...

Poplar Bluff Senior High School Students of the Month for November and December were Daryl Vaughn II, Matthew Miller, Audrey Cisne, Zach Martin, Zoe Savat, Victor Olivan, Bailey Schuerger and Krisman Eakin. Vaughn is the son of Maria Acevedo and Daryl Vaughn. His hobbies are sports and spending time with friends and family. Vaughn's volunteer and community service activities include being a student helper to I'm a Citizen Too...

Some thoughts on a new city hall Uh, Dear Speakout, kudos to the city council they've finally come to their senses, maybe. I hope so. Uh, what about the property at the corner of 6th and Pine St. across 6th St. from the old Doctors Hospital? That property runs clear down to Oak St. ...

By STEPHEN MOORE Congressional Republicans have been raked over the coals in the last two weeks for slamming through budget caps and inflating government spending and debt by another $300 billion. The criticisms are well-deserved. It's a historical truism that Republicans are much more fiscally conscientious when they are in the minority than when they run Congress. ...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Mildred Louise McRoy, 80, of Bloomfield, died at the Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County in Dexter, Mo., Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018. Visitation will be held after 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield until time for services at 1 p.m. ...

To the Editor, I just read about the Vietnam disabled vet who froze to death in his own home and had too much pride for anyone to help him. Those who say they cared so much for him, you all did a mighty poor job of trying to help him. Even though he had no electric, did he not have gas, either? Everyone could have chipped in together and got him a ventless gas heater. Energy assistance could have given him the gas to operate it unless he drew enough not to be qualified...

By MARC A. THIESSEN WASHINGTON -- The indictment issued on Friday by special counsel Robert Mueller shows a conspiracy of stunning sophistication by Kremlin-connected Russians, posing as American citizens or using stolen U.S. identities, to influence the 2016 presidential election...

By LUCAS BOND Mo. Dept. of Conservation JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- As winter winds down, anglers throughout the Show-Me State are beginning to show some signs of trout fever. Symptoms include: tying flies, putting new fishing line on reels, checking waders for holes, and practicing casting. Most anglers who get trout fever get rid of it by doing one thing -- visiting one of Missouri's four trout parks to participate in the catch-and-keep trout season...

With soggy weather around, 11 teams fished last weekend's USA Bassin' tournament at Wappapello Lake. The team of Manion and Jennings finished the day in the top spot, hauling in 12.93 pounds. Their winning weight also was aided by the day's big bass, which weighed in at 6.85 pounds...

Zane Elizabeth Seals, 75, of Star, Idaho, formerly of Piedmont, Mo., died Jan. 24, 2018 at her son's residence in Star. There will be a memorial visitation Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, at 12:30 p.m., at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont, Mo. Memorial services will follow at 1 p.m. also at the chapel...

About 160 local waterfowlers and supporters of wildlife conservation converged on the Black River Coliseum Saturday night for the Bluff City Mallards/Ducks Unlimited annual banquet. "It went well and we made money for the ducks," said Chapter Co-Chair Jeremy Wethington of the event. "Thanks to everyone who came out and made the night a success for us."...

It's almost time for the Heartland Gobblers chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation's 25th anniversary banquet, and the organization's committee is making its final plans for the big event. The banquet will take place March 10 at the Brown-Mabry American Legion Post 153 in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

CALM, Mo. - Bethel JR Redus, 72, of Arnold, Missouri, died Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at his residence. Mr. Redus, son of the late Bethel and Loretta (Miller) Redus, Sr., was born June 6, 1945, in Gatewood, Missouri. He had been a boilermaker/consultant. Mr. Redus enjoyed working on cars and loved being with his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He took great joy in playing with his grandchildren and keeping them busy in various activities...

VAN BUREN, Mo. -- The saga of a wayward bull elk and his escapades around a Carter County cattle rancher's pasture continue, and officials from the Missouri Department of Conservation have turned to lethal force to remove the animal from the area. As reported a couple weeks ago, in mid-January the young bull was blamed for spooking some of Linden Hills' cattle, causing them to tear down a section of his fence and escape on successive nights. ...

Floyd Venable, 79 of Poplar Bluff, Mo. passed away Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018 at his residence. He was born on May 2, 1938 in San Fernando Valley, Calif., to the late Reaves and Cassie (Wilfong) Venable. He was married to Lois (Hall) Venable in 1961, she preceded him in death in 1995. In 1997 he met his beloved Billie Jean she survives...

MALDEN, Mo. - David Lee Timmer, 86, of Eldon, Mo., died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018 at his residence. Visitation will be at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 25 at Kimball Baptist Church in Malden. A memorial service will follow in the church at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Malden...

Findings of a Missouri State Highway Patrol inquiry into allegations of timecard fraud involving the Oran, Missouri, Police Department will be placed in the hands of the Missouri Attorney General's Office. Loree Anne Paradise, deputy chief of staff for the attorney general, said the agency was named special prosecutor in the case because of a "conflict of interest."...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Former first lady Laura Bush has floated down the Colorado River and hiked with friends in some of America's national parks. She even has her own bobblehead doll. Bush told a crowd of more than 1,800 people at the Show Me Center on Wednesday a friend sent her a "Laura Bush" bobblehead doll after Barack Obama was elected president. "It was on the clearance shelf," she said with a smile, showing off the doll as she stood at the podium...

Wyatt Murphy only just started competing in the decathlon this past summer, but the Poplar Bluff senior plans to compete in the 10-event competition as a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy track and field team. "It's something I always wanted to do, always wanted to serve in the military," Wyatt said. "Figured I might as well get my college education and also be an officer in the Air Force simultaneously. Best of both, and get to run track for the Academy...