Stories from Friday, September 28, 2018

Justice Anthony Kennedy gave President Donald Trump the biggest political gift possible when he announced his resignation in the spring. Even though not everything that's gone wrong is Trump's fault, he has managed to make a complete hash of Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to fill the empty seat on the court. It's a good example of how badly Trump does his job more than a year and a half into his administration...

By MARC A. THIESSEN As the father of two daughters, I want them to live in a world where they are treated with respect and never experience sexual abuse -- and if they ever do, they are taken seriously. As the father of two sons, I want them to live in a world where their lives and reputations cannot be destroyed by allegations without corroboration...

By MONA CHAREN Karl Marx, commenting on the ascension of Louis Napoleon, wrote, "History repeats itself: The first time as tragedy, the second time as farce." The drama over Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation has reversed the order. It began as farce. Protesters dressed in "The Handmaid's Tale" red capes lined the halls of senate office buildings. ...

It's time again to prepare for the nation-wide Life Chain. This event allows citizens to gather to pray for the nation and for those victimized by abortion. Poplar Bluff will mark its 28th year to participate in the Life Chain. Would you join us this year? Meet on the steps of the Butler County Courthouse at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7...

BLOOMFIELD -- The Bloomfield Wildcats volleyball team secured an important SCAA win Thursday night at Bloomfield High School. The Wildcats beat the Woodland Cardinals 25-18, 25-22 to improve to 3-1 in conference play. The win was important because only the top four teams in the conference standings are eligible to compete for the SCAA tournament championship. The tournament starts Oct. 8 in Advance...

David Thompson, 48, formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in Round Rock, Texas. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by the family.

FISK, Mo. -- Donald "Donnie" Long, 58, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Graveside services will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018 at Brown Chapel Cemetery in Broseley with Rev. Jim Sanders officiating. White-Sanders Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements...

"Appreciate." I said it all the time, but it was kind of like saying "thank you." It was an automatic response. Saying "I appreciate you" is not enough. When my world crumbled around me, I discovered that I had never actually been happy. If you were looking at me from the outside, you would have guessed I was on top of the world...

Tom Hoover, 76, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018 at Black River Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. A gathering of friends will be held from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018 at Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff. Memorials are suggested to the Thomas J. Hoover Scholarship Fund c/o Sterling Bank, 1100 Sterling Drive, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901...

Jack Harrison won the 200-yard individual medley for Poplar Bluff boys swimming by nearly a 30-second margin Thursday at the Black River Coliseum. Harrison finished with a time of 2 minutes, 18.62 seconds to claim first. Gavin Vaughn earned second in the 200-yard freestyle, swimming a time of 2:11.02. Vaughn also clocked a 1:07.73 time in the 100-yard butterfly to earn fourth...

Cathy Ann Rippee Green, 61, (but forever 39) of Springfield, Mo. passed away Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018. She was born Nov. 15, 1956 in Leachville, Ark., to the late Roy Thurman and Bessie Lee Anderson Rippee. After living in Poplar Bluff for 50 years, Cathy hit the road and moved to Springfield to be with her grandchildren...

Joyce L. Aylor, 84, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. entered the arms of her Lord and Savior Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2018 at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff. Joyce, the daughter of the late Howard and Grace Huff Karnes, was born Sept. 4, 1934 in Greenway, Ark. ...

Terry Scott Burnette, 57, passed away at his home in Burna, Ky. after a long battle with cancer. He was born June 15, 1961 in Bristol, Tenn. He was married to his late wife, Deborah Kay Barnhill-Burnette who passed away in 2011. He was a kind, sweet, loving man of faith and left this world and went home to his Lord and savior, Jesus Christ...

Paul Edward Woods, a retired Daily American Republic printer whose name was familiar to thousands of area residents through his many years of writing outdoors columns, died unexpectedly early Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, at Westwood Hills Nursing Home...

Seventeen games into the season, Poplar Bluff coach Amanda Lance decided to mix up the rotation. The Mules have been running a 5-1 rotation with Ady Kingree as the setter all season. Against Clearwater on Thursday, Lance went for a 4-2, added Zoe Savat as a second setter...

The Ridge Runner outdoors columnist who wrote for the Daily American Republic for 32 of his 70 years with the paper has died. Paul Woods was 84. Funeral arrangements are with Cotrell Funeral Service. A visitation for Woods, who will be cremated, will be from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at West Side Church of God with a memorial service afterward...

The 90th anniversary of the Frisco Depot will be celebrated at the Moark Regional Railroad Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday during the annual Iron Horse Festival in Downtown Poplar Bluff. Built in 1928, the second Frisco station in Poplar Bluff replaced the 1901 structure destroyed by a tornado in May 1927...

Michael L. Vaughn, 68, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 at his residence. He was born June 30, 1950 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. to the late Jason Vaughn and Emma Pratt Vaughn. He was a long time resident of Poplar Bluff.

Michael L. Vaughn, 68, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 at his residence. He was born June 30, 1950 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. to the late Jason Vaughn and Emma Pratt Vaughn. He was a long time resident of Poplar Bluff. Michael married Sandy K. Sheffer November 21, 1974. She survives...

The community is invited to three events this weekend offering a variety activities in the downtown Poplar Bluff area. The annual Iron Horse Festival will include live entertainment, children's games, food and craft vendors and more in conjunction with the Butler County Fair and the annual fall festival from John J. Pershing VA Medical Center...

The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps event on Thursday evening at Poplar Bluff Senior High School featured 137 students in the program. Approximately 50 percent of students in the program enter into the military after high school. During the normal meetings of the group, students run through drill and ceremony practices, physical training, and learn about citizenship and the Constitution...