Stories from Wednesday, November 21, 2018

This September, Richland second grade student Gunnar Anderson, son of Roxanne Andersen and stepfather Chris Rauscher, could hardly wait. He was counting the days until the big day. His step father, was taking him to the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau to see the President of the United States, Donald Trump. The president wouldn't be a picture on a TV screen, he was going to be a real person in the very same room as Gunnar...

A year ago Dexter First was formed to educate and get people excited to shop local. "If you shop at a locally-owned business you are helping a local family survive," says Kim Williams, local business owner and member of Dexter First. By buying local the money is kept in the community, supporting the local business owners' families, their employees' families and the sales tax is a big part of what operates the city...

The Dexter Christmas Reading will mark its 10th anniversary this year at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24. The community reading was created when Dexter resident Greg Mathis felt the city needed something to kick off the Christmas season after the city discontinued the annual Christmas parade...

DEXTER -- Supporters of a new Stoddard County program created to serve the developmentally disabled made another plea Thursday for funding, but will not be included in the 2019 Senate Bill 40 budget. SB40 board members approved spending of just over $400,000 in the next year, including $65,500 for an existing shelter workshop...

While Jamie Bridgewater wishes Black Friday actually started on Friday and not Thanksgiving Day, the timing and even a black eye won't keep her from the thrill of the chase and great deals. "I go for the thrill, the people and trying to get something before it's gone," she said. "People say I'm crazy, but I just enjoy the thrill of it."...

Staff Reports CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Saint Francis Medical Center's Cancer Institute has received a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Cancer (CoC), a program of the American College of Surgeons. The CoC evaluates cancer care programs on their commitment to provide comprehensive, high-quality and multidisciplinary patient-centered care...

Staff Reports One of the largest farm trade shows in the region, Ag Expo 2019, will kick off Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18-19, at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff. Six thousand people attended last year's two-day event. The expo, sponsored by Butler County University of Missouri Extension Council and the Ag Club of Three Rivers College for 33 years, promotes agriculture, said Stephanie Milner with University of Missouri Extension in Butler County. ...

Some Poplar Bluff stores have joined a growing number of retailers in keeping their doors closed on Thanksgiving day. Menards and Sears Hometown Store are among about a dozen businesses locally that will stay home over the holiday, including Harbor Freight, Hobby Lobby, The Home Depot and Marshalls...

"I lost 'brothers' in Iraq," Rob Myers of Essex recalls sadly, "and their deaths changed my life." Myers was a member of the Army National Guard Transportation Unit 1138 out of Jefferson Barracks, when he was deployed in 2007 and assigned to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Grizzly, part of Camp Ashraf...

The Stoddard County Commission met the new Nestle Purina Logistics Manager Chris Peters during Monday morning's meeting. Peters takes over for Dan Heil, who was promoted to group manager warehouse and facilities, overseeing several Purina plants. Peters came to Nestle Purina in 2014 as the materials manager, responsible for all packaging supplies and minerals. He later assumed the receiving department as well and continues those duties since being named logistics manager...

No one understands the dysfunctions and debilitating impact of America's political system in the swamp better than Mark Melcher and Steve Soukup. For decades between them, they followed Washington for Wall Street at one of America's largest brokerage houses. ...

After adding at least 37 seats and taking control of the House by running on change, congressional Democrats appear to be about to elect as their future leaders three of the oldest faces in the party. Nancy Pelosi of California and Steny Hoyer of Maryland have led the House Democrats for 16 years. For 12 years, they have been joined in the leadership triumvirate by Jim Clyburn of South Carolina...

Julia Joyce Prince of Poplar Bluff, Mo. passed away on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018 in her home at the age of 90. Born on June 12, 1928 in Poplar Bluff, she was the daughter of and preceded in death by Luella Elizabeth Osborne, Lennis Osborne, and stepmother Leta Osborne; her brothers: Lennis Frederick Osborne, baby Mitchel, and sisters: Jean Marion Gruye, Vaneta Toker, and her grandson Scotty Ray Engle and a baby Engle...

Dorothy Mae Key, 89, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Monday, Nov. 19, 2018 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She was born July 16, 1929 to Clell and Jane (Stroup) Myers in Gravelton, Mo. She graduated from Greenville High School. On Sept. 20, 1952 she married Paul Key in Flat River, Mo. He preceded her in death in 2005...

I was watching a sitcom this week where one of the main characters was weighing an important decision. To help him navigate the decision, he took pencil and paper and started a pros and cons list. I thought it might be helpful to put together a similar list for Thanksgiving by listing those many things for which I am thankful...

Earl Thomas Jones, 93, of Williamsville, Mo., is at peace on Monday, Nov. 19, 2018...

Andrea Freeman-Hagerty, 36, of Cape Girardeau, Mo. passed away after a strong and courageous battle with cancer Monday, Nov. 19, 2018 at her home surrounded by her family and friends. She was born on April 3, 1982 to Jim and Karen (Batson) Hogg in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 2000 and received an Associate's degree from Three Rivers College. She married Jordan Hagerty in Orange Beach, Ala., July 18, 2018...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Lady Raiders had a lot to be thankful for Tuesday against Arkansas Baptist. Freshman Deanay Watson helped propel the team with 16 points and 10 rebounds to secure her fourth double-double in eight games this season. Freshman Katelyn South tallied a season-high 23 points to go along with five steals, both game-highs. Sophomores Hailee Erickson and Kim Shaw both added 14...

Dannie Ray Emmons, 79, of Doniphan, Mo., died Monday evening, Nov. 19, 2018, at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, at the Belleview Cemetery in rural Doniphan...

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Stanley Ray Cook, 61, of Doniphan, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, at his residence. Mr. Cook, son of Herbert and Delores (Johnson) Cook, was born June 10, 1957, in St. Louis, Mo. He had been a supervisor at Missouri Forge. Mr. Cook enjoyed doing yard work and barbecue, playing horseshoes and music, piddling and he especially enjoyed spending special time with his children and grandchildren, whom he dearly loved. ...

Staff Reports Sweet treats may be missing from the Thanksgiving meal at the United Gospel Rescue if donations of desserts don't increase. While no one will leave hungry Thursday, there's not enough time for Rev. Gregory Kirk, his staff and volunteers to make the 150 pies and/or cakes, which are usually donated by community members...

It's Thanksgiving week for the Raiders, and that means three straight days of basketball at the Bess Activity Center are on the horizon. The Raiders will host Wilbur Wright (2-4) Thursday, Tennessee Prep Friday and Northeast Oklahoma A&M (5-4) Saturday, all Three Rivers games are at 7 p.m. with additional games at 5 p.m...

After nearly 20 years in the United States, tomorrow Cindy Morgan will celebrate her first Thanksgiving as an American citizen. The German-born Poplar Bluff resident was only 4 when her parents relocated to the country they had always dreamed of calling home...

The Dexter Board of Education expects to hold a special workshop meeting in December to determine how much to ask the public for in a school bond issue that could pay for district-wide improvements. The board is considering projects that could cost, $15 million, $16 million or $17.5 million, according to discussion Tuesday at their regular meeting...

Twin Rivers athletes are predicted to return to their home court in time for the first home basketball game Dec. 10. During Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Jeremy Siebert said the new gym floor, featuring "TR" letters with "Royals" across, has been painted and received its second layer of coating Monday...