Stories from Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Dexter's Jordan Michelle Sandusky, an interior designer for a construction company out of California, has had her eye on a particular house that she would like to help decorate. That house is the White House. Sandusky, a 2008 graduate of Dexter High School, has been applying for the White House volunteer Christmas event for the last five or six years. She never heard anything, but this year that all changed. She was one of 125 people chosen out of over 7,000 applicants...

In Katowice, Poland, all the signers of the 2015 Paris climate accord are gathered to assess how the world's nations are meeting their goals to cut carbon emissions. Certainly, the communications strategy in the run-up was impressive. In October came that apocalyptic U.N. report warning that the world is warming faster than we thought and the disasters coming sooner than we thought...

Chestnuts weren't roasting on an open fire, but Jack Frost was definitely nipping at the nose. It was a cold 35 degrees Nov. 28 at the fourth annual "It's a Wonderful Life in Bloomfield." Chilly temperatures, though, didn't hinder the spirits of those who braved the cold to support the recent holiday tradition. A joint effort between the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce and the Bloomfield Lions Club, the festive street celebration drew revelers of all ages...

In the spirit of Christmas, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the gift that keeps on giving for the Republican party. The never-shy, soon-to-be youngest female Congresswoman, is the new darling of the Socialist left. The 29-year-old New Yorker caught national headlines with her primary election victory over a 10-term Democratic incumbent and, in a flash, became the new face of the Democratic party's emerging left wing...

Republicans need to regain the offensive on the fiscal issues. The GOP has somehow allowed big-spending Democrats to get to the right of them on the issue of financial responsibility and balanced budgets. Polls show that Democrats are now more trusted on balancing the budget than Republicans. That's like losing...

Plans for the Highway Y expansion in Stoddard County near Nestle Purina have been completed and are expected to be advertised for bid Jan. 11. With an award date predicted for March 6, Missouri Department of Transportation Area Engineer Dave Wyman and commissioners discussed when Stoddard County's portion of the cost share project would be paid during Monday morning's meeting...

When the holidays approach, people seem to become more generous and interested in the welfare of their fellow humans. "Pay it forward" regains popularity as anonymous customers pick up the tab for someone waiting to be served. Shoppers purchase an extra toy or pair of gloves to donate to various holiday goodwill endeavors. The spirit of giving, kindness and concern is everywhere...

Against a difficult opponent, it was two of Poplar Bluff's newest faces who impressed coach Kelton Thompson. Poplar Bluff got two pins in a 55-14 loss against McCracken County (Kent.), both by people who have never wrestled before this season. "We knew it was going to be tough, we knew they were going to be physical, but we weren't really worried about that. ...

MALDEN -- Three Rivers softball found success a year ago when it won a game in the NJCAA World Series. Couple that with the 35 minute drive from Malden, and it was easy for Malden senior Gracie Thomas to decide to sign with the program. "I loved how close it was to home, and their softball program is so good," Thomas said. "I know some of the girls up there. My parents and my family can still come support me, but it's also out of the way and it's still out of Malden...

SIKESTON -- The top-seeded Sikeston Bulldogs came out firing on offense Tuesday night, built a big early lead and cruised to a 75-46 win over ninth-seeded Dexter in the quarterfinals of the SEMO Conference boys basketball tournament. "I think it was 7-6 and we were playing pretty good, actually," Dexter coach Lloyd Hyten said. ...

Whether at home or on the road, the Lady Raiders twice have been too much for John A. Logan to handle this season. After a 93-74 win at John A. Logan on Nov. 17, the Lady Raiders throttled the Lady Volunteers even worse with an 87-57 win Tuesday at the Bess Activity Center...

BLOOMFIELD -- Behind 21 points from Tanner Freeman, Richland was able to grind out an overtime victory on the road against Bloomfield. Perry Daniel added 19 points and five 3-pointers in the 60-59 win Tuesday. Carson Blair and Travis McCullough led the way for Bloomfield with 16 and 17 points, respectively...

Staff Reports The Bank of Missouri will celebrate the upcoming retirement of R. David Crader from the day-to-day operations. After 44 years in the banking industry, Crader will retire at the end of 2018. A community banker since 1980, Crader has led what was then The Bank of Perryville for 22 years...

Wanda L. Patrick, 84, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at her residence. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service.

Chester L. Stroud, 86, a well-known general contractor of Poplar Bluff, Mo., entered his Eternal Home Monday, Dec. 3, 2018 at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. Chester, the son of the late Delbert and Lucy Roe Stroud, was born June 7, 1932 in Broseley, Mo. ...

MALDEN, Mo. - Kathy Hurte, 64, of Campbell, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Thurs., Dec. 6 at Memorial Park Cemetery in Malden with Rev. Andy Evans officiating. www.bradshawfh.com...

Raymond Michael Kane. 76, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., entered his Eternal Home on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Kane, the son of the late Dennis Patrick and Geraldine M. Keeney Kane, was born Oct. 26, 1942 in Flint, Mich. ...

A Malden art teacher has won Best of Show in the 65th Annual Poplar Bluff Artists' Guild Regional Juried Art Exhibit. Yevgeny Sokolov's watercolor, "Tired," was selected from nearly 80 entries, said Steve Whitworth, director of the Margaret Harwell Art Museum, which hosts the event. Yevgeny is a past exhibitor of the museum, Whitworth said. Originally from Russia, Yevgeny also played basketball for Three Rivers College...