Stories from Thursday, August 20, 2020

On this field, it’s not about the best at-bat, getting a no hitter or who had the highest score. It’s not about the color of your uniform, or the name on your cap. Only one thing matters. Joy. It is the smile as a child who might otherwise not be on this field, with this bat, in this moment, has an opportunity to experience the thrill of America’s past-time, the acceptance of a team and the encouragement of a cheering crowd...

Like a lot of parents, Sabrina Weaver is there to support her kids at their sporting events. But, as her Difference Maker nominator pointed out, she’s also the go-to mom for everyone. “Sabrina is always the first person to step up and organize fundraisers for our sports teams and other local groups she is involved with,” wrote Tony Womack in nominating Weaver...

There are few things Bishop Ron Webb derives more joy out of than service. “It’s an honor to serve. It’s a privilege to serve,” Webb said. “It’s not that I have to, but I get to — and I’ve always looked at it from that perspective.” That strong desire to serve has led Webb to serve his community in many ways — as the pastor of Mt. ...

The COVID-19 pandemic has shut down or severely hampered countless events since it began in mid-March, but the annual St. Jude Archery Shoot in Poplar Bluff bucked that trend in a big way. Held last weekend, the two-day event, with a banquet on Friday and archery shoot on Saturday, shattered its previous record, set last year, for money raised...

Jim Akers will be the Butler County Coroner after a Wednesday recount confirmed his 30-vote August primary win over incumbent Andy Moore. Another recount in the Ripley County sheriff’s race will take place next week. “It’s happening this morning,” said Butler County Clerk Tonyi Deffendall early Wednesday...

SIKESTON — Mark Croarkin has been named the district engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Southeast District. The district serves 25 counties and is the largest MoDOT district geographically. A licensed professional engineer, Croarkin has spent 22 years in the field of transportation. ...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Two Ripley County residents were injured in a one-vehicle crash at 11:55 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, on Highway 142, seven miles west of Doniphan. According to the report, Hayley N. Langley, 19, of Doniphan was operating a 2013 Chevrolet pickup eastbound when it ran off the right side of the road. Langley reportedly lost control of her truck, which then ran off the left side of the road and overturned...

City firefighters responded at 2:59 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, to assist emergency-medical-services personnel with moving a patient down some stairs and into an ambulance at 441 N. Second St. _ City firefighters responded at 2:43 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, to an alarm at the Poplar Bluff Regional Center, 2503 Sunset Terrace. It was investigation only...

Billy Harwell, born Dec. 5, 1946, passed away at Saint Francis Medical Center on Aug. 18, 2020, at the age of 73 years, eight months and 13 days. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Lessie Harwell; Twin ‘2’ daughter, Laurie Lynn Harwell; brother Ronnie and sister Judith Cline...

Ronald “Ronnie” L. Helm, 79, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, 2020 at Ruegg Funeral Home in Greenville. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m, also in the Greenville Chapel.

Edna M. Magruder, 92, of Poplar Bluff, was welcomed into Heaven by her Lord and Savior early Saturday morning at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Being the independent woman that she was, she drove herself to the hospital after becoming ill at home...

PIEDMONT — Charles “Chuck” D. English, 82, of Piedmont, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, at his residence. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont, followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com ...

The 2020 Difference Maker nominees were described by keynote speaker Byron Beck as unselfish servants in their communities who lift others. In his address, presented virtually Thursday night as part of the Daily American Republic’s second annual Difference Maker of the Year event, Beck described himself as a “pretty big basketball fan.”...

Jim Ward of the Poplar Bluff Bread Shed was pleasantly surprised when he received a check for $3,029.26 from the Daily American Republic. The newspaper donates a percentage of the net profits from its annual Difference Makers campaign to an organization which helps out in the community, DAR advertising account representative Stacie McElhaney explained...

The Daily American Republic recognized 10 individuals Thursday night for the impact they make on the community. These Difference Makers were nominated by family, friends, co-workers and those impacted by their work for embodying the qualities for charity, good-will and generosity. They were recognized in a virtual ceremony on the DAR Facebook page for their work...