Stories from Wednesday, September 28, 2011

By PATRICK T. SULLIVAN SEMO News Service Clay Waller will change his plea to federal charges of making an Internet threat next week, according to court documents made public Tuesday. Earlier this month, Waller pleaded not guilty to threatening his sister-in-law on an online message board. ...

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center proudly announces the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new $173 million hospital to be located at the Eight Points Development site in Poplar Bluff, Mo., will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6. "This is truly an exciting time for PBRMC, the community of Poplar Bluff and the entire region we serve," said Greg Carda, chief executive officer of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center...

By MELISSA MILLER SEMO News Service The postal service is going broke, but it's not for the reasons people think, according to postal workers who lined Independence Street in front of the federal courthouse in Cape Girardeau Tuesday afternoon. The U.S. ...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Downtown Poplar Bluff is expected to be crowded with people going to all the activities during the second annual Iron Horse Festival from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. The festival, which celebrates the railroad, river, historical and cultural heritage of the 162-year-old city, is sponsored by Downtown Poplar Bluff, Inc. with the assistance of many community organizations...

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center proudly announces the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new $173 million hospital to be located at the Eight Points Development site in Poplar Bluff, Mo., will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6. "This is truly an exciting time for PBRMC, the community of Poplar Bluff and the entire region we serve," said Greg Carda, chief executive officer of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Former Carter County Sheriff Tommy Adams will go to trial on federal charges he illegally possessed and sold firearms after waiving his right to a pretrial motions hearing Tuesday. Adams, who faces three counts of possession of stolen firearms, one count of sale of a stolen firearm and one count of being an unlawful user of controlled substances in possession of firearms, appeared Tuesday morning before U.S. ...

Downtown Poplar Bluff is expected to be crowded with people going to all the activities during the second annual Iron Horse Festival from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. The festival, which celebrates the railroad, river, historical and cultural heritage of the 162-year-old city, is sponsored by Downtown Poplar Bluff, Inc. with the assistance of many community organizations...

GREENVILLE -- All Twin Rivers had to do was get a win Tuesday on the road to secure the likely top seed in the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament while Greenville was looking for the same result to make a stronger argument for the same spot. Twin Rivers junior ace Ryan Nippe pitched his way to a complete-game shutout as the Royals won 6-0...

BERNIE -- Bernie asserted itself from the start Tuesday night and took off from there. The Lady Mules jumped nine points ahead of Malden in the first game and cruised to a straight-set win, 25-9, 25-16. "We did get off on the right foot but when everyone is playing like we are supposed to, that is supposed to be how it is supposed to go," Bernie coach Stephanie Reynolds said...

A fast start couldn't propel the Poplar Bluff volleyball team to a win over state-ranked Lesterville on Tuesday night. After jumping out to a 9-2 lead, the Lady Mules saw Lesterville rally to take the first game before the two teams slugged it out in the second. The Bearcats overcame a late deficit to pull off a 25-18, 31-29 win...

A week after losing by 10 runs, the Poplar Bluff softball team turn the tables Tuesday on Kelly. Emily Burke provided a two-out RBI single, Rebekah Watkins struck out six and the Lady Mules wiggled out of a seventh-inning jam for a 1-0 win at Bacon Park...

Carl Smith DEXTER, Mo. -- Carl Smith, 80, of Dexter, Mo., died Monday, Sept. 26, 2011, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Smith was born on Sept. 11, 1931, in Palmer, Ark. He was a retired farmer. On June 15, 1952, he was married to Gracie W. Welch in Clarendon, Ark. She survives of the home...

BERNIE -- Bernie asserted itself from the start Tuesday night and took off from there. The Lady Mules jumped nine points ahead of Malden in the first game and cruised to a straight-set win, 25-9, 25-16. "We did get off on the right foot but when everyone is playing like we are supposed to, that is supposed to be how it is supposed to go," Bernie coach Stephanie Reynolds said...

A week after losing by 10 runs, the Poplar Bluff softball team turn the tables Tuesday on Kelly. Emily Burke provided a two-out RBI single, Rebekah Watkins struck out six and the Lady Mules wiggled out of a seventh-inning jam for a 1-0 win at Bacon Park...

A fast start couldn't propel the Poplar Bluff volleyball team to a win over state-ranked Lesterville on Tuesday night. After jumping out to a 9-2 lead, the Lady Mules saw Lesterville rally to take the first game before the two teams slugged it out in the second. The Bearcats overcame a late deficit to pull off a 25-18, 31-29 win...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Poplar Bluff Mules soccer team were held off the scoreboard for the fourth straight game on Tuesday as Cape Central beat them for the only goal late in the first half for a 1-0 win. Austin Shupert scored with just seven ticks on the clock off an assist from Chandler Bagley...

GREENVILLE -- All Twin Rivers had to do was get a win Tuesday on the road to secure the likely top seed in the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament while Greenville was looking for the same result to make a stronger argument for the same spot. Twin Rivers junior ace Ryan Nippe pitched his way to a complete-game shutout as the Royals won 6-0...

By JOHN WILLEY Staff Writer Dixie Barton has retired from her second profession in life. On Friday, she left the Poplar Bluff License Bureau after working their through several political franchisees. Remember when Mel Carnahan was governor? Barton does since it was early in his administration she started her career 18 years ago with the Zadnicks...

MATTHEWS, Mo. -- Nearly one million Americans missed work in 2009 because of work-related injuries, according the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workplace safety is taken very seriously at Gates Corporation, which engineers and produces industrial and automotive belts and hoses. So when health safety and environmental coordinator for Gates, Sharron Bell, heard about the outstanding safety procedures at the Monsanto plant in Matthews, Mo., she took it upon herself to learn more...

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center has been named one of the nation's top performers on key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America. PBRMC was recognized by The Joint Commission based on data reported about evidence-based clinical procedures that are shown to improve care for certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care and children's asthma...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- In a 2008 debate, Charlie Gibson asked Barack Obama about his support for raising capital gains taxes, given the historical record of government losing net revenue as a result. Obama persevered: "Well, Charlie, what I've said is that I would look at raising the capital gains tax for purposes of fairness."...

22 years and now laid off I've worked at Briggs for 22 years. Poplar Bluff don't care. This morning I ended up gettin' my walking papers. We're all gettin' laid off at Briggs. Even though you did a good job for them, they still lay you off. Everybody that has worked for them, you better run, do somethin'. Find yourself another job or go somewhere else because they're layin' off everybody even if you've been there and been a good employee for 22 years. Thank you...

The John J. Pershing Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center will host its 4th Annual "Welcome Home" Celebration for military veterans and their families and friends on Saturday, Oct. 8. The public is invited to participate and show appreciation for America's heroes. The "Welcome Home" theme spotlights returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, but also serves as a way to honor the service of all veterans...

The Poplar Bluff Public Library just took an even bigger step into the digital age: The ever-popular Amazon Kindle is now compatible with the Library's Download Station. If you're a Kindle user, this is the announcement you've been waiting for. The addition means even more card holders can access the Library's growing eBook collection, which currently includes nearly 2,000 titles...

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers this is the time of year when crops are harvested. Thus, drivers should expect heavier farm machinery traffic--especially on rural highways. Farming plays a vital role in Missouri's economy, history, and identity. Safety is important to drivers and farmers sharing the road!...

The first annual "Run for Rich" 5K Race took place in Poplar Bluff on Saturday, Sept. 3, with all proceeds going to benefit the new Richard Thomas Memorial Scholarship at Three Rivers College. The race will be an annual event, and will continue to benefit the scholarship fund. The scholarship will be awarded every fall to a non-traditional Three Rivers student with great needs. The Second Annual "Run for Rich" 5K has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012...

Lorraine Sorensen ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Lorraine (Davis) Sorensen, 91, of St. Louis, Mo., formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Bemidji, Minn., died Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, at St. John's Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Mrs. Sorensen was born Jan. 8, 1920, in Wayne County, Mo., the daughter of Shirley and Fannie (Moore) Davis. She was a homemaker and former employee of the Raiders' Den and the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff. She was of the Lutheran Faith...

Doyal Duffie DEXTER, Mo. -- Doyal Duffie, 88, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday Sept. 27, 2011, at the Golden Living Center in Dexter. Funeral arrangements are pending with Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Jacqolin Ward DONIPHAN, MO. -- Jacqolin Ward, 77, of Doniphan, Mo., died Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, at her residence. Mrs. Ward was born Aug. 25, 1934, in Vincennes, Ind. She was a housewife and a devoted mother. She was a member of Center Hill Baptist Church and Eastern Star...

Jeffrey Harp NEELYVILLE, Mo. Jeffrey Allen Harp, 26, of Fairdealing, Mo., died Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Harp was born Aug. 7, 1985, at Poplar Bluff, but was a lifelong resident of Ripley County, Mo. He was a landscaper and worked for Woolards Landscaping. He enjoyed playing basketball and being with his two sons...

Jean Irby Thelma Jean Irby, 76, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011 at her residence. Mrs. Irby was born May 28, 1935 in Poplar Bluff. She was a member of The Bluff Church in Poplar Bluff, and was a homemaker. She enjoyed spending time with her family and playing golf, bingo and cards...

Sharon Skaggs ELLINGTON, MO. -- Sharon Skaggs, 69, of Ellington, Mo., died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011, at her residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellington.

Janice Jackson DEXTER, Mo. -- Janice E. Jackson, 68, of rural Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mrs. Jackson was born on April 7, 1943 in Bernie, Mo. She was a former teacher at the Dexter Head Start for 34 years, member of the Bernie Church of Christ...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Former Carter County Sheriff Tommy Adams will go to trial on federal charges he illegally possessed and sold firearms after waiving his right to a pretrial motions hearing Tuesday. Adams, who faces three counts of possession of stolen firearms, one count of sale of a stolen firearm and one count of being an unlawful user of controlled substances in possession of firearms, appeared Tuesday morning before U.S. ...

Joseph Thompson BUNKER, Mo. -- Joseph W. Thompson, 89, of Bunker, Mo. died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011, at Salem Memorial District Hospital in Salem, Mo. Mr. Thompson was born June 2, 1922, at Round Spring, Mo. He was a member of Bunker Assembly of God...

Downtown Poplar Bluff 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 Food and craft vendors Main St. Music South Stage Black River Blues, 12-2 p.m. The Kingdom Brothers, 4-6 p.m. Deke Dickerson, 7-9 North Stage Vine St. Jazz Combo, 10:30-12:30 Rockin' Jake, 2-4 p.m...

Willa Luellen CAMPBELL, Mo. -- Willa Mae "Blue" Luellen, 77, of New Madrid, Mo., died on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mrs. Luellen was born on May 20, 1934, in Jonesboro, Ark. She was a retired cook for Martin Hills Nursing Home in Bloomfield and was of the General Baptist Faith...

Carl Smith DEXTER, Mo. -- Carl Smith, 80, of Dexter, Mo., died Monday, Sept. 26, 2011, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Smith was born on Sept. 11, 1931, in Palmer, Ark. He was a retired farmer. On June 15, 1952, he was married to Gracie W. Welch in Clarendon, Ark. She survives of the home...

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center has been named one of the nation's top performers on key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America. PBRMC was recognized by The Joint Commission based on data reported about evidence-based clinical procedures that are shown to improve care for certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care and children's asthma...

22 years and now laid off I've worked at Briggs for 22 years. Poplar Bluff don't care. This morning I ended up gettin' my walking papers. We're all gettin' laid off at Briggs. Even though you did a good job for them, they still lay you off. Everybody that has worked for them, you better run, do somethin'. Find yourself another job or go somewhere else because they're layin' off everybody even if you've been there and been a good employee for 22 years. Thank you...