Stories from Tuesday, October 4, 2011

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A request to forgive a $4,435 lien on 705 Ash St. where a dilapidated house was demolished was discussed during the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Monday night. "A local contractor is interested in purchasing this property from the current owner and building a house," said Mark Massingham, city finance director...

By PATRICK T. SULLIVAN SEMO News Service No one has seen or heard from Jacque Waller in more than four months. She has not touched her bank account or used her cellphone. Her vehicle was found abandoned on the side of Interstate 55 near Fruitland. Legions of volunteers and police officers have combed the Cape Girardeau area for any trace of Jacque. ...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A cooperative agreement for Oak Grove Road infrastructure improvements and an annexation request, which are needed to get the Eight Points Development started, were discussed during the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Monday night...

With her cell phone in one hand and the steering wheel in the other, Heather Houtz peered through a pair of virtual reality goggles at a computer-generated highway. She slammed on the brakes suddenly, six sensors recording her movements during the simulation Monday at Three Rivers College...

Shooters Shack of 200 S. Westwood Boulevard here in Poplar Bluff, Mo., is owned and operated by Alan Shackleford. First started as a home based business in 1998, the business has been at its current location since the beginning of 2008. Store manager Kevin Shackleford manages the inventory and strives to be the area's preferred choice for all shooting needs...

The Clearwater Lady Tigers are in an unfamiliar spot for this year's MSHSAA district tournament. After being seeded low in recent seasons, the Lady Tigers are the second seed and will face seventh-seeded East Prairie at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Rains Field on the campus of Three Rivers College...

Poplar Bluff's softball team prepared for the upcoming MSHSAA district tournament by facing a pitcher that had previously shut them out Monday. The Lady Mules produced 14 hits in a 10-6 win over visiting East Carter, matching a season-high for runs and avoiding a losing season in the process...

Ally Brooks hit a bases-clearing double to break a sixth-inning tie and lift Poplar Bluff to a 10-6 win Monday over visiting East Carter. The Lady Mules rallied from 3-0 and 5-3 deficits while East Carter rallied in the top of the sixth to pull even...

Leave it to the two teams with Tiger mascots to scratch and claw into dusk at the Ozark Foothills Conference tournament. Third-seeded Neelyville and three-time defending champion Clearwater did just that Monday as the teams ran out of daylight. The game is tied at 0-0 headed into the top of the 12th with Clearwater coming to the plate as the sun went behind the trees in right field...

Things were a little disconcerting for the Greenville Bears midway through Monday's first-round game in the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament at Roger Pattillo Field. Doniphan pitcher Wesley Smith hadn't allowed a hit through four innings and the seventh-seeded Dons led 2-0...

Naylor coach Jeff Null went with his ace pitcher in the first round of the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament. And that ace showed why he is one of the top pitchers in the state. Senior Dalton Woodard struck out 19 batters en route to a 2-0 victory over East Carter Monday at Roger Pattillo Field...

To the Editor, Hooray, Hooray, Hooray! What a wonderful Iron Horse Celebration -- we give multitudes of thanks and also congratulations to the two outstanding directors, Tracy Frish, Downtown Development, and Rose Ann Huck, the all PBHS Grad celebration--great news coverage by DAR--all the officials keeping crowd control. ...

By MONA CHAREN The Southern Poverty Law Center is appalled by the results of a new study finding that states are not teaching the history of the civil rights era. The SPLC, which commissioned the study of state curricula, concludes that students in at least 35 states are missing out on important facts about our history. And even in states that include units on civil rights, "their civil rights education boils down to two people and four words: Rosa Parks, Dr. King and 'I have a dream.'"...

By PAT BUCHANAN As Greece lurches on the precipice of default on its sovereign debt, a default that could bring down banks across Europe and precipitate a global financial panic, a consensus is building that there is but one way out. First, a structured default on the Greek debt, giving creditors a major haircut, but compensating them with eurobonds of half the face value of the Greek bonds, guaranteed by the European Central Bank...

Change the channel What has happened with television? No, this is not a complaint about our local cable TV, but the Discovery Channel has a new program called, "American Underworld." Tonight's issue was "how to steal a car in America and profit off of it." Now, mind you, this purported photojournalist that is doing the show for the Discovery Channel is supposed to be a highly rated man, and yet, he's using his first amendment rights to hide the actual criminals who are bragging about never having been caught. ...

John Vancil DEXTER, Mo -- Military Rites will be conducted for John A. Vancil at 11 a.m. Friday at the site of his parents graves in the Dexter Cemetery in Dexter, Mo. Mr. Vancil served in the 64th Field Artillery attached to the 25th Infantry Division in the Southern Philippines in Luzon...

Rachel Mooney FISK, Mo. -- Rachel Clark Mooney, 88, of Fisk, Mo., died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Clark was born Dec. 16, 1922 in Marston, Mo. She had lived at Fisk most of her life and was a member of Rombauer General Baptist Church. She was a homemaker and enjoyed quilting...

Jimmie Crawford Jimmie Crawford, 59, Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Crawford was born Dec. 24, 1951, at Campbell, Mo. He was a truck driver for Olson Packaging in Dexter. He also attended Southeast Missouri Trucking School in Malden...

Kevin G. Tidwell of Doniphan has received the Tommy Parks Memorial Scholarship. Tidwell is the son of Darla Tidwell of Doniphan and is a 1998 graduate of Doniphan High School. Tidwell plans to earn an associate of applied science degree in emergency medical services -- paramedic while at Three Rivers...

Lee and Denise Lewis and family of Fisk were among the 107 families honored during the Missouri State Fair's Farm Family Day, Aug. 15. The Lewis family was selected as the Butler County Missouri State Fair Farm Family by the Butler County University of Missouri Extension Council. The family includes daughter, Kylee and son, Carter...

Tony Sturgeon NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Tony W. Sturgeon, 58 of Neelyville, Mo. died Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, at his residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Fowler-Sullivan Memorial Chapel of Neelyville.

Betsey Marshell Betsey Sue Marshell, 60, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, at her residence. Ms. Marshell was born Jan. 17, 1951, in Caruthersville, Mo. She was formerly of California and was a member of Southside Assembly of God in Poplar Bluff. Ms. Marshell was a CNA and enjoyed fishing...

Delores Morrison BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Delores Evelyn Morrison, 77, of Abilene, Texas, formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, in Abilene. Mrs. Morrison was born Feb. 8, 1934, in Batesville, Ark. She had been a member of Highland Church of Christ in Poplar Bluff and a secretary for Vocational and Technical School of Poplar Bluff...

For some individuals a few essential residential interventions are plenty to allow the safe and healthy pursuit of quality of life. For others, a much higher level of care is indispensable. Oakdale Care Center provides skilled and intermediate nursing care, as well as assisted living care and a residential care facility which specializes in mental health...

Dwight Stokes -- Malden, Mo. Vicki Lawrence -- Pocahontas, Ark. Delores Morrison -- Abilene, Texas Betsey Marshell -- Poplar Bluff, Mo. Virginia Sielert -- Conway, Ark. Dorothy Coleman -- Neelyville, Mo. Tony Sturgeon --Neelyville, Mo. Jimmie Crawford -- Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Dwight Stokes MALDEN, Mo. -- William Dwight Stokes, 65, of Malden, Mo., died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. today at Elder Cemetery in Campbell, Mo., with Bradshaw Funeral Home of Malden in charge of arrangements...

Dorothy Coleman Dorothy Mae Coleman, 76, of Neelyville, Mo., died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011 at her residence. Ms. Coleman was born Sept. 15, 1935, in Henry, Ill., and was a homemaker. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and crocheting. Survivors include three children, Melody Coleman of Neelyville, Frederick Coleman of Grants Pass, Ore., and Timothy Coleman of Portland, Ore.; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister, Nancy Thurman of Petal, Miss...

For seven years, Name Brand Mattress Outlet at 204 Westwood Boulevard has offered quality mattresses at the lowest prices, along with delivery service for a small fee. Owned by Aaron and Tonya McIntosh and Devin and Lori Jones, the store's mission is to provide customers with name brand mattresses, while offering helpful and friendly service...

"The primary mission for First Community Bank is to offer all the proven traditional financial services with fully personalized service," Chief Executive Officer Scott E. Spencer said. "First Community Bank has been a local business member of this community for many years and we understand the financial needs of our customers and the community."...

When Ann Schenewerk and Sue Fox opened the Gift Connection (Country Connection) 26 years ago, they had a dream of owning their own business. They enjoyed doing crafts and opening the store made sense. At 600 square feet, they also did a lot of consignment business back then to help fill their store. ...

Seventy-six years after opening its doors, Morse, Harwell & Jiles Insurance Agency continues to meet the insurance needs of many in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and the surrounding communities. Located at 1221 Sterling Drive, Morse, Harwell & Jiles is an independent, full-service company, which carries homeowners, auto, commercial, life and health insurance and is contracted with more than 200 companies...

After 14 years in Poplar Bluff, Francisco Esquivel and his family call Poplar Bluff home. "The people here are wonderful and we have made many good friends over the years," Esquivel says. He is grateful for the support of the community and feels he can return that support by being active in special projects, community events and supporting the local school system. ...

"We sell anything and everything." That's how Ernest Hood described his business. Hood's began in 1948 with army surplus. In 1952 Mr. Hood expanded to tools and hardware. Hood's was then known as Hood Tool and Supply. He continued to expand throughout the 60s, 70s and 90s with locations in Missouri, Illinois and Arkansas. ...

Customer service has been the key to the 10 years of steady growth for the Express team in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Express cares about people, about your business, about getting to the issues that lie beneath staffing and HR challenges. Express is about getting results that really impact your success. ...

SoutheastHEALTH's Cancer Center rises gracefully like a beacon just off Interstate 55. Outlined almost entirely by a dynamic array of windows, the physical reflection is a testament to the technology and personal approach that patients experience inside...

At Northwest Pharmacy we are a full service pharmacy, with a wide variety of over the counter products, diabetic testing supplies and monitors, and a convenient DME Department. We offer many pharmaceutical services, including filling you prescriptions, cross checking medicines for interactions, and adding flavoring to children medicines. ...

Dr. Laurie Allen offers more than chiropractic care at Allen Chiropractic Wellness Center, as she and her staff focus on the total health and wellness of their patients. With 18 years in operation, Dr. Allen offers chiropractic care, acupuncture and nutritional counseling...

Vicki Lawrence DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Violet "Vicki" Foulks Lawrence, 71, of Pocahontas, Ark., died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, at the Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan, Mo. Ms. Lawrence was born Oct. 5, 1939, in Tucker, Mo. She owned and operated The Coffee Cup in Doniphan. Ms. Lawrence enjoyed baseball, traveling and being with her church group. She was very active in her church...

Virginia Sielert CONWAY, Ark. -- Virginia Lucille Gwatney "Nana" Sielert, 82, of Conway, Ark., formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Orange Park, Fla., went to be with her Lord Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in Conway. She was born June 8, 1929, in Conway, Ark., to the late Chester (Check) Gwatney and the late Mary Metrailer Gwatney. On Dec. 1, 1947, she married Allen Rhodes Sielert of Poplar Bluff, the love of her life, in Conway, Ark. They spent 57 wonderful years together...

Dwight Stokes MALDEN, Mo. -- William Dwight Stokes, 65, of Malden, Mo., died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Stokes was born Dec. 18, 1945, at Gideon, Mo. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Campbell, Mo. He was a veteran of the Missouri National Guard. He also had retired from Noranda Aluminum...

For 72 years, Gamblin Lumber Co. has helped Poplar Bluff grow by providing all the building supplies needed by contractors and homeowners. "We give everyone personal service at Gamblin Lumber," owner Sam Schalk said. Three family members are involved in the day-by-day operations of the family business which is located at 1006 E. Peach St. on the east side of Poplar Bluff. Schalk's son, Eric, is the general manager and his daughter, Lori, is the bookkeeper...

Dr. Lance Yeoman opened the Dermatology Office, P.C. on Jan. 12, 2009, bringing a much needed service back to Poplar Bluff, Mo. Dr. Yeoman has more than 20 years experience as a physician, having begun his medical career as a general surgeon. Dr. Yeoman's highly trained medical team at the Dermatology Office treats numerous skin conditions and concerns with treatment options to suit your individual skin care needs. ...

Seventy-six years after opening its doors, Morse, Harwell & Jiles Insurance Agency continues to meet the insurance needs of many in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and the surrounding communities. Located at 1221 Sterling Drive, Morse, Harwell & Jiles is an independent, full-service company, which carries homeowners, auto, commercial, life and health insurance and is contracted with more than 200 companies...

Dr. Laurie Allen offers more than chiropractic care at Allen Chiropractic Wellness Center, as she and her staff focus on the total health and wellness of their patients. With 18 years in operation, Dr. Allen offers chiropractic care, acupuncture and nutritional counseling...

Dr. J. Thomas Critchlow MD is the only board certified phlebologist in the region, a certified vascular sonographer and the medical director of The Vein & Esthetic Centre which he founded in 1998. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1974 and completed a residency in general and vascular surgery in 1979. ...

Nelson Tractor & Equipment Co., 1443 Highway B, Poplar Bluff, Mo., offers parts, service and sales of new and used farm equipment, construction equipment and lawn care equipment. In addition to Case, CIH, and Kubota, Nelson Tractor also sells and services Grasshopper mowers, Outback Guidance products, and Krause, Brillion, Rome, Amco and Proctor tillage tools. ...