Stories from Wednesday, November 2, 2011

By JILL BOCK SEMO News Service NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Marian McDonald says she was raised on the stories of "the big shake." Now she wants to share those stories and more as Southeast Missouri prepares to mark the 200th anniversary of the earthquakes that shook much of the United States...

By BILL BISHOP and ROBERTO GALLARDO The Daily Yonder Center for Rural Strategies If Butler County residents didn't receive their monthly payments from the Social Security Administration, 8.7 percent of total personal income in the county would be lost, a total of $122,262,756 in 2009...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The remaining three projects needed to improve Poplar Bluff's water system were discussed during a public meeting in City Hall Tuesday morning. Municipal Utilities included these projects in the facilities plan prior to city residents voting in June 2007 to approve the issuance of $8.5 million in revenue bonds for all the water department improvements, including two new water towers and water plant updates...

By BILL BISHOP and ROBERTO GALLARDO The Daily Yonder Center for Rural Strategies If Butler County residents didn't receive their monthly payments from the Social Security Administration, 8.7 percent of total personal income in the county would be lost, a total of $122,262,756 in 2009...

Pamida moved into Doniphan, Mo., a year and a half ago bringing its number one priority -- community pride and spirit with it. The company emphasizes "our customers are our neighbors, our teachers, our fellow business owners, our doctors--our partners in maintaining a strong, thriving community. We are fortunate that our communities have allowed us to see the successes we have, and we recognize the importance of giving back to those who have given so much to us."...

Ripley County area residents' pharmacy needs have been filled for nearly five decades by Pamida Pharmacy, formerly City Drug. The pharmacy is located inside the Pamida Store, 115 Leroux Drive, Doniphan, Mo. For more than 47 years, people depended on City Drug owner Delbert Knowlton to fill their prescriptions and for the past four years they've transferred their allegiance to Pamida Pharmacy...

ROBINSON, Ill. -- In their first game of the season, The Three Rivers Raiders learned why preseason rankings generally don't amount to much. The 10th-ranked Raiders struggled offensively in the second half and Lincoln Trail made just enough free throws to beat them 71-66 Tuesday night...

Grandparents raising grandkids group to meet The next meeting of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group will be held at noon Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. Second St. Free onsite childcare will be provided by the Family and Community Education members who support this program. Attorney Lew Polivick, director of Legal Services of Southern Missouri from Sikeston, will present "Legal Planning for Your Grandchildren's Security."  ...

You may have heard of the "Butterfly Effect." The premise of that theory has nothing to do with the Three Rivers College Lady Raiders basketball team. Except that the butterflies were in full effect in their season opener Tuesday night. The Lady Raiders got off to shaky start, missing nine of their first 10 shots, trailed by six at halftime but still defeated Williams Baptist 64-57 at Bess Activity Center...

By MONA CHAREN Two successful assassinations -- those of al-Awlaki and bin Laden -- have persuaded some that President Obama, whatever his domestic failures, has presided over a successful foreign policy. This is way too generous. In fact (with the exception of targeted assassinations and the surge in Afghanistan), the president seems to conduct foreign policy based on seat-of-the-pants responses to events, rather than relying on any over-arching strategy. ...

To the Editor: This year celebrates the 10th Annual Santa Land Event at the Black River Coliseum--this is a community event free to the children of Poplar Bluff and Butler County. Santa Land was created by a group of residents of Poplar Bluff in response to a very well thought out letter to the editor in the Daily American Republic in 2001. ...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN Appearing the other night on the Catholic network EWTN, I was asked by Raymond Arroyo what should be done about Muslim students at Catholic University demanding that the school provide them with prayer rooms, from which crucifixes and all other Catholic symbols that they found offensive had been removed...

PB schools legal costs This is in regard to the legal costs exceeded budget Poplar Bluff R-1 school board of education. They approved a $20,000. . . for an increase $20,000 in the budget for legal fees. They was to hold a meeting to fire two teachers and then they turn around and re-hire the other teacher. ...

By JASON STRAZIUSO Associated Press NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- While putting few U.S. troops at risk, the United States is playing a growing role in Africa's military battles, using special forces advisers, drones and tens of millions of dollars in military aid to combat a growing and multifaceted security threat...

The 89th annual St. Ann's Bazaar will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Parish Center at 8th and Vine streets. Please use the wheelchair ramp entrance. Early shoppers may enjoy Nancy Doran's cinnamon rolls served along with juice or coffee from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. ...

Edward Lomax NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Edward Eugene Lomax of Sullivan, Mo., died Monday, Oct. 31, 2011. Survivors include one son, Timothy Lomax of Cuba, Mo.; two daughters, Pamela Hall of North Little Rock, Ark., and Janet Isom of Paragould, Ark.; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren...

Ira Rahm Ira Bruce Rahm, 62, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Rahm was born May 12, 1949, in Doniphan, Mo. He formerly lived in Arkansas and was of the Baptist faith...

Clara Johnson MALDEN, Mo. -- Clara Johnson, 85, of Dexter, Mo., died Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home of Malden, Mo.

Virginia Freeman DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Virginia Freeman of Doniphan, Mo., died Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, at her residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edward Funeral Home in Doniphan, Mo.

John Crites John O. Crites, 81, of Qulin, Mo., died Monday, Oct. 31, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Crites was born Dec. 24, 1929, in Potosi, Mo., to Clarence D and Mabel Sparkman Crites. He was of the Baptist faith. Mr. Crites graduated from Salem, Ill., High School and attended Southern Illinois University and Southeast Missouri State University. ...

Barbara Fletcher DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Barbara Sue Fletcher, 71, lifelong resident of Doniphan, Mo., died Monday, Oct. 31, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Fletcher, daughter of the late Earnest and Georgia (Cates) Fagan, was born Sept. ...

Freeman and Dorothy (Farris) Dever of Camdenton, Mo. will be honored with a 60th anniversary reception from 2-4 p.m. Nov. 5 at Puxico City Hall. Freeman (Jr.) and Dorothy are both formerly of Fisk, Mo. They have four daughters, Sharon, Debbie, Pam and Lisa...

Eugene Field Elementary School's first quarter honor roll is as follows: A Honor Roll Second Grade -- Kaylen Baker, Emilee Cheek, Averi Durbin, Dalton Gatewood, Devin Gatewood, Haile Hall, Kelsei McIntosh, Kitiara Melton, Breanna Miller, Jonathan Moreno, Jakeim Pigg, Shayley Redding, Abagail Ryman, Jamy Swofford and Gavin Vest...

Qulin Lions dinner Sunday Sunday dinner will be served from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sunday at the Qulin Lion's Club. Cost: $8, adults; $5, children. The menu consists of: turkey & dressing, green beans and corn, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, seven layer salad, and cranberry sauce. Drinks and dessert provided...

Three KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) and 12 TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) were present at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, when TOPS 734 leader Linda Morgan called the meeting to order in the First Presbyterian Church. Lou Ann Wrather, TOPS, was the best loser. Happy birthday went out to Mary Lou McPherson...

Naylor Center fundraiser Naylor Senior Citizens Center will hold a fundraiser from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sunday. Menu: Chicken and dumpling and ham dinner includes: dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, drink and dessert. Cost: $7 a plate; children 10 and under, half price, and children under three, FREE...

As the holiday season approaches, the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center announces the 2011 "Care and Share" program, which provides a hearty holiday meal to veterans in need within the Southeast Missouri and Paragould, Ark., communities. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed Dec. ...

Children's art classes Nov. 12 Margaret Harwell Art Museum will hold a children's art class from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 12. During "Bendy Folks," children will learn about 3-dimensional design and basic human anatomy as they make figure sculptures with wire...

Lee Lloyd IRONTON, Mo. -- Lee H. Lloyd, 89, of Lemay, Mo., died Monday, Oct. 31, 2011, at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, Mo. He was born July 25, 1922, in Des Arc, Mo. On Sept. 22, 1946, he was married to Jewell (Davidson) Lloyd. She survives. Also surviving are other family members and a host of friends...

The Ripley County Chamber of Commerce, 209 Highway St., Doniphan, Mo. is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding this year. Established in 1961, the chamber is a volunteer based organization which allows networking through interaction with other business members in the community...

ROBINSON, Ill. -- In their first game of the season, The Three Rivers Raiders learned why preseason rankings generally don't amount to much. The 10th-ranked Raiders struggled offensively in the second half and Lincoln Trail made just enough free throws to beat them 71-66 Tuesday night...

You may have heard of the "Butterfly Effect." The premise of that theory has nothing to do with the Three Rivers College Lady Raiders basketball team. Except that the butterflies were in full effect in their season opener Tuesday night. The Lady Raiders got off to shaky start, missing nine of their first 10 shots, trailed by six at halftime but still defeated Williams Baptist 64-57 at Bess Activity Center...

Qulin Lions dinner Sunday Sunday dinner will be served from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sunday at the Qulin Lion's Club. Cost: $8, adults; $5, children. The menu consists of: turkey & dressing, green beans and corn, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, seven layer salad, and cranberry sauce. Drinks and dessert provided...

Eugene Field Elementary School's first quarter honor roll is as follows: A Honor Roll Second Grade -- Kaylen Baker, Emilee Cheek, Averi Durbin, Dalton Gatewood, Devin Gatewood, Haile Hall, Kelsei McIntosh, Kitiara Melton, Breanna Miller, Jonathan Moreno, Jakeim Pigg, Shayley Redding, Abagail Ryman, Jamy Swofford and Gavin Vest...

Three KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) and 12 TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) were present at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, when TOPS 734 leader Linda Morgan called the meeting to order in the First Presbyterian Church. Lou Ann Wrather, TOPS, was the best loser. Happy birthday went out to Mary Lou McPherson...

Naylor Center fundraiser Naylor Senior Citizens Center will hold a fundraiser from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sunday. Menu: Chicken and dumpling and ham dinner includes: dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, drink and dessert. Cost: $7 a plate; children 10 and under, half price, and children under three, FREE...

As the holiday season approaches, the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center announces the 2011 "Care and Share" program, which provides a hearty holiday meal to veterans in need within the Southeast Missouri and Paragould, Ark., communities. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed Dec. ...

Barbara Fletcher DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Barbara Sue Fletcher, 71, lifelong resident of Doniphan, Mo., died Monday, Oct. 31, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Fletcher, daughter of the late Earnest and Georgia (Cates) Fagan, was born Sept. ...

Virginia Freeman DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Virginia Freeman of Doniphan, Mo., died Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, at her residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edward Funeral Home in Doniphan, Mo.

Ira Rahm Ira Bruce Rahm, 62, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Rahm was born May 12, 1949, in Doniphan, Mo. He formerly lived in Arkansas and was of the Baptist faith...

By JASON STRAZIUSO Associated Press NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- While putting few U.S. troops at risk, the United States is playing a growing role in Africa's military battles, using special forces advisers, drones and tens of millions of dollars in military aid to combat a growing and multifaceted security threat...

PB schools legal costs This is in regard to the legal costs exceeded budget Poplar Bluff R-1 school board of education. They approved a $20,000. . . for an increase $20,000 in the budget for legal fees. They was to hold a meeting to fire two teachers and then they turn around and re-hire the other teacher. ...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN Appearing the other night on the Catholic network EWTN, I was asked by Raymond Arroyo what should be done about Muslim students at Catholic University demanding that the school provide them with prayer rooms, from which crucifixes and all other Catholic symbols that they found offensive had been removed...

To the Editor: This year celebrates the 10th Annual Santa Land Event at the Black River Coliseum--this is a community event free to the children of Poplar Bluff and Butler County. Santa Land was created by a group of residents of Poplar Bluff in response to a very well thought out letter to the editor in the Daily American Republic in 2001. ...

By MONA CHAREN Two successful assassinations -- those of al-Awlaki and bin Laden -- have persuaded some that President Obama, whatever his domestic failures, has presided over a successful foreign policy. This is way too generous. In fact (with the exception of targeted assassinations and the surge in Afghanistan), the president seems to conduct foreign policy based on seat-of-the-pants responses to events, rather than relying on any over-arching strategy. ...

Children's art classes Nov. 12 Margaret Harwell Art Museum will hold a children's art class from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 12. During "Bendy Folks," children will learn about 3-dimensional design and basic human anatomy as they make figure sculptures with wire...