Stories from Wednesday, November 30, 2011

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Missouri's unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest point in more than two years, according to October figures released by the state Department of Economic Development. The rate of 8.5 percent is the lowest since February 2009...

By MIKE McCOY SEMO News Service BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Stoddard County Salary Commission voted 7-2 to grant a cost-of-living increase to elected officials beginning Jan. 1. The action came at its meeting Monday. The commission is made up of all county elected officials...

By CAROLYN SMITH Staff Writer Each year residents of Poplar Bluff anticipate the display of the Christmas Tree Forest decorated by the area students. The theme for this year's tree forest, to be displayed at the Poplar Bluff Museum, 1010 N. Main St., is "Remembering the Heroes of 9/11 New York, the Pentagon, Flight 93." Each participating school has been asked to select a subtitle that would complement the overall theme. ...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A proposed CX-3 mixed use zoning classification to allow single-family residential use above ground floor commercial use in Downtown Poplar Bluff was discussed by property owners, City Planner Dennis Avery and others during a public hearing conducted by the Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission Monday night...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A proposed CX-3 mixed use zoning classification to allow single-family residential use above ground floor commercial use in Downtown Poplar Bluff was discussed by property owners, City Planner Dennis Avery and others during a public hearing conducted by the Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission Monday night...

HARRISBURG, Ill. -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders got a gut-check win Tuesday. The Lady Raiders trailed Southeastern Illinois by one with less than four minutes remaining before holding on for a 67-61 win. "We were lucky enough to be ahead at the final buzzer," Three Rivers coach Jeff Walk said. "We just went over there and lucked out and won."...

ELLSINORE -- For an unknown reason halftime was only about four minutes long Tuesday evening when East Carter hosted Clearwater. The referees and East Carter were back on the floor and ready when the buzzer sounded while Clearwater was a little apprehensive at how long halftime lasted but decided it was game on...

BERNIE -- Troy Kirkpatrick had eight 3-pointers to lead Bernie as it cruised past Campbell in the first round of the Bernie Inivitational on Tuesday, 81-23. Kirkpatrick ended up with 26 points while Jesse Shelton had 24 points and Sam Turner added 14 points. Bernie will now face Holcomb at 6 p.m. in the semifinals on Thursday night...

Missouri's leading business organization recently recognized state Rep. Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, for his efforts to promote economic development and job growth. Richardson received a 2011 Legislative Freshman of the Year Award from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry during the organization's annual meeting in Kansas City, Mo...

More than 20 people will graduate Jan. 28 from the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce 2011 Gateway to Leadership program. Gateway to Leadership is designed to identify and motivate emerging and/or relocated leaders and to develop their potential for community leadership roles by acquainting them with the opportunities, realities and challenges of the community...

EAST PRARIE, Mo. - Last May the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) intentionally blew up the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway levee, floodingover 130,000 acres with up to 23 feet of water and damaging hundreds of buildings and homes in the floodplain...

To the Editor: If you grew up in the '50s as I did, then whether you admit it or not -- you are old, and like the title of a movie I recently watched, America today is definitely "No Country for Old Men." One line in the movie by an aging Texas sheriff caught my attention, which I think most people of the older generation can identify with. ...

By REG HENRY Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via Scripps Howard To the surprise of no one and the disgust of many, the supercommittee has failed. Completely. Ignominiously. (Insert your own adverb here.) Congress, already as low as a snake's armpits in the public esteem, has now plumbed the depths to a level where even worms will be irritated...

Asked God's forgiveness To the one who knocked on my door late at night and I turned you away, I've asked God's forgiveness. I hope you will forgive me also. You were asking for help and I turned you away because I'm scared and disoriented and confused. I'm sorry...

By ANN McFEATTERS Scripps Howard News Service If Jon Huntsman were the GOP presidential nominee, President Barack Obama probably would be moving back to Chicago in January 2013. With the advantage from Republicans' perspective that he's not Obama, Huntsman appeals to many independents because he's not a tea partier. And, once again, independents will decide the election...

Altha Sparkman Altha Sparkman, 89, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Don Menard DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Don C. Menard, 86, of Doniphan, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Menard was born April 12, 1925, in Nady, Ark. He retired from Firestone Products after 30 years of service. Mr. Menard attended New Hope Baptist Church and enjoyed cutting wood, working on old cars and music. He was a World War II veteran and had served with the U.S. Army in occupied Japan...

Bertha Walker Bertha Alice (Davis) Walker, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Paragould, Ark., and Cardwell, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Walker was born July 27, 1921, in Cherry Valley, Ark. ...

Opal Grisham TROY, Mo. -- Opal V. (Robb) Grisham, 90, of Troy, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, at Lincoln County Nursing and Rehab in Troy. She was born May 20, 1921, in Ripley County Mo. After attending the local schools, she was married to James Edward Grisham on Sept. 21, 1940...

Diane Kelly MALDEN, Mo. -- Diane Lynn Cluck Kelly, 54, of Houston, Texas, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, at her residence. She was born July 29, 1957, at Gideon, Mo., and was a former resident of Malden, Mo. On Sept. 21, 1990, she was married to Roger Morton Kelly at Malden. He survives of the home...

Kitty Welch DEXTER, Mo. -- Kitty Welch, 90, of Dexter, Mo., died Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center in Dexter. Mrs. Welch was born on April 19, 1921, at Brownsville, Tenn. She was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Dexter, a former member of a Women's Missionary Quartet singing group...

Betty Brewer Betty Brewer, 69, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Brewer was born July 18, 1942, in Missouri. She was of the Baptist faith. She was a housewife and enjoyed flowers and reading. She was married to Eddie Brewer. He preceded her in death in February, 2008...

Mike Jines MALDEN, Mo. -- Mike Jines, 31, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden, Mo.

Gene Stoker DEXTER, Mo. -- Lester "Gene" Stoker, 71, of Dexter, Mo., died Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Stoker was born on Dec. 26, 1939 in Bloomfield, Mo. Her worked for Brown Construction Company in Dexter for many years...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Listed here are a few of the needs children's charity Project Christmas Promise would like to help fill this holiday season. The Daily American Republic will continue to publish these lists between now and Dec. 25. Please contact AmeriCorps Project Manager Misty Dunkin at Poplar Bluff's Promise Volunteer Center if you would like more information about a family's needs, to adopt a family for the holiday or to help with some of a family's needs. ...

2 receive Three Rivers scholarships Two local students have received scholarships to attend Three Rivers College. Sabrina Ridings of Williamsville, Mo., has received the Nelson B. Tinnin Memorial Scholarship. Ridings is married to Michael Ridings and is a 1999 graduate of Greenville High School. Ridings plans to study business administration...

Troop E holiday report The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated nearly 40 traffic crashes, including one fatal crash, in the 13 counties of Southeast Missouri over the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend. During the 2011 Thanksgiving weekend traffic crash counting period, which began at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Troop E officers investigated 36 traffic crashes, resulting in 16 injuries and one fatality...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Dexter, Mo., native James Childers recently released his self-published third book, Morrison Mystery. Childers didn't want to give out too much of the story line to his latest mystery-thriller, but the story unfolds over eight days as unusual happenings begin in a small town. Childers said the book is "fast-paced" and "hard-hitting."...

BERNIE -- Troy Kirkpatrick had eight 3-pointers to lead Bernie as it cruised past Campbell in the first round of the Bernie Inivitational on Tuesday, 81-23. Kirkpatrick ended up with 26 points while Jesse Shelton had 24 points and Sam Turner added 14 points. Bernie will now face Holcomb at 6 p.m. in the semifinals on Thursday night...

Mike Jines MALDEN, Mo. -- Mike Jines, 31, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden, Mo.

Betty Brewer Betty Brewer, 69, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Brewer was born July 18, 1942, in Missouri. She was of the Baptist faith. She was a housewife and enjoyed flowers and reading. She was married to Eddie Brewer. He preceded her in death in February, 2008...

Kitty Welch DEXTER, Mo. -- Kitty Welch, 90, of Dexter, Mo., died Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center in Dexter. Mrs. Welch was born on April 19, 1921, at Brownsville, Tenn. She was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Dexter, a former member of a Women's Missionary Quartet singing group...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Listed here are a few of the needs children's charity Project Christmas Promise would like to help fill this holiday season. The Daily American Republic will continue to publish these lists between now and Dec. 25. Please contact AmeriCorps Project Manager Misty Dunkin at Poplar Bluff's Promise Volunteer Center if you would like more information about a family's needs, to adopt a family for the holiday or to help with some of a family's needs. ...

2 receive Three Rivers scholarships Two local students have received scholarships to attend Three Rivers College. Sabrina Ridings of Williamsville, Mo., has received the Nelson B. Tinnin Memorial Scholarship. Ridings is married to Michael Ridings and is a 1999 graduate of Greenville High School. Ridings plans to study business administration...

Troop E holiday report The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated nearly 40 traffic crashes, including one fatal crash, in the 13 counties of Southeast Missouri over the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend. During the 2011 Thanksgiving weekend traffic crash counting period, which began at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Troop E officers investigated 36 traffic crashes, resulting in 16 injuries and one fatality...

Gene Stoker DEXTER, Mo. -- Lester "Gene" Stoker, 71, of Dexter, Mo., died Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Stoker was born on Dec. 26, 1939 in Bloomfield, Mo. Her worked for Brown Construction Company in Dexter for many years...

Bertha Walker Bertha Alice (Davis) Walker, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Paragould, Ark., and Cardwell, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Walker was born July 27, 1921, in Cherry Valley, Ark. ...

Opal Grisham TROY, Mo. -- Opal V. (Robb) Grisham, 90, of Troy, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, at Lincoln County Nursing and Rehab in Troy. She was born May 20, 1921, in Ripley County Mo. After attending the local schools, she was married to James Edward Grisham on Sept. 21, 1940...

Diane Kelly MALDEN, Mo. -- Diane Lynn Cluck Kelly, 54, of Houston, Texas, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, at her residence. She was born July 29, 1957, at Gideon, Mo., and was a former resident of Malden, Mo. On Sept. 21, 1990, she was married to Roger Morton Kelly at Malden. He survives of the home...

Altha Sparkman Altha Sparkman, 89, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

By ANN McFEATTERS Scripps Howard News Service If Jon Huntsman were the GOP presidential nominee, President Barack Obama probably would be moving back to Chicago in January 2013. With the advantage from Republicans' perspective that he's not Obama, Huntsman appeals to many independents because he's not a tea partier. And, once again, independents will decide the election...

Asked God's forgiveness To the one who knocked on my door late at night and I turned you away, I've asked God's forgiveness. I hope you will forgive me also. You were asking for help and I turned you away because I'm scared and disoriented and confused. I'm sorry...

By REG HENRY Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via Scripps Howard To the surprise of no one and the disgust of many, the supercommittee has failed. Completely. Ignominiously. (Insert your own adverb here.) Congress, already as low as a snake's armpits in the public esteem, has now plumbed the depths to a level where even worms will be irritated...

To the Editor: If you grew up in the '50s as I did, then whether you admit it or not -- you are old, and like the title of a movie I recently watched, America today is definitely "No Country for Old Men." One line in the movie by an aging Texas sheriff caught my attention, which I think most people of the older generation can identify with. ...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Dexter, Mo., native James Childers recently released his self-published third book, Morrison Mystery. Childers didn't want to give out too much of the story line to his latest mystery-thriller, but the story unfolds over eight days as unusual happenings begin in a small town. Childers said the book is "fast-paced" and "hard-hitting."...