Stories from Tuesday, December 6, 2011

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Stanley Ziomek was recognized with a Missouri House resolution from Rep. Todd Richardson. House Resolution No. 4937 praised Ziomek for his "considerable distinction" and "impressive record." As Richardson presented the resolution to Ziomek Monday morning in the hospital board room, he explained the resolution also resulted from Ziomek's beating heart surgery technique...

By SCOTT MOYERS and PATRICK T. SULLIVAN SEMO News Service Unseasonably high river levels have created worry among farmers and government officials about the possibility of renewed flooding in the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway. Rain has pelted the area for two days, prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue an advisory of a "significant risk" of flooding for the near future...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer After 70 years, the original Highway 67 bridge south of Greenville, Mo., is coming down. Demolition is expected to finish in late January. The structure has been closed since a new four-lane bridge opened in August of 2010...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Due mainly to the planned Oak Grove Road improvements, Poplar Bluff's proposed general fund budget in 2012 has a deficit, but it will be covered by reserve funds. "We expect to spend $1,028,539 more than we receive in revenue in the general fund. The deficit will be covered out of the reserve balance of $7.6 million," City Manager Doug Bagby told the Poplar Bluff City Council Monday night...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Higher costs for Municipal Utilities to purchase electricity from its suppliers will result in a 10 percent increase in electric bills for Poplar Bluff customers in January. The increase is included in the proposed 2012 utilities budget that MU General Manager Bill Bach presented to the Poplar Bluff City Council Monday night...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Creation of a Poplar Bluff Regional Transportation Development District will accelerate the design and construction of seven road improvement projects. City Manager Doug Bagby discussed the need for the TDD, how it will be funded and the potential projects during the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Monday night...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Due mainly to the planned Oak Grove Road improvements, Poplar Bluff's proposed general fund budget in 2012 has a deficit, but it will be covered by reserve funds. "We expect to spend $1,028,539 more than we receive in revenue in the general fund. The deficit will be covered out of the reserve balance of $7.6 million," City Manager Doug Bagby told the Poplar Bluff City Council Monday night...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer After 70 years, the original Highway 67 bridge south of Greenville, Mo., is coming down. Demolition is expected to finish in late January. The structure has been closed since a new four-lane bridge opened in August of 2010...

By SCOTT MOYERS and PATRICK T. SULLIVAN SEMO News Service Unseasonably high river levels have created worry among farmers and government officials about the possibility of renewed flooding in the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway. Rain has pelted the area for two days, prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue an advisory of a "significant risk" of flooding for the near future...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Higher costs for Municipal Utilities to purchase electricity from its suppliers will result in a 10 percent increase in electric bills for Poplar Bluff customers in January. The increase is included in the proposed 2012 utilities budget that MU General Manager Bill Bach presented to the Poplar Bluff City Council Monday night...

With the largest group ever in the pool, the Poplar Bluff swim team is looking toward its next hurdle -- a state qualifier. "I know there's somebody out here that can do it," Lady Mules coach Beth Lewis-Muse said. "It's just getting them to do it."...

DEXTER -- Alison Jarrell had 21 points to lead Dexter as it beat Senath-Hornersville on Monday, 78-23. Brittany Harris added 13 points and Paige Patterson finished with 10 in the win. "Everybody got in the scoring column," Dexter coach Chad Allen said. "With our team, we have some offensive weapons.."...

NEELYVILLE -- The Neelyville Lady Tigers experienced a humbling loss Saturday night in the championship of the Lady Dawg Classic at Van Buren. Monday night in their home opener and Ozark Foothills Conference debut, the Lady Tigers looked to get back on track against an up-and-coming Clearwater team...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Republicans are more conservative than at any time since their 1980 dismay about another floundering president. They are more ideologically homogenous than ever in 156 years of competing for the presidency. They anticipated choosing between Mitt Romney, a conservative of convenience, and a conviction politician to his right. The choice, however, could be between Romney and the least conservative candidate, Newt Gingrich...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- It's Iowa minus one month, and barring yet another resurrection, or something of similar improbability, it's Mitt Romney versus Newt Gingrich. In a match race, here's the scorecard: Romney has managed to weather the debates unscathed. ...

Overpass is a good ides Yes, I'm reading today's Tuesday, Nov. 8 paper and I'm reading the Speak Out concerning Cravens Road overpass. I think the person raises a very valid and good point. Many times Cravens Road is blocked by Union Pacific. I think one of the quick solutions is if Union Pacific blocks Cravens Road for more than five minutes, I think there needs to be set rate of a fine for every minute that they go over five minutes. ...

Patricia Morgan PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Patricia E. Morgan, 79, of Piedmont, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, at her residence. Mrs. Morgan was born on Jan. 23, 1932, in St. Louis, Mo. She owned and operated two fast-food restaurants and worked at Nu-Dell Manufacturing. ...

Jim Montgomery GIDEON, Mo. -- Jimmy Lee Montgomery, 67, of Clarkton, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, in Gideon Care Center in Gideon, Mo. Mr. Montgomery was born April 14, 1944, in Gideon. He was a retired farmer. On Nov. 25, 1966, he was married to Linda Faye Weeks at Wardell, Mo. She survives of the home...

Lina Reyes-Mortero is an eighth grader at Sacred Heart School in Poplar Bluff. She is the daughter of Juan Reyes and Alma Mortero of Poplar Bluff. She enjoys being at home when her family is laughing and having a good time. Her other interests are cheerleading, reading, and playing soccer (her favorite activity). ...

Mattie Hoffman DEXTER, Mo. -- Mattie Irene Hoffman, 88, of Dexter, Mo. died on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at Crowley Ridge Care Center. Funeral arrangements are pending with Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Dexter.

Jerry Brown MALDEN, Mo. -- Jerry Lee Brown, 60, of Gideon, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Brown was born Jan. 9, 1951, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was a member of Stanfield General Baptist Church. On May 26, 1995, he was married to Shelby Jean Woolverton at Pollard, Ark. She survives...

Della Edwards MALDEN, Mo. -- Della Mae Edwards, 92, of Malden, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at Gideon Care Center in Gideon. Mrs. Edwards was born March 24, 1919, in Powe, Mo. She attended the Assembly of God Church and was a homemaker. She was married to Kellie Edwards...

Eloise McCarty DEXTER, Mo. -- Eloise E. McCarty, 86, of Dexter, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Mrs. McCarty was born July 31, 1925, in Brewers Lake, Mo. She had lived in the Dexter area most of her life. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Dexter and longtime member of the Eastern Star...

Margaret McCluskey VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Margaret McCluskey, 88, of Vancouver, Wash., formerly of Doniphan, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, when she was hit by a city bus in a crosswalk in downtown Vancouver, a few blocks from where she lived. Ms. McCluskey lived in Doniphan with her parents as a baby, and returned in 1944, after graduating from college. ...

Bob Richmond PUXICO, Mo. -- George Robert "Bob" Richmond, 65, of Wappapello, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at his home. Mr. Richmond was born Sept. 6, 1946, in Klamath Falls, Ore. He had lived most of his life in Wappapello. An ordained General Baptist minister, he was a member of Shady Dell General Baptist Church in McGee, Mo., and attended Egypt Church. He retired from work as a self-employed floor cover installer...

Captain George E. Ridens, commanding officer of Troop E, Poplar Bluff, Mo., has announced a revised driver examination schedule for Troop E examination sites. This schedule takes effect Jan. 3, with one exception. Dexter -- Thursdays Doniphan -- First, third and fifth Thursdays...

Health Board to meet Wed. The Butler County Health Department Board of Trustees will meet in regular session at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, at the Butler County Health Department, 1619 N. Main St., Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Daughters of Revolution holiday party The Poplar Bluff Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at The Bread Company for their annual, Dutch treat Christmas luncheon. A program, including short video, will be presented on how to make colonial Williamsburg-style Christmas decorations. The public is invited to attend...

Entertainment fish fry at Northside Teddy Bazzell and friends will entertain at Northside Nutrition Center from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday. The menu will conside of BBQ pork sandwich, French fries, coleslaw, baked beans, spiced apples, cornbread/buns...

Robert Reitenbach Robert Frank Reitenbach, 70, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff. A memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at Highland Church of Christ in Poplar Bluff with Vernon Curry officiating...

Paul Kellett CORNING, Ark. -- Paul Kellett, 52, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at home. Mr. Kellett was born July 5, 1959, in Normandy, Mo. He was a painter and attended House of Prayer in Corning, Ark. On March 10, 1982, he married Judy Wands. She preceded him in death June 11, 2011...

Bob Richmond PUXICO, Mo. -- George Robert "Bob" Richmond, 65, of Wappapello, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at his home. Mr. Richmond was born Sept. 6, 1946, in Klamath Falls, Ore. He had lived most of his life in Wappapello. An ordained General Baptist minister, he was a member of Shady Dell General Baptist Church in McGee, Mo., and attended Egypt Church. He retired from work as a self-employed floor cover installer...

Della Edwards MALDEN, Mo. -- Della Mae Edwards, 92, of Malden, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at Gideon Care Center in Gideon. Mrs. Edwards was born March 24, 1919, in Powe, Mo. She attended the Assembly of God Church and was a homemaker. She was married to Kellie Edwards...

Jerry Brown MALDEN, Mo. -- Jerry Lee Brown, 60, of Gideon, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Brown was born Jan. 9, 1951, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was a member of Stanfield General Baptist Church. On May 26, 1995, he was married to Shelby Jean Woolverton at Pollard, Ark. She survives...

Jim Montgomery GIDEON, Mo. -- Jimmy Lee Montgomery, 67, of Clarkton, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, in Gideon Care Center in Gideon, Mo. Mr. Montgomery was born April 14, 1944, in Gideon. He was a retired farmer. On Nov. 25, 1966, he was married to Linda Faye Weeks at Wardell, Mo. She survives of the home...

Lina Reyes-Mortero is an eighth grader at Sacred Heart School in Poplar Bluff. She is the daughter of Juan Reyes and Alma Mortero of Poplar Bluff. She enjoys being at home when her family is laughing and having a good time. Her other interests are cheerleading, reading, and playing soccer (her favorite activity). ...

Overpass is a good ides Yes, I'm reading today's Tuesday, Nov. 8 paper and I'm reading the Speak Out concerning Cravens Road overpass. I think the person raises a very valid and good point. Many times Cravens Road is blocked by Union Pacific. I think one of the quick solutions is if Union Pacific blocks Cravens Road for more than five minutes, I think there needs to be set rate of a fine for every minute that they go over five minutes. ...

Paul Kellett CORNING, Ark. -- Paul Kellett, 52, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at home. Mr. Kellett was born July 5, 1959, in Normandy, Mo. He was a painter and attended House of Prayer in Corning, Ark. On March 10, 1982, he married Judy Wands. She preceded him in death June 11, 2011...