Stories from Wednesday, December 28, 2011

By PAUL DAVIS Outdoors Editor WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- After you've gathered around the Christmas tree to share laughs and gifts with family, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff at Wappapello Lake is hoping you'll give one more gift - your used tree. Since the mid-1980s, staff members have sunken donated Christmas trees in the lake at various locations to replenish deteriorated fish habitat...

By SCOTT MOYERS SEMO News Service With the new year comes a new rule for Missouri's commercial drivers -- no cellphones. Starting Jan. 3, commercial motor vehicle drivers -- including those behind the wheel of a school bus -- are banned from using hand-held mobile phones and push-to-talk cellphones while driving...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Poplar Bluff, Mo., retailer Sears will not close as its parent company Sears Holdings Corporation looks to shutter more than 100 underperforming locations, but the fate of the local Kmart is not known yet. (See related story on 3A.)...

By SCOTT MOYERS SEMO News Service With the new year comes a new rule for Missouri's commercial drivers -- no cellphones. Starting Jan. 3, commercial motor vehicle drivers -- including those behind the wheel of a school bus -- are banned from using hand-held mobile phones and push-to-talk cellphones while driving...

BLOOMFIELD -- The Bernie Mules just couldn't get a quality shot when it mattered most Tuesday night. The Mules trailed third-seeded Portageville by 3 points and had two chances to tie the game in the final seconds but couldn't execute as they fell 60-56 in the quarterfinals of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament...

BLOOMFIELD -- Every time Holcomb made a run, the fifth-seeded Dexter Bearcats had an answer. The fourth-seeded Hornets got within two possessions in the fourth quarter before the Bearcats widened the gap and held on for a 61-56 win in the quarterfinals of the Bloomfield Christmas tournament Tuesday night...

BLOOMFIELD -- The Twin Rivers Royals withstood a shooting barrage early and cashed in late. The Royals were down double digits after the first quarter but weathered the storm and came back to beat Van Buren 48-43 in the consolation quarterfinals of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament on Tuesday...

DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- Marissa Webb had a double-double in her season debut but the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules couldn't maintain an early lead Tuesday. Bolivar (Tenn.) Central surged ahead in the second quarter, hit free throws late and beat the Lady Mules 58-53 in the opening round of the Dyersburg Invitational Christmas Tournament...

By MELISSA MILLER SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- While slightly fewer tons of cargo passed through SEMO Port this year, millions of dollars in upgrades to its facilities may help attract more business next year, officials said. The port's total tonnage was down from last year about 1.5 percent, said executive director Dan Overbey. From January through November this year, 1,108,441 tons were shipped by either rail, truck or barge, compared to 1,125,672 during the same period of 2010...

The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking participants for its 2012 Gateway to Leadership Program. Interested persons may call chamber president Steve Halter at 785-7761 or e-mail shalter@paplarbluffchamber.org. "The cost is $250 which includes one complimentary ticket to the chamber's annual banquet and much more," Halter said. "You must be affiliated with a member of the chamber."...

CORNING, Ark. -- The J. W. Black Lumber Company of Corning held its 75th annual Christmas dinner Dec. 16 in the banquet room at M. B. Ainley Community Center. There were approximately 65 employees and guests present. Following the invocation by Doug Tucker, Mrs. John Black took a few minutes to reflect on the past year and the passing of three employees, remembering them and their families...

The Volt and Ralph Nader Monday's Speak Out regarding the Chevrolet Volt brought back memories after some 40 odd years about consumer advocate, Ralph Nader and his book about the Chevrolet Corvair entitled, "Unsafe at any Speed." Looks like the book also holds true today for the Chevrolet Volt. Perhaps, Mr. Nader's advice would be, "Buyer Beware. Don't get shocked by the Volt." Thank you...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN Half a century ago, American children were schooled in Aesop's fables. Among the more famous of these were "The Fox and the Grapes" and "The Tortoise and the Hare." Particularly appropriate this Christmas season, and every Christmas lately, is Aesop's fable of "The Dog in the Manger."...

To the Editor, In an article last week, the chairman of the 8th District Republican Committee, Eddy Justice exposed his biased opinion concerning the upcoming Congressional election by not only mimicking the standard line of Joann Emerson but by saying he would vote for her WITHOUT A DEBATE! How stupid does he (and Emerson) think the voters are? Do they really think we are ignorant to the facts surrounding Emerson's socialist agenda? If she lived in Barney Franks' district instead of St. ...

By OLIVER NORTH BLUEMONT, Va. -- Four years ago, this annual Christmas column was written from Baquba, Iraq, while our Fox News "War Stories" team was embedded with the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division and special operations units operating against the Iranian-supported Mahdi Army in the outskirts of Baghdad. ...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- Now that Congress appears finally to have reached a compromise on what must be one of the worst pieces of legislation in years -- the temporary payroll tax holiday extension -- let's survey the damage. To begin with, what even minimally rational government enacts payroll tax relief for just two months? As a matter of practicality alone, it makes no sense. ...

To the Editor: Over the course of three Fridays in November, the Poplar Bluff High School National Beta Club held its "Donut Days" fundraiser. As a community service group, Beta Club members are no strangers to helping out the community with their service. Betas would arrive at school at 7 a.m. and sell dozens of donuts to raise money for charity...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN For the 30 years since "The McLaughlin Group" began to run on network television, the Christmas and New Year's shows have been devoted to the conferring of annual awards. The first award on the Christmas show is "Biggest Winner."...

Ruby Dowdy DEXTER, Mo. -- Ruby Dowdy, 95, Dexter, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, in the Golden Living Center at Malden, Mo. She was born on Aug. 12, 1916, at Pyletown, Mo. Mrs. Dowdy was a member of the Pleasant Grove Community Church at Pyletown and a homemaker...

Joy Jones SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Joy Jones, 79, of Malden, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, at her daughter's home in Spartanburg, S.C. She was married to Marion Jones. He preceded her in death. Survivors include her daughter, Brenda Throckmorton and husband, John; one daughter-in-law, Edwina Jones, widow of her son Virgil (Junior) Jones; her grandchildren, Tisha Earnheart and husband, David, Shad Jones and wife, Mary Lynn, Debra Cabiness and husband, Dusty, Rebecca Smith and husband Patrick; her great-grandchildren, Madilyn and Emma Earnheart; Brittan, Maggie and Hattie Jones; Mallory and Kylie Tutterrow; KC, Izzy and Sydney Smith; two brothers, Ronald Berry and Rebous Berry; her sister-in-law Louise Robertson and husband, Berlin; many beloved relatives and friends; and her cherished childhood friend, Helen Birdsong.. ...

Clyde Atchison PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Clyde Wayne Atchison, 88, of Williamsville, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. He was born Jan. 21, 1923, to the late Benjaman Atchison and Ethyl Laura (Weese) Atchison, in Round Spring, Mo. He served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946, and received four bronze stars. ...

Hayley Cagle GIDEON, Mo. -- Hayley Savannah Cagle, 15, of Gideon, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Gideon. She was born Dec. 29, 1995, in Sikeston, Mo. She was a member of New Vision Church and a student at Gideon High School. Surviving are her parents Gary and Teresa Cagle of Gideon; her grandparents, Bobby and Georgia Penrod of Gideon and Marilyn Barks of Malden; four brothers, Mitchell Thacker, Gary Cagle II and Layton Cagle, all of the home, and Billy Thacker of New Orleans, La...

Jackie Colter FISK, Mo. -- Jackie L. Colter, 63, of Jackson, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Colter was born March 1, 1948, in Fisk, Mo. He formerly lived in Fisk and Poplar Bluff. He attended the Cowboy Church in Oakville, Mo. He farmed with his father for many years in Fisk and later worked at Walmart until his retirement. He enjoyed gardening and being with family especially his grandchildren...

Bruce Thomason MALDEN, Mo. -- Bruce Allen Thomason, 43, of Risco, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Thomason was born May 16, 1968, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was a member of the Church of Christ and was a farmer...

Homer Schell Homer R. Schell, 87, of Cottonwood, Ariz., died Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, in Cottonwood, Ariz. Mr. Schell was born Oct. 15, 1924, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was in the Navy and served in World War II. Mr. Schell was a self-employed carpenter most of his life and was of the Baptist Faith. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, teaching the art of carpentry, and raising foster kids...

Qulin Lions New Year's Day dinner The Qulin Lions Club will host a New Year's Day dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. The menu includes hog jowl and black-eyed peas, cooked cabbage, mixed greens, green beans, fried potatoes, corn bread. The cost of the meal is $8 for adults and $5 for children with drinks and desserts provided...

Anna Ethridge Anna "Eunice" Ethridge, 86, a Butler County resident for more than 50 years, died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, in Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Ethridge was born Oct. 20, 1925, at Hendrickson, Mo. She was a member of Mt. Zion Church. A homemaker, she enjoyed gardening, flowers and word searches...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- An exciting quarterfinal round at the Southeast Missourian Christmas tournament was capped by an absolute thriller between longtime rivals. Central and Jackson captivated the Show Me Center crowd with a tense, back-and-forth affair that left little margin for error and absolutely no breathing room...

Safe theft correction The Daily American Republic reported Dec. 21 about a safe that allegedly was stolen from the Qulin, Mo., home of George Birchfield. In the article it was reported the suspect put the safe on a trailer in the back yard of Mary Lorah's home. According to Lorah, the safe was placed in the back yard of the Birchfield home...

To the Editor: Over the course of three Fridays in November, the Poplar Bluff High School National Beta Club held its "Donut Days" fundraiser. As a community service group, Beta Club members are no strangers to helping out the community with their service. Betas would arrive at school at 7 a.m. and sell dozens of donuts to raise money for charity...

Ruby Dowdy DEXTER, Mo. -- Ruby Dowdy, 95, Dexter, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, in the Golden Living Center at Malden, Mo. She was born on Aug. 12, 1916, at Pyletown, Mo. Mrs. Dowdy was a member of the Pleasant Grove Community Church at Pyletown and a homemaker...

Clyde Atchison PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Clyde Wayne Atchison, 88, of Williamsville, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. He was born Jan. 21, 1923, to the late Benjaman Atchison and Ethyl Laura (Weese) Atchison, in Round Spring, Mo. He served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946, and received four bronze stars. ...

Jackie Colter FISK, Mo. -- Jackie L. Colter, 63, of Jackson, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Colter was born March 1, 1948, in Fisk, Mo. He formerly lived in Fisk and Poplar Bluff. He attended the Cowboy Church in Oakville, Mo. He farmed with his father for many years in Fisk and later worked at Walmart until his retirement. He enjoyed gardening and being with family especially his grandchildren...

Qulin Lions New Year's Day dinner The Qulin Lions Club will host a New Year's Day dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. The menu includes hog jowl and black-eyed peas, cooked cabbage, mixed greens, green beans, fried potatoes, corn bread. The cost of the meal is $8 for adults and $5 for children with drinks and desserts provided...

Homer Schell Homer R. Schell, 87, of Cottonwood, Ariz., died Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, in Cottonwood, Ariz. Mr. Schell was born Oct. 15, 1924, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was in the Navy and served in World War II. Mr. Schell was a self-employed carpenter most of his life and was of the Baptist Faith. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, teaching the art of carpentry, and raising foster kids...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- Now that Congress appears finally to have reached a compromise on what must be one of the worst pieces of legislation in years -- the temporary payroll tax holiday extension -- let's survey the damage. To begin with, what even minimally rational government enacts payroll tax relief for just two months? As a matter of practicality alone, it makes no sense. ...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN Half a century ago, American children were schooled in Aesop's fables. Among the more famous of these were "The Fox and the Grapes" and "The Tortoise and the Hare." Particularly appropriate this Christmas season, and every Christmas lately, is Aesop's fable of "The Dog in the Manger."...

To the Editor, In an article last week, the chairman of the 8th District Republican Committee, Eddy Justice exposed his biased opinion concerning the upcoming Congressional election by not only mimicking the standard line of Joann Emerson but by saying he would vote for her WITHOUT A DEBATE! How stupid does he (and Emerson) think the voters are? Do they really think we are ignorant to the facts surrounding Emerson's socialist agenda? If she lived in Barney Franks' district instead of St. ...

The Volt and Ralph Nader Monday's Speak Out regarding the Chevrolet Volt brought back memories after some 40 odd years about consumer advocate, Ralph Nader and his book about the Chevrolet Corvair entitled, "Unsafe at any Speed." Looks like the book also holds true today for the Chevrolet Volt. Perhaps, Mr. Nader's advice would be, "Buyer Beware. Don't get shocked by the Volt." Thank you...

CORNING, Ark. -- The J. W. Black Lumber Company of Corning held its 75th annual Christmas dinner Dec. 16 in the banquet room at M. B. Ainley Community Center. There were approximately 65 employees and guests present. Following the invocation by Doug Tucker, Mrs. John Black took a few minutes to reflect on the past year and the passing of three employees, remembering them and their families...

The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking participants for its 2012 Gateway to Leadership Program. Interested persons may call chamber president Steve Halter at 785-7761 or e-mail shalter@paplarbluffchamber.org. "The cost is $250 which includes one complimentary ticket to the chamber's annual banquet and much more," Halter said. "You must be affiliated with a member of the chamber."...

DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- Marissa Webb had a double-double in her season debut but the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules couldn't maintain an early lead Tuesday. Bolivar (Tenn.) Central surged ahead in the second quarter, hit free throws late and beat the Lady Mules 58-53 in the opening round of the Dyersburg Invitational Christmas Tournament...

BLOOMFIELD -- Every time Holcomb made a run, the fifth-seeded Dexter Bearcats had an answer. The fourth-seeded Hornets got within two possessions in the fourth quarter before the Bearcats widened the gap and held on for a 61-56 win in the quarterfinals of the Bloomfield Christmas tournament Tuesday night...

Safe theft correction The Daily American Republic reported Dec. 21 about a safe that allegedly was stolen from the Qulin, Mo., home of George Birchfield. In the article it was reported the suspect put the safe on a trailer in the back yard of Mary Lorah's home. According to Lorah, the safe was placed in the back yard of the Birchfield home...