Stories from Wednesday, January 11, 2012

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The federal lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of two supporters of open access to Poplar Bluff's broadband communication system is based on a state statute not applicable to the city, according to documents filed Monday in U.S. District Court at Cape Girardeau, Mo...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Carter County Prosecuting Attorney Rocky Kingree of Van Buren is the first person to file for a seat on the Three Rivers College Board during the April 3 election. Kingree is a candidate for a six-year term in Sub-District 2, which includes Carter County and parts of Butler and Ripley counties. He filed Monday. This position is currently held by Randy Grassham of Van Buren...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Tom Mullica is bringing the comedy of Red Skelton to the Rodgers Theatre Saturday. The tribute show, known as Red Skelton: A Performance Tribute, is in its ninth season in Branson, Mo., and is the only tribute show authorized by the Red Skelton estate. Mullica tours in the off season...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Two more candidates filed Tuesday for the Three Rivers College Board, creating a contest in Sub-District 1, which includes most of Butler County. Christy Turner, a retired hospital administrator, and Ben Ressel, a vice president at First Midwest Bank, will compete for a six-year term on the board during the April 3 election. Both are residents of Poplar Bluff, Mo. Turner is the wife of former board member Tom Turner...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer The Rodgers Theatre now boasts a professional quality back curtain, thanks to Jeff and Debbie Myatt of Myatt's Drapery Service. "The donation itself is probably one of the largest we've had in the past few years," said theater manager Kyle Million. The curtains and installation usually cost thousands of dollars, but Myatt's created and installed the drapes for just a fraction of that...

By PATRICK SULLIVAN SEMO News Service Three of the five people authorities say were behind a counterfeiting ring that struck locations throughout Southeast Missouri in October will stand trial next month. Darius Robinson of Huntsville, Ala., Brynet Trice and Jessica Gross, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo., are accused of manufacturing and using fake $10, $20 and $50 bills at businesses in Cape Girardeau, Dexter, Sikeston and Poplar Bluff in early October. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer More than one-third of the work needed to replace the vacuum collection system in the East Butler Sewer District is complete, board members said Tuesday at their monthly meeting. Installation of the new pressure collection system is on schedule and expected to wrap up in late August, although adjustments may be made for weather delays, said board President Carl Heuiser...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor An application to rezone land along the east side of Highway 142 from RS-3 central area residential to C-2 general commercial was discussed during the Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Monday night...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man faces up to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday morning to causing the death of a 4-year-old girl left in his care in February. Jeremy E. McIntosh, 28, preempted his trial, which was slated for Jan. 26 and 27, by pleading guilty as charged to the Class A felony of child abuse before Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis. He was accused of the Feb. 17 death of Zoey Slagler, who died of blunt force trauma...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A federal jury recently convicted a former Poplar Bluff, Mo., man of failing to register as a sexual offender as required by federal law. The jury deliberated about 40 minutes Friday afternoon before finding James D. Kozohorsky, 47, guilty as charged, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Abbie Crites-Leoni...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer The Rodgers Theatre now boasts a professional quality back curtain, thanks to Jeff and Debbie Myatt of Myatt's Drapery Service. "The donation itself is probably one of the largest we've had in the past few years," said theater manager Kyle Million. The curtains and installation usually cost thousands of dollars, but Myatt's created and installed the drapes for just a fraction of that...

By PATRICK SULLIVAN SEMO News Service Three of the five people authorities say were behind a counterfeiting ring that struck locations throughout Southeast Missouri in October will stand trial next month. Darius Robinson of Huntsville, Ala., Brynet Trice and Jessica Gross, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo., are accused of manufacturing and using fake $10, $20 and $50 bills at businesses in Cape Girardeau, Dexter, Sikeston and Poplar Bluff in early October. ...

By ERIN RAGAN SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Emotions ran against a proposed uniform policy at the first forum held by the Cape Girardeau School District on Monday night. After a presentation from three members of the dress code committee that detailed research on positive effects seen by other school districts with uniform codes, the floor opened for comment and questions from the public...

DONIPHAN -- It turns out all the Poplar Bluff Mules needed to bust out of their offensive slump was a break. And some offensive rebounds. Poplar Bluff's first four points came on putbacks and the Mules had 14 second-chance points Tuesday night against a much taller Doniphan team to upended the Dons 58-50...

Julia Dragon won twice, missing a school record by a second in the 200-yard freestyle, and helped two relays win Thursday to lead the Poplar Bluff swim team. Cape Central beat the Lady Mules 98-72 at the Black River Aquatic Center. "Not exactly where I want to be as a team but there was much improvement," Lady Mules coach Beth Lewis-Muse said...

NAYLOR -- The East Carter Lady Redbirds had three players notch double-doubles as they defeated Naylor, 56-45, Tuesday night in Ozark Foothills Conference action. "The girls were really excited," East Carter coach Missy Cox said. "We are hoping this propels us the rest of the season."...

BLOOMFIELD -- It's been a bit of a struggle for the Dexter Bearcats so far this season but they are looking to erase the pain of a bad start by stepping it up in Stoddard County Activities Association play. They continued that trend Tuesday night on the road...

By MELISSA MILLER SEMO News Service If Missouri lawmakers can't fix the state's insolvent Second Injury Fund this session, taxpayers may get the bill. For the past several sessions legislators failed to pass anything as analysts have warned the fund, which keeps individual businesses from having to pay the injury claims of workers with previous injuries or health conditions who are reinjured on the job, is going broke. ...

The president's inherited issues I'm tired of all the items in Speak Out, not all, but a lot of them complaining about Obama and blaming him for the situation--the economics of the United States. Don't they realize what caused this? He inherited it. Or, do you have Republican amnesia? I don't...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN There still exists a possibility that, come Jan. 20, 2013, we could have a Republican Senate and House, and a Republican president. But there is also a possibility that a Goldwater-Rockefeller-type family bloodletting could sunder the party and kick it all away...

To the Editor: I am writing this letter to applaud the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament. What a great job they do putting it together and running a first class tourney! But the main reason I'm writing is for the Bloomfield High School Cheerleaders! Their routine and tribute to our service men here and abroad was absolutely breathtaking. I cheered harder for them, than any ball game. It truly was a great moment for the tournament and for the young ladies who performed it. Kudos to you!!...

By OLIVER NORTH WASHINGTON -- The U.S. military had better get ready to do a whole lot more with a whole lot less. That's the bottom line of the so-called "new strategic guidance" issued this week by President Barack Obama during a brief visit to the Pentagon. ...

The Poplar Bluff Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the West Side Church of God, corner of Channon Drive and Barron Road. The program will be a review of the play, "The Signing of the Declaration of Independence" written by Mark Faughn of Poplar Bluff and performed by the drama group from The Palace of Praise...

Two weeks have passed since Christmas. Is the Kindle or Nook you found underneath the tree sitting idle because you don't quite get how the supposedly "intuitive" device works? Don't worry; the staff at the Poplar Bluff Public Library is eager to help. ...

More than $8.6 million in prizes of $1,000 or more were awarded to Missouri Lottery players during December. Winners of $1,000 or more in December include the following: Pick 4 winners: Ruby Prewitt, Williamsville, $3,250 Club Keno winners: Theresa Brown, Bernie, $1,052...

B. Marie Williams B. Marie Williams, 93, of Springfield, Mo., died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012. She was born June 23, 1918, to John and Ella (Hill) Files. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her son, Bill Williams and wife, Lindy, of Springfield; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one brother, Delbert Carson Files, Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Janice Robbins Janice Laraine Robbins, 63, of Conway, Ark., died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at her residence in Conway. Ms. Robbins was born Nov. 15, 1948, in Poplar Bluff. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway and had retired as an emergency and intensive care nurse at John McClellan VA Medical Center in Little Rock, Ark. Ms. Robbins was also a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army. She enjoyed being active in her church, fishing, camping, and making crafts...

Walter Williamson DONIPHAN, MO. -- Walter Harold Williamson, 92, of Doniphan, Mo., died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Mr. Williamson, son of Pete and Viola (Elliott) Williamson, was born June 6, 1919, at Imboden, Ark. He was retired from Vitronic Manufacturing. Mr. Williamson enjoyed baseball, wrestling and traveling the country and was a member of West Doniphan Missionary Baptist Church...

Ashley and Amanda Rommel of Poplar Bluff, Mo., have chosen the name Natalea Reece for their 7-pound, 1-ounce daughter, born at 1:38 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She was 18 1/2 inches in length. Grandparents are Tim and Debra Darnell and Wendell and Frankie Rommel, all of Poplar Bluff. and brother, Dalton Hunter Rommel...

Doc Scherer Jr. DEXTER, Mo. -- August John "Doc" Scherer Jr., 58, of Dudley, Mo., died Sunday Jan. 8, 2012, in an accident. He was born on Oct. 15, 1953 in Sikeston, Mo. Mr. Scherer was a former respiratory therapist, loved to shoot pool, play poker, sang karaoke, and was an avid hunter. He was of the Catholic faith...

Glenn Lambert ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Glenn Howard Lambert, 50, of Ellsinore, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, with his family by his side. He was born March 4, 1961, in Litchfield, Ill. Mr. Lambert was a lifetime resident of Ellsinore and was of the Baptist faith. He was an over the road trucker and leased his truck with Utley Incorporated in Steele, Mo. He enjoyed hunting turkey with his bow and deer hunting, fishing and gigging on Current River...

Harold Durrow WILLIAMSVILLE, Mo. -- Harold Wayne Durrow, 68, of Williamsville, Mo., died Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Homes of Williamsville, MO. Online condolences may be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Ellen Dowdy DEXTER, Mo. -- Ellen Dowdy, 67, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at her residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Rosenell Johnson MALDEN, Mo. -- Rosenell Johnson, 94, of Risco, Mo. died Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, at her residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden.

DONIPHAN -- It turns out all the Poplar Bluff Mules needed to bust out of their offensive slump was a break. And some offensive rebounds. Poplar Bluff's first four points came on putbacks and the Mules had 14 second-chance points Tuesday night against a much taller Doniphan team to upended the Dons 58-50...

Walter Williamson DONIPHAN, MO. -- Walter Harold Williamson, 92, of Doniphan, Mo., died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Mr. Williamson, son of Pete and Viola (Elliott) Williamson, was born June 6, 1919, at Imboden, Ark. He was retired from Vitronic Manufacturing. Mr. Williamson enjoyed baseball, wrestling and traveling the country and was a member of West Doniphan Missionary Baptist Church...

More than $8.6 million in prizes of $1,000 or more were awarded to Missouri Lottery players during December. Winners of $1,000 or more in December include the following: Pick 4 winners: Ruby Prewitt, Williamsville, $3,250 Club Keno winners: Theresa Brown, Bernie, $1,052...

Two weeks have passed since Christmas. Is the Kindle or Nook you found underneath the tree sitting idle because you don't quite get how the supposedly "intuitive" device works? Don't worry; the staff at the Poplar Bluff Public Library is eager to help. ...

The Poplar Bluff Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the West Side Church of God, corner of Channon Drive and Barron Road. The program will be a review of the play, "The Signing of the Declaration of Independence" written by Mark Faughn of Poplar Bluff and performed by the drama group from The Palace of Praise...

By OLIVER NORTH WASHINGTON -- The U.S. military had better get ready to do a whole lot more with a whole lot less. That's the bottom line of the so-called "new strategic guidance" issued this week by President Barack Obama during a brief visit to the Pentagon. ...

To the Editor: I am writing this letter to applaud the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament. What a great job they do putting it together and running a first class tourney! But the main reason I'm writing is for the Bloomfield High School Cheerleaders! Their routine and tribute to our service men here and abroad was absolutely breathtaking. I cheered harder for them, than any ball game. It truly was a great moment for the tournament and for the young ladies who performed it. Kudos to you!!...

BLOOMFIELD -- It's been a bit of a struggle for the Dexter Bearcats so far this season but they are looking to erase the pain of a bad start by stepping it up in Stoddard County Activities Association play. They continued that trend Tuesday night on the road...

Julia Dragon won twice, missing a school record by a second in the 200-yard freestyle, and helped two relays win Thursday to lead the Poplar Bluff swim team. Cape Central beat the Lady Mules 98-72 at the Black River Aquatic Center. "Not exactly where I want to be as a team but there was much improvement," Lady Mules coach Beth Lewis-Muse said...

Abigail Robbins Abigail Laraine Robbins, 7, of Conway, Ark., died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at her residence in Conway. Abby was born Feb. 23, 2004, in Little Rock, Ark. She was a second grade student at St. Joseph Catholic School in Conway. Abby enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and playing soccer...