Stories from Friday, February 17, 2012

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Overcoming many obstacles, Jim Morris became a Major League pitcher at the age of 35 and now encourages audiences across the country to follow their dreams. Morris was the subject of the Disney film, "The Rookie," and co-author of the book, "The Oldest Rookie," which tell how he was motivated by the high school baseball team he was coaching to "chase his dreams."...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The Poplar Bluff R-I School District will pursue a federal grant that would pay 75 percent of the cost to construct a new addition at the junior high campus, according to information presented at Thursday's monthly board meeting...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor ARAB, Mo. -- After more than 24 hours on the lam, a Puxico, Mo., area man is back behind bars in the Stoddard County Jail. Jason Stroup, who allegedly escaped from the Stoddard County Justice Center at about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday following a court appearance, was apprehended at about 3 p.m. Thursday just inside the Bollinger County line, according to Sheriff Carl Hefner...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer More than $23,000 was raised for Poplar Bluff elementary schools during a fundraiser completed before Christmas, according to a report presented Thursday at the monthly Board of Education meeting. Board members also approved a social media policy...

By ERIN RAGAN SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A phone rang in a high school office. "Cape Central Infirmary," answered Dr. Mike Cowan, high school principal. The office looked similar to a hospital waiting room at times Wednesday and Thursday as students and staff came through its doors reporting fevers, body aches and coughing...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The Poplar Bluff R-I School District will pursue a federal grant that would pay 75 percent of the cost to construct a new addition at the junior high campus, according to information presented at Thursday's monthly board meeting...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor ARAB, Mo. -- After more than 24 hours on the lam, a Puxico, Mo., area man is back behind bars in the Stoddard County Jail. Jason Stroup, who allegedly escaped from the Stoddard County Justice Center at about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday following a court appearance, was apprehended at about 3 p.m. Thursday just inside the Bollinger County line, according to Sheriff Carl Hefner...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer More than $23,000 was raised for Poplar Bluff elementary schools during a fundraiser completed before Christmas, according to a report presented Thursday at the monthly Board of Education meeting. Board members also approved a social media policy...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The Missouri Department of Transportation is moving closer to accepting bids for creating a new 5.65-mile stretch of four-lane U.S. 67 southwest of Poplar Bluff. "We are finalizing our plans and getting ready to submit them to get bids," MoDOT Project Engineer Eric Krapf said. "The bid opening is currently scheduled for May 25."...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Puxico, Mo., man faces a new escape charge as he remains on the lam today after fleeing from a Stoddard County courtroom, where he just had been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Jason Stroup, 34, was at the Stoddard County Justice Center for a court appearance before Presiding Circuit Judge Stephen Sharp when he allegedly fled from the facility just before 11:30 a.m...

The monthly meeting of the Cane Creek Community Club was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Twin Towers. Glenda Phillips, president, presided, leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. The devotional was given by Nancy Wujcik, who asked questions about the center of the Bible and gave the history of adding the phrase "under God" as part of the Pledge of Allegiance...

By OLIVER NORTH WASHINGTON -- "We don't need you, so shut up!" That's the message the Obama administration has sent loud and clear to America's Roman Catholics. And it's a message now being sent to U.S. military chaplains -- to the detriment of our armed forces...

By SHARON RANDALL It's interesting, isn't it, what interests us? Of all the people I've written about, no one has sparked the curiosity of readers as much as my brother Joe. Go figure. A middle-aged, unemployed, high-school dropout, who lives alone, walks with a cane and doesn't drive; whose social life consists mainly of church potlucks and family dinners; and who spends most of his time listening to the radio, singing along, off-key, to gospel music or pulling for Clemson to beat somebody, anybody at all.. ...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Two coming developments, one dismal and one excellent, pertain to America's memory of a great man. One of several oversight panels soon will consider a proposed memorial to Dwight Eisenhower. The proposal is an exhibitionistic triumph of theory over function -- more a monument to its creator Frank Gehry, practitioner of architectural flamboyance, than to the most underrated president. ...

If you've already ordered your favorite Girl Scout Cookies, they're here and delivery has begun! If you missed the first round or would like more, don't worry. From now until March 11, girls will continue to sell Girl Scout cookies through direct sales, including door-to-door and at booths outside local merchants...

The Twin Rivers High School February Students of the Month for ninth grade is Kasey Morgan Kelley. Kelley is the daughter of Keith and Cyndi Kelley. She is a member of student council and FCCLA. Kelley enjoys cheering, reading, listening to music, hanging out with friends and going to football games. After graduation, she plans to go college to become a pediatrician...

NASA's original Mercury Seven astronauts were the best of the best. The requirements: military test pilots between 25 and 40 years old, in exceptional health, and no taller than 5-feet-11 because of the size of the capsule. All but one flew in Project Mercury, the single-seaters. Three went on to fly in Gemini aboard two-man capsules. One -- Wally Schirra -- flew in all three of NASA's pioneering programs, Mercury, Gemini and Apollo. Another actually walked on the moon...

The Three Rivers softball team is hoping its small group of sophomores can lead the way to start the season. The Lady Raiders have just six sophomores back to go along with eight freshman as they start the season at 1 p.m. Monday against Williams Baptist at Rains Field...

COLUMBIA -- Matt King shook off a shaky start and his opponent Thursday in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 3 state championships. The Poplar Bluff freshman overcame an early takedown to score 11 straight points in the opening-round match at 106 pounds...

Arthur Becker Arthur Harvey Becker, 83, formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service.

GREENVILLE -- The Greenville Bears baseball team was locked up in a pitcher's duel in the Ozark Foothills Conference championship back in early October. In left field for the Bears was senior Trevor Bennett. He saved one run that evening by cutting down a runner at the plate and later making an over-the-shoulder basket catch and a diving catch to keep Twin Rivers off the scoreboard in the sixth inning...

Sharon Westmoreland Sharon Westmoreland, 81, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at her residence. She was born Sept. 24, 1930. Ms. Westmoreland lived in Patterson, Mo., before moving to Poplar Bluff about 10 years ago. She was of the Baptist faith and was employed at Bluff Lanes bowling alley. She enjoyed bowling and crocheting...

After their lead had been cut to single digits early in the second half, the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules pulled away for good with a run led by a senior on Senior Night. Marissa Webb scored eight straight points to start a 19-3 swing as Poplar Bluff beat Doniphan 68-32 at Peters Gym...

GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Helen R. Bennett, 89, of Greenville, Mo., died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She was born Jan. 24, 1923 in Adams, Tenn. As a child, the family lived in Tennessee and Illinois. She was like most kids born in her era, the highest level of education was the eighth grade. ...

Ray Edward Null DEXTER, Mo. -- Ray Edward Null, 26, of Dexter, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Null was born on July 17, 1985, in Mounds, Ill. He had lived in Dexter most of his life and had worked at Mid Continental Nail in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Ella Pry BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Ella Jane Abernathy Pry, 99, of Bloomfield, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at her residence. She was born Nov. 30, 1912, in the Ardeola Community in Stoddard County, Mo. Mrs. Pry had lived in the Bloomfield area most of her life. She attended the Bell City United Pentecostal Church...

Everett Baker Everett L. Baker, 85, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Baker was born June 25, 1926, in Corning, Ark. He attended Southside Assembly of God and had retired from Wayne County. Mr. Baker enjoyed spending time with his family, cattle ranching and working...

Edd Hanger VAN BUREN, Mo. ­-- Edd Hanger of Van Buren, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, in Cape Girardeau Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren.

Rose Mary Rushing DEXTER, Mo. -- Rose Mary Rushing, 82, of Oxford, Mich., formerly of Dexter, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012. Mrs. Rushing was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace. She worked for Clinton Valley Center in Pontiac, Mich., for 24 years and at POH for 10 years. She liked to crochet, but most of all she loved her family, they were everything to her...

LESTERVILLE -- Clearwater hit the free-throw line in the fourth quarter Thursday night in the Black River League Tournament semifinals and pulled out a squeaker over Van Buren. Freshman McKenzie Brinkley hit a couple key free throws to put Clearwater up for good in the fourth quarter and the Lady Tigers were 7-for-9 in the frame as they held on for a 49-48 win...

Hazel Roach GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Hazel M. Roach, 79, of Lodi, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012. She was born Oct. 24, 1932, at Shook, Mo. Mrs. Roach attended schools in Wayne County and in St. Louis, Mo., before graduating from Greenville High School in 1949...

Valrie E. Ward Valrie Elizabeth Ward went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012. She will be dearly missed by her family. Her family was blessed to have her for 92 wonderful years. Valrie loved and served the Lord her whole life. Valrie was employed by Delmonte as a machine operator. She enjoyed working in her yard, gardening, visiting the sick, reading her bible, cooking and spending time with her grandchildren...

Anees Ahmad Shaikh Dr. Anees Ahmad Shaikh, 51, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center He was born Sept. 17, 1960, in Pakistan and had previously lived in Minnesota. Dr. Shaikh was surrounded by his loving and caring family and by his friends when he went to be with his God and angels. He was a very, very peaceful...

If you've already ordered your favorite Girl Scout Cookies, they're here and delivery has begun! If you missed the first round or would like more, don't worry. From now until March 11, girls will continue to sell Girl Scout cookies through direct sales, including door-to-door and at booths outside local merchants...

The Twin Rivers High School February Students of the Month for ninth grade is Kasey Morgan Kelley. Kelley is the daughter of Keith and Cyndi Kelley. She is a member of student council and FCCLA. Kelley enjoys cheering, reading, listening to music, hanging out with friends and going to football games. After graduation, she plans to go college to become a pediatrician...

Sharon Westmoreland Sharon Westmoreland, 81, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at her residence. She was born Sept. 24, 1930. Ms. Westmoreland lived in Patterson, Mo., before moving to Poplar Bluff about 10 years ago. She was of the Baptist faith and was employed at Bluff Lanes bowling alley. She enjoyed bowling and crocheting...

COLUMBIA -- Matt King shook off a shaky start and his opponent Thursday in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 3 state championships. The Poplar Bluff freshman overcame an early takedown to score 11 straight points in the opening-round match at 106 pounds...

Ray Edward Null DEXTER, Mo. -- Ray Edward Null, 26, of Dexter, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Null was born on July 17, 1985, in Mounds, Ill. He had lived in Dexter most of his life and had worked at Mid Continental Nail in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Ella Pry BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Ella Jane Abernathy Pry, 99, of Bloomfield, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at her residence. She was born Nov. 30, 1912, in the Ardeola Community in Stoddard County, Mo. Mrs. Pry had lived in the Bloomfield area most of her life. She attended the Bell City United Pentecostal Church...

Everett Baker Everett L. Baker, 85, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Baker was born June 25, 1926, in Corning, Ark. He attended Southside Assembly of God and had retired from Wayne County. Mr. Baker enjoyed spending time with his family, cattle ranching and working...

Edd Hanger VAN BUREN, Mo. ­-- Edd Hanger of Van Buren, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, in Cape Girardeau Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren.

Rose Mary Rushing DEXTER, Mo. -- Rose Mary Rushing, 82, of Oxford, Mich., formerly of Dexter, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012. Mrs. Rushing was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace. She worked for Clinton Valley Center in Pontiac, Mich., for 24 years and at POH for 10 years. She liked to crochet, but most of all she loved her family, they were everything to her...

Hazel Roach GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Hazel M. Roach, 79, of Lodi, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012. She was born Oct. 24, 1932, at Shook, Mo. Mrs. Roach attended schools in Wayne County and in St. Louis, Mo., before graduating from Greenville High School in 1949...

LESTERVILLE -- Clearwater hit the free-throw line in the fourth quarter Thursday night in the Black River League Tournament semifinals and pulled out a squeaker over Van Buren. Freshman McKenzie Brinkley hit a couple key free throws to put Clearwater up for good in the fourth quarter and the Lady Tigers were 7-for-9 in the frame as they held on for a 49-48 win...

Valrie E. Ward Valrie Elizabeth Ward went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012. She will be dearly missed by her family. Her family was blessed to have her for 92 wonderful years. Valrie loved and served the Lord her whole life. Valrie was employed by Delmonte as a machine operator. She enjoyed working in her yard, gardening, visiting the sick, reading her bible, cooking and spending time with her grandchildren...