Stories from Sunday, April 8, 2012

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - A Bloomfield toddler died late Friday afternoon after she was struck by a vehicle at her rural Bloomfield residence. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, two-year-old Hali M. Rice was struck by a 2004 Pontiac driven by 20-year-old Jason R. Fields, also of Bloomfield, as Fields was backing from the toddler's residence on Highway E about one mile east of Bloomfield...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer The Poplar Bluff Police Department recently completed a rigorous review process, seeking accreditation only 4 percent of law enforcement agencies receive nationwide. Assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) arrived in Poplar Bluff, Mo., last Sunday to review 190 standards for the department's policies, procedures, management, operations and support services...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs had a long-time goal recently fulfilled when his department reinstated its canine program. "I was the last canine officer (when) we ended the program in about 2003," and after nearly a 10-year absence, "our canine program is back up and running, which has been a long-time goal of mine," Dobbs said...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer A night of drinking ended the day before Easter with two men dead in the Black River and a Poplar Bluff, Mo., woman jailed on suspicion of manslaughter. Joshua Phelps, 25, of Poplar Bluff and Jason Carrington, 29, of Malden, Mo., drown in a submerged vehicle shortly after a one-vehicle accident at 4 a.m. Saturday, Butler County Coroner Jim Akers said...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - A Bloomfield toddler died late Friday afternoon after she was struck by a vehicle at her rural Bloomfield residence. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, two-year-old Hali M. Rice was struck by a 2004 Pontiac driven by 20-year-old Jason R. Fields, also of Bloomfield, as Fields was backing from the toddler's residence on Highway E about one mile east of Bloomfield...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer The Poplar Bluff Police Department recently completed a rigorous review process, seeking accreditation only 4 percent of law enforcement agencies receive nationwide. Assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) arrived in Poplar Bluff, Mo., last Sunday to review 190 standards for the department's policies, procedures, management, operations and support services...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer A night of drinking ended the day before Easter with two men dead in the Black River and a Poplar Bluff, Mo., woman jailed on suspicion of manslaughter. Joshua Phelps, 25, of Poplar Bluff and Jason Carrington, 29, of Malden, Mo., drown in a submerged vehicle shortly after a one-vehicle accident at 4 a.m. Saturday, Butler County Coroner Jim Akers said...

RVers fill camp sites Me and my wife this weekend decided to go out to Redman Creek because it's the opening weekend for camping. Now mind you, me and my wife are avid campers and we're the kind who like to rough it. You know, tents, portable camping stove. ...

By SHARON RANDALL Scripps Howard News Service Despite what my husband and children may tell you, I am not what you'd call hard to please. But I do have a love-hate relationship with one thing: My hair. I wish you could see it. What do I love about it? It grows fast. What do I hate about it? Everything else...

WASHINGTON -- Passover and Easter -- intrinsically linked in the Jewish and Christian traditions -- are being celebrated this weekend. For observant Jews, Passover commemorates the Hebrews' liberation from slavery under Egypt's Pharaoh. For faithful Christians, Easter is a celebration of Jesus' resurrection from the grave and the fulfillment of a new covenant between God and man. ...

Rick and Harriet Crayton of Poplar Bluff, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Shannon Maurice Crayton of Kentwood, Mich., to Ben Allen Huseby of Jenison, Mich. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of Kirby and Debbie Huseby of Grand Rapids, Mich...

Nicholas and Linda Ketchum of Springfield, Ill., announce the engagement of their daughter, Halley Ketchum of Bronx, N.Y., to Steven Pierce of Astoria, N. Y. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of Kathy and Larry Pierce of Poplar Bluff, Mo. The bride-to-be is a 2008 graduate of Webster University and is currently a PhD candidate in bio-medical sciences at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx...

More than $3.4 million in prizes of $1,000 or more were awarded to Missouri Lottery players during March. Thousands of other prizes of less than $1,000 also were awarded during the month. Area winners of $1,000 or more in March include the following:...

CAAW (The Cultural Arts Alliance, Wayne Ozark Region, Inc.) announces it will be accepting entries for the area's Third Annual Spring Art Show. The show will take place at 1019 N. Main St. in Piedmont, Mo., from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, May 4; from 11-6 Saturday, May 5; and Sunday, May 6 by appointment. (Art Show location is the former Lantern Restaurant)...

The Genealogy Society of Butler County met March 22 in the Snider Room at the Twin Towers. President June Allen called the meeting to order. There were 29 members and guest present. Both the secretary's and the treasurer's reports were approved as read. ...

Volunteers who tirelessly work to improve the community will be honored during National Volunteer Week, April 15-21. The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center will host a National Volunteer Week ceremony at noon Friday, April 20, at the American Legion Hall on Kanell Boulevard...

Malden, Mo. resident and Clarkton C-4 administrator Doug Thornton has accepted the position as an administrator in the Fordland School District in Fordland, Mo. He will begin his duties as the elementary principal on Aug. 1, 2012. Doug Thornton is an alumni of Malden R-1 Schools and taught in the Malden R-1 Schools and taught in the Malden R-1 School System from 1983-1994. ...

PUXICO, Mo. -- Kay Underwood, 61, of McGee, Mo., died Saturday, April 7, 2012, at her home. Arrangements are pending with Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico.

Michael Loyd FISK, MO. - Michael Larry Loyd, 66, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, April 7, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Loyd was born May 23, 1945 at Poplar Bluff and had been a resident of the area most of his life. He had formerly worked at Ames True Timber in Bernie, Mo. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and horses...

William "Bud" Lourance William "Bud" Lourance, 81 of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, April 7, 2012 at the Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Betty Akers, 73, of Piedmont died Friday, April 6, 2012, in St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. A visitation is planned for 6 p.m. Monday at Ruegg Funeral Home Chapel in Piedmont. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Huff Cemetery, rural Iron County, Mo...

MALDEN, MO. -- Robin Michelle Willcut, 29, of Arnold, Mo., died Friday, April 6, 2012, at St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis, Mo. Miss Willcut was born Aug. 22, 1982, in Dallas, Texas. She was Baptist. Survivors include her mother, Frances Aurelie Montoya Willcut of Arnold; four brothers, Jerry Willcut of Puxico, Mo., Robert Willcut of Crestview, Fla., Steven Willcut of Wailuku, Hawaii and Bradley Willcut of Arnold; one sister, Melissa Woollums of Crestview, Fla.; several nieces and nephews.. ...

DONIPHAN, MO. -- Norman William Smith, 87, of Doniphan, Mo., died Thursday, April 5, 2012, at Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Mr. Smith was born Feb. 26, 1925, in Oregon County, Mo. He was a contractor/farmer. Mr. Smith enjoyed fishing and traveling and was a member of the United Methodist Church. He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Carter Hall #3 during World War II...

The Poplar Bluff football team will have something extra to play for each week next fall. With the new MSHSAA playoff system in place, teams will earn seeds for a district bracket based on performance through the nine-week regular season. The district assignments were released by MSHSAA last weekend, with the Mules again landing in Class 5 District 1 with two new opponents...

JACKSON -- Nick Pattillo ran down two wins and helped Poplar Bluff's 400-meter relay to victory Saturday at the Jackson Invitational. Pole vaulter Austin Barousse and 2-miler Allison Huskey also won while the Lady Mules closed in on a school record in the 400-relay as both Poplar Bluff teams placed fourth...

FENTON -- Marissa Burroughs continued her offensive hot streak as she netted every goal for Poplar Bluff at the Parkway Showcase over the weekend at the A-B Soccer Park. But her three goals just wasn't quite enough against a couple of quality teams...

COOTER -- Twin Rivers split two games Saturday, beating Rivercrest (Ark.) 9-2 before losing to Cooter 8-0. The Royals (6-4) trailed 2-0 after four innings against Cooter. Joe Foster and Mike Snider each drove in two runs against Rivercrest while Cade Lowe was 2-for-4 and Foster had three hits...

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Rallie M. Sharp, 83, a lifelong resident of Piedmont, Mo., died Thursday, April 5, 2012, at Clark's Mountain Nursing Center, Piedmont, Mo. She was born May 9, 1928, to Roy Lee Darden and Tressie (Henson) Darden, in Piedmont. She was of the Baptist faith and was baptized in her teen years. She was a high school graduate and had one year of college. Right out of high school she worked at the shirt factory in Piedmont...

More than $3.4 million in prizes of $1,000 or more were awarded to Missouri Lottery players during March. Thousands of other prizes of less than $1,000 also were awarded during the month. Area winners of $1,000 or more in March include the following:...

Rick and Harriet Crayton of Poplar Bluff, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter...

Nicholas and Linda Ketchum of Springfield, Ill., announce the engagement of their daughter, Halley Ketchum of Bronx, N.Y., to Steven Pierce of Astoria, N. Y. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of Kathy and Larry Pierce of Poplar Bluff, Mo. The bride-to-be is a 2008 graduate of Webster University and is currently a PhD candidate in bio-medical sciences at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx...

CAAW (The Cultural Arts Alliance, Wayne Ozark Region, Inc.) announces it will be accepting entries for the area's Third Annual Spring Art Show. The show will take place at 1019 N. Main St. in Piedmont, Mo., from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, May 4; from 11-6 Saturday, May 5; and Sunday, May 6 by appointment. (Art Show location is the former Lantern Restaurant)...

The Genealogy Society of Butler County met March 22 in the Snider Room at the Twin Towers. President June Allen called the meeting to order. There were 29 members and guest present. Both the secretary's and the treasurer's reports were approved as read. ...

Malden, Mo. resident and Clarkton C-4 administrator Doug Thornton has accepted the position as an administrator in the Fordland School District in Fordland, Mo. He will begin his duties as the elementary principal on Aug. 1, 2012. Doug Thornton is an alumni of Malden R-1 Schools and taught in the Malden R-1 Schools and taught in the Malden R-1 School System from 1983-1994. ...

DONIPHAN, MO. -- Norman William Smith, 87, of Doniphan, Mo., died Thursday, April 5, 2012, at Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Mr. Smith was born Feb. 26, 1925, in Oregon County, Mo. He was a contractor/farmer. Mr. Smith enjoyed fishing and traveling and was a member of the United Methodist Church. He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Carter Hall #3 during World War II...

DEXTER, Mo. -- James Thomas Woods, 70, of Puxico, Mo. died Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at his residence in Puxico. He was born on Sept. 17, 1941 in Shaw, Miss. Mr. Woods was a veteran of the United States Army, a pastor and a farmer. In December of 1967 he was married to Lucye Brantley in Cleveland, Miss. Mrs. Woods survives of their home in Puxico...

PUXICO, Mo. -- Kay Underwood, 61, of McGee, Mo., died Saturday, April 7, 2012, at her home. Arrangements are pending with Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico.

William "Bud" Lourance William "Bud" Lourance, 81 of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, April 7, 2012 at the Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Betty Akers, 73, of Piedmont died Friday, April 6, 2012, in St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. A visitation is planned for 6 p.m. Monday at Ruegg Funeral Home Chapel in Piedmont. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Huff Cemetery, rural Iron County, Mo...

MALDEN, MO. -- Robin Michelle Willcut, 29, of Arnold, Mo., died Friday, April 6, 2012, at St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis, Mo. Miss Willcut was born Aug. 22, 1982, in Dallas, Texas. She was Baptist. Survivors include her mother, Frances Aurelie Montoya Willcut of Arnold; four brothers, Jerry Willcut of Puxico, Mo., Robert Willcut of Crestview, Fla., Steven Willcut of Wailuku, Hawaii and Bradley Willcut of Arnold; one sister, Melissa Woollums of Crestview, Fla.; several nieces and nephews.. ...

The Poplar Bluff football team will have something extra to play for each week next fall. With the new MSHSAA playoff system in place, teams will earn seeds for a district bracket based on performance through the nine-week regular season. The district assignments were released by MSHSAA last weekend, with the Mules again landing in Class 5 District 1 with two new opponents...

FENTON -- Marissa Burroughs continued her offensive hot streak as she netted every goal for Poplar Bluff at the Parkway Showcase over the weekend at the A-B Soccer Park. But her three goals just wasn't quite enough against a couple of quality teams...

JACKSON -- Nick Pattillo ran down two wins and helped Poplar Bluff's 400-meter relay to victory Saturday at the Jackson Invitational. Pole vaulter Austin Barousse and 2-miler Allison Huskey also won while the Lady Mules closed in on a school record in the 400-relay as both Poplar Bluff teams placed fourth...