Stories from Monday, April 23, 2012

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The 33rd Annual Merchants Showcase will bring more than 80 businesses from across the region to Three Rivers College on Friday and Saturday. The entirely student-run event offers residents an opportunity to learn more about the products and services available in the area, including many locally-owned small businesses, explained Kristin Little, showcase executive director and president of its sponsoring group, Collegiate DECA...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry Board are working on expanding operations in Downtown Poplar Bluff, Mo. "We have entered into an option contract to purchase a building at the northwest corner of Broadway and Cedar streets," said Robert Smith, president of the St. Vincent board...

Businessman Doug Libla of Poplar Bluff, a republican candidate for the State Senate District 25 seat, led the candidates in campaign contributions for the quarter ending April 10 with contributions of $117,750. District 162 State Rep. Terry Swinger of Caruthersville, a Democrat, was second in money raised for the quarter with $93,154. District 159 State Rep. Billy Pat Wright of Dexter, a Republican, reported $22,840 in donations for the quarter...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Boys & Girls Club of Poplar Bluff members and staff celebrated the end of a successful year Friday with a proclamation from Mayor Ed DeGaris, designating April 15-21 as Boys & Girls Club Week in Poplar Bluff. The proclamation praised the club for helping to "ensure our young people keep off the streets by offering a safe and supportive place to go and providing them with quality programs." The club also emphasizes character, leadership, education and career, health and life skills, the proclamation reads.. ...

By MONA CHAREN "Where are all the moderate Muslims?" It's a question often posed by Americans who watch with disgust as the Council on American-Islamic Relations and other apologists for radical Islam hog all of the attention. CAIR, which was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the terror financing Holy Land Foundation case, and which regularly denounces any effort to combat radical Islam as anti-Muslim prejudice, is routinely described in the press as a Muslim "civil rights" group...

By BILL O'REILLY Americans are being asked to decide many things this election year, but perhaps the most important is how the United States should take care of its poorest citizens. President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party in general believe that income redistribution is the way to go. Since Obama has been in office, entitlement spending has risen 41 percent to about $1 trillion a year. There are currently an astounding 126 separate anti-poverty programs in place...

After losing the opener, Three Rivers rebounded to win the nightcap and a weekend series over Maple Woods. The Raiders lost the first game 17-2 Sunday before winning the second 4-3 to take three of four over the weekend at Pattillo Field. "The second game, that was huge," Three Rivers coach Stacey Burkey said. "Being able to take three of four from Maple Woods is big for us."...

Promises don't last I'd like to make a statement in regards to our government and all these people that (and I really hope this does get printed), but all these people want to get ours a United States of America to vote for them in office. They're not doin' a whole lot of walkin' the walk. ...

By BETSY HART Scripps Howard News Service Who knew that Brad and Angelina were such traditionalists? OK, I use the term more than a little loosely. But in case you've missed the hype, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are finally, officially, engaged. After seven years together and six children -- three adopted -- I guess it was time. Pitt had said a few years ago that he and Jolie would not get married until everyone could do it -- meaning until same-sex marriage was legalized everywhere...

With two more wins, the Three Rivers Lady Raiders continued reaching towards the record books. The Lady Raiders beat Maple Woods 11-3 and 4-2 Sunday at Rains Field to push their win total to 43, a program high that ties the mark set two seasons ago...

Fifth grader Lauren Mattie-Lenee Courtney, daughter of Sharon and William Harwell and Jason and Amy Courtney, was nominated for Student of the Month by teacher, Kim Miller. Lauren was on B honor roll and has perfect attendance. Her extracurricular activities include: basketball, soccer, going to the river, watching her brother play baseball, running marathons and football, and playing with her dog, Ace...

Grace Carpenter White of Poplar Bluff, Mo., will celebrate her 100th birthday from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at The Manor Nursing Home on Barron Road. She was next to the youngest of the seven children of William and Mollie Carpenter. She married Rev. ...

GREENVILLE -- The Greenville Lady Bears won their own tournament over the weekend beating Clearwater 7-6 in the title game Saturday. Bailey White and Mary Jo Atchison each had two hits for Greenville along with Danielle Stovall who collected two hits as well in the final...

By MONA CHAREN "Where are all the moderate Muslims?" It's a question often posed by Americans who watch with disgust as the Council on American-Islamic Relations and other apologists for radical Islam hog all of the attention. CAIR, which was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the terror financing Holy Land Foundation case, and which regularly denounces any effort to combat radical Islam as anti-Muslim prejudice, is routinely described in the press as a Muslim "civil rights" group...

Grace Carpenter White of Poplar Bluff, Mo., will celebrate her 100th birthday from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at The Manor Nursing Home on Barron Road. She was next to the youngest of the seven children of William and Mollie Carpenter. She married Rev. ...

GREENVILLE -- The Greenville Lady Bears won their own tournament over the weekend beating Clearwater 7-6 in the title game Saturday. Bailey White and Mary Jo Atchison each had two hits for Greenville along with Danielle Stovall who collected two hits as well in the final...