Stories from Monday, July 2, 2012

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor and ROBERT OVERMANN Southeast Missourian Poplar Bluff recorded its first triple-digit 2012 temperature Monday, and five more are predicted in the next seven days. The National Weather Service at Paducah, Ky., predicts temperatures ranging from 100 to 105 Thursday through Monday. There is no rain in the seven-day forecast...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer The Neelyville R-IV school district continued the grant application process for a Federal Emergency Management Agency safe room, approving a Safe Room Local Match Resolution Monday night. If approved, the grant would provide 75 percent of the funds for a safe room. The size of the building is determined by allotting five square feet per person for all campus students and teachers and community members within half a mile...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Jay Nixon today asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA) to conduct damage assessment reports for all 114 Missouri counties to determine the extent of damage to crops and livestock because of the excessive heat and severe drought conditions persisting throughout the state. ...

A recommendation to approve rezoning for a proposed Hampton Inn was adopted by the Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission Monday night. Ozark Hotel Associates, which owns other hotels in Poplar Bluff, would like to build a four-story Hampton Inn at the southwest corner of Westwood Boulevard and Crestwood Drive...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer Neelyville R-IV School District will purchase a 24- by 68-foot mobile classroom to accommodate overcrowding at Hillview, the school board decided Monday night. Board members John French and Carrie Jones were absent. The board compared two bids from Classrooms, Inc., out of Columbia, Mo. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Three Rivers College trustees approved a nearly $2.2 million renovation project Tuesday. It marks the launch of the redesign of the Poplar Bluff campus, as well as efforts to improve student success. Work is expected to begin immediately on the Academic Resources Common at the Rutland Library building, President Dr. ...

Three Rivers College will operate from a budget of more than $22.9 million in Fiscal Year 2013, which begins July 1. Department budgets approved include (approximate): Over $500,000 $568,000 -- Communication and language $790,000 -- Nursing $620,000 -- President's office...

Five Southeast Missouri schools recently were recognized with a Bronze rating in U.S. News & World Report's 2012 list of Best High Schools. Ellsinore, Bernie, Greenville, Malden and Van Buren high schools were among 125 schools in the state to earn the rating. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Three Rivers College Board of Trustees approved during Tuesday's monthly meeting a $22.9 million operating budget for the next fiscal year. The budget contains no planned deficit spending or surplus revenues. President Dr. Devin Stephenson said the budget sets about $166,000 aside for a possible 4 percent withholding in state funds. This was wise, he explained, in light of Gov. Jay Nixon's recent announcement of what amounts to a 1 percent cut for higher education...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor ROMBAUER, Mo. -- Officials from Butler and Stoddard counties met Tuesday with Missouri Department of Transportation personnel on the closed St. Francis River bridge northeast of Rombauer, Mo. They are attempting to determine what can be done to replace the deteriorated wooden piers holding up the bridge approaches or construct a new bridge upstream, according to Butler County Eastern District Commissioner Don Anderson...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor HIRAM, Mo. -- The Missouri State Highway Patrol continues to search for a Wayne County man considered to be armed and dangerous after he allegedly fled during a traffic stop Wednesday afternoon. At about 3:30 p.m., a trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle believed to have been driven by Billy J. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Three of five people convicted in a Southeast Missouri counterfeiting ring were sentenced to federal prison Wednesday. Two local women each will serve five years of probation for their roles in the ring. Darius Alan Robinson, 23, of Huntsville, Ala., was sentenced to two years in prison on two felony counts of passing counterfeit currency; Terry D. ...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Butler County commissioners are planning to purchase three tornado warning sirens for the west side of the county with the help of the Butler County Health Department. The county has 11 sirens in locations outside of Poplar Bluff, Mo., but some areas in western Butler County are not being served...

The longest stretch of 100 degree days in Poplar Bluff, Mo., in many years is starting today. According to the National Weather Service at Paducah, Ky., high temperatures will range from 101 to 103 over six of the next seven days. It might even reach 100 on Tuesday when 99 is predicted...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Butler County authorities believe they are looking for the same man who allegedly robbed a second convenience store at gunpoint Thursday night, making off with a small amount of cash. At about 10 p.m., a white male, with something white tied around his facial area and armed with a handgun, entered the Green Forest Grocery in the 2600 block of Township Line Road, according to Butler County Deputy Bo Skinner's report...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer After a four year absence, Robert "Bob" Case will return as Poplar Bluff Junior High principal. Case was unanimously hired by the R-I Board of Education during a closed session meeting Thursday following the monthly meeting. Board members also extended Superintendent Chris Hon's contract until 2014-15 in a 4-3 vote and acted on other personnel matters...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer As temperatures continue to climb above 100 degrees on a daily basis, residents are urged to take precautions against heat-related illness. Pediatrician Claudia Preuschoff says young children are especially susceptible to the heat...

Local fire officials have not issued a burn ban at this time, but are encouraging area residents not to burn or shoot off fireworks due to the elevated fire danger and drought conditions. "We have not issued a no-burn ban at this time, but we are highly encouraging everybody not to do any burning of any kind," said Butler County Fire Chief Bob Fredwell...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education approved a $44.5 million budget for the fiscal year which begins July 1. The budget was approved as presented during Thursday's monthly meeting. It includes raises for staff, as well as increases in the professional development budget as the district moves toward a one-to-one initiative which will place a tablet or laptop in the hands of all students...

WAPPAPELLO LAKE, Mo. -- State and federal authorities continue to investigate a Thursday afternoon fire, which destroyed the fuel dock and store at Sundowner Marina on Wappapello Lake, as well as one of its pontoon boats. The fire initially was reported to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at about 12:15 p.m., according to James Gracey, assistant operations manager...

GREENVILLE, Mo. -- After allegedly fleeing from officers earlier in the week during a traffic stop, a Wayne County, Mo., man is behind bars today. At about 10 p.m. Thursday, about 20 to 25 members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and its SWAT team, the Wayne County Sheriff's Department and SEMO Drug Task Force arrested Billy J. Hancock, according to Trooper Clark Parrott...

The Department of Health and Senior Services lists numerous cooling centers in the Southeast Missouri area: n Campbell: Campbell Senior Center, 110 S. Ash St., 573-246-2329 n Dexter: Dexter Senior Center, 23 W. Stoddard St., 573-624-7234 n Doniphan: Doniphan Senior Center, 715 Washington St., 573-996-3070...

SEMO News Service SIKESTON, Mo. - A 19-year-old Sikeston man is dead after suffering multiple gunshot wounds early Saturday morning. The Sikeston Department of Public Safety responded around 2:15 a.m. Saturday to a report of gunshots in the 800 block of William Street...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The prolonged heat wave set a new Downtown Poplar Bluff temperature record of 109 for June 29 -- the second highest ever in June and 19 degrees above normal. According to the National Weather Service at Paducah, Ky., Friday is tied with four other days for the third highest temperature in Downtown Poplar Bluff...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer It was where former city council member Harold Tinsley met the girl who would be his wife as a fourth grader in 1937. The place where almost 20 years later Judge W. Dean Million would be inspired by a sixth grade teacher to reach for the stars...

By SYD HAYMAN Staff Writer The Butler County Fair will kick off with a parade on Wednesday, July 4. This year's theme is, "There is Country in the Air at the Butler County Fair." Lineup for the parade will start at 8 a.m. at the Seven Peaks Water Park parking lot, formerly known as Bluff Falls. The parade begins at 9 a.m...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer In its 75 years, the original two-story Eugene Field Elementary building educated as many as four generations of some area families and countless children. In a little more than a day, its brick and mortar was reduced to rubble as Poplar Bluff School District finally says goodbye to the structure. It has been mostly empty for the past three years, since a new 18-classroom building was completed...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Gov. Jay Nixon today ordered the activation of the State Emergency Operations Center in response to fires and a prolonged period of record heat and low precipitation across Missouri. The governor also ordered the Missouri National Guard to ready the assets and resources it would need to support firefighting operations in Missouri. This Missouri Division of Fire Safety is assisting with the coordination of resources...

Absentee voting for the Aug. 7 primary election began today in Missouri. Those planning to be away on Aug. 7 may cast an absentee ballot in the office of Butler County Clerk Tonyi Deffendall from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 4 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 6...

By SYD HAYMAN Staff Writer Rodeo supporters and newcomers can cheer on riders and bucking bulls at the Butler County Fair Bullfest and view the Fair's fireworks display afterward on Wednesday. The Bullfest competition will be at 7 p.m. at Ray Clinton Park...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Firefighting has entered the digital age at Three Rivers College with new technology designed to educate the public about fire extinguishers. The system uses digital flame generation and sensor technology to demonstrate proper fire extinguisher technique, explained Public Safety Institute Curriculum/Lab Coordinator Gary Pride. It is entirely portable and the college expects to use it as a teaching tool at businesses, factories and schools throughout the region...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Butler County authorities are working around the clock to find the man they believe allegedly robbed a third convenience store at gunpoint Sunday night, making off with an undetermined amount of money. At 8:16 p.m., a silent alarm went off at Village Express in the 4800 block of West Boulevard, according to Butler County Lt. Brian Evans...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- After reviewing the videotaped deposition of a young boy and the documentation filed in the case against his alleged attacker, a Stoddard County judge ordered a Dudley, Mo., teenager to stand trial Monday on 10 sodomy charges...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A convicted drug smuggler from Naylor, Mo., was sentenced to more than a year in federal prison Monday afternoon for providing false statements to federal officials in an attempt to fraudulently obtain pilot credentials and continuing to fly even though his license was revoked...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man faces a maximum of life in federal prison after pleading guilty earlier this week to conspiring to distribute crack cocaine in Dunklin County and elsewhere. Hinton Gilmer Jr., 61, pleaded guilty as charged Monday afternoon to one felony count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base before U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr., according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hahn...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Firefighters from multiple departments in Stoddard County battled fires along the Union Pacific Railroad tracks south of Dexter Tuesday afternoon. The fires threatened homes and businesses between Dexter and Bernie, Mo., and resulted in the temporary closure of Highway 25 and one eastbound lane of U.S. 60. One firefighter also suffered minor burns while battling the fires...

Lavonda Derganc NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Lavonda Joyce Derganc, 58, of Nashville, Tenn., formerly of Harviell, Mo., died Thursday, June 7, 2012, at her residence. Miss Derganc was born on Sept. 9, 1953, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She graduated from Neelyville High School, attended Three Rivers College and graduated from David Lipscomb University in Nashville with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration. ...

Jack Welsh Jack R. Welsh, 71, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, June 23, 2012, in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Welsh was born May 2, 1941, in Doniphan, Mo. He was a long-time resident of Poplar Bluff. He enjoyed fishing, working with children, and teaching baseball. ...

John Dunz John W. Dunz, 86, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, June 23, 2012, at Poplar Bluff. He was born June 18, 1926, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He was a long-time resident of Poplar Bluff. He was of the Catholic faith. Mr. Dunz was the owner and operator of Dunz Service Station. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He enjoyed flying airplanes, and art work made of glass...

LeRoy Callanan SIKESTON, Mo. -- LeRoy Callanan, 65, of Diehlstadt, Mo., died Saturday, June 23, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Callanan was born Oct. 12, 1946, in Chicago, Ill. He was formerly of Chicago. On March 1, 2000, he married Dorothy Tripp at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She survives...

Marvin Hale PUXICO, Mo. -- Marvin A. Hale, 88, of Wappapello, Mo., died Saturday, June 23, 2012, at his home. Mr. Hale was born Jan. 13, 1924, in Rombauer. He was of the Baptist faith, and a member of the Puxico VFW and American Legion. A U.S. Army veteran, he served in World War II. He had worked as a farmer, which he enjoyed...

Maxine McMahon MALDEN, Mo. -- Maxine McMahon, 97, of Clarkton, Mo., died Saturday, June 23, 2012, at her home. Mrs. McMahon was born Feb. 12, 1915, in Marble Hill, Mo. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Clarkton, serving as the organist for many years. She was also a teacher for many years...

Dist. 1 water board meets Tuesday night The Butler County Public Water Supply District 1 will have a board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the district office. Agenda items include project updates, Black River Medical Center, the new Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and 12-inch water line extension...

Beunah Hutchcraft DEXTER, Mo. -- Beunah Hutchcraft, 90, of Dexter, Mo., died Monday, June 25, 2012. Funeral arrangements are pending with Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Della Hayes PALM CITY, Fla. -- Della Irene Hayes, 89, of Jensen Beach, Fla., died Sunday, June 24, 2012, at Treasure Coast Hospice, Harper House in Stuart, Fla. Mrs. Hayes was born in McAlester, Okla. A former resident of Poplar Bluff, Mo., she had lived in Jensen Beach for 30 years. ...

Charles Teachenor OVERLAND, Mo. -- Charles E. Teachenor, 80, of Fagus, Mo., died Monday, June 25, 2012. Surviving are his daughter, Stephenia Anne Crowder; one brother, James Teachenor; and one sister, Barbara Baxter. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday followed by the funeral at 1 p.m. in Ortmann Funeral Home, 922 Lackland Road, Overland, Mo...

They always get the benefit of the doubt, these America haters -- from our enemies, of course. But also from our celebrities, our "mainstream" press and other organs of liberal opinion. The case of Julian Assange, would-be scourge of America, is depressingly typical -- if slightly surprising because the administration he sought to embarrass and discredit was Obama's. There's discomfiting news about Assange, which we'll get to, but first, a review...

By DAN K. THOMASSON Scripps Howard News Service It's not unusual for a sitting president to blame his predecessor for the nation's ills, particularly when it comes to the economy. The Democrats ran against Herbert Hoover for decades. Franklin Roosevelt, his successor, survived three elections on the strength of that, despite the fact he had little success in turning things around until war loomed...

By OLIVER NORTH WASHINGTON -- According to press reports from sycophants in the mainstream media, Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin had a productive, 2-hour, private meeting of the minds during the G-20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico. Don't believe it. The Obama-Putin meeting did indeed last two hours. ...

Jerry Blagg MALDEN, Mo. -- Jerry Blagg, 60, of Holcomb, Mo., died Monday, June 25, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Bradshaw Funeral Home of Malden is in charge of arrangements.

Egypt election turns US policy on its head By ANNE GEARAN AP National Security Writer WASHINGTON (AP) -- The election of an Islamist president in Egypt is turning longstanding U.S. policy in the Mideast inside out: The Obama administration is relieved that the candidate representing three decades of close partnership with the United States lost...

For one night at least, Thunder was much more powerful than a Quake. The Poplar Bluff Thunder Senior Babe baseball team dominated the New Madrid Quakes by scores of 12-1 and 15-1 Monday evening at Strenfel Memorial Field. The two wins over New Madrid were a couple of the Thunder's best looking ones over the past couple weeks...

After more than two months, the Poplar Bluff Mules have a new boys basketball coach. The Poplar Bluff R-I school board unanimously approved hiring Three Rivers men's assistant coach Will Durden on Monday night. "I am really excited about the opportunity," Durden said. "It is something that I always wanted to do is be a head coach and run my own thing and help the kids understand how I played...

Phyllis Tucker Phyllis Darlene Tucker, 63, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died June 24, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Tucker was born Sept. 10, 1948, in Benton Charter Township, Mich. She previously lived in Alton, Mo., and was a homemaker. She enjoyed bingo and fishing...

Lauren Ward has been named the 2012 recipient of the Clyde and Marglie Libla Scholarship, which honors the parents of David, Doug, and the late Larry Libla. This scholarship is awarded annually to the son or daughter of an employee of Mid Continent Steel & Wire, Inc...

First Missouri State Bank has been recognized as an "MBA Century Bank" by the Missouri Bankers Association (MBA). Chartered in 1912, First Missouri State Bank is one of 134 Missouri banks that have reached or surpassed the 100 year milestone. Bank President Larry Potter, accepted the award at the 122nd Missouri Bankers Association Annual Convention...

Jack Lomax Jr. DONIPHAN, Mo. -- John Wilburn "Jack" Lomax Jr., 94, of Doniphan, Mo., died Friday, June 22, 2012, at Cedargate Nursing Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Lomax was born April 8, 1918, in Chinook, Mont. He was raised in Pine, Mo. Mr. Lomax was a retired plumber and a member of the Church of Christ in Doniphan...

"Even if it could be demonstrated unequivocally that [public flogging and hand branding] were not cruel and unusual measures in 1791 ... I doubt whether any federal judge -- even among the many who consider themselves originalists -- would sustain them against an Eighth Amendment challenge."...

By MONA CHAREN Anne-Marie Slaughter's eye-catching Atlantic article, "Why Women Still Can't Have It All," is being greeted with a certain reverse snobbery. We've been reminded that the choices and challenges of women with advanced degrees are hardly typical and not the sort of thing that should divert us from the problems of the middle class...

To the Editor, On behalf of the 350+ members of the Boys & Girls Club of Poplar Bluff, I would like to thank our wonderful community in making the Taste of the Town a tremendous success. Through the tireless efforts of many we were able to raise over $32,000 that will greatly help our mission: To enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, caring citizens. ...

Take out trash I want to comment on the Bane situation with Mitt Romney, please. Mr. Obama keeps bringing up the Bane Corporation about Mitt Romney and slamming it in the face. Mr. Romney left the Bane Corporation in 1999. The union got involved so much that Bane couldn't afford to pay the cost and interest and everything else that they were demanding. ...

Phillip Russell PUXICO, Mo. -- Phillip A. Russell, 60, of Puxico, Mo., died Tuesday, June 26, 2012, in Puxico Nursing and Rehab. Mr. Russell was born Aug. 6, 1951, in Orange County, Calif. He previously lived in Pennsylvania before moving to Missouri in 1994. He was self-employed in refrigeration. He enjoyed computers...

Russ Busby Russ Busby, 49, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at his residence. A Masonic Service will begin at 5:45 p.m. Friday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff with visitation following until 8 p.m. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in the funeral chapel with Pastor Danny Collins officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff...

Steven Morelan PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Steven George Morelan, 58, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, June 25, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Morelan was born on Aug. 10, 1953, to the late Van Morelan and the late Mary Rose Garrett. He was employed as line labor for an implement handle shop...

Beunah Hutchcraft DEXTER, Mo. -- Beunah Hutchcraft, 90, of Dexter, Mo., died Monday, June 25, 2012, in the Golden Living Center in Dexter. Mrs. Hutchcraft was born on April 26, 1922, in Bernie, Mo. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Dexter. She worked as a housekeeper at Doctor's Hospital in Poplar Bluff and as a sales clerk at Stovall's Department Store in Dexter...

Many home gardeners are finding that zucchini, marrow, crookneck, straightneck, and pattypan squash are ready to harvest. People seem to love this veggie; it has been eaten for about 10,000 years. Squash is related to cucumbers and melons. Summer squash is picked when it's very young, from 2 to 7 days after flowering. Both summer squash skin and seeds are tender enough to be edible. This type of squash is very perishable and will not keep for very long...

Cale Edward Barnfield PUXICO, Mo. -- Cale Edward Barnfield, 4 days, died Sunday, June 24, 2012, at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. The infant was born June 20, 2012, at the St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Surviving are his parents, Martin and Lisa Barnfield of Puxico, Mo.; two brothers, Alec Martin Barnfield and Brody Lee Barnfield and two sisters, Paige Barnfield and Brooke Barnfield, all of Puxico; maternal grandparents, Larry and Shirley Elledge Crank of Puxico; paternal grandparents, Troy and Pansy Cox Barnfield of Puxico; one uncle; one aunt; two cousins; and other relatives and friends.. ...

Earline Sentell QULIN, Mo. -- Earline Sentell, 81, of Qulin, Mo., died Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at her residence. Mrs. Sentell was born March 28, 1931 in Wardell, Mo. She had lived at Qulin since 2005 and had lived around Neelyville most of her life. She was a member of Osborn General Baptist Church and had formerly worked at Basler Electric at Corning, Ark. She enjoyed playing the piano, gardening and painting...

The Poplar Bluff Thunder used all its offense in the first game of a doubleheader and settled for a split. After beating Chaffee 9-4 by collecting seven hits, the Thunder had just two hits in the second game as they lost 8-2 Tuesday at Strenfel Memorial Field...

Seven members of the Cane Creek Community Club met in the Altrusa Room at Twin Towers on Wednesday, June 13. Glenda Phillips, president, opened the meeting with the thought for the day: "My father didn't tell me how to live, he lived, and let me watch him do it," by Clarence Budington Kellard...

Registration for the Fall 2012 semester is open now at Three Rivers College, and students are strongly encouraged to finish the financial aid application process by Monday, July 2. College employees report that the Bess Student Center is always busiest the week before class begins for the traditional Fall semester in August, but that students should not wait that late to sign up...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN Sixteen months after the United States abandoned its loyal satrap of 30 years, President Hosni Mubarak, to champion democracy in Egypt, the returns are in. Mohammed Morsi, candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood, is president of Egypt, while the military has dissolved the elected parliament that was dominated by the Brotherhood, and curbed his powers...

Celeste Holden DEXTER, Mo. -- Iva Celeste Holden, 82, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Home in Dexter. Mrs. Holden was born on Sept. 10, 1929, in Rombauer, Mo. She was a resident of Dexter and attended First Baptist Church in Dexter. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS In President Barack Obama's 2012 State of the Union address, he said that "higher education can't be a luxury. It is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford." Such talk makes for political points, but there's no evidence that a college education is an economic imperative. ...

By JOE JEREK Mo. Dept. of Conservation JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri deer hunters can apply online for managed deer hunts beginning July 1. More than 6,000 hunters will have a chance to participate in 99 managed hunts from mid-September through January...

Sixteen teams fished the Current River Smallmouth Association's His and Hers tournament last Saturday with some good weights brought in to the weigh station. The Roberson team won first place with 10.97 pounds. Their stringer included the big bass of the day, one that weighed 2.97 pounds...

By DALE McFEATTERS Scripps Howard News Service In 2010, the state of Oklahoma outlawed "sharia," the legislators knowing nothing about it except that it had something to do with Muslim law, its supporters knowing of no instances where it had been invoked in the state, and, indeed, the state had only 15,000 Muslims...

Bruce Schlater PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Bruce Lindell Schlater, 46, of Centralia, Mo., died Sunday, June 24, 2012. Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Friday at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel...

Russ Busby Russ Busby, 49, of Dexter, Mo., died Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at his residence. Mr. Busby was born June 23, 1963 in Altus, Okla., and attended Calvary Baptist Church in Dexter, Mo. Mr. Busby previously owned and operated a drywall and insulation business in Dexter, and was a former rural mail carrier in Doniphan, Mo. ...

Jerry Blagg Sr. MALDEN, Mo. -- Jerry Lynn Blagg Sr., 60 of Holcomb, Mo., died Monday, June 25, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Blagg was born May 25, 1952, in Kennett, Mo. He was of the Baptist faith. He was married to Linda Darlene Denton. She survives of Cardwell, Mo...

By JOHN PRATT Mo. Dept. of Conservation During the summer, there are a number of things that can cause you to be uncomfortable in the outdoors. Among them are plants that can make us miserable. Today, we are going to examine one type of vegetation that many of us are familiar with...

By PAUL DAVIS Outdoors Editor LINN CREEK, Mo. -- Heading to Linn Creek's trapshooting complex for the Scholastic Clay Target Program state championships earlier this month, members of Poplar Bluff High School's trap team knew they had an uphill battle ahead of them...

After two successful years at Three Rivers College, forward Tarius Johnson has found his new home. Johnson, who averaged a Region XVI-leading 20.2 points per game this past season, recently committed to Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Ky. "I feel like Eastern Kentucky was the best fit for me," Johnson said. "I took the visit and liked everything and the coaching staff...

Russ Busby -- Dexter, Mo. Jerry Blagg Sr. -- Holcomb, Mo. Bruce Schlater -- Piedmont, Mo.

Poplar Bluff native Marcus Pattillo dreamed as a child of making it some day in professional baseball. • He was around the game at a very young age being the son of legendary Three Rivers College coach, the late Roger Pattillo. "Growing up it was like every kid's dream," Marcus said. "I wanted to play professionally."...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Sam A. Baker State Park near Patterson is one of the first state parks in Missouri to provide free wireless internet at its campgrounds for guests and visitors. The service is currently available at only 11 state parks, with more to be added throughout the summer...

ROLLA, Mo. - Mark Twain National Forest is restricting open fires due to heightened fire danger, drought conditions and continued hot, dry weather forecast for the next few weeks. Mark Twain National Forest Acting Forest Supervisor Teresa Chase said no open fires are permitted except within campfire rings or pedestal grills located in developed recreation areas such as campgrounds and picnic areas...

Experience the rolling St. Francois Mountains while rolling down the highway during the Bikers at Baker event Sept. 7-9 at Sam A. Baker State Park in Wayne County. The first Missouri State Parks motorcycle poker run and tour will feature a weekend of fun, food and music and a chance to see some of Missouri's most scenic state parks and historic sites...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN In 1948, Arthur Schlesinger Sr. wrote for Life magazine a controversial article on a subject that has been the cause of spirited and acrimonious debate ever since. He listed the consensus of our academic elite as to which American presidents had been Great, Near Great, Average, Below Average and Failures...

Stand up for God Yes, please, for America's sake, let Christians stand for what and how God will honor us and let us stand and honor Him for eternal life. We are told what will happen, the alternative choice. This could make a wonderful opportunity to profess Christ as our savior. This is the ultimate question God will ask-what did you do for My son? Thank you very much. Love. Bye...

The Tractor Pull of the Butler County Fair will be held on Thursday, July 12 at Ray Clinton Park's pull track. Jeff Dunlap, tractor chairperson, and Derek Boyers, co-chairman, expect 40-60 tractors to compete in the hot farm classes which begins at 7 p.m. and is presented by the Bootheel Tractor Pullers. The tractors will be from Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, and Arkansas according to Dunlap...

By SHAY ALDERMAN SEMO News Service Conservative lawmakers in Southeast Missouri decried Thursday's 5-4 Supreme Court ruling upholding most of the key provisions of President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act, suggesting that action is needed to address rising health care costs, but the current law isn't the right solution...

David Findlow -- Maynard, Ark. Paul Dees -- Dexter, Mo.

Paul Fox is eager to start the next phase of his baseball career. Fox, who has been the lefty ace for the Bloomfield Wildcats, recently signed his letter of intent to play for Stacey Burkey and the Three Rivers Raiders next season. "This is very exciting," Fox said. "I am really excited about coach (assistant coach Joe) Scarano and coach Burkey and new teammates and everything...

By REG HENRY Pittsburgh Post-Gazette This may sound like bad news, but it isn't: My house has lately been destroyed. Everywhere one looks, wreckage, ruin and signs of domestic upheaval are an affront to the fastidious eye. Cheerios have fallen on the kitchen floor, with a flash of color provided by smashed raspberries. Expert ninjas couldn't invade the house without crunching or squishing their way to premature discovery...

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) MO 734 members held their weekly meeting at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 20 at the First Presbyterian Church. Two KOPS and 14 TOPS members were in attendance. The secretary's report was read and approved. This week's best loser was Kim Joyner, TOPS, and Mary Lou McPherson, KOPS...

Registrations are being taken for the annual Pollard Picnic, which will be held Saturday, July 14 at Pollard, Ark. Fried chicken dinners, music, baseball games, games for children, and beauty pageants will highlight the picnic. The pageant committee announces the following events:...

The Missouri Star Quilters' June 14 meeting was called to order by President Teresa Rueck. The minutes for May were approved as published. The treasurer gave her report. Committee reports: Hospitality: Next month Cheryl Maples and Teresa Rueck volunteered to bring refreshments. Thanks to all members for the delicious Salad Supper before the meeting. A group of great quilters and wonderful cooks, a combination that can't be beat...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- It's the judiciary's Nixon-to-China: Chief Justice John Roberts joins the liberal wing of the Supreme Court and upholds the constitutionality of Obamacare. How? By pulling off one of the great constitutional finesses of all time. ...

By CONNIE CASS Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) -- Free vaccines for kids, cheaper drugs for the elderly and many other benefits of President Barack Obama's health care law are already out there. More are coming, like a guaranteed right to buy health insurance even for patients with serious medical troubles. Many businesses and wealthy taxpayers, however, will see their costs go up...