Stories from Sunday, July 8, 2012

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Two area men pleaded guilty Friday to weapons related violations and face up to 10 years in federal prison. Todd E. Hurst, 41, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., pleaded guilty to one felony court of possession of a machine gun before U.S. District Judge Carol E. Jackson, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Butler County authorities are seeking the rightful owners of a large quantity of property they recovered after the recent arrest of five local residents suspected of being involved in a string of burglaries. The seven burglaries, as well as one theft, occurred primarily in and around the Fisk, Mo., and Rombauer, Mo., areas on June 27, according to Butler County Lt. Brian Evans...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor The first weekend of the 2012 Butler County Fair brought out hundreds of area residents to compete for a chance to take home a trophy for being best in events ranging from barrel racing to barbecue cooking. The 10-day fair continued Friday night at Ray Clinton Park with about 200 barrel racers competing into the wee hours. Others tried their hands at tossing washers and horseshoes...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Two area men pleaded guilty Friday to weapons related violations and face up to 10 years in federal prison. Todd E. Hurst, 41, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., pleaded guilty to one felony court of possession of a machine gun before U.S. District Judge Carol E. Jackson, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Butler County authorities are seeking the rightful owners of a large quantity of property they recovered after the recent arrest of five local residents suspected of being involved in a string of burglaries. The seven burglaries, as well as one theft, occurred primarily in and around the Fisk, Mo., and Rombauer, Mo., areas on June 27, according to Butler County Lt. Brian Evans...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor The first weekend of the 2012 Butler County Fair brought out hundreds of area residents to compete for a chance to take home a trophy for being best in events ranging from barrel racing to barbecue cooking. The 10-day fair continued Friday night at Ray Clinton Park with about 200 barrel racers competing into the wee hours. Others tried their hands at tossing washers and horseshoes...

Leland and Ruth Duncan of Poplar Bluff, Mo., will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a reception hosted by their children and grandchildren from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 22 at Fellowship General Baptist Church, 5581 N. Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff...

Helen Kneir of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Wayne Dever of Van Buren, Mo., were married Sunday, June 24, 2012. Rev. Doyle Mitchell, brother-in-law of the bridegroom, performed the double-ring ceremony which was held at the Bluff City Apostolic Worship Center in Poplar Bluff...

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Mo. 734 met at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 27 at the First Presbyterian Church, corner of Oak and Main Streets. Leader Linda Morgan presided. In attendance were 19 TOPS and four KOPS members. Lou Ann Wrather read the secretary's report which was approved as submitted...

Stella Hicks MALDEN, Mo. -- Stella Mae Hicks, 96, of Malden, Mo., died Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at Golden Living Center in Malden. Mrs. Hicks was born June 11, 1916, in Reeds Spring, Mo. She was a member of Landmark Pentecostal Church in Malden. She was married to Clarence Hicks. He preceded her in death...

Debra Williams Debra "Debbie" Williams, 57, of St. Louis, Mo., daughter of Lois (Shirley) Williams of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, July 5, 2012, at St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake St. Louis, Mo. Arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff...

Joanne Jarrell DEXTER, Mo. -- Joanne O. Jarrell, 70, of Bloomfield, Mo., died Thursday, July 5, 2012, at her residence. Mrs. Jarrell was born March 11, 1942, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She had lived in the Bloomfield area most of her life. On April 15, 1960, she was married to Billy G. Jarrell in Bloomfield...

By BILL O'REILLY CAPE FEAR, N.C. -- So the plan was this: Take seven urchins, ages 3 to 17, on an old-fashioned vacation without high-tech gizmos. A noble intent, correct? Well, you know what they say about good intentions. The road to hell is paved with them...

By REG HENRY Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Slowly I turned, step by step, inch by inch." Students of humor will associate this line with some of the founding clowns of American comedy, such as Lou Costello and the Three Stooges. These famous words were spoken in a skit about a cheated husband who was moved to fury by the mention of Niagara Falls. Yes, it's funny what sets some people off...

By GEORGE F. WILL CHICAGO -- The title of the nation's largest labor union -- the National Education Association -- seems calculated to blur the fact that it is a teachers union. In this blunt city, however, the teachers union candidly calls itself the Chicago Teachers Union. Its office is in the Merchandise Mart, a gigantic architectural Stonehenge, which resembles a fortress located on the Chicago River, which resembles a moat. Which is appropriate...

Lindsey Dianne Robertson and Shawn Michael Woodsmall, both of Columbia, Mo., were married at 5 p.m., Saturday, June 2, 2012, at The Club at Old Hawthorne, Columbia, Mo. Rev. Dennis Swearingin of Columbia Mo., officiated at the double ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Glen and Linda Robertson of Columbia. The bridegroom is the son of Kurt and Sonya DiCiro of Poplar Bluff, Mo. and the late Steven Woodsmall...

Area residents wanting to learn first hand about the responsibilities and duties of a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper will have the chance to do so by attending a Community Alliance Program this fall at Troop E in Poplar Bluff, Mo. The mission of the Community Alliance Program is to provide personal interaction between area citizens and the patrol. It is designed to allow the public to learn more about the patrol's purpose and role within the law enforcement community...

Billie Ward Billie June Ward, 83, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, July 5, 2012 at her residence. Mrs. Ward was born Feb. 9, 1929, in Campbell, Mo. She was a charter member of Memorial Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, and taught the women's Sunday school class. ...

Brad Chronister set a course record Saturday morning against a record-size field in the Butler County Fair 5K race. Chronister ran the 3.1-mile course in 15-minutes, 14-seconds to win the race and break the previous course mark by 57 seconds. Shawna Till was the top female finisher in 21:37...

Sherrill Kramer Sherrill "Dare" Kramer, 67, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, July 5, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Kramer was born Dec. 18, 1944, in Poplar Bluff. She formerly resided in St. Louis, Mo, and was of the Nazarene faith. Mrs. Kramer was a member of the Altrusa Club and retired from Southwestern Bell. She enjoyed reading, word search puzzles, shopping, flower gardening and traveling...

Helen Wilson WHITEWATER, Mo. -- Helen Ruth Wilson, age 80, died surrounded by the love of her family Friday, July 6, 2012, at the Chaffee Nursing Center. Mrs. Wilson was born on May 6, 1932, in Puxico, Mo., to the late James Ervin and Anna Frances Westbrook Maples. ...

After walking on four straight pitches, the runner stole second and third with ease. When the next pitch found the backstop instead of the catcher's mitt, the runner broke for home and scored in a heap of dust. Of the 14 runs to cross the plate in the game, eight came this way. In the end, there were only two hits and four balls put in play out of 23 batters...

CHARLESTON -- A little break from the action is just what the Poplar Bluff offense needed. Following a 20 minute delay after a fan was hit with a foul ball, the Thunder exploded for five runs in the bottom of the third. Poplar Bluff then held off the New Madrid Quake 9-6 in the opening round of the double-elimination Senior Babe Ruth state tournament Saturday at Hillhouse Park...

Raymond McGath Raymond Lloyd McGath, 93, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, July 6, 2012, at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. McGath was born June 8, 1919, in New Madrid, Mo., and was of the Baptist faith. A resident of Poplar Bluff since 1948, he had retired after 30 years from Missouri Natural Gas Co. ...

Marshall Rankin CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Marshall Mack Rankin, 84, of Benton, Mo., formerly of Cape Girardeau, Mo., beloved husband, father and grandfather, went to be with Jesus July 6, 2012 at his home surrounded by family. Mr. Rankin was born Sunday, Oct. 30, 1927, in St. Louis, Mo, to the late Willis Edgar and Myrtle (Clayton) Rankin. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II and served in the U.S...

Leland and Ruth Duncan of Poplar Bluff, Mo., will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a reception hosted by their children and grandchildren from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 22 at Fellowship General Baptist Church, 5581 N. Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff...

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Mo. 734 met at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 27 at the First Presbyterian Church, corner of Oak and Main Streets. Leader Linda Morgan presided. In attendance were 19 TOPS and four KOPS members. Lou Ann Wrather read the secretary's report which was approved as submitted...

Stella Hicks MALDEN, Mo. -- Stella Mae Hicks, 96, of Malden, Mo., died Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at Golden Living Center in Malden. Mrs. Hicks was born June 11, 1916, in Reeds Spring, Mo. She was a member of Landmark Pentecostal Church in Malden. She was married to Clarence Hicks. He preceded her in death...

Joanne Jarrell DEXTER, Mo. -- Joanne O. Jarrell, 70, of Bloomfield, Mo., died Thursday, July 5, 2012, at her residence. Mrs. Jarrell was born March 11, 1942, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She had lived in the Bloomfield area most of her life. On April 15, 1960, she was married to Billy G. Jarrell in Bloomfield...

By BILL O'REILLY CAPE FEAR, N.C. -- So the plan was this: Take seven urchins, ages 3 to 17, on an old-fashioned vacation without high-tech gizmos. A noble intent, correct? Well, you know what they say about good intentions. The road to hell is paved with them...

By GEORGE F. WILL CHICAGO -- The title of the nation's largest labor union -- the National Education Association -- seems calculated to blur the fact that it is a teachers union. In this blunt city, however, the teachers union candidly calls itself the Chicago Teachers Union. Its office is in the Merchandise Mart, a gigantic architectural Stonehenge, which resembles a fortress located on the Chicago River, which resembles a moat. Which is appropriate...

By REG HENRY Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Slowly I turned, step by step, inch by inch." Students of humor will associate this line with some of the founding clowns of American comedy, such as Lou Costello and the Three Stooges. These famous words were spoken in a skit about a cheated husband who was moved to fury by the mention of Niagara Falls. Yes, it's funny what sets some people off...

Lindsey Dianne Robertson and Shawn Michael Woodsmall, both of Columbia, Mo., were married at 5 p.m., Saturday, June 2, 2012, at The Club at Old Hawthorne, Columbia, Mo. Rev. Dennis Swearingin of Columbia Mo., officiated at the double ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Glen and Linda Robertson of Columbia. The bridegroom is the son of Kurt and Sonya DiCiro of Poplar Bluff, Mo. and the late Steven Woodsmall...

Area residents wanting to learn first hand about the responsibilities and duties of a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper will have the chance to do so by attending a Community Alliance Program this fall at Troop E in Poplar Bluff, Mo. The mission of the Community Alliance Program is to provide personal interaction between area citizens and the patrol. It is designed to allow the public to learn more about the patrol's purpose and role within the law enforcement community...

Brad Chronister set a course record Saturday morning against a record-size field in the Butler County Fair 5K race. Chronister ran the 3.1-mile course in 15-minutes, 14-seconds to win the race and break the previous course mark by 57 seconds. Shawna Till was the top female finisher in 21:37...

CHARLESTON -- A little break from the action is just what the Poplar Bluff offense needed. Following a 20 minute delay after a fan was hit with a foul ball, the Thunder exploded for five runs in the bottom of the third. Poplar Bluff then held off the New Madrid Quake 9-6 in the opening round of the double-elimination Senior Babe Ruth state tournament Saturday at Hillhouse Park...

Billie Ward Billie June Ward, 83, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, July 5, 2012 at her residence. Mrs. Ward was born Feb. 9, 1929, in Campbell, Mo. She was a charter member of Memorial Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, and taught the women's Sunday school class. ...

Sherrill Kramer Sherrill "Dare" Kramer, 67, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, July 5, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Kramer was born Dec. 18, 1944, in Poplar Bluff. She formerly resided in St. Louis, Mo, and was of the Nazarene faith. Mrs. Kramer was a member of the Altrusa Club and retired from Southwestern Bell. She enjoyed reading, word search puzzles, shopping, flower gardening and traveling...

Helen Wilson WHITEWATER, Mo. -- Helen Ruth Wilson, age 80, died surrounded by the love of her family Friday, July 6, 2012, at the Chaffee Nursing Center. Mrs. Wilson was born on May 6, 1932, in Puxico, Mo., to the late James Ervin and Anna Frances Westbrook Maples. ...

After walking on four straight pitches, the runner stole second and third with ease. When the next pitch found the backstop instead of the catcher's mitt, the runner broke for home and scored in a heap of dust. Of the 14 runs to cross the plate in the game, eight came this way. In the end, there were only two hits and four balls put in play out of 23 batters...

Raymond McGath Raymond Lloyd McGath, 93, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, July 6, 2012, at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. McGath was born June 8, 1919, in New Madrid, Mo., and was of the Baptist faith. A resident of Poplar Bluff since 1948, he had retired after 30 years from Missouri Natural Gas Co. ...