Stories from Thursday, July 12, 2012

By SYD HAYMAN Staff Writer The first reunion for alumni of J. Minnie Smith Elementary School will be held next month in Poplar Bluff, Mo. The reunion will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at Linc Park. The thought of a reunion occurred when former Poplar Bluff resident Betty Taylor saw many elementary school classmates absent from a high school reunion...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Two Poplar Bluff, Mo., residents were sentenced to prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to a lesser charge in connection to unrelated March armed robberies. Gregory Gene Jones, 31, of the 200 block of East Midland and Reyna Estrelita Kibo-Gue, 29, of the 900 block of Park each pleaded guilty to the Class B felony of second-degree robbery, according to Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor GATEWOOD, Mo. -- Jack (Skip) Johnson of Gatewood, Mo., has decided to challenge state Rep. Steve Cookson in the Nov. 6 general election. Johnson filed as an Independent candidate with the Missouri Secretary of State's office in Jefferson City, Mo., Tuesday...

By SYD HAYMAN Staff Writer The first reunion for alumni of J. Minnie Smith Elementary School will be held next month in Poplar Bluff, Mo. The reunion will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at Linc Park. The thought of a reunion occurred when former Poplar Bluff resident Betty Taylor saw many elementary school classmates absent from a high school reunion...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Two Poplar Bluff, Mo., residents were sentenced to prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to a lesser charge in connection to unrelated March armed robberies. Gregory Gene Jones, 31, of the 200 block of East Midland and Reyna Estrelita Kibo-Gue, 29, of the 900 block of Park each pleaded guilty to the Class B felony of second-degree robbery, according to Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor GATEWOOD, Mo. -- Jack (Skip) Johnson of Gatewood, Mo., has decided to challenge state Rep. Steve Cookson in the Nov. 6 general election. Johnson filed as an Independent candidate with the Missouri Secretary of State's office in Jefferson City, Mo., Tuesday...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

By PAUL DAVIS Outdoors Editor Duck hunters in Missouri just might have something to look forward to this fall after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a report last week showing estimated duck population numbers were at an all-time record high of 48.6 million birds...

Nineteen teams fished the Current River Smallmouth Association's tournament last Saturday at Doniphan, Mo. Some good weights were recorded, with Gary and Billy Towner bringing in their five-fish limit, which weighed 10.50 pounds. Norman and Wayne Kindrick were close behind the winning team as their string weighed 10.45 pounds, which was good for second place. Curtis Black and Mike Allison were third with 9.67 pounds...

By FRANK CAMPA Mo. Dept. of Conservation Although we have been lucky lately in certain areas to receive some rainfall, drought is still the hot topic of conversation. While you will commonly hear people talk about their grass being dead, or not having to mow for weeks this summer or of gardens withering, those of us tied to the outdoors more closely as hunters or fishermen not only worry about the immediate or short-term effects, but also long-term effects lasting well beyond the upcoming year or seasons.. ...

Community volunteer Susan McVey has been named to the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, according to a press release from the organization. McVey is the owner of the Susan McVey State Farm Insurance Agency. She serves the Poplar Bluff community on the city council and as mayor pro tem...

I love fresh tomatoes. You should be finding my favorite veggie at local markets. When buying fresh tomatoes, choose firm, smooth tomatoes with good color and no wrinkles or cracks. They should be pleasant smelling and yield to light pressure when squeezed...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN "Iran is not seeking to have the atomic bomb, possession of which is pointless, dangerous and is a great sin from an intellectual and a religious point of view." Thus did supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declare in February that Iran's possession of atomic weapons would be a mortal sin against Allah...

The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business and Technology Development Center have teamed up to offer a series of financial management training courses for small businesses. The training will be held at the chamber in July on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided...

To the Editor, Living in the information age, we hear the ranting and raving of politicians from both sides of the aisle on a daily basis. Many say the vicious tone has never been so bad and others say it only seems that way because the press is so easily accessed in this day and age. ...

US leadership isn't Christian We find once how immoral our leadership really is. It is no surprise to me that Mr. Obama is in favor of same sex marriage. Anyone that is in favor of late term abortion would be in favor of same sex marriage or anything else, no matter how immoral, if it may get votes. ...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- Though overshadowed by the shocking Supreme Court decision on health care, the court's Arizona immigration decision, issued three days earlier, remains far more significant than appreciated. It was generally viewed as mixed or ambiguous because the Justice Department succeeded in striking down three of the law's provisions. ...

CHARLESTON -- Two things that never happened to the Poplar Bluff Thunder this summer occurred Wednesday night and couldn't have come at a worse time. For the first time, the Thunder were shutout and lost consecutive games, ending their season. The Charleston Fighting Squirrels had to win twice on its home field of Hillhouse Park in the championship of the Missouri Senior Babe Tournament and did just that with wins of 11-5 and 9-0 to advance to the regional in Montrose, Colo...

A walk-off win for the title came after each team threw out the potential go-ahead run in the final inning Wednesday night at McLane Park. Mills Iron edged Dynamaxx 4-3 to win the Park Department's Civic League Tournament on Jacob Baller's one-out hit that scored Alex Ketcherside...

With basketball running in his blood lines, Aaron Bidewell is beginning to make his own mark in the coaching profession. Bidewell, who's grandfather was a college referee and father won five state titles as the head coach at Portageville, just finished his first year as a varsity head coach at South Pemiscot...

Wanda Stewart MALDEN, Mo. - Wanda Lee Stewart, 81, of Gideon, Mo., died Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at her residence. Mrs. Stewart was born June 5, 1931, in Trumann, Ark. She attended the Lynn Oak General Baptist Church in Clarkton. She married John R. Stewart Jr., June 24, 1976, in Malden, Mo. He preceded her in death July 12, 1985...

Sophia E. Deason DEXTER, Mo. - Sophia E. Deason, 95, of Dexter, Mo. died Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter, Mo. Mrs. Deason lived in Dexter all of her life. She attended the New Bethel General Baptist Church in Dexter and worked for more than 30 years at the Elders Manufacturing Company...

Linden R. Littrell PIEDMONT, Mo. - Linden R. Littrell of Piedmont, Mo. died July 12, 2012. Arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont, Mo. Condolences: www.rueggfuneralhome.com.

Charles "Junior" White PUXICO, Mo. - Charles "Junior" White, 89, a lifetime resident of Advance, Mo., died Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico...

Gaylon M. Lawrence SIKESTON, MO. - Gaylon M. Lawrence, 78, of Vero Beach, Fla., formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at the Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Born March 15, 1934, in Pollard, Ark., to the late David Monroe and Rita Dees Lawrence, he was a landowner and farmer, with ownership in various other businesses. ...

Carl Bazzell Carl Bazzell, 71, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Bazzell was born July 15, 1940 in Qulin, Mo. He was of the Baptist faith, and had attended Oglesville General Baptist Church in Oglesville, Mo. ...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Nineteen teams fished the Current River Smallmouth Association's tournament last Saturday at Doniphan, Mo. Some good weights were recorded, with Gary and Billy Towner bringing in their five-fish limit, which weighed 10.50 pounds. Norman and Wayne Kindrick were close behind the winning team as their string weighed 10.45 pounds, which was good for second place. Curtis Black and Mike Allison were third with 9.67 pounds...

By PAUL DAVIS Outdoors Editor Duck hunters in Missouri just might have something to look forward to this fall after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a report last week showing estimated duck population numbers were at an all-time record high of 48.6 million birds...

The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business and Technology Development Center have teamed up to offer a series of financial management training courses for small businesses. The training will be held at the chamber in July on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided...

Community volunteer Susan McVey has been named to the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, according to a press release from the organization. McVey is the owner of the Susan McVey State Farm Insurance Agency. She serves the Poplar Bluff community on the city council and as mayor pro tem...

To the Editor, Living in the information age, we hear the ranting and raving of politicians from both sides of the aisle on a daily basis. Many say the vicious tone has never been so bad and others say it only seems that way because the press is so easily accessed in this day and age. ...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN "Iran is not seeking to have the atomic bomb, possession of which is pointless, dangerous and is a great sin from an intellectual and a religious point of view." Thus did supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declare in February that Iran's possession of atomic weapons would be a mortal sin against Allah...

US leadership isn't Christian We find once how immoral our leadership really is. It is no surprise to me that Mr. Obama is in favor of same sex marriage. Anyone that is in favor of late term abortion would be in favor of same sex marriage or anything else, no matter how immoral, if it may get votes. ...

CHARLESTON -- Two things that never happened to the Poplar Bluff Thunder this summer occurred Wednesday night and couldn't have come at a worse time. For the first time, the Thunder were shutout and lost consecutive games, ending their season. The Charleston Fighting Squirrels had to win twice on its home field of Hillhouse Park in the championship of the Missouri Senior Babe Tournament and did just that with wins of 11-5 and 9-0 to advance to the regional in Montrose, Colo...

Wanda Stewart MALDEN, Mo. - Wanda Lee Stewart, 81, of Gideon, Mo., died Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at her residence. Mrs. Stewart was born June 5, 1931, in Trumann, Ark. She attended the Lynn Oak General Baptist Church in Clarkton. She married John R. Stewart Jr., June 24, 1976, in Malden, Mo. He preceded her in death July 12, 1985...

With basketball running in his blood lines, Aaron Bidewell is beginning to make his own mark in the coaching profession. Bidewell, who's grandfather was a college referee and father won five state titles as the head coach at Portageville, just finished his first year as a varsity head coach at South Pemiscot...

Charles "Junior" White PUXICO, Mo. - Charles "Junior" White, 89, a lifetime resident of Advance, Mo., died Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico...

Carl Bazzell Carl Bazzell, 71, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Bazzell was born July 15, 1940 in Qulin, Mo. He was of the Baptist faith, and had attended Oglesville General Baptist Church in Oglesville, Mo. ...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...

Producers are urged to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage, said Aaron Sandlin, Butler County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director...