Stories from Sunday, July 29, 2012

A Piedmont, Mo., was sentenced for unlawful possession of a firearm. The United States Attorney's Office announced today that William Nathan Singleton, 38, was sentenced to 24 months on one felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer A 2007 Poplar Bluff High School graduate is starting to make her mark in show business, recently landing a role in a nationally televised Burger King commercial. Chelsea Edmundson, 23, first started acting in junior high, performing in "The Music Man." In high school, however, she had difficulty landing roles...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor High winds downed trees and power lines, causing power outages in and around Poplar Bluff Friday night. "Approximately half the town was without lights," said Bill Bach, general manager of Municipal Utilities. "We had 16 linemen working last night."...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - One of the top threats to Missouri's hundreds of thousands of ash trees has extended its reach beyond the existing quarantine area. The Emerald Ash Borer has killed more than 50 million U.S. ash trees in the last 10 years and researchers have now found signs of the invasive insect near Kansas City as well as signs of an expanding population in southern Missouri...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer An Iraq native and his wife are now offering high quality cuisine in Dexter, Mo. Dhafer Al-Makuter and his wife, Melissa, opened Dhafer's Mediterranean Steakhouse just over a year ago in old downtown Dexter. Al-Makuter was born near Baghdad, Iraq. In 1991, his family fled the country when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait...

A Piedmont, Mo., was sentenced for unlawful possession of a firearm. The United States Attorney's Office announced today that William Nathan Singleton, 38, was sentenced to 24 months on one felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer An Iraq native and his wife are now offering high quality cuisine in Dexter, Mo. Dhafer Al-Makuter and his wife, Melissa, opened Dhafer's Mediterranean Steakhouse just over a year ago in old downtown Dexter. Al-Makuter was born near Baghdad, Iraq. In 1991, his family fled the country when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait...

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 SYD HAYMAN Staff Writer Division of Youth Services schools in Southeast Missouri will hold a graduation for GED certificate and high school diploma recipients at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, at the Bess Activity Center at Three Rivers College. Students from facilities in New Madrid, Mo., Sikeston, Mo., Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Poplar Bluff, Mo., will be recognized...

Sierra Summer Spradling of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Bradley Allen Elliott of Doniphan, Mo. were married on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Big Spring in Van Buren, Mo. Rev. Danny Miller performed the double-ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Jacquie and Bill Ward of Poplar Bluff...

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 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday. Lunch will be provided...

By OLIVER NORTH GEORGETOWN, S.C. -- When Alexander the Great died at the age of 32 in 323 B.C., his once unbeatable army began a 2,900-mile withdrawal from India and headed home to Macedonia. As they retreated, the empire they had created collapsed behind them. ...

By DAN K. THOMASSON Scripps Howard News Service My oldest granddaughters can vote for president for the first time -- one as a 21-year-old who wasn't 18 in 2008 and the other who is 19. They belong to a group of young Americans who worry less these days about politics and more about their post-college futures -- futures filled with the need to pay off hefty student loans with fewer opportunities to do so...

Grayson and Dollie Markham announce the engagement of their daughter Jessica Markham to Justin Deffendall, son of David and Tonyi Deffendall. The bride to be graduated from Greenville High School and then graduated from Three Rivers College with an Associates of Arts degree. She is currently employed by Sears Youth Center as a youth specialist...

Dick and Barbara Brumitt of Doniphan, Mo., will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. They were married Aug. 8, 1952 at the Doniphan United Methodist Church by Rev. Otto Dvorak. Witnesses were Caroline Funk, matron of honor, and Bob Brumitt, best man and the bridegroom's brother. They have lived in Ripley County since 1959...

Maria Elizabeth Baltz and Joseph Raymond Pohlman, both of Oklahoma City, Okla., were married at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 2, 2012, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Pocahontas, Ark. Father John Marconi performed the double-ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Bernard and Eva Baltz, Jr., of Poplar Bluff, Mo...

PARAGOULD, Ark. (AP) -- An Arkansas man who shot a police officer during a traffic stop last year, then coldly shot him in the face while he was pleading for his life, was sentenced to death on Saturday. Jerry Lard was convicted Thursday of capital murder, and a Greene County judge agreed with the jury that the 38-year-old should die for killing Trumann police officer Jonathan Schmidt in April 2011...

PHOTOS AVAILABLE Carla and Earve Aldridge, lifelong residents of Poplar Bluff, Mo., celebrated their 50th anniversary on July 20, 2012, while on a Caribbean cruise. Upon their return, they renewed their vows on Saturday, July 28, at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross where they have been members for 48 years. ...

By BILL O'REILLY Fifty years ago, in the summer of 1962, America was a far different place from what it is today. President John Kennedy was presiding over Camelot, and despite fouling up the invasion of Cuba, his approval rating hovered at around 80 percent. Unemployment was 5.2 percent with the average family income at $6,000 a year...

Unhappy cops are snagging speeders I think it's pretty sad when the city police don't have anything to do but sit on the side streets and try to catch people speeding. Thank you. Zapping skeeters I don't live in Poplar Bluff. I used to, but I've moved out of it, but I was reading Speak Out today, Sunday. ...

Together with their families, Teresa Ann Pilcher of Ankeny, Iowa, and Matthew Donald Shelton of Poplar Bluff, Mo., announce their engagement. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Barbara Pilcher of Ankeny, and the late Ronald Pilcher. Shelton is the son of Donnie and Debbie Shelton of Poplar Bluff...

Donna Arnold CAMPBELL, Mo. -- Donna Arnold, 60, of Piggott, Ark., died Saturday, July 28, 2012, in the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. Funeral arrangements are pending with Landess Funeral Home of Campbell, Mo.

Robert Belmar PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Robert Curtis Belmar, 51, of Brunot, Mo., died Friday, July 27, 2012. Funeral arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont, Mo. Condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com

Helen Crowley PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Helen L. Crowley, 83, of Piedmont, Mo., died Friday, July 27, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Crowley was born Jan. 10, 1929, at St. Louis, Mo., and had lived in the Piedmont area for many years. She had worked for the International Hat Factory and Brown Shoe Company in Piedmont. She was of the Baptist faith...

Eileen Pitts Eileen Pitts, 66, of Sikeston, Mo., died Friday, July 27, 2012, in Sikeston. Mrs. Pitts was born Aug. 21, 1945, in St. Louis, Mo. She had lived most of her life in Poplar Bluff, moving to Sikeston three years ago. She was of the Pentecostal faith and was baptized at Sportsman's Park. She enjoyed fishing...

Leonard Borton BELLEVILLE, Ill. -- C. Leonard Borton, 62, of Freeburg, Ill., died peacefully on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at home, surrounded by the family. Mr. Borton was born April 7, 1950, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in architecture and from the University of Colorado with a Master of Science degree in civil engineering. ...

Connie Dale DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Connie Roy Dale, 70, of Doniphan, Mo., died Friday, July 27, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Dale, son of Rector Allen and Emma May (Rackley) Dale, was born May 11, 1942, in Oregon County, Mo. He was a lifelong resident of Ripley County. ...

In the obituary for Dr. Robert Watson Myrant which was published Wednesday, the names of two of the surviving nephews were incorrect. The nephews should have been listed as Roger Hogg, Danny Hogg, Eddie Hick II and Donald Hicks, all of Poplar Bluff...

Brazillie French LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Brazillie French, 92, of Maumelle, Ark., went to be with the Lord, Friday, July 27, 2012. She was born on May 31, 1920, in Success, Ark., to the late Edward Franklin Bush and Eliza Ellen Bush. She was married to Raymond Ralph French Sr. on Oct. 3, 1942...

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Lareda Jo Barks, 72, of Piedmont, Mo., died on Wednesday, July 25, 2012, in O'Fallon, Mo. Mrs. Barks was born on Feb. 25, 1940, in Gideon, Mo., to Cecil Arlen Byers and Grace Estelle (Gregory) Byers. On Nov. 25, 1983, she was united in marriage to Ronald David Barks. ...

Earl Miller DEXTER, Mo. -- Earl Miller, 87, of Dexter, Mo., died Friday, July 27, 2012, in Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Miller was born on Dec. 15, 1924, in Dexter. He had lived all of his life in Dexter. He had worked for the Worley Implement Co. - John Deere dealer for 32 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was a member of the Dexter V.F.W. for 65 years...

Neelyville's Caela Petty had a positive end to her softball career. Petty, who is not currently signed anywhere for college softball, got the game-winning hit for Kelso Supply as it beat First Missouri State Bank 3-2 in eight innings in the third annual Three Rivers softball All-Star game Saturday at Rains Field...

Fred Lasater DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Frederick William "Fred" Lasater, 92, of Gatewood, Mo., died Thursday, July 26, 2012, at the Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains, Mo. Mr. Lasater was born Jan. 13, 1920, in Lindsay, Neb. He had been a truck driver for Reed Oil Company in Doniphan, Mo. Mr. Lasater was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served during World War II. He enjoyed farming, reading and being with his grandchildren...

Gary Douglas Gary Richard Douglas, 52, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died unexpectedly Thursday, July 26, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Douglas was born Jan. 18, 1960, in Cairo, Ill. He had retired from the U.S. Air Force, and during his 20 years of service had received an Air Force Achievement Medal with 2 devices, Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 device, Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 devices, Air Force Training Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with 5 devices, Air Force Overseas Tour Ribbon with 2 devices, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force BMT Honor Graduate Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon with 1 device, NATO Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 2 devices, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 5 devices, and Armed Forces Service Medal.. ...

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...

PHOTOS AVAILABLE Carla and Earve Aldridge, lifelong residents of Poplar Bluff, Mo., celebrated their 50th anniversary on July 20, 2012, while on a Caribbean cruise. Upon their return, they renewed their vows on Saturday, July 28, at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross where they have been members for 48 years. ...

By BILL O'REILLY Fifty years ago, in the summer of 1962, America was a far different place from what it is today. President John Kennedy was presiding over Camelot, and despite fouling up the invasion of Cuba, his approval rating hovered at around 80 percent. Unemployment was 5.2 percent with the average family income at $6,000 a year...

By SYD HAYMAN Staff Writer Division of Youth Services schools in Southeast Missouri will hold a graduation for GED certificate and high school diploma recipients at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, at the Bess Activity Center at Three Rivers College. Students from facilities in New Madrid, Mo., Sikeston, Mo., Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Poplar Bluff, Mo., will be recognized...

Unhappy cops are snagging speeders I think it's pretty sad when the city police don't have anything to do but sit on the side streets and try to catch people speeding. Thank you. Zapping skeeters I don't live in Poplar Bluff. I used to, but I've moved out of it, but I was reading Speak Out today, Sunday. ...

Together with their families, Teresa Ann Pilcher of Ankeny, Iowa, and Matthew Donald Shelton of Poplar Bluff, Mo., announce their engagement. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Barbara Pilcher of Ankeny, and the late Ronald Pilcher. Shelton is the son of Donnie and Debbie Shelton of Poplar Bluff...

Robert Belmar PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Robert Curtis Belmar, 51, of Brunot, Mo., died Friday, July 27, 2012. Funeral arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont, Mo. Condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com

Connie Dale DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Connie Roy Dale, 70, of Doniphan, Mo., died Friday, July 27, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Dale, son of Rector Allen and Emma May (Rackley) Dale, was born May 11, 1942, in Oregon County, Mo. He was a lifelong resident of Ripley County. ...

Leonard Borton BELLEVILLE, Ill. -- C. Leonard Borton, 62, of Freeburg, Ill., died peacefully on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at home, surrounded by the family. Mr. Borton was born April 7, 1950, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in architecture and from the University of Colorado with a Master of Science degree in civil engineering. ...

Eileen Pitts Eileen Pitts, 66, of Sikeston, Mo., died Friday, July 27, 2012, in Sikeston. Mrs. Pitts was born Aug. 21, 1945, in St. Louis, Mo. She had lived most of her life in Poplar Bluff, moving to Sikeston three years ago. She was of the Pentecostal faith and was baptized at Sportsman's Park. She enjoyed fishing...

Earl Miller DEXTER, Mo. -- Earl Miller, 87, of Dexter, Mo., died Friday, July 27, 2012, in Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Miller was born on Dec. 15, 1924, in Dexter. He had lived all of his life in Dexter. He had worked for the Worley Implement Co. - John Deere dealer for 32 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was a member of the Dexter V.F.W. for 65 years...

Gary Douglas Gary Richard Douglas, 52, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died unexpectedly Thursday, July 26, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Douglas was born Jan. 18, 1960, in Cairo, Ill. He had retired from the U.S. Air Force, and during his 20 years of service had received an Air Force Achievement Medal with 2 devices, Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 device, Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 devices, Air Force Training Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with 5 devices, Air Force Overseas Tour Ribbon with 2 devices, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force BMT Honor Graduate Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon with 1 device, NATO Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 2 devices, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 5 devices, and Armed Forces Service Medal.. ...

Helen Crowley PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Helen L. Crowley, 83, of Piedmont, Mo., died Friday, July 27, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Crowley was born Jan. 10, 1929, at St. Louis, Mo., and had lived in the Piedmont area for many years. She had worked for the International Hat Factory and Brown Shoe Company in Piedmont. She was of the Baptist faith...

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...