Stories from Friday, August 30, 2013

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The Poplar Bluff City Council approved a slightly higher city tax rate Wednesday on a 4-1 vote. Mayor Ed DeGaris, Susan McVey, Robert Smith and Betty Absheer voted "yes" while Angela Pearson cast the only "no" vote. Johnny Brannum and Loyd Pearson were absent...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Dexter, Mo., man infected with the virus that causes AIDS remains in jail on $250,000 cash bond after being charged this week with exposing another man to HIV through unprotected sex and prompting public health concerns in Stoddard County...

By RON SMITH Prospect-News Staff Writer DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Two women told the Ripley County Sheriff's Department they were trying to buy methamphetamine last week when they were robbed, beaten and left stripped of their clothing after dark along a county road east of Doniphan...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The Missouri Department of Transportation hosted members of the Missouri/Kansas Chapter of the American Concrete Pavement Association during a bus tour of projects in Southeast Missouri Wednesday. Viewing the pouring of concrete for a new section of U.S. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Three Rivers College expects to open by June its long awaited new entrance from Shelby Road. The Board of Trustees approved a resolution at Wednesday's monthly meeting accepting a deed from Dr. Richard Camp for approximately 2 acres needed to construct what will become a city street...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation has scheduled a Sept. 18 meeting in Cape Girardeau for public comment on protecting Missouri deer. According to a news release issued by the agency, the meeting will focus on chronic wasting disease, or CWD. Current research suggests CWD has been found in captive and free-ranging deer in north-central Missouri...

Okra can be preserved many ways Many home gardeners are still pickin' okra. Did you know that this veggie belongs to the hibiscus and cotton plant family? It most likely came from Africa and is enjoyed in soups and stews. Lots of people, like my daughter, love fried okra. Some people even enjoy pickled okra. Recently I've had several requests for pickling directions...

By FRANK CAMPA Mo. Dept. of Conservation The new version of Missouri's hunter education certification is off and running, at least in Butler County. Monday evening was the first practical session held, and it went very well. Thanks to a lot of foot work, planning and several experienced volunteer staff, it went really well...

By PAUL DAVIS Outdoors Editor Hunting squirrels, or anything for that matter, never is a sure thing, but when you step into the woods with a group calling itself the "Official Timber Chicken Team," you get a little fuzzy feeling, thinking you have a fighting chance to kill a few...

The Designing Women Foundation (DWF) has granted four college scholarships totalling $3,000 to area women. Amy Walden, 18, a 2013 graduate of Poplar Bluff High School, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship by the foundation. Walden, who racked up a 3.8 grade point average for her senior year, has been accepted at the Kansas City Art Institute for classes this fall; she will study animation, digital media and motion graphics. ...

The Butler County Genealogy Society met Aug. 22 at the First Methodist Church on Main Street with 26 members and guests present. Vice president, Paula Allen, introduced the guest speaker, Barbara Rexroat, who used Ancestry.com to show how to find ancestors in hometown histories and newspapers. This was the final program in Mrs. Rexroat's two-part series...

Please return death notices Will this paper please put the death notices and regional gas prices back on the front page? (EDITOR'S NOTE: Done.) Give God a phone break I wonder why some people even bother to go to church. They come to church with their little iPhone-whatever-it-is they bring, all through Sunday school and all through services, they're on their little phone checking their e-mails or on the internet, or whatever it is they're doing. ...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama's foreign policy dream -- cordial relations with a Middle East tranquilized by "smart diplomacy" -- is in a death grapple with reality. His rhetorical writhings illustrate the perils of loquacity. He has a glutton's rather than a gourmet's appetite for his own rhetorical cuisine, and has talked America to the precipice of a fourth military intervention in the crescent that extends from Libya to Afghanistan...

To the Editor: A few years ago, I received a phone call requesting my complicity to replace income tax on large corporations with a sales tax. After a long conversation, the caller requested I state my opinion on this proposed legislation. I told him, as a small businessman, I was opposed to this because it would take money away from my customers to give it to large businesses. My answer was such a shock, he incredulously asked, "Is this Kenneth Michel of Poplar Bluff?" and immediately hung up...

By KATHLEEN PARKER MOUNTAINTOP, N.C. -- If opinions differ on Miley Cyrus' raunchy performance during MTV's recent Video Music Awards, on one thing we all can agree: Miley loves her tongue. Throughout her lively exhibition, the 20-year-old former Disney starlet and erstwhile Hannah Montana was busy extending her gustatory hydrostat. It is a healthy tongue, indeed, and as tongues go, Cyrus is justified in being proud of hers...

MO TOPS 347 met Aug. 22 at the Palace of Praise in Poplar Bluff. The meeting was called to order by the chairperson. Those attending stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. The TOPS Pledge was repeated, and the song The More We Get Together was sang. Roll call was held by each member answering with "loss" or "gain." Best loser for the week was Rhonda Jeffries. ...

Patricia Damewood of Poplar Bluff, Mo. is the Missouri State Society Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot of the Month for August, announces Chapter Regent Brenda Yarbro. Missouri DAR recognizes living American veterans who have served or currently are serving in the armed forces of the United States, including active duty or military reserves. ...

Merlin Dobbs Merlin Ervin Dobbs, 75, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Dobbs was born Nov. 14, 1937, in Poplar Bluff. He was a member of the First Church of God and was a bridge carpenter. ...

Imogene Schlater PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Alene Imogene Schlater, 85, of Patterson, Mo., died Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013, at Clark's Mountain Nursing Center in Piedmont. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Patterson Cemetery. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhome.com...

Coming off a 5-5 season and returning a senior-heavy starting lineup, the Poplar Bluff Mules look very much like the team they face Friday night to open the 2013 season. Union also finished 5-5 last year but lost just two starters -- none on offense -- from a team that opened with a 33-0 loss to the Mules in coach Erick Webster's debut...

Helen Henson GIDEON, Mo. -- Helen Lorene Henson, 96, of Gideon died Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, at her residence. Ms. Henson was born Jan. 11, 1917, in White Oak, Mo. She was a member of Bethel Assembly of God Church in Gideon. She married James Ben Henson on Oct. 28, 1933, in Piggott, Ark. He preceded her in death on Sept. 28, 2001...

Once the ball is snapped into the quarterback's hands the offensive line tends to become lost in the background of the game. The ball carrier and tackler will be announced to the crowd after the play is done and stats will be recorded for each. The lineman goes unnoticed back to the huddle, ready for another battle of wits, power and speed...

Thomas Hefner PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Thomas "Tom" Bland Hefner, 67, of Piedmont died Friday, August 23, 2013, at Clark's Mountain Nursing Center in Piedmont. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at New Hope Church near McGhee with the Rev. Robbie Eaton officiating. Ruegg Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements...

Carl Aud COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Carl Edward Aud, 88, of Columbus, Ind., formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility. Carl was born on June 6, 1925, in Poplar Bluff, to William Elmer and Laura Frances Scoggins Aud. ...

Ektrakul Rooney Rayawadee Ektrakul is the name Angi and Solomon Ektrakul of Nonthaburi, Thailand, have chosen for their 7-pound, 8-ounce daughter born July 20, 2013, in Bangkok, Thailand. She was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Curt and Bev Baechler of Poplar Bluff, Mo. and Peter and Sue Ektrakul of Nonthaburi, Thailand...

Gladys Nenninger MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Gladys Nenninger, 93, of Leopold, Mo., died Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at Woodland Hills in Marble Hill. For more than 25 years, Gladys worked as the assistant postmaster at Leopold. She was an active member of St. John Catholic Church...

Malden at New Madrid Central The Green Wave begin the season just as they did last year against the Eagles. This time it is on the road. ...New Madrid leads the all-time series, 11-7. ... Malden won last year's meeting, 32-6. It scored just 12 of those points in the second half, none of which were in the fourth quarter. ...

Three Rivers softball coach Jack Childress had an ear-to-ear grin Wednesday afternoon as he thanked everyone who helped turn a dream into a reality. Construction has begun on a new 4,280-square foot, $350,235 softball facility next to the first-base line of Rains Field...

NAYLOR -- The Bernie Mules racked up runs everying inning after the first Wednesday afternoon as they topped Naylor 15-1 to open the fall season. Bernie (1-0) scored runs four runs off three hits and three walks to take the lead in the second inning...