Stories from Saturday, October 19, 2013

By ERIN RAGAN SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- In moviemaking, there are the lights, camera and action. But getting to that point is a large responsibility that falls to Steve Mapel, location scout and manager for the 20th Century Fox production of the feature film "Gone Girl."...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The athletic program has seen a tremendous growth in participation and needs funding to support the nearly 900 students it serves, according to Athletic Director Kent Keith. Keith reported on the program Thursday during the Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education monthly meeting. Board members also heard about the progress of improvements to the junior high wireless Internet service and work to prepare the high school for its start of the 1-1 initiative...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer A 5K run and relay Saturday seeks to honor the memory of a Poplar Bluff, Mo., woman and raise funds for a teaching scholarship. The Second Annual Sarah White 5K Run & Relay begins at 10 a.m. on the Three Rivers College campus. Participants can race the whole course or partner up, with each person running half. This year's event also will feature "color splashes" along the way...

By SARABETH WALLER Staff Writer After a tumultuous few months, staff and board members at the Broseley Senior Community Center hope this weekend's homecoming festivities can show the community the center is back on the right track. The Butler County Sheriff's Department began an investigation last month into management of the center's finances. Much has changed since then, according to kitchen manager Carol Brotherton...

The Buck Hunters Fundraiser Chili Supper will be held from 5 - 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18 at the Hoopla (Old Lone Hill School House), intersection of F Highway and County Road 461. Menu includes: chili, chili dog, chili Frito pie, deer chili or broccoli cheese soup with a drink and a dessert. Cost is $6 per meal...

The American Cancer Society celebrates its 100th anniversary May 22, 2013. During the past 100 years, the Society can proudly lay claim to many milestone. Listed below are just a few: 1976 - The California Division of the American Cancer Society gets nearly one million smokers to quit for the day, marking the first Great American Smokeout®, which goes nationwide the next year...

May 22, 2013 One hundred years. That is a long time. And although thriving, remaining relevant and engaged for 100 years is a remarkable accomplishment for any organization, the American Cancer Society today takes pride not only in reflecting on the accomplishments of the last 100 years but also in our commitment to continue the fight, and make this century cancer's last...

By CAROLYN SMITH Staff Writer Teams of Butler County residents will gather at the Black River Coliseum Friday, Oct. 25 from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. for Relay For Life. The Survivors' Lap takes place immediately following the opening ceremony. Teams of walkers will keep a continuous presence on the track throughout the night, walking in shifts to raise awareness for the American Cancer Society. ...

By CAROLYN SMITH Staff Writer May 2013, Mary McKinney, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., was pronounced, "Cancer Free!" after a two year battle with breast cancer. Her ordeal began Sept. 20, 2011 when Dr. Dorothy Munch diagnosed her breast cancer based on the results of a biopsy. ...

Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s. Women should be told about the benefits and limitations of BSE. Women should report any breast changes to their health professional right away. For women at high risk of breast cancer, such as those with BRCA gene mutations or a strong family history, both MRI and mammogram exams of the breast are recommended...

By ALEX WEST Staff Writer A familiar sight during the month of October in Poplar Bluff area businesses and school events is a sea of pink shirts everywhere you turn. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and the local schools and businesses have chosen to sell those pink shirts in an effort to support the United Cancer Assistance Network (UCAN), a nonprofit charitable organization designed to provide individualized support for area cancer patients in Butler, Stoddard and Wayne counties...

Veterans Day is Nov. 11 and the American Red Cross invites eligible donors to schedule an appointment to give blood in November in honor of those who have served the country in the US armed forces. Upcoming blood donation opportunities follow: In Butler County, Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Poplar Bluff High School, 1300 Victory Lane in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

By CAROLYN SMITH Staff Writer Poplar Bluff native Sondra Whitmer is a survivor of breast cancer. This Poplar Bluff High School graduate has lived most of her life in Poplar Bluff except for the 10 years (1969-1979) when her husband's job took them to St. ...

By CAROLYN SMITH Staff Writer "YOLO"-- "You Only Live Once!" has become the motto of breast cancer survivor, Debbie Triplett, of Dexter, Mo. A mother of two, Amy and Mandi, and a grandmother of seven, Debbie attended Richland schools and works at the Independent Living Center of SEMO in Poplar Bluff. She loves her job...

Hope Reid keeps promise Let's hope Harry Reid keeps his promise and refuses to negotiate and shut this mess down. Thank you. Don't you dare cut WIC This is in regard to the government shutdown. Hey, Congress, you have never seen fury like that of a mother protecting their young. If you cut the WIC program, do you really think Mothers aren't going to remember who took food out their babies' mouths?...

TOPS MO 734 Take Off Pounds Sensibly was called to order at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, by leader Linda Morgan with 14 TOPS and three KOPS present. Following roll call, Lou Ann Wrather read the secretary's report, which was approved. The best losers this week were Julia Moore for TOPS and Gladys Hill for KOPS. ...

By MONA CHAREN It's clear to all but the most blinkered that the "Defund Now!" strategy for blocking the implementation of Obamacare has been worse than a failure. Obamacare will be funded, but the fight has exacerbated the already low standing of the Republican Party. Obama's approval rating has ticked up during the shutdown, while Republicans are now competing with the Taliban in approval...

James Belknap James E. Belknap, 90, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. James was born Jan. 7, 1923 in Bismarck, Mo. to Elbert and Anna Belknap. His father was killed in a train accident when he was just eleven years old...

Jewell Bell DEXTER, Mo. -- Jewell Bell, 81, of Dexter died Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, in the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Facility in Dexter. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Lorene Kennett DEXTER, Mo. -- Lorene Kennett, 82, of Dexter died Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, in the Close To Home Nursing Facility at Matthews, Mo. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter...

BERNIE -- Nearby rivals will square off in the SCAA volleyball tournament championship Friday night after securing semifinal victories in their respective matches Thursday. The top-seeded Dexter Bearcats extended its winning streak to a baker's dozen with a 25-17, 25-19, semifinal win against the fourth-seeded Advance Hornets in the first varsity semifinal Thursday...

Poplar Bluff's seniors had to battle more than just the 3.1-mile course through Ozark Ridge Golf Course during the SEMO North Conference meet Thursday. Allison Huskey was sick and midway through the race Bailey Davidson's back seized up on him. Still, the Mules and Lady Mules placed third as a team and Davidson was able to earn all-conference honors for a third straight year...

To the Editor While shopping in Aldi's the nice woman behind me explained how hopefully the new "Affordable Health Care Act" Obamacare will make her monthly premiums of $800 go down. I wished her luck, but don't count on it. Her reply shocked me. "Those Tea Partiers are all to blame." What? She actually thinks the Tea Party, of which I am a member and strong believer in, has caused this trouble. ...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS I last discussed the political trade-offs made by black politicians and civil rights organizations that condemn whole generations of black youngsters to failing schools. Similar political trade-offs in labor markets condemn many blacks, particularly black youths, to high rates of unemployment and reduced economic opportunities. Let's look at this, starting with a few historical facts...

For one night only, Poplar Bluff senior Omar Gomez changed his name. To Omar Goaaaaal-mez. That's five 'As' for each ball he placed in the back of the net Thursday against West Plains at Whiteley Park. Already the Mules' leading scorer, Gomez was on another level as he netted three goals in the first half and twice more within a minute in the second half as the Mules won their fourth straight game, 7-0...

CARUTHERSVILLE -- A year after losing to South Pemiscot in the Bootheel Conference Tournament, Malden extracted revenge Thursday night. The Green Wave came away with a sweep of the Lady Bulldogs and the title with a 25-14, 25-17 win. Justice Carlock led Malden in kills with six. Erica Joiner added four while McKenna Pyland had three...