Stories from Wednesday, November 20, 2013

By SAMANTHA KLUESNER SEMO News Service A cattle farm on County Road 427 just southeast of Morley, Mo., was ravaged Sunday by the storms that swept across central Scott County. "I don't even know where to start; it's like a bomb went off," owner Vince Draper said as he stood among his former feed lot...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The final plat for the section of the Eight Points Commercial Development on the north side of Oak Grove Road west of Shelby Road was approved by the Poplar Bluff City Council Monday night. Approval was recommended by the Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Signal lights will be installed and turning lane improvements will be made at the intersection of Highway PP (Kanell Boulevard) and Shelby Road in the fall of 2014. "This project will be let ahead of extending Shelby Road to Highway 53," Billy Cobb of the Smith & Co. engineering firm, told the Poplar Bluff City Council Monday night...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The Kraft, Miles and Tatum certified public accountants of Poplar Bluff, Mo., will prepare the 2013 audit for the city, Municipal Utilities and City Cable funds. Poplar Bluff City Council members voted 6-0 Monday night to hire the firm. Councilman Loyd Matthews was absent...

While the general public mainly hears about the scores and grades that are released at the end of the school year, what really keeps us going each day are the individual success stories. Our teachers are using a variety of data on a regular basis to provide targeted instruction that focuses on students' personal needs in order to help them succeed. Schools can no longer afford to follow a one-size-fits-all approach, or to "teach to the middle."...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN "Pope Francis doesn't want cultural warriors; he doesn't want ideologues," said Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane, Wash.: "The nuncio said the Holy Father wants bishops with pastoral sensitivity, shepherds who know the smell of the sheep."...

By DAN K. THOMASSON Scripps Howard News Service WASHINGTON - Just when you thought reality television couldn't get more bizarre ... How about a star who handles poisonous snakes? He's not a herpetologist dedicated to risking his life to advance medicine. Actually, he is probably the diametric opposite - one who eschews rational explanations and follows a bible-oriented faith in which he employs rattlers and cottonmouths and copperheads in a mountain church...

Noel Baugh BALLWIN, Mo. -- Noel Edward Baugh, 68, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at his home in Villa Ridge, Mo., following a lengthy illness. Visitation will be held at 4 p.m. today at Schrader Funeral Home in Eureka, Mo., with a celebration of life following at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. The celebration will be officiated by the Rev. Duane Larson, pastor of Eureka United Methodist Church...

James Childers DEXTER, Mo. -- James Lawson "Squirrel" Childers, 69, of Dexter died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2013, at Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. today at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Leonard Madigan officiating. Burial will follow in the Hagy Cemetery...

Ruth Gallion Casteel DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Ruth Gallion Casteel of Doniphan died Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, at her residence in rural Ripley County. Mrs. Gallion was born in Oxly, Mo., to Amos and Daisy (Wilson) Foulk. She was self-employed in real estate. Ruth enjoyed her dog, Wahya, horses (especially Ritz) and was a member of the Ripley County Saddle Club...

Donald Hampton Sr. Donald Ray Hampton Sr., 83, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. A complete obituary will run in Wednesday's edition of the Daily American Republic. Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff is in charge of arrangements...

The Campbell Downtown Development Corporation will host the Christmas Bazaar Craft Show/Indoor Yard Sale from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6 - Saturday, Dec. 7 in the Campbell Community Center. Everyone is invited. Spaces are available for rent until Friday, Nov. 19. Each 10 x 10 booth is $20 for day one or $30 for both days...

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Mo. 734 met at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6. Leader Linda Morgan opened the meeting with 16 TOPS and four KOPS members in attendance. The secretary's report read by Lou Ann Wrather was approved as reported. Wanda Flurry, TOPS, was the best loser for the week. The best losers for the month of October were Judy Colvin, TOPS, and Lou Roach, KOPS...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The Poplar Bluff Fire Department is seeking four grants totaling $1,133,251 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for two new fire trucks, 30 air packs and operational equipment. Fire Chief Ralph Stucker could not attend the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Monday night, but he has informed City Manager Doug Bagby of the need for trucks and equipment to be upgraded...