Stories from Monday, August 11, 2014

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The Butler County Republican Nominating Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, in the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce community room to select a nominee for county collector. The nominee's name will appear on the Nov. 4 general election ballot...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor VAN BUREN, Mo. -- A petition to contest the results of the Aug. 5 primary election for the Republican nomination for Carter County treasurer was filed in Carter County Circuit Court Friday. Emily Sellinger of Van Buren, who lost the nomination by only two votes 485 to 483, is requesting a hand recount of all the Republican ballots cast for treasurer...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer With a wide smile that revealed a row of missing front teeth, 8-year-old Noah Wickham pumped his fist into the air and sang the last line of a song from "Oliver Twist" during rehearsal last week at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The horrible moment a factory announces it will close is all too familiar for Natasha Seal, who lost her job in Piggott, Ark., in 2012, after a decade with the Wise Company. A newly single mother who was raising a then-7-year-old daughter, Seal said the fear and uncertainty can be overwhelming...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer As NORDYNE prepares for large layoffs in September and October, Three Rivers College is helping employees who want to return to school to learn new skills. The college expects to receive students in the spring who qualify for two years of education paid for by Trade Readjustment Act funds, given to workers who have lost their jobs due to foreign trade...

By ELEANOR HASENBECK Staff Writer Several of the 39 Chihuahuas and small mixed breed dogs recently rescued in Carter County have found new homes. The dogs spent some time recovering, and were examined by veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Some were reported to have severe matting and hair loss, many had overgrown nails and external parasites...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor Jake and Terry Baker's faces light up as they talk about Jake rebuilding a 1970 motorized Rupp mini bike. Jake, who is 8 years old, will be in the third grade this year at Bonne Terre, Mo., Elementary School. During the school year, Jake lives with his parents, Shannon and Shane Pirtle and 2-year-old twin sisters in Desloge, Mo. In the summer, he spends as much time as possible with his grandparents, Terry and Cindy Baker of Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Felicity Caneice Brady and Charles "Brandon" Ray, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo. are engaged. Brady is the daughter of Kirk and Donna Brady of Currentview, Mo. She is a 1994 graduate of Doniphan Senior High School, a 1999 graduate of Arkansas State University, and began work in 2001 for Ozark Foothills Regional Planing Commission and has been the executive director since 2008...

Ezra and Sherry (nee Slabaugh) Cox are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their marriage. They were married Aug. 14, 1964 at Poplar Bluff, Mo. and now reside in Hemet, Calif. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have two children, Ezra Cox of Chehalis, Wash. and Brooke Cox of Hemet, Calif. They have seven grandchildren...

Emily Nicole Read, formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo. and Gideon Matthew Andra, of Springfield, Mo., exchanged vows Friday, May 30, 2014 at Tuscan Hills Estate in Springfield with Rev. Patrick Mureithi of Springfield, who performed an outdoor, double-ring ceremony...

Alan and Kathy Parks of Poplar Buff, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Cassie Jo Parks, to Shayne Ryan Crawford, son of David and Deanna Crawford of Fisk, Mo. Miss Parks is the granddaughter of James and Carol Parks, and the late Ruth Dunehoo, all of Poplar Bluff. ...

Margaret Johns CAMPBELL, Mo. - Margaret Maxine Johns, 88, of Campbell, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, at Heritage Garden in Senath, Mo. Mrs. Johns, daughter of Andrew and Leatha Crawford Veatch, was born on Feb. 14, 1926, in Campbell. She was a homemaker and was a member of the Campbell First Baptist Church...

Marlon Hoopingarner DEXTER, Mo. - Marlon "Hoop" Hoopingarner, 92, of Dexter, son of the late Fred Hoopingarner and Zena Lucas Hoopingarner, was born on March 15, 1922, in Dexter and departed this life on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, at Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter...

Debbie Snider NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Debbie Emmons Snider, 57, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, at her residence near Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs, Snider was born July 1, 1957, at Cadet, Mo. She was a homemaker who enjoyed horses, flowers, reading, fishing and spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was of the Baptist faith...

By MICHELLE MALKIN It's back-to-school season across the country. But in an increasing number of districts, "back to school" doesn't mean back to learning. Under the reign of social justice indoctrinators, academics are secondary to political agitation. Activism trumps achievement...

Letter to the Editor: 2014 is the 18th year of the Butler County Fair. Hats off to the dedicated board members, volunteers, and sponsors who have provided countless man hours and financial support to bring this event to our community. Past year's events have included Barrel Bash, demolition derby, tractor pull, truck pull, horse judging, lawn mower racing, children's activities, dog show, yard sale, and a carnival. ...

By MICHELLE L. VARVIL In 2010, with the help of friends, Natalie Hemby embarked on a journey to tell the story of Puxico's Homecoming in a documentary. Area residents and visitors to the 68th Annual Puxico VFW Homecoming will have the opportunity to view the finished product at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15 in the Arnold Ryan Gymnasium when Hemby hosts the premiere of "Puxico."...

Where's the money going? [website] The big push to increase the sales tax in Missouri by 3/4 cents is suppose to improve the highways and bridges. Have you wondered who is sponsoring this initiate and why? I would like to bet it is none other than the big highway contracts greedy for more funds. ...

The Rev. Tom Bruns and wife, Martha, will be returning for a short visit to Poplar Bluff, Mo. The Rev. Burns served as rector at Holy Cross Episcopal Church from December, 1985 to June 1998. During his tenure in Poplar Bluff, he was an active member of the Rotary Club, the Ministerial Alliance and the Friends of the Margaret Harwell Art Museum. ...

Bessie Simpson DEXTER, Mo. -- Bessie Ruth Simpson, 93, died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014, at Monticello House in Jackson, Mo. Visitation will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Mo. The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Allen Bashan of Sikeston, Mo., officiating...

An extra set of eyes probably saved Caleb Morrow's life. The Poplar Bluff sophomore football player collapsed and needed resuscitation during the first preseason practice Monday because of a previously undiagnosed rare heart defect. Morrow, a wide receiver, had just completed a drill during the first half hour of practice on a cool morning when he stumbled and fell. ...

A summer is winding down and autumn is on the horizon, there are a number of events coming soon to Lake Wappapello, mark calendar and won't miss them. Events in August include, "Snakes Alive," 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9 at the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center and Saturday, Aug. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- For the final act of the Southeast Missouri State football team's scrimmage Saturday, the offense and defense were pitted off in a goal-line drill. The defense, which defensive coordinator Bryce Saia said struggles with consistency, was able to silence the offense and finish the day on a high note...

SIKESTON -- He chose to work with the younger group who were just finishing up a hectic scrimmage game hurling basketballs at the rim like missiles. When he spoke, Otto Porter Jr.'s young fans ceased fire and awed at what the 6-foot-8 NBA forward had to say...

BROSELEY -- Those who have driven past Twin Rivers High School on Highway 51 recently may have noticed the lawn ornament sitting next to the school's marquee which is currently scrolling the message: "Seat belts save lives. Just ask Nathan. Buckle Up!!"...