Stories from Wednesday, September 24, 2014

By ALEX WEST Staff Writer Democrats of the area spent Saturday evening remembering and celebrating old friends and welcoming new ones at this year's 49th Annual Truman Day Rally hosted by the Butler County Central Committee and Butler County Democratic Women's Club...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Carter County Prosecuting Attorney Rocky Kingree will not appeal his removal as a candidate for Division II associate circuit judge in Butler County as long as local Republicans nominate someone to take his place on the general election ballot...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer State and local GOP leaders spoke out on a myriad of issues and discussed some of the party's goals for the future to a near capacity crowd Saturday evening at the Butler County Republican Central Committee's annual Reagan Days event...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor VAN BUREN, Mo. -- A night of gigging with family turned tragic Saturday for a Van Buren family when its boat capsized on Current River, leaving one family member dead. At about 10:30 p.m., Darrel R. Culpepper, 57, of Van Buren was operating a johnboat in the area of the Pinoak Campground, north of Van Buren, when his boat capsized after floating backwards into a log, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Jamie Teachenor may have spent more than a decade in Nashville, Tenn., where this month he released a new CD and held a spot as a songwriter on Trisha Yearwood's new album, but he still calls Southeast Missouri home. Teachenor will return home Oct. 4 for a performance at Rodgers Theatre...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor City Manager Heath Kaplan expressed his support for revitalizing Downtown Poplar Bluff during a Friends of Downtown meeting Monday night in the city library. "You have a very good plan," Kaplan said. "It is going to take a lot of money and it will take several years."...

By MICHELLE MALKIN "If you see something, say something." That's what our homeland security apparatchiks incessantly preach. But 13 years after the 9/11 attacks, the freedom to warn is in danger and vigilant whistleblowers are under fire. Listen to Robert MacLean. He's a former Air Force nuclear weapons specialist and Border Patrol agent recruited by the government to serve as one of the first federal air marshals after 9/11...

By BEN CARSON Earlier this summer, I managed to perplex, perhaps even offend, a famous TV interviewer when I declared I want a federal government that follows the U.S. Constitution. Seemingly aghast, the interviewer went so far as to suggest my position was a "highly charged thing to say."...

"Oh, it's a shame when you have a wan, diffident, professorial president with no foreign policy other than 'don't do stupid things.'" So griped President Obama to a select (and loose-lipped) group of dinner guests the other night. The president is annoyed that critics cannot see the wisdom in his prudence. "I do not make apologies for being careful in these areas, even if it doesn't make for good theater."...

The Sept. 11 meeting of the Missouri Star Quilters' Guild was called to order by President Dori Caldwell with 17 present. The minutes were approved as published. Cheryl Maples presented the treasurer's report. Following are the committee reports for the current month. Hospitality: The ice cream sundaes were enjoyed by all. Sharon Strachan and Dian Reno volunteered to bring refreshments to the October meeting...

CAMPBELL, Mo.-- Julius Lee Faucett, 71, of Campbell, died Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014, at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett, Mo. Visitation will be held today from 3-4 p.m. at Landess Funeral Home in Campbell. Graveside services and burial will follow at 4 p.m. in the Woodlawn Cemetery Landess Addition in Campbell...

GREENVILLE, Mo.-- Willard Leon Libla, 97, of Greenville, Mo., died Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Visitation will be held today at 5 p.m. at Ruegg Funeral Home in Greenville. Services will follow tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the chapel...

DONIPHAN, Mo.-- Otis Elijah Tierce, 77, of Doniphan, Mo., died, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, at his residence in rural Doniphan. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Bro. James Gore officiating. Burial will be in the Amity Cemetery...

Emma "Lois" Tedrick, 82, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Tedrick was born July 15, 1932 in Kime, Mo. She was very active as a member of First United Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff and the United Methodist Women...

Michael T. Raymer, 45, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Raymer was born Oct. 21, 1968, in Poplar Bluff. He was of the Baptist faith. He enjoyed playing pool, darts and being with family...

The Twin Rivers R-X Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Central Office Board Room. New items on the agenda include approval of the 2013-14 audit, insurance, an amended budget, test scores, retiring uniform numbers, employee contract matters and demolition of the old ag building...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that in Germany, multiculturalism has "utterly failed." Both Australia's ex-prime minister John Howard and Spain's ex-prime minister Jose Maria Aznar reached the same conclusion about multiculturalism in their countries. ...

Proud of black community I am so proud of our Black community. I must tell you I am a white lady, I don't live in Ward 5 but I find Councilman Peter Tinsley very offensive. I knew he wouldn't have the class to step down . . . We must find a way to get him off the City Council. The City Council should not have a place for a racist. I can't believe Pearson and Rushin support him...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- What was the Islamic State thinking? We know it is sophisticated in its use of modern media. But what was the logic of propagating to the world videos of its beheadings of two Americans (and subsequently a Briton) -- sure to inflame public opinion?...

The Butler County Republican Central Committee will hold a nomination meeting at 5 p.m. Saturday to consider candidates for the office of Division II associate circuit judge on the Nov. 4 general election ballot. On Monday, committee Chairman Eddy Justice called the meeting of the Republican nominating committee in accordance with Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 115, election authorities and conduct of elections, section 115.369, and having been notified by Butler County Clerk Tonyi Deffendall of the vacancy now existing on the ballot.. ...

Patricia Trigg VAN BUREN, Mo.-- Patricia Ann Trigg, 74, of West Plains, Mo., died, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in West Plains. Visitation will begin today at 11 a.m. and funeral will follow at 1 p.m. at the Wilderness Church with Rev. Dennis Leonard officiating. Burial to follow in the Wilderness Cemetery...

BLOOMFIELD -- With an 8-0 deficit to Bloomfield in the opening set Monday night, it was more of the same for the Puxico Lady Indians. Puxico has got in the bad habit of falling behind early and playing better when it's too late. It wasn't going to work in this Stoddard County Activities Association match as the Lady Wildcats rolled to a 25-13, 25-15 sweep...

Pauline Dunning TUCSON, Ariz.--Pauline Joseph Knight Dunning, who was born in Broseley, Mo. Nov. 28, 1926, passed peacefully Friday, Sept. 12, 2104 in her home in Tucson. She married Curtis Knight, who preceded her in death as did a son, Gary Curtis Knight...

When will Gene Bess get to 1,200 wins? The longtime Raiders basketball coach sits 14 wins shy of the mark and has earned at least that many wins in every season at Three Rivers since 1971. Last year, the Raiders hit 14 wins on Jan. 22 by beating Arkansas Baptist and finished the season 17-13. The year before, it happened a little bit later in the season...

By MAE ANDERSON AP Technology Writer NEW YORK (AP) -- Alibaba debuted as a publicly traded company Friday and swiftly climbed nearly 40 percent in a mammoth IPO that offered eager investors seemingly unlimited growth potential and a way to tap into the burgeoning Chinese middle class...

James L. Murray ELLSINORE, Mo. -- James Leroy Murray, 81, of Ellsinore died Friday, Sept. 19, 2014 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. tonight at McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellsinore. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Ellsinore Chapel with Rev. James Huffman officiating. Burial will follow in the Sparkman Cemetery in Butler County, Missouri. Memorial donations to the Ellsinore Community Pentecostal Church...

By DAR STAFF FARMINGTON -- After rallying from an early deficit in the opening game, the Poplar Bluff volleyball team gave up a similar lead in the second Monday night. Trying to force a third game, the Mules jumped out to a 12-4 lead before Farmington rallied to finish off a 25-23, 25-17 win...

MALDEN, Mo.-- Reverend N. A. Haynes, 92, of Malden passed away in Gideon, Mo., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. He was born Oct. 7, 1921 in Lepanto, Ark. to the late Clarence E. Haynes & Mettie Austin Haynes. He was a farmer, and pastor of the Naylor Pentecostal Church for over 40 years. ...

Dorothy Montgomery PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Dorothy Montgomery, 85, of Piedmont, died Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, at St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis, Mo. Arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont.

MALDEN, Mo.-- Rev. N. A. Haynes, 92, of Malden passed away in Gideon, Mo., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. He was born Oct. 7, 1921 in Lepanto, Ark. to the late Clarence E. Haynes & Mettie Austin Haynes. He was a farmer, and pastor of the Naylor Pentecostal Church for over 40 years. ...

Roy "Ed" Luke WILLIAMSVILLE, Mo. -- Roy Edward "Ed" Luke, 31, of Williamsville died Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, near Williamsville. Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Ruegg Funeral Home, Williamsville. Services will follow at 2 p.m. at the chapel. Burial will follow at Military Crossing Cemetery near Williamsville...

NAYLOR -- Shayna Tharp threw a no-hitter with five strikeouts as Naylor beat East Carter 8-0. She allowed three base runners off two errors and a walk. Kayla Johnson had two hits for the Lady Eagles (9-7). Lauren Rich had three RBIs and hit a bases loaded double. Kabrien Rogers also hit three RBIs...

EMINENCE, Mo.: Continuing the 50th anniversary celebration, Ozark National Scenic Riverways will bring the Ozark past to life during the Haunting in the Hills event to be held Oct. 11 at Alley Spring. The free event features folkway demonstrations, re-enactments, hands-on activities, food vendors, and traditional dancing, bluegrass and folk music, according to a press release...

Qulin Homecoming Pageants The Qulin Homecoming Pageants will be held Friday, Oct. 3, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. at the Qulin Middle School Gym. Age divisions are for girls only and are as follows: 0-12 months, 13-23 months, 2-3 years, 4-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-11 years, 12-15 years, 16 and up...

By ALEX WEST Staff Writer Key Drugs, Butler County's oldest drug store and this year's Good Neighbor Pharmacy of the year nominee, now has two locations. Key Drugs at Northwest opened in the Northwest Medical Center in February 2013. Ken and Rose Michel opened Key Drugs in 1962 as the first drug store in Missouri to be located in a shopping center. Today, their son, Marty Michel, and his wife, Julita, have expanded the services and locations in order to keep the pharmacy's customers satisfied...

By EMILY PRIDDY SEMO News Service PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Nearly a year after the grotto sculpin was placed on the endangered species list, local officials say efforts to keep the fish safe are right on track. For more than a year, a team of stakeholders -- including state, federal and local officials, landowners and conservation experts -- has been working to create and implement a plan to protect the 2 1/2-inch-long fish, which is believed to be found exclusively in the caves below Perry County, Missouri.. ...