Stories from Friday, April 3, 2015

SEMO News Service A magnitude-4.0 earthquake was reported in the Bootheel of Missouri just before 11 p.m. Wednesday, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey. According to the USGS website, the quake occurred at 10:51 p.m. 2 miles south-southwest of Steele, Missouri, in Pemiscot County. The earthquake's depth reportedly was 7.3 miles...

By KATHERINE WEBSTER SEMO News Service The most recent update of the U.S. Geologic Survey earthquake hazard maps shows a big bull's-eye over the Bootheel. But the agency says there's no reason to panic. "We don't know that an earthquake is imminent -- we can't predict earthquakes. But we do expect the past behavior in the New Madrid region to be a representation of how things might happen," said Robert Williams, Central and Eastern U.S. regional coordinator for the USGS in Golden, Colorado...

City manager Heath kaplaN: "Through recent changes in the street department, the city will have budget savings of $81,699.78 (salary and benefits) to fund these positions." FACT: City documents show the newly created accounting manager position and assistant city manager/personnel director position will be an added cost to the city of between $80,000 and $90,000 in salary costs alone. ...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Lake Road intervention teacher Paula Bradley experienced a bit of intervention herself on Wednesday, when the Poplar Bluff R-I community selected her for the 2015-16 District Teacher of the Year award. The 17-year educator, who was also named the Elementary Grade Level Teacher of the Year, says she finds her inspiration in knowing that the students are depending on her...

NAME: John French AGE: 42 EDUCATION: Neelyville High School, Southeast Missouri State University OCCUPATION: farmer SPOUSE: Niki CHILDREN: Darby, 18; Drayden, 16 CURRENT AFFILIATIONS: Neelyville School Board, Missouri Farm Bureau and First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Two new positions at Poplar Bluff City Hall will be paid for with a cut in manpower at the street department, according to city documents. The city council voted March 18 to create a new accounting manager position and a new assistant city manager/personnel director position. These replace a single finance and personnel director position...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Four candidates are seeking two three-year terms on the Neelyville School Board during the April 7 election. Incumbents John French and Steve Dennis are being challenged by Victor Kovach Jr. and Gene Russom, a former board member...

I'm ready for spring and summer. Aren't you? Warm spring weather means gardening and working in the yard for many folks. It also means spring cleaning for some. Why not schedule some time now to clean out your freezer. Start by taking an inventory of what's on hand in the freezer. We always recommend that you use everything up within a year. Start using the foods that have been stored for the longest time and decide how much more is needed for the coming year...

By MIKE JENSEN Publisher Sikeston Standard Democrat My original intent today was to pen some pithy and hopefully humorous April Fools' column where you concoct some unbelievable absurdity that defies the imagination only to end the tale with the obligatory, April Fools!...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN Though "Bibi" Netanyahu won re-election last week, the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations will still look into whether the State Department financed a clandestine effort to defeat him. Reportedly, State funneled $350,000 to an American NGO called OneVoice, which has an Israeli subsidiary, Victory 15, that collaborated with U.S. operatives to bring Bibi down...

The Economist magazine recently published "What's gone wrong with Democracy ... and what can be done to revive it?" The suggestion is that democracy is some kind of ideal for organizing human conduct. That's a popular misconception. The ideal way to organize human conduct is to create a system that maximizes personal liberty for all. ...

Myrtle Pitts Myrtle Pitts, 92, of Independence, formerly of Campbell, died Tuesday, March 31, 2015, at her residence. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Landess Funeral Home in Campbell. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Marty Carlisle officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Campbell...

Eugene Field Elementary School's third quarter honor roll is as follows: B Honor Roll: 2nd Grade Michael Breeden, Logahn Bristol, Owen Burkhead, Kenyon Chappell, Ty Christian, Donna Clark, Emilie Cross, Jayson Dillon, Aiden Foster, Peyton Gamblin, Zayvean Gehlback, Christian Griffin, Xzavioare Hartley, Madelyn Hunter, Angel Johnson, Jade Johnson, Hannah Kee, Logan King, Lucas Longhibler, Jaylee Lovette, Kaden Manis, Kailey Manis, Isaiah Marshall, Jodi McElhaney, Mildred Messex, Troy Parnell, Paislie Pearman, Clayton Plunkett, Jade Prater, Reece Prenger, Katie Robinson, Aaron Shaw, Steve Smith, Steven Smith, Jacob Thurner, Autumn Walker, Devyn Widmer, Colt Woodham. ...

The Butler County Genealogical Society met Thursday, March 26, at the First United Methodist Church. The monthly meeting was attended by 19 members and four guests. President June Allen conducted the business meeting. The secretary's and treasurer's reports were approved...

Doug Halford Doug Halford, 82, of Malden, died Tuesday, March 31, 2015, at his residence. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Landess Funeral Chapel in Malden. The funeral will at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home chapel with Dr. Brett Cooper officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Malden...

Andy Nelson MALDEN, Mo. -- Andrew Lee Nelson, 29, of Campbell died Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at his residence. Visitation will be held at noon Friday at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel with Rev. George Needham officiating. Burial will be in Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton...

Have you considered using the sun to produce electricity or heat your home? University of Missouri Extension is hosting a two night solar informational meetings on April 22-23. The meetings will be held at the Greenville High School, 178 Walnut St., Greenville. Both meetings will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and are free...

Danny Franklin PUXICO, Mo. -- Danny Ray Franklin, 63, of Puxico died Tuesday, March 31, 2015 in Puxico. He was born Feb. 12, 1952 in Puxico where he had lived his entire life. He was a self employed auto mechanic. He was a member of the Stoddard County Cowboy Church...

George Tomsic NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- George Paul Tomsic, 88, of Harviell, formerly of Chicago, Ill., died Saturday, March 28, 2015, at his residence. Mr. Tomsic was born Jan. 25, 1927, in Chicago. He worked as a PBX Installer for the telephone company. His hobbies included wood working, reading, gardening, and flowers. He was a resident of Butler County for 10 years. He also served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as well as serving in the Philippines...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Area residents interested in starting or expanding a business have an opportunity to participate in Operation Jumpstart offered by the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce. "This is an online class we like to do every year," chamber president Steve Halter said. "It gives entrepreneurs the tools they need to lead a business."...

BROSELEY -- With Twin Rivers senior Jase Worley signing with Culver-Stockton College on Wednesday, the Wildcats are getting a player with a high basketball IQ. "Jase is a really good team player," Twin Rivers coach Dustin Benson said. "He was one of our best kids to feed the post. He's one of the smartest basketball players we've had in the past couple years."...

FARMINGTON --The Lady Raiders will return to Rains Field with some confidence in their bats. Three Rivers polished off a perfect road trip with an April Fools' Day sweep of Mineral Area, winning the opener 16-5 and the nightcap 5-2, improving Three Rivers to 8-2 in conference play...

CHAFFEE -- In a district title rematch from last spring, the Bernie Mules continued to rip the ball against Chaffee just as they did last year. Bernie scored six runs over the first two innings Wednesday and topped the Red Devils 14-3. Bernie (4-0) beat Chaffee 22-10 in last year's district title game...