Stories from Friday, May 8, 2015

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Area residents will have the opportunity to witness parachutists during the annual Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport Fly-In and Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday. "The parachutists are members of the SEMO Skydiving Club. They will jump between 8:30 and 10 a.m., weather permitting," said Mike Smith, who has been the airport manager nearly eight years...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A Harviell man may face drug-related charges after allegedly tossing suspected marijuana plants from his SUV as deputies were trying to stop his vehicle Wednesday night. At about 9:35 p.m., Butler County Sgt. Brandon Lowe was southbound on U.S. 67 when a Saturn SUV pulled onto the highway from the Highway M ramp in front of him...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor The RL Persons Construction firm of Poplar Bluff was awarded a $944,750 contract Wednesday by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Highway PP and Township Line Road west of Poplar Bluff...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer City services were suffering under the previous technology infrastructure, city manager Heath Kaplan said in a press release issued Wednesday. The money spent in the last six months with Information Systems Intelligence of Michigan was an attempt to ensure city services were sustainable and available to the community, he explained...

Zachary A. Drudge, 22, of East Prairie, was arrested on two failure to appear warrants. He remains in jail as of Tuesday. _ David E. Jackson, 46, of Dexter, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He remains in jail as of Tuesday...

Derrick R. Mitchell, 37, of Dexter, was arrested at 10:04 a.m. Monday in the 300 block of Cooper on a Dexter failure to appear warrant. _ Failure to return property was reported at 10:17 a.m. Monday at Heartland Furniture in the 100 block of Business US 60...

Anthony R. Campbell, 22, of Oxly, was arrested at 11:38 p.m. Tuesday in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center emergency room on suspicion of assault. He was booked at the Butler County jail. _ A counterfeit $20 bill was reported 9:45 a.m. Monday at First Missouri State Bank...

FARMINGTON -- Three Rivers' Dylan Slayton saved his best game of the season for the Region XVI Tournament. Slayton twirled a two-hit, complete-game gem as Three Rivers upset No. 3 Mineral Area 9-0 in seven innings Wednesday. "He was able to throw his fastball to both sides of the plate, changeup was really good and he mixed in a few breaking pitches," Three Rivers coach Stacey Burkey said. ...

City firefighters responded to a call for a water rescue at 7:26 p.m. Monday at Wiseman Park when a suspect fleeing police jumped into Black River. Crews prepared for deployment, but were advised the man swam back and turned himself in. _ City firefighters assisted police with a motor vehicle accident at 3:20 p.m. Monday at 1401 Vine. No one was injured in the crash...

Sara Lou Jones Sara Lou Jones, 94, of Poplar Bluff died Thursday, May 7, 2015, at her residence. Arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service.

GREENVILLE -- Lexi Morris couldn't help but think about the mishaps Clearwater softball had in district final games during her underclassmen seasons when they lost by one run in both games. The top-seeded Lady Tigers were looking at a 4-run deficit before they even picked up their bats Wednesday in the MSHSAA Class 1 District 6 final...

Jerry A. Probst, 36, of Clarkton, was arrested at 8:20 a.m. Tuesday in the 1600 block of East Stoddard on suspicion of marijuana possession and a Scott County failure to appear warrant. He was booked at the Stoddard County Jail. _ Amber M. Kerr, 26, of Dexter, was arrested at 9:08 a.m. in the 1000 block of Wildwood on a probation violation. She was booked at the Stoddard County Jail...

City firefighters responded to an accident 3:13 p.m. Tuesday in at 1018 Louis with a possible vehicle running into a utility pole. While initially reported as a possible electrocution, no one was injured. Utility wires were ripped from several houses. Crews assisted other first responders with traffic control and clean-up...

A Poplar Bluff woman was killed and two others in the car seriously injured following a collision with an 18-wheeler Tuesday evening on US 67 in Jefferson County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports Stacy L. Swisher, 37, was pronounced dead by physicians at Mercy Jefferson Hospital at 9:30 p.m...

SENATH -- Dee Triplett's 2-run triple in the first inning sparked an offensive explosion for top-seeded Malden on its way to a 10-0 victory over No. 3 South Pemiscot Monday in the Bootheel Conference Tournament championship game. Malden senior Jeremy Jones pitched a complete game shutout for the Green Wave (22-5). The right-hander struck out five and only allowed two hits in the first inning...

For the first time in their four-year history as an AAU basketball program, the SEMO Bulls will host a tournament in their own backyard. The Bulls, led by former Poplar Bluff standout Tony Webb, have teamed up with Jason Nash and the Farmington-based AAU affiliate Magic Basketball Academy to host the Midwest Mayhem boys and girls basketball tournament. ...

BERNIE -- Allison Hampton ensured a tearful afternoon for a pair of kindergarten best friends. The Malden center fielder hit a fifth-inning, 2-run dagger of a home run that put the Green Wave ahead of Bernie by seven in the MSHSAA Class 1 District 3 championship game...

Poplar Bluff's dirty politics Mr. Bagby was escorted from his office by police for whatever his crime was. Mr. Rushin breaks a state law, refuses to vacate his council position and the rest of the council wants to make him mayor? Are you kidding? Does he think he is above the law? Can Poplar Bluff's politics get any dirtier?...

Eric L. Barker, 35, of Naylor, was booked at the Butler County jail Tuesday on a Ripley County failure to appear warrant for no seatbelt. _ Jason M. Findley, 34, of Fisk, was booked at the Butler County jail Tuesday on suspicion of child abuse. _ Ronnie L. Hawks, of the 200 block of Midland, was booked at the Butler County jail Tuesday on a parole violation possession of a controlled substance and a failure to appear warrant for no valid license...

VAN BUREN, Mo. - It will soon be prime time for camping, floating, boating, and enjoying summer programs at Ozark National Scenic Riverways. On April 15, the campgrounds at the Riverways returned to regular operation throughout the park. Restroom and shower facilities in campgrounds will be open as usual, and water/sewer hook-ups will be available at electric campsites...

Dalpha "Mutt" William Gentles PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Dalpha "Mutt" William Gentles, 90, of Piedmont passed away at Parkland Hospital in Farmington, Mo., on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. The visitation will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday also in the chapel, burial will follow at Forrest Chapel Cemetery...

I can hardly wait for some delicious corn-on-the-cob! Now is the time to plant sweet corn. You can plant anytime between April 15 and August 15 according to the University of Missouri's Vegetable Planting Calendar. Early varieties like Legend and Sweet Riser will take about 60 to 70 days to harvest. My mother's favorite variety was Kandy Corn. It took about 80 to 90 days...

House Action Ramps Up As the members of the House completed the third to last week of the 2015 legislative session, bill activity hit a fever pitch with more than 50 pieces of legislation moving through the chamber. To date, the House has given final approval to more than 250 House bills and sent them to the Senate. ...

Mazel Tripp VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Mazel Gladius (Beaver) Tripp, 90, died Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at the Brent B Tinnin Nursing Home in Ellington. Mazel was born in Ellington, Mo. on May 14, 1924 to the late George and Grace (Pritchett) Beaver. Mazel moved from Washington State to Van Buren, Mo. in 1980 and was an employee of the National Park Service. She was of the Pentecostal faith and she attended church every Sunday at the Van Buren Assembly of God Church...

Edwin Winters Edwin Winters, 94, of Poplar Bluff, died Monday, May 4, 2015 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Winters was born March 17, 1921 in Glen Allen. He formerly was a resident of Lutesville and he also lived in Michigan. During World War II, he served as a Navy Seebee at the Battle of Iwo Jima. A pipefitter and steel worker in Michigan, he enjoyed fishing and gardening. Mr. Winters was a member of the American Legion, Eagles, and VFW in Lutesville and in Michigan...

James Aaron and Mallory Mae Goins of Poplar Bluff have chosen the name Khloe Jane Goins for their 5-pound, 15 ounce daughter born at 5:03 p.m., Thursday, April 23, 2015 at Saint Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace in Cape Girardeau. Khloe was 18 inches long...

Two Poplar Bluff men were injured in a single-vehicle accident at 12:20 a.m. Wednesday on Route W just north of US 60. One of the injured, the driver, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, driver Mark T. Kleinbeck, 63, was treated for minor injuries at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Passenger Albert C. Andrews, 56, was also treated for minor injuries at PBRMC...

By MIKE JENSEN Publisher Sikeston Standard Democrat The difference between a protest and a riot needs no explanation. Starting last summer in Ferguson, a series of protests has taken place across the country aimed at police tactics in addressing African Americans...