Stories from Wednesday, September 23, 2015

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor The recipient of Best Democrat of the Year award for 2015 was described as being "small in stature," but mighty in her work for the Democratic party. The annual award was presented Saturday night during the 50th annual Truman Day Rally, hosted by the Butler County Central Committee and Butler County Democratic Women's Club, at the Elks Lodge...

The small town of Fisk, Mo., population 350 swells to three times its size during the annual Fisk Fall Festival. Activities will begin with the Fisk Fall Festival Pageant Friday and the festival is scheduled for Saturday at the Park, 508 Garfield St., said Susan Williams, Community Betterment Council member...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Area Democrats remembered their history Saturday night, but also looked to the future as they celebrated at their 50th annual Truman Day Rally at the Elks Lodge. "We need Democrats to come out and support the party," Levell Hinton, co-chairman of the rally, said in welcoming the crowd of more than 100. "Being a Democrat is a proud thing to be as far as I am concerned."...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer In the wake of a generation of students that favor a "tweet" over a felt-tip pen, the art of cursive handwriting is becoming almost non-existent in local classrooms. Once the standard form of communication from second grade through college, the importance of the aesthetically pleasing loop-de-loops and swirls of what many considered an art form has been greatly diminished in Poplar Bluff and most public schools...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer While married teachers working together was once considered taboo - most U.S. schools actually had a ban until the 1940s - many districts now advocate the benefits of couples working together under the same roof. Poplar Bluff public schools, which is also one of Butler County's biggest employers, has dozens of married couples who teach in the district. Assistant superintendent of personnel Amy Jackson says from a hiring standpoint, there are several benefits...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer While rewarding your second grader for an "A" on their next report card may not be an option, you can treat them for a score of "3" on any one of 55 learning standards. Poplar Bluff school officials during the September meeting approved a new design for second-grade report cards that instead of a letter grade, reflects students' grasp over Missouri's learning standards...

The annual Veto Session began Wednesday, Sept. 16, at noon and by the time it was finished 12 hours later the House and Senate had combined to override the governor's vetoes on 10 pieces of legislation. Heading into the day, the legislature had successfully completed 94 veto overrides in the history of the state. ...

To the Editor: 1. DECEPTION: The year of 2010 was the year when Digital TV was implemented, also the Obama Health Plan was ratified the same year. Both were hostile take-overs of free enterprise and infringements on the rights of everyone. Such intrusion will be remembered as the lies of the century...

A three-vehicle accident at 6:38 p.m. Saturday on Route B two miles from Poplar Bluff left three women injured. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Velma A. Carter, 85, Patsy R. Goodrum, 87, and Brandi M. Brown, 33, all of Poplar Bluff, were all transported to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries...

Tenisha (Britton) Miller never stopped running, and she probably never will. It's been over 15 years since she last donned the Maroon and White for Poplar Bluff High School, strung up her cleats and waited for the sound of the starting gun to propel her across the track at Morrow Stadium...

Helen Shipman DEXTER, Mo. - Helen Fay Shipman, 95, of Dexter, died Friday, Sept. 18, at Crowley's Ridge Care Center in Dexter. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 21 at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. The funeral will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. ...

John Shock won a playoff to win the Westwood Hills Country Club Championship on Sunday. Shock birdied the par-4, No. 1 to edge Jake Robertson after each finished at 7-under 149. Shock, who won his first club title, had rounds of 74 and 75 while Robertson followed a 77 with a 1-over 72...

Brandy N. Fancher, no address given, was booked at the Butler County jail Friday to serve shock time. _ Jason L. Faughn, 29, of Sable Lane, was booked a the Butler County jail Saturday on suspicion of third-degree assault. _ Kevin L. Gardner, 31, of the 300 block of 11th Street, was booked a the Butler County jail Saturday on a failure to appear warrant for no valid license and suspicion of resisting arrest...

Police shot a dog that reportedly charged and attempted to bite an officer at 7:56 p.m. Saturday in the 700 block of Apple. The dog charged two men walking earlier in the afternoon. The owner has been issued summons for allowing a vicious animal to roam freely, according to reports...

City firefighters responded at 7:08 p.m. Saturday to 314 S. Seventh Street for a report of a strong burning odor. An investigation revealed a ceiling fan was malfunctioning. The fan was taken out of service. _ City firefighters responded at 7:18 p.m. Saturday to an unauthorized burn at 1010 Grand. The homeowners were advised of city ordinance and the fire was extinguished...

Van Buren defeated Marion C. Early 6-2 on Saturday night in the annual Norwood Tournament. The Lady Dawgs (14-2) jumped out to a 5-0 lead on Marion C. Early (14-1) after two innings after Logan Hayworth drove in four runs. Summer Shockley pitched in the win and allowed five hits and stuck out three. Leadoff hitter Jenny Morey had three hits and scored twice. Hayworth finished with three hits and four RBIs. Kiley Staley had two hits and two runs scored and Sydnee Sanders had two hits...

NPS starts Kid in a Park pass VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Ozark National Scenic Riverways has launched the Every Kid in a Park program. Fourth graders nationwide can visit the new Every Kid in a Park website to obtain a pass valid through Aug. 31 that provides free access to students and their families to all federally managed lands and waters...

Fatal crash in Rip. Co. A Jonseboro Ark., teen was killed and two others injured in a single-vehicle accident 12:15 p.m. Saturday in Ripley County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, passenger Colton R. Hart, 17, was pronounced dead at the scene at 1 p.m. by the Ripley County coroner...

Concerned citizen talking Just another concerned citizen talking about how broke the city is, but seems to me that we can pay the overtime and extra fees and stuff for now a motorcycle pass through in our great city of Poplar Bluff that our city is going broke on, of course. ...

Center Ridge Cemetery meeting Center Ridge Cemetery association will hold its annual meeting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. Dinner and door prize drawings will follow. Any questions or donations may be made by contacting Dwayne Whitt at 573-718-8600...

DHS 1986 class reunion meeting Oct. 1 Any member of the Doniphan High School Clas of 1986 interested in planning a 30th class reunion is invited to a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at Patsy's Restaurant. For more information, call Cynthia Ray Walterschied at 255-3694 or call/text Tina Jackson after 3 p.m. at 573-727-3276...

Betty Jean Myers DEXTER, Mo. -- Betty Jean Myers, 88, of Arnold, Mo., died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015 at her residence. Visitation w ill be from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will follow at noon in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Preston Owens officiating. Burial will follow in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery...

By SHARON RANDALL Tribune News Service On the opening day of Clemson's football season, I woke early, thinking about my brother and pondering one of life's more baffling questions: What's the big deal with some people and college football? I mean, seriously. Have you ever noticed how giddy some fans get when it's time for the start of another season?...

Albert Lyerla King ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Albert Lyerla King, 80, of Ellsinore, Mo. died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015 at his residence. A visitation is scheduled at 6 p.m. Tuesday at McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellsinore. Graveside services to be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Walton Chapel Cemetery. Burial to follow...

The Patrons of the Arts Society kicks off its 2015-2016 season with a tribute to one of the legends of southern rock with "Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute Show: Bad Moon Risin'" on at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24. "Bad Moon Risin'" performs the best-known hits of Creedence Clearwater Revival, including "Proud Mary," "Fortunate Son," and "Who'll Stop the Rain." The group is led by local-born musician Jon Sousan, who has previously performed at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center with the Bee Gees and Eagles tribute shows.. ...

Director of Cape Safe House for women is sentenced By KATHERINE WEBSTER SEMO News Service The former executive director of a Cape Girardeau women's shelter soon will be reporting to the Missouri Department of Corrections. On Monday, Judge Michael Gardner sentenced Allison Leonard, 44, to five years in prison...

It's interesting what one remembers as the years pass. Each member of the 1988 Poplar Bluff 4A state championship golf team, which is being inducted into the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday night, remembers something different about those two days...

The last time Poplar Bluff beat Farmington in volleyball the current seniors were in kindergarten. The Mules jumped out to a 7-3 lead to start Monday's match but couldn't end the streak at Peters Gym falling 25-17, 25-12. "They always have a good team," Poplar Bluff coach Amanda Lance said. "They're our big district rival and sometimes that gets in our girls' heads a little too much."...

Lloyd Burnell Tucker, Jr. ELLSINORE, MO.--Lloyd Burnell Tucker Jr., 61, of Ellsinore, departed this life Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015 at his residence. He was born May 5, 1954, in Hollywood, Mo. to Ruby (Angotti) and the late Lloyd "Burnell" Tucker, Sr. Lloyd was a lifetime resident of Ellsinore, and a retired truck driver. ...

BROSELEY -- Grant Miller, Will Van Matre and Justin Darnell each went 2-for-4 with two RBIs as Greenville downed Twin Rivers 10-0 in six innings Monday. Jake Dorris, Ben Becker and Tye Huff each added a hit and an RBI for the Bears (13-0) while Trey McDaniel allowed just two hits in a complete game shutout. He struck out eight in the victory...

The Dexter alumna pair of Shyann Jines and Jessica Lindsey continue to power Mineral Area volleyball through its strong season. The Lady Cardinals are 15-2 through the first month of the season with losses against Kaskaskia and Lincoln Land. Jines, a freshman setter, is second on the team with 202 assists. She is also averaging 13 points per game and has 103 digs...

Mary L. Hunter PIEDMONT, MO.--Mary L. Hunter, 84, of Piedmont, Mo., died Monday, Sept. 21, 2015 at Clark's Mountain Nursing Center in Piedmont. Visitation will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont. Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home chapel with Pastor Elmo Parker officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic Cemetery in Piedmont...

Bernice Patterson MALDEN, MO.--Nelda Bernice Patterson, 85, of Clarkton, Mo., died Friday, Sept. 18, 2015 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until time of service, Wednesday, at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. The funeral will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday at Bradshaw Chapel in Malden. Burial will be in Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton...

Ruth Burkett Ruth Burkett, 89, of Williamsville, Mo., died Monday, Sept.21, 2015, at Clark's Mountain Nursing Center at Piedmont, Mo. Services are pending with Ruegg Funeral Homes. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com.

Wayne McDowell FREEMONT, Mo. -- Milford Wayne McDowell, 77, known to all as Wayne, of Fremont, Mo., died Friday, Sept. 18, 2015 in Springfield, Mo. A graveside service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Wilderness Cemetery. McSpadden Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements...