Stories from Friday, October 23, 2015

By SAMANTHA RINEHART SEMO News Service Determining how and when an elected official can be removed from office is a difficult process. It is strictly guided by Missouri statutes and leaves little wiggle room for municipalities. Perry County is the most recent municipality in the area to find itself brushing up on the state's public office forfeiture statutes. County Coroner Herbert Miller was found guilty of financial exploitation of the elderly and theft during a jury trial last week...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor PUXICO, Mo. -- Two area men were charged Wednesday with possessing methamphetamine with intentions of distributing it after more than 1 ounce of suspected crystal meth was found during the execution of a search warrant...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Kristi Patterson knows that if national statistics hold true, more than 500 children enrolled in Poplar Bluff schools today will likely be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. These rates, and her own experience in working with children who have been victimized, are why Patterson feels an education opportunity offered free to the public Tuesday through the 13th Annual Child Abuse and Domestic Violence conference is so important...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor A special Veterans Day program will be presented in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center at Three Rivers College at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. Dr. Wesley Payne, president of the college, commended Wendy Spradling during the TRC Board of Trustees meeting for planning the program...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs will be taking a more active role in law enforcement-related legislative issues since he recently was chosen to represent one of the Missouri Sheriffs' Association's zones. "This year at the annual meeting, like every year, the various sheriffs within each zone of the state have to choose a zone leader for the year," Dobbs explained. "Apparently, that choice was me."...

I always know that fall has finally arrived when the walnuts start falling from my favorite tree. This is the time to harvest black walnuts. Later this fall you can harvest pecans, hazelnuts, chestnuts, and hickories. The squirrels are certainly getting excited at my sister's house. They love her pecan tree...

The Poplar Bluff Pom Squad will host its first annual Princess for a Day fundraising event. It is open to all girls ages 3-6 and will be held from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, in the Kindergarten Center cafeteria. It will cost $20 per girl and includes a princess tiara, hair styling, make-up, manicures, jewelry making and refreshments. Girls are urged to wear their favorite princess costume...

By MICHELLE MALKIN In the sadistic era of fraudulent Hope and Change, inspectors general inside the federal government have been kicked, neutered and starved of the authority and information they need to do their jobs. It's transparently clear: President Obama loathes and fears independent watchdogs...

Here's my question to you: If an evil person is guaranteed that he can inflict physical pain upon others and guaranteed to never suffer pain himself, what happens to his willingness to inflict pain? You say, "What do you mean, Williams?" OK, I will make my question more concrete. ...

Dr. Staci Campbell, chair of Three Rivers College's Nursing and Allied Health Department, has been named vice president for the Missouri Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (MO-ADN). Campbell will serve a two-year term as vice president, followed by a two-year term as president of the organization...

To the Editor: Downtown Poplar Bluff would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to those involved in making the 6th annual Iron Horse Festival a great success. Despite cold wind we had a great crowd and everyone had a great time. The festival would not be possible without our sponsors and volunteers. ...

Peter Peterson GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Peter E. Peterson, 49, of Broseley, Mo., died Monday, Oct. 19, 2015 at the University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia, Mo. Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Greenville. Funeral services will follow at noon Saturday at the funeral home chapel with Rev. Robert Randolph officiating...

Herbert Webb DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Herbert George "Sonny" Webb, 73, of Doniphan died Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Brother Jim Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the McRone Cemetery in Grandin...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Three Rivers College's Music Department has released the schedule for its 2015-2016 season, which will include performances of jazz, gospel, choir music, and more. The Three Rivers Choir, the Three Rivers Jazz Band and the Three Rivers Symphonic Band draw their membership from music students at Three Rivers. Several performances this season also feature local musicians...

Edna Elliott DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Edna Elliott of Doniphan died Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan and will be announced upon completion...

How's this for parity? The top seed in the MSHSAA Class 5 District 1 football playoff will have to beat a team it has already lost to earlier this season just to reach the championship game. In fact, three of the seven teams have already beaten a higher-seeded team...

Doug Wilson DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Doug Wilson of Doniphan died Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015 at Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan and will be announced upon completion.

As volleyball district play wraps up this week, three local teams find themselves in familiar positions. Bernie and Bloomfield both clinched their fifth and second straight district titles, respectively, Tuesday while Clarkton will go for its second in a row at 6 p.m. today...

Bessie Ray-Gaines Bessie LeeRay-Gaines, 75, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Gaines was born April 23, 1940 in Corning, Ark. to the late Ennis James Brooks and Grace (Phelps) Brooks...

Naomia Payne NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Naomia Payne was born May 5, 1932 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Most of her life was spent in Qulin, Hillsboro and Poplar Bluff, Mo. She was the loving wife of over 50 years to Dean Payne, he survives. ...

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Mo. -- Van Buren's Jenny Morey and Todd Wilcoxon won the Big Springs Conference cross country race Wednesday at Mt. View Golf Course. Morey, a sophomore, crossed the finish line in 21 minutes and 40 seconds. She was 30 seconds ahead of Shawna Smith of Couch, who took second...

Kenny Hunt DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Kenny Hunt, 60, lifelong resident of Doniphan, Mo., departed this life Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, at Southeast Health Center of Ripley County. Mr. Hunt, son of Check and Ima Lee (Cronin) Hunt, was born Aug. 1, 1955, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. ...

Sharon Lee Scott PUXICO, Mo. -- Sharon Lee Scott, 58, of Puxico died Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Scott was born Nov. 12, 1956, in Eureka, Calif. She married Rick Scott Oct. 8, 1995 in Nevada. He survives...

John Lewis Summers Jr. John Lewis Summers Jr., 48, of Elsberry, Mo. passed away on Monday, Oct. 19, 2015 at St. Joseph West Hospital in Lake St. Louis. He was born on Oct. 17, 1967 in St. Louis to John "J.L." and Alma "Arlene" (Bell) Summers Sr. After graduating from Buchanan High School in Troy, John enlisted in U.S. ...