Stories from Monday, February 29, 2016

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The Black River Coliseum will host cheerleading and rodeo competitions in March, following a slate of events in February that drew in nearly 12,000 people. Events were discussed recently by the coliseum advisory board during a monthly meeting...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer More than 40 community organizations were represented Friday at an event held by the Butler County Resource Council to recognize the individuals who are working to improve the lives of children and families in this area...

An educational program Healthier living as we age! will be held Saturday, March 5, at the Rodgers Theater community meeting room, corner of Broadway and Pine, Poplar Bluff, Mo. The cost is $10 and includes lunch and materials and those planning to attend must pre-register. ...

Marie and Sidney Pride of Qulin recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. The couple was married Feb. 21, 1946. They made their home in rural Qulin and have resided there all their married life. Working together on the farm, Mr. and Mrs. Pride raised three children: Larry, Gary and Reba. ...

Today is Sunday, Feb. 28, the 59th day of 2016. There are 307 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Feb. 28, 1996, Britain's Princess Diana agreed to divorce Prince Charles. (Their 15-year marriage officially ended in Aug. 1996; Diana died in a car crash in Paris a year after that.)...

Syles Arnold Andrews MALDEN, Mo. -- Syles Arnold Andrews, 92, of Malden, died Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 at his residence. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m., Sunday at the Landess Chapel in Malden. Funeral will follow at 2 p.m. at the Landess Funeral Chapel with Brother Josh Andrews officiating...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Three Rivers College celebrated its TRiO grant funded student support programs with a special event on Feb. 13. "The college's programs, ACHIEVE and Educational Talent Search, are aimed at supporting first generation, disabled and low-income students starting as early as sixth grade," said Todd Allen, director of the ACHIEVE program...

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor Caring Hands Medical Clinic was formed with the mission to provide convenient, quality health care services to the citizens of Poplar Bluff and Butler County who are unable to afford the services. "About three and one-half years ago, Charley Harper and I discussed seeing a need in the county and how we could address it," said Richard Crouse, a nurse practitioner for 11 years and board chairman for the non-profit clinic...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN In a Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump race -- which, the Beltway keening aside, seems the probable outcome of the primaries -- what are the odds the GOP can take the White House, Congress and the Supreme Court? If Republicans can unite, not bad, not bad at all...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), satirist, essayist and political pamphleteer, is a favorite of mine. He wrote "Gulliver's Travels." One of Gulliver's voyages was to Laputa, where he visited the grand academy of Lagado, whose scientists have visions not unlike today's politicians who exploit mankind's gullibility...

Robert Allen Burton SUMMERVILLE, S.C. -- Robert Allen Burton, 80, of Summerville, S. C., husband of Roberta (Nash) Burton, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 at his residence. Robert was born in Poplar Bluff in a log cabin. Son of the Late Boyd Ohal Burton and Helen Maxine (Johnson) Burton. ...

Where's black top? [email] dear speak out. I was wondering about the black topping of south 11th street if it has been canceled. we live in town and country sub. and need it. please check into this for me. thanks Give New Wave millions back I'm thinking we ought to get New Wave back their $17 million and get somebody in here who knows what they are doing. We need some help people. Thank you...

Eugene O. Biesemeyer PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Eugene O. Biesemeyer, 84, of Piedmont, died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, at his residence. Visitation was held Friday at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont. Funeral service were held at 1 p.m., Saturday, also at the Piedmont chapel. Burial will be at Masonic Cemetery...

Aline C. Hicks Aline C. Hicks, 87, of Poplar Bluff, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016 at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. She was born Oct. 29, 1928 in Malden. She married Lance J. Hicks Dec. 30, 1947. He preceded her in death Jan. 5, 1984. Mrs. ...

Lucille Catlett DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Lucille Mae Catlett, 75-year-old resident of Grandin, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 at the Riverways Manor Nursing Center in Van Buren, Mo. Visiting will be from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 1. Funeral services will at 11 a.m. will be held Wednesday, March 2, in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Pete Joplin officiating. Burial will be in the Grandin Cemetery...

Kenneth Keathley PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Kenneth Keathley of Patterson, Mo. died Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 at Southeast Hospital, Cape Girardeau, Mo. Arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont.

E. L. "Buddy" Hupp E. L. "Buddy" Hupp, 84, of Fairdealing, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 at his residence. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Evelyn M. Harris McDaniel Evelyn M. Harris McDaniel, 94, of Shreveport La, formally of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 at her son's residence. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service and will be announced at a later date...

Richard D. Taylor GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Richard D. Taylor, 83, formerly of Coldwater, Mo. died Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 in Fredericktown, Mo. Arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville.

Bonita Joyce Wagner Bonita Joyce Wagner, 76, of Poplar Bluff passed away Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016 surrounded by her loving sons. She was born July 26, 1939 in Arkansas, the daughter of Louie T. and Mary Blanche (Thacker) Young. She enjoyed crafting, traveling and spending time with friends and family. She cherished her poodle dogs...

Levoy McMullin Levoy "Mac" McMullin, 75, of Poplar Bluff, died Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016 at The Manor in Poplar Bluff. Services will be held at a later date. Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences: www.moorefuneralservice.com...

Floyd Edward Livingston, Sr. Floyd Edward Livingston, Sr., 88, of Poplar Bluff, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center He was born on April 19, 1927 to Omer and Maggie (Cole) Livingston in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He married Shirley Harrelson on Aug. 21, 1956 in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Randall James Roberts Sr. Randall James Roberts Sr., 68, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, at his residence. Mr. Roberts was born May 3, 1947, in Illinois. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He married Vila Jane Roberts Oct. 31, 2005, in Las Vegas, Nev., and she survives...

Mickel Gene Leroux NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Mickel Gene Leroux, 58, of Naylor, Mo. died Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 at his residence. Arrangements pending with Fowler-Sullivan Memorial Chapel of Neelyville, Mo.

Donald Ray Trout FISK, Mo. -- Donald Ray Trout, 79, of Broseley, Mo. died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. MVisitation will begin at noon Sunday at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Revs. Jim Sanders and Johnny Meese officiating. Burial will be in Brown Chapel Cemetery at Broseley...

Charlotte Gail Crowley ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Charlotte Gail Crowley, 70, of Ellsinore, departed this life Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 in the Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, with her family by her side. The daughter of the late Roger Oren and Lurdia L. (Harris) Sisco, she was born July 18, 1945 in Ellsinore. ...

JONESBORO, Ark. -- Lois Elizabeth Truelove Carpenter, 100, went to be with her Lord Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016 at Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. Lois was the daughter of Lester Noel Truelove and Maude Lee Truelove and was born Aug. 27, 1915 in Houston, Ark. ...

Charlotte Gail Crowley Photo Charlotte Gail Crowley, daughter of the late Roger Oren and Lurdia L. (Harris) Sisco, was born July 18, 1945 in Ellsinore, Mo. and departed this life on Feb. 24, 2016 in the Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., with her family by her side. She had attained the age of seventy years, seven months and six days...

BISMARCK, Mo. -- Foul trouble for Wes Sharp in the opening minutes Friday wasn't a bad omen for the Ellington Whippets. It only delayed their dominance in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 3 championship momentarily. Sharp, or "Sharpshooter" as he's called by his teammates, returned for a monstrous third quarter and gunned down No. 3 Meadow Heights for a 72-37 victory...

DUDLEY, Mo. -- Two Dudley men are in the Stoddard County Jail facing drug charges after authorities responded to a disturbance between residents at an apartment building on Wednesday. Deputies with the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department responded to the Maco Apartments, where they contacted the reporting party, David Golightly...

The Naylor girls basketball team is at it again. While celebrating their ninth straight MSHSAA Class 1 District 1 title ruled the weekend, chances of advancing to the final four for the second straight year and winning the first state title in school history loom larger for the Lady Eagles...

One of Poplar Bluff's basketball teams is the top seed, the other a third seed for this week's MSHSAA Class 5 District 1 tournament. Both consider themselves underdogs to win the title when they travel to Northwest High School in Cedar Hill. The Mules earned the top seed largely by beating Jackson 69-65 on February 15 at Peters Gym after overcoming a 17-point, second-half deficit. The teams could meet again in the district final, set for Thursday, for a second straight year...

By EVAN HOLLEY Staff Writer Hundreds of people enjoyed sampling chili from the 28 teams participating in the 11th annual Mason-Dixon Chili Society cook-off at the Black River Coliseum Saturday. The chili cook-off is held each year to raise money for the United Gospel Rescue Mission...