Stories from Wednesday, June 15, 2016

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Summer is almost here and with it the oppressive, humid, heat common to Southeast Missouri. In light of the onset of sweltering conditions, Butler County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) says to take time to stay safe. "Drink lots of water is one of the big things," said EMA director Robbie Myers. "But just use common sense. If you need to get to a cooling center, do that. The heat can be deadly, so we have to take care of ourselves."...

By BEN KLEINE SEMO News Service Jackson police arrested an allegedly intoxicated man who was accused of racing riding lawn mowers with an associate Saturday night. Jeremy Tyson Cook, 35, of Jackson is charged with felony driving while intoxicated as a chronic offender...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor FISK, Mo. -- Authorities say it is probable a Butler County man drowned after his truck apparently ran off of Highway 51 in early April and became submerged in a pond. A 1999 Ford pickup and a body, later identified as the truck's registered owner, Timothy Scott Harbin, reportedly were found Friday afternoon submerged in a pond located on the south side of U.S. 60 and on the northbound side of Highway 51...

Mothers are underrated Yes, I do believe we underrate our mothers very much in this country. They diapered our butts and they took care of everything, and they really did a good job. And, they never asked much in return. And, when they got angry, they had a right to be. I believe they should stand up and say something against what is going on in this country. They have the power to do it and they know how to do it. So, congratulations to the mothers and the police officers that serve this state...

Cane Creek Community Club met Wednesday, June 8, Hostess was Jean Hawkins. The meeting was called to order and the thought of the day was "Life is a Song -- Sing it." Members then offered the pledge to the flag. Hawkins offered the devotional from Matthew 28:1. Roll call was taken. Members answered with their favorite flower. Members played a game...

According to a New York Post article (May 22, 2016), in just two years, Hillary Clinton -- former first lady, senator from New York and secretary of state -- collected over $21 million in speaking fees. These fees were paid by Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, Fidelity Investments, UBS, Bank of America and several hedge fund companies...

Janice C. Whitehead Janice C. Whitehead, 63, of Greenville, Mo., died Friday June 10, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Whitehead, the daughter of Helen Crews, was born Oct. 17, 1953 in Poplar Bluff. On Feb. 14, 2000, she married the love of her life, Larry Whitehead...

Linda Steen CAMPBELL, Mo. - Linda Steen, 59, of Campbell, died Friday, June 10, 2016 at her residence. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., Wed., June 15 at Landess Funeral Chapel in Campbell. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Steve Bricker officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery - Landess Addition in Campbell. Landess Funeral Home of Campbell is in charge of arrangements...

Each year, there are more than 36,000 visits to the Emergency Department at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. On average, that's over 100 patients per day in need of life-saving care. The team providing that care was recently recognized for outstanding leadership at the Schumacher Clinical Medical Director's Conference in Las Vegas...

Maddyson Marie Rider is the name chosen for the 4-pound, 15 ounce daughter of Sarah Ann Iler (deceased) of Poplar Bluff, who was born at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at Saint Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace in Cape Girardeau. Maddyson was 18 inches long...

SEARCY, Ark. - The following local residents were among more than 750 students who received diplomas at Harding University's commencement exercises May 7. Titus Dauck of Bernie received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. Owen Flowers of Dexter received a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training...

LaCinda Ann and Matthew Terril Wood of McGee, Mo., have chosen the name Colby Matthew Wood for their 8-pound, 6-ounce son, born at 6:43 p.m., Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at St. Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace in Cape Girardeau. Colby was 19 3/4" long...

Robert "Bob" Twidwell GREENVILLE, Mo. - Robert "Bob" Twidwell, 66, of Greenville, Mo., died Sat., June 11, 2016 at his residence. Visitation will be at 5 p.m., Wed., June 15 at Ruegg Funeral Home in Greenville. The funeral will be at 10 a.m., Thurs., June 16 at the Greenville Chapel. Burial will be in George Twidwell Cemetery near Silva, Mo. Online condolences may made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Lester Caldwell Lester Caldwell of Wappapello, son of the late Grover Alvin and Sylvia Madeline Hyten Caldwell, was born in Puxico, Mo., on June 18, 1944, and passed away at his home in Wappapello, June 8, 2016, at the age of 71 years, 11 months and 22 days...

Bonnie Birchfield Bonnie Birchfield, 67, of Broseley died Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 16, 2016 at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. Funeral services will follow at 1:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield...

Reda O. Barfield PIEDMONT, Mo. - Reda O. Barfield, 79, of Piedmont, died Monday, June 13, 2016 at her residence. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., Wed., June 15 at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. in the chapel. Burial will be in the Clay Cemetery near Piedmont. Memorial may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be left at www.morrisonworleychapel.com...

Donald Lee Wood ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Donald Lee Wood, 76, of Ozark, died Friday, June 10, 2016, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, with his wife by his side. Visitation will begin for the public at 6 p.m., Wednesday, at the McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellsinore. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Crowley officiating. Burial will follow in Harmony Cemetery...

Timothy Scott Harbin PUXICO, Mo. - Timothy Scott Harbin, 50, of Puxico, found deceased on June 10, 2016 near Fisk, Mo. Visitation will be at noon, Thurs., June 16 at the Morgan Sifford Chapel in Puxico. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Ray Placher officiating. Burial will be in Duck Creek Cemetery in Puxico. Morgan Sifford Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements...

Lee Vaughn DEXTER, Mo. - Lee Vaughn, 79, of Dexter, died Monday, June 13, 2016 at the Golden Living Center in Bloomfield, Mo. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., Thurs., June 16 at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Chapel in Dexter. Graveside services and burial will follow at noon at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with Daniel Martin of Bloomfield officiating. Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter, Missouri in charge of arrangements. www.watkinsfuneralhome.com...

Football talent in Southeast Missouri has clearly been on Southwest Baptist University's radar this year. Poplar Bluff graduate Ross Rushin became the third player from the area to join the Wildcats in a span of five months when he signed his National Letter of Intent to attend the school in Bolivar, Missouri...

Charles A. Frey Charles A. Frey (Charlie), 80, of Angleton, Texas, passed away Friday, June 10, 2016. Born in Poplar Bluff, Mo., June 14, 1935, he was the son of Agnes and Charles Frey. He moved to Angleton in 1958 after graduating from the University of Missouri, Rolla. ...

Anne M. Lux Anne M. Lux, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Sunday, June 12, 2016, at Mark Twain Caring Center. She was a long time resident of Poplar Bluff. She was born in Dyer County, Tenn. May 3, 1926 to the late Bud Wheeler and Lula Bishop Wheeler. She was a member of the First Christian Church...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Despite some ATV crashes over the weekend, owners of Brick's and local officials believe the off road park's largest annual event was safer this year. In a review of Missouri State Highway Patrol operations related to the event, there were no driving while intoxicated arrests or crashes, said Sgt. Clark Parrott...

FULTON, Mo. -- Fresh off their championship in the Charleston Wood Bat Tournament, the Wayne County Lumberjacks didn't let up. Tristan Holmes was dominant on the mound and also went 2 for 4 with a home run, a double and three RBIs as the Lumberjacks defeated Columbia 10-5 Monday in the William Woods Showcase...