Stories from Monday, October 24, 2016

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Members of the community gathered on Friday for "Show Me Three Rivers," an event celebrating 50 years of Three Rivers College serving the post-secondary educational needs of the area. College president Wes Payne said the event marked an exciting time in the legacy of the institution and attributed the longevity and success of the college to the dedication of supporters and faculty over the past half-century...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Wal-Mart announced on Friday it will close stores on Jan. 20, 2017 in Piedmont and Caruthersville, Missouri. "After careful review of a number of factors, we have made the difficult decision to not renew the lease at our Caruthersville and Piedmont stores," said company spokesperson Betsy Harden...

A dedication ceremony for Staff Sgt. Eric W. Summers is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce. Speaker of the House Todd Richardson sponsored legislation naming Highway 67 in Butler County from Route M to the Route 60/67 interchange the "SSgt. Eric W. Summers Memorial Highway," according to a press release from the Missouri Department of Transportation...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Faced with a tight budget, Butler County commissioners have asked board members for Rodgers Theatre to assume ownership of the former movie house and other buildings that make up the 200 block of North Broadway. The county is in the process of relocating all county offices located in the block, which was given to officials in 1998 by Kerasotes Theatres. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer A pubic meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Butler County Courthouse to provide residents with information on proposed constitutional amendments and propositions to be put before voters Nov. 8. The meeting is sponsored by the Butler County Republican Central Committee and will be held in the county commissioners chambers on the second floor, said committee chair Eddy Justice...

It is hard to miss the progress made in the past year in the Poplar Bluff R-I School District. In September, the community saw the opening of two new multi-million dollar facilities that will serve students for many years to come. Members of the community and school officials worked for more than two years on a new facility plan based in response to the growing student population and to create a more secure learning environment. ...

It has been an unusual year weather-wise in Poplar Bluff even by Missouri standards - a place where the running joke is that a person can experience all four seasons in a single day. A mild winter gave way to a temperamental spring, with above normal rain while much of the state was experiencing drought. Summer saw sweltering heat and humidity linked to one death locally, and an unusual August flood that attributed to the death of another person...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN "Remember, it's a rigged system. It's a rigged election," said Donald Trump in New Hampshire on Oct. 15. The stunned recoil in this city suggests this bunker buster went right down the chimney. As the French put it, "Il n'y a que la verite qui blesse." It is only the truth that hurts...

Announcing growth for any company is exciting and we at First Choice Insurance are no exception. Our agency has grown from a two person operation 26 years ago to a multi-location agency that would not have been possible without the loyalty of our new and long-time customers. ...

Courtney Crafton, 18, of Van Buren, has been awarded a $1,000 Marianna Wolpers Memorial Scholarship for the 2016-17 academic year at Three Rivers College. The scholarship is administered by the Three Rivers Community College Foundation. Crafton is a 2016 graduate of Van Buren High School, where she ranked seventh in her graduating class and took part in numerous activities, including Senior Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Science Club and Pep Club...

The cornerstone of Westwood Hills, NW Rehab's operating philosophy always has been based on the belief that the "one-on-one" interaction between therapist and patient offers the optimal outcome for the rehabilitation client. We employ our own staff and this philosophy enables us to deliver consistent care with the same therapist and patient continually working together...

Highest Honor: 8TH GRADE Blake Aikey, Kendall Armstrong, Morghan Armstrong, Katlyn Brotherton, Jeffrey Clark, Nolan Foster, Stormy Gaines, Taylor Hobbs, Dylan Mondy, Caleb Robison, Carlie Sifford, Jonna Vaughn, Gracey Wilkerson Honor Roll: 8TH GRADE...

One in five people will have a panic attack once in their lifetime. What would you do when this happens to a student, loved one, or church member, asks Stephanie Milner of the University of Missouri Extension. Milner suggests attending the Youth Mental Health First Aid course to recognize symptoms of mental health problems, how to help, and how to guide the youth to professional help. ...

By GEORGE F. WILL MILWAUKEE -- In 49 states, when you order breakfast in a restaurant you might be asked if you would like pancakes or an omelet. In Wisconsin, you are asked if you would like pancakes with your omelet. Ron Johnson would, thank you. This Republican U.S. senator, who is burning prodigious amounts of calories campaigning for a second and final term, really does represent the hearty eaters who were fueling up at a Perkins restaurant here on a recent Sunday morning...

Ford Melroy Colclasure Ford Melroy Colclasure, 89, of Bartlett, Tenn. passed away Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. He retired at an early age from the Air Force and then became an educator for many years. Mr. Colclasure was also a member of Great Oaks Church of Christ...

Modern Woodmen of America members in Broseley recently helped raise money for Qulin Oaks Nutrition Center with a special fundraising event on May 16. The event, which included yard and bake sale, raised $1,828.00. This includes $500 matched by Modern Woodmen through the organization's Matching Fund Program. The funds will be used to purchase supplies and equipment for the new facility...

Taylore Keeney, 18, of Van Buren, has won a $200 Illa Cook Award to help pursue her studies at Three Rivers College. The study grant is administered by the Three Rivers Community College Foundation. Keeney is a 2016 graduate of Van Buren High School, where she graduated sixth in her class and participated in Senior Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Science Club, cheerleading and Pep Club. She also did volunteer work at a local Head Start program...

KENNETT -- Dexter lost the momentum for good before it ever got the football. Corbin Strong had a sack and a tackle for no gain to force Kennett into a third-and-16 just minutes into the game. Patrick Maddox dropped back and found Cameron West deep over the middle, despite the double coverage, for 43 yards...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- In a season full of history, there was one more moment the Van Buren softball team will never forget. One by one players ran through a tunnel of their most loyal fans, which led to an even bigger celebration with their closest friends and family outside of the Killian Softball Complex on Saturday...

JACKSON, Mo. --Katie Sliger went out faster than the Poplar Bluff junior would like Saturday in the MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 cross country meet. It didn't keep her from advancing to the sectional race for a third straight year. "Everybody goes out a little faster than you usually do," said Sliger who finished 14th in 20 minutes, 45.43 seconds...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Van Buren softball coach Jack Childress was unsure how his team would respond after giving up two runs in the second inning of its MSHSAA Class 1 semifinal on Friday morning. His uncertainties were erased when the Lady Dawgs chipped away at the deficit over the next two innings and absolutely erased it when they put Morgan Shockley, one of their fastest runners, on third with one out in the top of the seventh inning of a tied game...