Stories from Wednesday, November 9, 2016

By CHELSAE CORDIA Staff Writer If there is one thing all parties agreed on this morning at the polls, it's that they are ready for this election to be over. "It's definitely been a passionate election," said Republican Hardy Billington. Record voter turnout is expected for this year's highly-contested races. ...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer The location selected for a group of low income housing units would be a safety "nightmare," Poplar Bluff City Council member Peter Tinsley said Monday, because of its proximity to an elementary school and "unsecured" woods...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Approximately $1 million in tax money owed to Butler County taxing entities is being held pending the outcome of litigation against the owners of low income housing developments. The litigation is part of a nine-year battle to resolve how property taxes for these developments are assessed, Butler County Assessor Marion Tibbs said Monday, speaking before the Poplar Bluff City Council...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor KENNETT, Mo. -- A Puxico, Mo., woman pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser murder charge in connection with the 2013 shooting death of her husband, who she killed because "something" told her to "end him." Accompanied by her attorney, Patti Tucka with the Public Defender's Office, Victoria Lee Isaac, 51, pleaded guilty to the Class A felony of second-degree murder and the unclassified felony of armed criminal action (ACA) before Presiding Circuit Judge Robert Mayer.. ...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Come what may in the national election by day's end, Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump took Poplar Bluff High School by a landslide in a mock election held Friday on campus. More than 70 percent of the school's 1,400-plus students cast a vote during the event, which was sponsored by the social studies department and PBHS political clubs. ...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Authorities are following up on leads as they continue to investigate the Thursday death of a rural Doniphan man who was fatally shot during an apparent domestic disturbance. The victim has been identified as Brian Lee Stone, 38, according to Ripley County Coroner Mike Jackson, who pronounced Stone dead at 12:45 p.m. Thursday...

By JIM SALTER Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri's presidential vote used to be a solid predictor of the nation's sentiments, but not lately. From 1904 through 2004, Missouri voters sided with the winning candidate every time but once, choosing Democrat Adlai Stevenson over Republican incumbent Dwight Eisenhower in 1956...

Saint Francis CEO is honored By BRIDGET BROWN SEMO News Service For his 17 years of service to the Saint Francis Healthcare System (SFHS) and more than four decades in the health-care field, Steven Bjelich received the Missouri Hospital Association's highest honor: the 2016 Distinguished Service Award...

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER WASHINGTON -- Rule of thumb for a presidential campaign where the two candidates have the highest unfavorable ratings in the history of polling: If you're the center of attention, you're losing. As Election Day approaches, Hillary Clinton cannot shake the spotlight. She is still ahead in the polls, but you know she's slipping when she shows up at a Florida campaign event with a week to go accompanied by the former Miss Universe, Alicia Machado...

So I guess the election is not "rigged" after all, eh, Donald Trump? Every possible damaging headline is falling on Hillary Clinton's head as the country staggers toward Nov. 8. So many nets that Clinton appeared to wriggle out of -- the alleged influence-peddling while secretary of state, the negligence about classified emails, the dishonesty (including possibly under oath), the kid glove treatment by the FBI -- it's all roaring back at the worst possible moment for her...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Gene Bess headlined the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which included four people and two teams with Poplar Bluff ties. The Hall of Fame recognized Bess with its "Legend" status and unveiled a bronze bust of him, which will sit alongside past Legend inductees such as Stan Musial, Jack Buck, Ozzie Smith and Mike Shannon...

Wappapello Lake Area Association is busy planning the Festival of Lights (FOL) Auto Tour, which it will be hosting Nov. 25 - Dec. 25. Sites are still available to decorate. For more information, contact the Wappapello Lake Management Office at (573) 222-8562...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH SEMO News Service KENNETT, Mo. -- A Puxico, Mo., woman pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser murder charge in connection with the 2013 shooting death of her husband, who she killed because "something" told her to "end him." Accompanied by her attorney, Patti Tucka with the Public Defender's Office, Victoria Lee Isaac, 51, pleaded guilty to the Class A felony of second-degree murder and the unclassified felony of armed criminal action (ACA) before Presiding Circuit Judge Robert Mayer.. ...

Wanda Marie Palmer Clover BARTLETT, Tenn. -- Wanda Marie Palmer Clover, 84, of Bartlett, Tenn., formerly of Poplar Bluff, died Saturday, Nov. 2016. Visitation will be from 1- 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Rd., Bartlett, TN 38133...

Vicki (Keele) Fitzgibbons PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Vicki (Keele) Fitzgibbons, 53, died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, at her home in Randolph, Miss. Visitation will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Greenville. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home chapel with Bro. Junior Ritchie officiating. Burial will be in the Rucker Cemetery near Greenville...

Eunice E. Lewis PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Eunice E. Lewis, 83, of Columbia, Mo., formerly of Wayne County, died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at Lewis and Clark Nursing Facility. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2 p.m., also at the Piedmont Chapel. Burial will be at Sutton Cemetery. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Eugene J. Moody MALDEN, Mo. -- Eugene J. Moody, 88, of Clarkton, Mo., died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett. Graveside funeral will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, at Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton. Burial in Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton...

Debra "Debbie" Jean Robinson ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Debra "Debbie" Jean Robinson, 57, of Fairdealing, died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Visitation will begin for the public at 11 a.m., Saturday, at the McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellsinore, with the funeral services following at 1 p.m. at the Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Carson Hill Cemetery...

Bill "Gib" Robinson SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Bill "Gib" Robinson, 73, of Marionville, Mo., formerly of Poplar Bluff, died, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, at his home. Services were held Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, at Klingner-Cope Funeral Home in Springfield. Burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens at Springfield...

Bertie Parker PIEDMONT, Mo. - Bertie Parker, 83, died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at her home in Des Arc. Visitation will be held from 5 - 8 p.m., Tuesday, at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday at the funeral home chapel with Rev. Tim Bridges officiating...

The Margaret Harwell Art Museum , Poplar Bluff, will be offering children's art class on Nov. 12 and Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon for children ages 7 to 12. Cost is $10 per class, which includes art supplies and snack. Advanced registration and payment required. Class is limited to 12 students. For more information call 573-686-8002...

From the time immemorial the voice of God has challenged man to rise up and follow his leading and become all God wants him to be. At times he spoke directly to him, and at other times he spoke through a prophet, preacher or other means. He speaks to us today through the Bible that was written by men under direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit...

By MIKE MCCOY SEMO News Service Revenue from a one percent sales tax in Stoddard County were again down for September, marking the sixth month that revenue has been below the monthly receipts from last year. According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, sales tax receipts in September were $10,449.57 below the same period last year...

Frank Thomas Flag DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Frank D. (Frank) Thomas, 83, of Doniphan, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Mr. Thomas, son of Harry and Dorothy (Rapert) Thomas, was born Jan. 2, 1933, in Doniphan, Mo. He had retired after a career in the insurance business...

Brian L. Stone NEELYVILLE, Mo. - Brian L. Stone, 38, of Doniphan, Mo., died Thurs., Nov. 3, 2016 in Doniphan. Mr. Stone was born Sept. 9, 1978 in Dexter, Mo. He was a self-employed landscaper. On Dec., 22, 2012 he married Julie Faughn in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Mr. Stone was a member of the Naylor Masonic Lodge #568 and enjoyed riding motorcycles, boating, fishing and canoeing...

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to help stock the shelves before the busy holiday season. Many regular donors delay giving between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day because of holiday activities. This often causes a drop in donated blood available for patients. Therefore, more donations are needed in the weeks leading up to the holidays to help ensure the blood supply is sufficient through the winter months...

Rolland Scott Clark-Webb Rolland Scott Clark-Webb was born Oct. 31, 1969 in Saint Louis, Mo. and left this world to be with our Heavenly Father on Oct. 20, 2016 at the age of 46. Rolland resided in Poplar Bluff, Mo. with his wife Margaret Webb. Rolland is also survived by a daughter: Hillary Webb; a son: Jeffery Webb; his parents: Melvin and Debra Clark: one brother: Matthew Clark: and one sister: Brooke Pixley...

Mary Janice Parks CAMPBELL, Mo. -- Mary Janice Parks, 81, of Campbell, passed away Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell. Mrs. Parks, daughter of William Joseph and Mary Lattie Jane Clayton Thacker, was born Saturday, Sept. 28, 1935 in Campbell...

PUXICO, Mo. -- Fall is a busy time of year at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. On Friday, Nov. 11, - Fee Free Days - In recognition of Veterans Day, the entrance fee for Mingo National Wildlife Refuge will be waived. Dec. 3-4, 2016 - Managed Muzzleloader Deer Hunt - The Muzzleloader Hunt is offered each year for deer hunters who have been selected through the State of Missouri managed draw system. ...

James J. Michael was born on Feb. 17, 1947, and died on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. James was a resident of Puxico, Mo. at the time of his passing. He was preceded in death by his parents, John D. Michael and Gelene A. Michael (nee Harger). Survivors include a son, Troy Faries (Holly); granddaughters, Shana Faries and Alexa Faries, all from Troy, Mo.; brothers, Carl Michael of Elizabethtown, Ky., Bill Michael of Troy, Mo., Fred Michael of Rolla, Mo. and John "Doc" Michael of High Ridge, Mo...

Larry Dale Moiser, 63, of Wappapello died Oct. 30, 2016 at his home. A memorial service is planned for a later date. Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico is in charge of arrangements.

FISK, Mo. -- Lula Lorene Grimes, 79, of Dudley, Mo. passed away Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She was born April 4, 1937 in Brownsville, Tenn., to Albert and Margaret (nee' Owens) Conner. She and Allen Hale were married in 1954. He passed away Feb. 7, 1994. She married Johnny Grimes in 1983. He passed away March 15, 1993...

Sandy Foust of Broseley, a financial representative with Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, was Life Application Leader in the Missouri East Region in October. Foust has been with Modern Woodmen since October 2014. Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial is a fraternal life insurance society headquartered in Rock Island, IL. Modern Woodmen provides life insurance, annuity, and security products to almost 770,000 members nationwide...