Stories from Thursday, December 15, 2016

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Poplar Bluff schools long-range planning committee, a mix of school administrators and members of the community, met recently to discuss remaining infrastructure needs following completion of the district's $50 million improvement project...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer Three River College and the Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff, along with many local business and student organizations, are partnering this holiday season to help local families facing economic difficulties have a Christmas tree...

By CHELSAE CORDIA Staff Writer The holiday's are an expensive time of year for most, but the added cost of a basic seasonal staple, a traditional Christmas dinner, can be especially daunting to those on limited incomes. The VA's Care and Share program is an effort by the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center to relieve this financial burden for some local veterans...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Health insurance enrollment events will be held in Poplar Bluff before two important deadlines. Navigators will be available to walk individuals through the enrollment process from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Jan. 10. Both events will be held at the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency at 1800 S. Broadway...

By DONNA FARLEY Staff Writer Filing opened Tuesday for three Poplar Bluff City Council seats, as well as positions on the Poplar Bluff, Neelyville and Twin Rivers school district boards. Aldermen positions are also open in Qulin and Fisk. No contests have developed for any of the races following the first 24 hours of sign up, which runs through Jan. 17...

By PAT PRATT Staff Writer The Poplar Bluff High School robotics team, the Iron Mules, on Saturday hosted its first official challenge on home turf, placing ninth out of 12 teams competing. The challenge on Saturday was sanctioned by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) a non-profit that partners with some of the nations leading engineering organizations to promote career opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines and hosts robotics competitions across the nation.. ...

By BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor The staff and congregation of Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church, 1875 Speedway Drive, are preparing to help make Christmas brighter for nearly 3,000 youngsters between the ages of 3-13 Saturday. The church family will host its 10th annual Christmas Toy Drive from 10 a.m. -12:30 p.m. at the church...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County has announced a groundbreaking ceremony for its Emergency Services expansion and Adult Voluntary Behavioral Health Unit at 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The ceremony will be at the front entrance to Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County...

Applications are now available for the 2017 Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce Gatewat to Leadership program. Gateway to Leadership is an innovative community program designed to identify and motivate emerging and/or relocated leaders and to develop their potential for community leadership roles by acquainting them with the opportunities, realities and challenges of the community. ...

In his own words, President Obama stated "We can't wait for Congress to do its job, so where they won't act, I will" and over past 8 years, that's exactly what he has done at the expense of the American people. With Obama's self-proclaimed unconstitutional approach to going around Congress to push his own liberal agenda, it is no surprise that the last 8 years have been bad for rural America and the families who make their living off the land. ...

Dille Traxel Architecture announces the appointment of Bradley K. Chronister to the position of project manager. In this role, he will provide project oversight and administration through design, bidding, execution and closeout. Chronister is experienced in project management, design coordination, and contract administration...

BROSELEY --After giving up a 10-point lead in the first half, Twin Rivers built another in the third quarter without its leading scorer. Hayden Thomas led the charge as the Royals closed the third on a 10-4 run then held off pesky Puxico's late rally for a 68-56 home win Tuesday night...

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- An overtime loss, a pin with 27 seconds left and a pair of forfeits turned the tide against the Mules wrestling team Tuesday night against conference-rival Farmington. The host Knights had three more pins than Poplar Bluff to win 51-25. Waynesville also beat the Mules 50-27...

CARTERVILLE, Ill. -- The Lady Raiders were dreadful at the charity stripe, and free throws is what won them the game Tuesday night. Three Rivers College shot 43 percent from the free-throw line against John A. Logan College, 9 for 21. The final two made free throws gave the Lady Raiders one final lead and they won in overtime 66-64...

CARTERVILLE, Ill. -- Like last year, the Raiders will go into the Christmas break on a loss. In its last game of 2016, Three Rivers College's comeback against John A. Logan College came up just short and the Raiders lost 85-78 Tuesday. "We'd love to find something good to come from our loss and maybe it will sober the players up and get them a little more focused," Three Rivers coach Gene Bess said. "It also shows us that we are going to have to get better to beat the good teams...

DEXTER -- Dexter gave visiting Jackson all they wanted Tuesday night, but late turnovers proved too much to overcome. Looking for their second win in less than a week, the Bearcats watched a lead midway through the fourth quarter slip away as the Indians escaped the Bearcat Event Center with a 47-40 SEMO Conference road win...

ELLINGTON -- Marshon Morrissey notched game-high 23 points as the Ellington Whippets cruised to a 62-33 win over Bunker Tuesday night. Wes Sharp added 20 points for Ellington (6-2), the seventh-ranked Class 2 team in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association poll. Devonte Walthour and Jacob Richards added six points apiece for the Whippets, who jumped out to a 28-11 lead at halftime...

By MIKE MCCOY SEMO News Service BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Stoddard County Commission postponed making a decision on the purchase and installation of security equipment in three county government buildings at a recent regular meeting. Depending on the commission's decision, the cost of the added security would be between $245,000 and $285,000...

By MIKE MCCOY SEMO News Service BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Stoddard County sales tax revenue in 2016 has dipped below the revenue produced in 2015 after the latest distribution from the Missouri Department of Revenue. County sales tax receipts for October were $168,045.63, which is $36,313.43 less than in October last year...

By AMY WALKER The Puxico Junior Varsity and Varsity Indians versed the Advance Hornets Friday. Over the course of the night, Coach Nathan Martin used his knowledge of each member's strengths and weaknesses to best help them play against the hornets...

Missouri revenue collections were $690.4 million in November this year, up from $687.2 million in November, 2015, or .5 percent. Net revenue for the year was up 2.6 percent, from $3.36 billion in 2015 to $3.45 billion this year, according to a recent new release from Acting State Budget Director Dan Haug...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Billy Martin Jackson, 75, of Wappapello, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 5, 2016 at the John J. Pershing VA Hospital in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation was Monday, Dec. 12, 2016 at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance, Mo., followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. at the chapel with Rev. Alvie Richmond officiating. Burial followed at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO, with full military rites...

Claude H. Gore Jr., 77, of Wappapello died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016 at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Services were held Dec. 13, 2016 at the Wappapello Cotrell Funeral Home. Keith Sandlin officiated. Burial followed in the Wappapello Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com...

Nancy Bach "Downey" Earley Nancy Bach "Downey" Earley, 69, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Monday Dec. 12, 2016, at home surrounded by family. She was a retired Family Nurse Practitioner. She was born July 12, 1947 in Louisville, Ky., and had formerly lived in Harviell, Mo...

Kenneth L. Fain Kenneth L. Fain, 58, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 at his residence. Mr. Fain, was born to Cleatis and Mary (Parker) Fain, on July 15, 1958 in St. Louis, Mo. He proudly served his country in the U. S. Army. ...

J.C. Armour DONIPHAN, MO. -- J.C. Armour, 89, of Naylor, Mo. died Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, at the Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Funeral arrangements are pending with Edwards Funeral Home of Doniphan and will be announced upon completion.

George Hammond PIEDMONT, Mo. -- George Hammond, 61, of Patterson, died Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016 at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Arrangements are pending with Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel, Piedmont.

Thomas Kevin True KENNETT, Mo. -- Thomas Kevin True of Holcomb was born July 9, 1961 to the late Tom Albert and Helen Jean Rainey True in Kennett, Mo. He passed from this life to his eternal home Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 at Baptist Hospital, Memphis, Tenn...

By COLLIN STINSON SEMO News Service SIKESTON, Mo. -- Southeast Missouri Food Bank is setting into motion operation "FRESH" -- Food Resource Expansion to Support Health. The goal is to promote health and reduce chronic disease through the consumption of healthful diets, particularly for seniors...

Virgie "June" Culbertson DEXTER, Mo. -- Virgie "June" Culbertson, 80, of Bloomfield died on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Visitations will be held from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016, at Watkins & Sons Funeral Service, Inc. ...

MALDEN, Mo. -- Velma Maxine Prance, 93, of Malden died Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, at Ridgeview Nursing Center in Malden. Mrs. Prance was born Feb. 12, 1923, in Clarkton, Mo. She was a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Malden. On Dec. 18, 1942, she married John A. Prance Sr. at Kennett, Mo. He preceded her in death on Aug. 6, 1968...

Timothy Slaughter PUXICO, Mo. -- Timothy Slaughter, 58 of McGee died Monday, Dec. 12, 2016 while he was at work. PUXICO, Mo. -- Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 16, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Stoddard County Cowboy Church (22790 County Road 295 Puxico, Mo.) with the funeral service to follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Scott Sifford serving as officiant. Burial will follow in the Jimmerson Cemetery near Puxico. Morgan Sifford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements...

"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them (the redeemed); and the desert shall rejoice and blossom at the rose." Isaiah 35:1. This is in direct contrast to the populous, fruitful country being turned into an unpopulated wilderness in the 34th chapter. One shows the result of God's judgement and the other God's redemption...

By MIKE MCCOY SEMO News Service Stoddard County Shop With a Hero once again be providing children with shopping sprees for Christmas on the first three Sundays in December. The program serves hundreds of under-privileged children in Stoddard County during the Christmas holiday season...

By TIARA McCLURE The City of Puxico hosted its annual Christmas Appreciation Dinner on Monday, Dec. 5, at the City Hall and was open to all city employees, aldermen, board members, and their families. Mayor Rick McLean thanked everyone for their hard work before Alderman Gary Wilfong lead the room in prayer. After a full meal catered by Lenny Holloway, City Clerk Alice Patrick drew ticket stubs for door prizes, and all who brought gifts played Dirty Santa...

By AMY WALKER Santa recently visited the Puxico First Midwest Bank. D.A.E.O.C. Preschool, Mrs. Dianne's Preschool and the Kindergarten classes were able to attend for a visitor with Santa for the third year in a row. Over a total of three days, bank employees helped host an event that seen a total of 68 children...

By AMY WALKER On a night before Christmas and all through the town, every person was stirring even Santa himself! This year the First Midwest Bank hosted its first Christmas town parade on the night of Dec. 9 along with a live nativity scene and also pictures in the park with Santa. Bank officials plan to make the parade an annual event...

By AMY WALKER Tuesday, Dec. 6, was the second time the Puxico Public Library hosted its monthly book club meeting. Over the past month, the group of 10 readers prepared for the night of discussion by reading Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. With four members in attendance along with Librarian, JoLeah Tettleton, the group discussed the contents of the book including but not limited to grief, abuse, spiritual relationships and parenting. ...

Allen Alvin Black, 87, of St. Charles, Mo. died Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 in St. Charles, Mo. Services were held Friday, Dec. 9, 2016 at the Newcomer Funeral Home in St. Peters, Mo. Burial followed in the St. Charles Memorial Gardens. Online condolence: www.newcomerstlouis.com...

PUXICO, Mo. -- Wilma Van Matre, 83, of Oakville, formerly of Wappapello, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 9, at Bethesda South Gate. Visitation will be at 6 p.m. Sunday at Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico. The funeral will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday in the Morgan Sifford Funeral Home chapel. Burial will be in the Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo...