Stories from Sunday, May 7, 2017

As Butler County awaits what would be its 15th federal disaster declaration in the last 35 years, area officials have begun the process of updating emergency response plans. More than a dozen officials met the week before the region was hit with historic flooding to make changes to the plan...

Butler County officials assessed damage on Thursday along levees and roads near the still flooded Black River. Presiding commissioner Vince Lampe and western district commissioner Dennis "Boots" LeGrand visited some of the most affected areas to get an idea of the devastation on county infrastructure caused by now several days of high water...

With a gubernatorial order of "go big, go fast, go early," members of the Missouri National Guard continue in their efforts to battle against the historic flooding in the Butler County area. More than 700 guardsmen were activated statewide to serve on two task forces, as well as in administrative roles, explained Maj. Gen. Stephen Danner, the guard's adjutant general, who conducted a health and wellness visit with his troops Friday afternoon in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

As the water levels continued to recede on Saturday, local officials began gearing up in their recovery efforts to help those affected by recent flooding along the Black River. It was a week ago today that the river began to rise, forcing many from their homes. More than 100 sought shelter in the Black River Coliseum, some staying through Thursday night. The shelter was closed at 5 p.m. Friday...

The Butler County unit of Missouri Retired Teachers Association met April 19 in the Altrusa Room at Twin Towers. President James Barnhill called the meeting to order. Sheila Boyles, a teacher/librarian at Lake Road Elementary shared hymns and educational experiences...

Following historic flooding across the region, efforts have been organized to help flood victims. Donation information for the counties of Butler, Carter and Ripley are, as follows: Butler County Butler County residents can take donations to the former emergency room entrance of 621 W. ...

HILLSBORO, Mo. -- With half the team injured and out of action, an all-freshman defense and a team schedule that included sandbagging for flood relief, Three Rivers still pushed the top team in Region XVI. In the sub-regional round of the Region XVI Tournament, Three Rivers College was tied with Jefferson through seven innings of the opener before losing 9-2 on Saturday. Jefferson then won the nightcap 12-4 in seven innings to clinch the best-of-3 series and advance to semifinals...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Some might think a district track meet is more important than conference. Not to the Poplar Bluff Mules. In fact, they're equals in the eyes of Poplar Bluff boys coach Mark Barousse and winning the SEMO North Conference track meet on a windy Friday in Sikeston was deemed a just accomplishment...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Clearwater softball team perfected two-out hitting to add another trophy to the collection Saturday. The top-seeded Lady Tigers scored all of their runs with two outs, including a momentous five-run third inning, to beat No. 2 Woodland 12-2 in five innings for their third Class 1 District 5 championship in four seasons...

O'FALLON, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff's odyssey to play the MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 golf tournament ended Friday in the twilight at The Links at Dardenne, four days after leaving home. The Mules ended up fourth, missing the sectional cut as a team by three strokes, as Nathan Woolard and Justin Capps advanced individually...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- It took eight days for the Poplar Bluff baseball team to get back on the field after a layoff caused by flooding in Butler County halted their trek through the SEMO Conference Tournament. In two games Saturday at Capaha Field, they made up for lost time...

Already without their second-leading scorer and a second starter due to injuries, Poplar Bluff junior Jordynn Caldwell took a knee to the back and headed to the bench in the 42nd minute Friday. Five minutes later, the Mules lost their lead and Farmington got a late goal to win 2-1 at Mules Stadium...

WASHINGTON -- With near unanimity, my never-Trump friends confess a sense of relief. It could have been worse. They thought it would be worse. A deep apprehension still endures but the international order remains intact, the republic still stands, and no "enemy of the people" has (yet) been arrested...

PUXICO, Mo. -- Randall L. Martin of Zalma, Mo., died Thursday, May, 4, 2017, at his home. A memorial service, with full military honors, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield with the Rev. Elijah Allen officiating...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Having bestowed the presidency on a candidate who described their country as a "hellhole" besieged by multitudes trying to get into it, Americans need an antidote for social hypochondria. Fortunately, one has arrived from Don Boudreaux, an economist at George Mason University's Mercatus Center and proprietor of the indispensable blog Cafe Hayek...

FISK, Mo. -- Dorothy "Dottie" Pickens, age 61, of Fisk, Mo., died Friday, May 5, 2017, at Saint Francis Medical Center, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mrs. Pickens was born Nov. 5, 1955, in Saint Louis, Mo. She was a homemaker and had worked as a postal clerk at the Post Office in Fisk and enjoyed working with the census bureau, playing cards, rolling dice and traveling...

Local family, the Woolards, are hosting a "Pay-by-Donation" yard sale from 8 a.m. until close Saturday, May 13 in the parking lot at Somewhere in Time Antiques to help defray expenses associated with their adoption of a child from India. Brandon Woolard, business banking relationship manager at Commerce Bank, and his wife, Ashley, eighth grade science teacher at Poplar Bluff Junior High School, along with their three daughters: Maddison, Jacquelyn, and Charlotte are in the process of adopting a child from India. ...

Barbara Lynn Smithson, 69, of Harviell, died Tuesday, May 2, 2017 in Harviell. She was born Nov. 9, 1947 to Buelah Wilcox in Tacoma, Wash. She worked for Pyramid Home Health in Poplar Bluff. Barbara is survived by her two children, David Anderson of Peoria, Ariz. and Debra (Kevin) Bryant of Harviell; and eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Irma McCaffrey, 86, of New Hampshire, passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2017 in St. Louis. She was born June 25, 1930 to Homer and Rosa Lee Cates. She married Richard H. McCaffrey, Aug. 5, 1950. Mrs. McCaffrey is survived by daughters: Diane (Ken) Kirchgesler, Poplar Bluff; Joanna (Mark) Biros, New Hamsphire; and her son, James Patrick (Stephanie) McCaffrey, of Colorado; 10 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; her mother, Rosa lee Cates, and her sister, Jo Ann Defoni.. ...