Stories from Wednesday, May 24, 2017

BY MIKE MCCOY SEMO News Service DEXTER, Mo. -- State Rep.Tila Hubrecht, R-Dexter, announced her resignation as representative of District 151 in a news release Monday morning. The resignation is to be effective June 2. Her current term does not expire until 2018. Hubrecht said she has talked to Gov. Eric Greitens about holding a special election in the near future to fill the remainder of her term...

Faulty equipment is believed to be the cause of a fire that gutted Fazoli's on Westwood Boulevard, officials said Monday after an inspection of the scene with a state fire marshal. It appears the fire started in the rear of the building, near a ventless, on demand water heater, said city fire chief Ralph Stucker. The fire was hot enough here to melt a portion of PVC attached to the unit...

In the wake of Gov. Eric Greitens' calling for a special session to revisit legislation aimed at bringing jobs to the Bootheel, many area residents are traveling to the state capitol today to show support for the hundreds of jobs on the line. Folks from Van Buren, Poplar Bluff and Silva met this morning at the Black River Coliseum to board a bus at 10 a.m. that would take them to Jefferson City so they could voice their opinions...

Lakes and rivers across the seven-county area will be open for the Memorial Day holiday, even if some beaches and boat ramps are expected to remain underwater into June and July. Campgrounds and a limited number of water access points are available, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello and Clearwater, as well as national and state parks...

With two new businesses expected to open at Eight Points retail area in little more than a month, additional building permits have been filed for a Five Below discount store and PetSmart. The final inspection process has started for Academy Sports + Outdoors and will start soon for Ross clothing store, according to the city planning department. Both should open by early July under the current schedule...

A Butler County assistant prosecutor says attorneys and court officials have encountered a "few hiccups" as they work the bugs out in the state's new criminal code. The changes, which are the first comprehensive overhaul of Missouri's criminal laws since 1979, went into effect Jan. 1...

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- A flood-damaged section of Highway T at Wappapello Lake should be repaired by July 1, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation, which will let bids for the project June 2. An emergency bid letting is being held, David Wyman, area engineer for the southeast district, said this morning. The bids are expected to be opened June 9...

Donald Welch, 54, died May 10, 2017 at his residence. Visitation was held May 12, 2017 at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. The funeral service was May 13, 2017 in the funeral chapel. Rev. Tim Russell officiated. Burial followed in the Dexter Cemetery...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Saint Francis Medical Center has been named one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience by the Women's Choice Award®, America's trusted referral source for the best in healthcare. Saint Francis Medical Center is the only facility in Cape Girardeau County to receive this award recognizing hospitals that have demonstrated the highest level of quality patient care, the only national recognition that focuses on female patient satisfaction...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- A furious rally from the Twin Rivers baseball team came to a screeching halt with one gut-wrenching web gem Tuesday night. After digging themselves into a sizeable hole early in the MSHSAA Class 3 playoff, the Royals put the tying runs on with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Stoddard County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Kent Polsgrove told the County Commission recently the county did not ask for any public assistance due to damages from flooding earlier this month, but the "options were open" for individuals seeking disaster aid for housing damaged by flooding...

From Staff Reports Caroline Robison of Bloomfield is the recipient of this year's Regional Healthcare Foundation Scholarship. Robison, the 2017 Salutatorian of Bloomfield High School, is the daughter of Bill and Tracy Robison. She has one younger brother, Will. Her grandparents are Delain and Marjorie Robison of Puxico and Tom and Carolyn Jarrell of Bloomfield...

Will D. Williams, 78, of Wappapello, Mo, died Monday, May 15, 2017 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. There was a memorial service at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Dexter with Rev. Dale Holman officiating...

STEELE, Mo. -- For three straight innings, the Van Buren Bulldogs were victims of, "That's just baseball." It was enough to end their season as South Pemiscot won 3-2 in the first round of the MSHSAA Class 2 playoffs. "A play here, a call here at second base, anything could have changed the outcome but that's just baseball. ...

FISK, Mo. -- Pansy M. Franklin, 68, of Dudley, died Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, in Poplar Bluff. Visitation was Thursday, May 18, 2017 at White-Sanders Funeral Home, Fisk. Funeral services was Friday, May 19, 2017 in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jim Cornman officiating. Burial will be in Ash Hill Cemetery East at Fisk...

From Staff Reports The flooding at Wappapello Lake hasn't washed away the Wappapello Lake Area Association's (WLAA) passion to keep activities and events going to draw visitor to the area. The group gathered May 16 at Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center to reschedule activities and plan additional events. The group discussed possibly offering activities for those who normally use recreational sites at Clearwater Lake and Van Buren until those areas are able to provide services again...

Readers of all ages will explore all things to "Build A Better World" for this summer's reading program at the Puxico Public Library. The summer reading program is free and open to ages birth to 18, and includes those of all abilities. Program registration will begin June 5 and end July 28 at the library. The first 50 to register will receive a gift bag upon registration along with their reading log...

State Rep. Tila Hubrecht, R-Dexter, made this Facebook post about jobs situation in New Madrid and Sen. Doug Libla's role in it. "A bit more information on the jobs.... Please contact Senator Libla and let him know how much these jobs are needed...ask him to support the people of his district, the people who elected him to stand up for them...

Several Puxico High School graduating seniors earned scholarships. They are Charlotte Adams, Bradley Clark, Mallory Clark, Alexandra Crabb, Emily Forshee, Emily Forshee, Mariah Fowler, Shannon Huff, Emma Parsley, Hannah Pierce, Katelyn Pierre, Mikayla Smith, Caleb Swallows andd Cayla Templemire...

Poplar Bluff Municipal Library is partnering with Reading Solutions Learning Lab of Poplar Bluff, hosting Learning Labs for children at the library on Monday, June 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday, June 6 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Wednesday, June 7 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public...

The Stoddard County Ambulance District (SCAD) Board of Directors discussed starting a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors in the county for the 2017-18 school year. The discussion was held at a recent meeting. The board discussed providing scholarships for the full cost of receiving EMT or paramedic certification. ...

The American Red Cross is issuing a call for platelet and type O negative and AB blood donors to make an appointment to give after severe winter weather in some parts of the country caused about 250 Red Cross blood drives to cancel in March, resulting in more than 8,500 uncollected blood and platelet donations...

Armed Forces Day (Saturday, May 20) was a day to pay tribute to the men and women who serve the United States Armed Forces. Memorial Day (Tuesday, May 29) is celebrated to remember military service members who have died in the line of duty. I want to share a story with all of the proud citizens of Poplar Bluff about one of your heroic military families - the Hornbecks. This story honors both active duty Armed Forces service members as well as those who have previously served...

Memory is one of our most useful gifts of God our heavenly Father. How precious many of them become to us. Memories of childhood-of mother kissing away little hurts and sending us back out to play and of the strong arms of dad in which we felt secure from all harm. ...

Join Mingo National Wildlife Refuge staff Friday evening, May 26, for a fun and educational program about the night sky. This free, family-friendly event will start at 8 p.m. in the Visitor Center at 24279 State Highway 51 in Puxico with crafts and family activities, followed by a ranger-led talk on the importance of night skies for wildlife. ...

The members of the Berrong General Baptist church will be hosting their Annual Homecoming/Decoration Day Sunday, May 28. Sunday School will start at 10 a.m. and the worship service at 11 a.m. A bountiful dinner will follow. Please join the members on this special day as they remember and pay honor to our loved ones and enjoy a great day of worship and fellowship...

By STEPHEN MOORE In many ways, the Affordable Care Act was a massive tax increase masquerading as a health reform plan. The extreme negative economic effects of these tax hikes have been under-reported by the media. Republicans are right to fight for the hikes' total repeal, but the left has retaliated, claiming that the GOP plan is a tax cut for the wealthy. That's the line from Warren Buffett, who says that rich people will reap the benefits...

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Erma I. Portell, 62, of Poplar Bluff, formerly of Piedmont, died, Friday, May 19, 2017, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. The family will have a memorial service at a later date. Ruegg Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements...

By MIKE JENSEN Publisher Sikeston Standard Democrat Expect a population boom in New Orleans now that the city has rid itself of those hurtful Confederate statues that have long been a draw for tourists and history buffs. At least that is the expectation of New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu who said the historic monuments are the cause for the out-migration of New Orleans residents...

Dorothy Louise Zahner, 90, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Friday, May 19, 2017 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She was born Dec. 13, 1926 to John and Mary (Cremeens) Snider in St. Louis. She graduated from Central High School in St. Louis and William Woods University with a Bachelor's Degree. Dorothy was the owner of Wolf Run Residential Care and Cardinal House Assisted Living in Poplar Bluff...

Poplar Bluff Municipal Library is partnering with Reading Solutions Learning Lab of Poplar Bluff, hosting Learning Labs for children at the library on from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, June 5, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 7. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public...

Michael "Mike" Tucker, 72, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Sunday, May 21, 2017 at his residence. Mr. Tucker, the son of the late John Edwin and Mildred Adell (Partridge) Tucker, was born July 7, 1944 in Houston, Texas. Mr. Tucker was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed spending time with his family and working around the house...

Ronin Rice's biggest strike came from right field Tuesday. On the mound, the Poplar Bluff starter held Rockwood Summit to a run through five innings then kept the game tied by throwing out a runner at the plate in the sixth. Michael Anagnostopoulos led off the bottom of the sixth with a double and later scored on a two-out balk as the Mules edged Summit 2-1 in the MSHSAA Class 5 playoff at Bobby Strenfel Field...

Ms. Jentry Jeanelle Sturgeon, passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2017, at her residence in Poplar Bluff. She was born on Sept. 3, 1981 to Ronnie Sturgeon and Kathy Pigg in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Jentry is survived by her parents, Ronnie (Sharon) Sturgeon of Spring Hill, Fla. and Kathy (Rick) Pigg of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; her grandmother, Ethel Dempsey; and three brothers, Clint Sturgeon, Dylan Pigg, and Eric Pigg...

PUXICO, Mo. -- Norman J. Ridenour, of Puxico, died Monday, May 22, 2017, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be at 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 24, at Morgan Sifford Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, May 25, at Morgan Sifford Chapel with Dean Williams officiating...