Stories from Thursday, May 25, 2017

VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Carter County officials are in the midst of what is described as a "cumbersome" process of attempting to preserve the county's water-soaked records. Historic flooding in late April inundated downtown Van Buren, including many homes and businesses, as well as the county's courthouse, sheriff's department and jail, when Current River crested at 37.2 feet on Sunday, April 30...

They call themselves "The Downtowners," a trailblazing group of men and women who were here at the beginning to bring to life a fledgling junior college in Southeast Missouri. Fifty years later, they gathered to receive recognition for their work in laying a strong foundation for what is now Three Rivers College...

Carter County expects to spend at least $400,000 to haul away water-logged drywall, furniture, carpeting and other debris from more than 200 homes and businesses impacted by flooding. Commissioners have hired a disposal company to remove an estimated 11,000 cubic yards of debris -- the equivalent of more than 4,000 pickup loads of trash...

The six-county Southeast Missouri area saw at least $21 million in flood damages to individual properties and public infrastructure, according to a request submitted Wednesday by Gov. Eric Greitens for a federal disaster declaration. It is part of more than $86 million in public and private assistance needs identified across 45 counties for what has been described as once in a 1,000-year flooding for some areas...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN History repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce, said Marx. On publication day of my memoir of Richard Nixon's White House, President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey. Instantly, the media cried "Nixonian," comparing it to the 1973 Saturday Night Massacre...

By FRANK CAMPA Mo. Dept. of Conservation Most of us lately have been busy dealing with the effects of the flooding in Southeast Missouri, either directly or indirectly in some way. Hopefully, things are beginning to turn around in most areas as people look toward a brighter future and rebuild their lives...

By PAUL DAVIS Outdoors Editor "I caught one, grandpa," shouted 8-year-old Lexi Waite excitedly, seconds after catching a 12-inch largemouth bass during Saturday's annual Kids' Fish and Fun Day at Don Jones' pond. She was so happy she even kissed the fish...

PUXICO, Mo. -- The constant threat of habitat and wildlife destruction from invasive feral hogs on the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge and neighboring lands makes controlling their numbers a top priority for refuge staff, but it's going to take a lot of people and agencies working together, refuge manager Ben Mense said, to make a difference...

Kylee Lewis has spent her entire high school career proving what can be achieved through hard work and dedication, even in the midst of a change. The Twin Rivers senior was an outfielder throughout the first three years of her career with the Lady Royals, but has found a new home at shortstop...

Practice at Bobby Strenfel Field on Wednesday looked and felt like mid-March with players wearing long sleeves and doing fundamental drills. But it's late May and a night earlier the stands were packed to witness Poplar Bluff's first playoff win in program history...

Tyler Ison is following in his brother's footsteps and joining him on the hardwood once again. The Malden senior recently signed his National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Hannibal-LaGrange Universtiy where his older brother, Trevor, has played for the last year...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Brian David Bess, 52, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Mo. At the time of his passing Brian was surrounded by loving friends and siblings. Brian was born to the late Robert and Peggy Bess Feb. 15, 1965 in Poplar Bluff. Brian was preceded in death by his brother Richard Brown and is survived by his sisters: Suzanne Bess McClure, Melinda Bess and brothers: Robert Brown, Stephen Bess and Christopher Bess...

Anna Lee Morgan, 84, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at Westwood Hills Health Care Center. She was born June 24, 1932 in Arab, Mo. to the late Cleatus Hendrix and Thelma Gobble Hendrix. She was a long time resident of Poplar Bluff. She was of the Methodist faith...

Norman Jacob Ridenour passed away surrounded by family at 2:28 a.m. on May 22 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. He was born on Nov. 3, 1931, on the family home place just outside of Puxico to Louis D and Edna E. Ridenour. He served in the US Air Force during the Korean War from 1951-1958...

Mike Waddell, 60, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Sunday, May 21, 2017 at his residence. He was born March 19, 1957 to Rod and Ruby (Morse) Waddell in West Covina, Calif. He graduated from Granite City North High School in 1976. After graduating he started as a security officer at Edgewater Casino in Laughlin, Nevada. ...

Students at Twin Rivers Fisk Middle School earning a place on the Honor and Merit Roll for the fourth quarter include: Honor Roll FifthGrade: Audrey Belt, Mason Brawner, Emma Campbell, Chase Carroll, Craig Clark, Charlie Crowley, Selena Emerson, Ellie Hester, Grace Jackson, Chase Nehrkorn, Kaitlyn Wagner, Christopher Wilkerson...