Stories from Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Sixth graders at Poplar Bluff Middle School graffitied the walls just before classes let out in May, and no, all 400 students didn't receive a trip to the principal's office. The colorful additions were actually handcrafted art tiles resulting from a project led by art teacher Deanna Ward...

A Qulin, Mo., man apparently drowned after being ejected from his boat during a family fishing trip Tuesday morning on Black River in Wayne County. At about 9:35 a.m., Kenneth B. Vancil, 70, was operating a 1993 Bass Tracker jet boat on the river, about three miles west of Williamsville, Mo., explained Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. J.T. Wilson...

The road to recovery can be long and winding, which is why former-addict Mike Jameson made it his mission to change the world the only way he knows how. The self-proclaimed "hopeless dope fiend turned dopeless hope fiend" was honored Monday evening by the Three Rivers Citizens Advisory Board for his efforts to share his story of recovery and inspire others within his community to lead better lives...

To the Editor, I have been an Advocate for Missouri State road and bridge repairs and replacement for quite a long time, but, I am still puzzled about the three laning of U. S. 160 from about six miles east of Doniphan, Missouri, to the intersection of U. S. 160 and 67 in Butler County...

NEW YORK (AP) -- After a stint of frugality, Americans have returned to their borrowing ways. But are they getting into the kinds of debt trouble that lead to recessions? U.S. consumers now owe roughly $12.73 trillion to banks and other lenders for mortgages, car loans and credit card spending, according to the New York Federal Reserve. That exceeds even the total before the last financial crisis...

QULIN, Mo. -- Kenneth Vancil, 71, of Qulin died Tuesday, June 13, 2017 in Wayne County, Mo. Funeral arrangements are pending with White-Sanders Funeral Home at Qulin. Condolences: www.whitesandersfuneralhome.coms

By STEPHEN MOORE and TIMOTHY DOESCHER Maybe the most laughable reaction to Donald Trump's pulling out of the Paris climate accord came from European and Chinese leaders who blasted Trump and America for "surrendering its world leadership" role. The sanctimonious leaders of Asian and European nations pledged to move full speed ahead on clean energy without the United States. Be my guest...

Billy Wayne Scott, 49, of Cane Creek, passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. Billy was the son of William Curry Scott and Juanita Jackson Scott. Billy is survived by his brothers, Edward Scott and Charles Edward White; his sisters, Gloria Jackson and Derounda Baker; and several nieces and nephews...

Charles Edward Stallings, 61, of Poplar Bluff, passed away on Monday, June 12, 2017 at The Manor in Poplar Bluff. He was born on July 18, 1955 to Charles Edward Stallings, Sr. and Rosella (Wilson) Hanner in Malden, Mo. He loved hunting, fishing, and collecting arrowheads...

FISK, Mo. -- Dorothy Jean Roach, 96, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Michigan, died Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, in Poplar Bluff. Services will take place in Bad Axe, Mich. and will be announced later. Condolences: www.whitesandersfuneralhome.com...

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Larry Goodrich, 71, of Piedmont, died Monday, June 12, 2017 at his residence. Visitation will be held Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 1 -2 p.m. at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont. A memorial service will immediately follow, at 2 p.m. also at the Piedmont Chapel. Pastor Richard Sanders will officiate...

The Butler County unit of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association (MRTA) will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 21. Jim Kreider, executive officer of MRTA, will share the latest retirement information including what to expect from your COLA and legislative issues. The group meets in the Altrusa room at Twin Towers. All retired teachers and school personnel are invited to attend...

Wanda Mayo, 80, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died June 13, 2017 in St. Charles, Mo. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

For the first time since she wrapped up a stellar track and field career at Poplar Bluff in 2015, Jabreuna Brimlett got to compete with her entire immediate family in attendance. Her mom, step dad, sisters, as well as an aunt and cousin, made the 15-hour trip from Texas to Shively Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky, to watch her battle for a spot in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships two weeks ago...