Stories from Sunday, July 16, 2017

Most of the campgrounds at Alley Springs will be closed early next week while construction of a new shower house is completed. There are currently no showers at this Ozark National Scenic Riverways recreation area, and no bathrooms with running water, following severe flooding at the end of April and in early May...

In 2014, the Poplar Bluff R-1 School District proposed to create a middle school at the high school's long-time Victory Lane location. Upon voter approval of the April 2014 tax levy increase, the campus would unite all 4th, 5th and 6th grade students in one location. The switch was to entail a massive renovation of existing facilities, but would ultimately improve safety and provide adequate space for growth in enrollments and educational programs...

A week ago, 92-year-old Wilbur Schmit was overwhelmed with the task of making repairs to his storm damaged home and acting as caregiver for his wife, Anna. Today, the couple is overwhelmed by the outpouring of help from area residents and local service agencies...

A federal disaster declaration for Missouri has been expanded to include individual assistance for residents of Wayne County. Wayne County was previously only approved for public assistance to help with the recovery of infrastructure and government property...

sBy PATRICK J. BUCHANAN "Is Russia an enemy of the United States?" NBC's Kasie Hunt demanded of Ted Cruz. Replied the runner-up for the GOP nomination, "Russia is a significant adversary. Putin is a KGB thug." To Hillary Clinton running mate Tim Kaine, the revelation that Donald Trump Jr., entertained an offer from the Russians for dirt on Clinton could be considered "treason."...

Jewell Ruth Maddox, 72, of Williamsville, Mo., died Saturday, July 15, 2017, at her residence. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff, with the funeral service following at noon. Burial will follow at Rock Hill Cemetery in Stoddard County...

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Mildred Othella (Pyles) Barnett, 81-year-old resident of Doniphan, died Sunday, July 9, 2017 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Barnett was born Aug. 20, 1935 in Campbell, Mo. to the late James and Lillian Rudder Pyles...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Predictably and sensibly, a three-judge panel of the nation's second-most important court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, recently dismissed, unanimously, a lawsuit brought by a Yemeni man, two of whose relatives were collateral fatalities in a 2012 U.S. drone attack that killed three terrorists. The suit asked the court to declare the attacks illegal under several U.S. statutes...

James "Doc" McMullen, 89, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at The Manor in Poplar Bluff. Funeral arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff.

Wilma Genevia Chatman Hillis, 82, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Thursday, July 13, 2017, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Her parents were Rev. Roscoe and Maud Edith Chatman and she was one of 13 children. She married Cecil Eugene Hillis, Jan. 13, 1952...

When I was approached about writing an article about Alcoholic Anonymous, I was less than enthusiastic. Not that I have anything against the organization. To the contrary, I believe they do good works; however, I couldn't imagine what I could add to what has already has been written. ...

NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Myrtle Marie Book, 96, of Wappapello, Mo., died Friday, July 14, 2017, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation will start at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Fowler-Sullivan Memorial Chapel of Neelyville. The funeral processional will leave at 11 a.m. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. at Piggott Cemetery at Piggott, Ark...

FISK, Mo -- Ricky LeRoy Kelm, 55, of Dexter, Mo., died Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at his residence. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Brown Chapel Cemetery at Broseley, Mo...