Stories from Friday, July 28, 2017

Seeking the public's feedback, Poplar Bluff R-1 Superintendent Scott Dill began a series of community outreach meetings Thursday with a visit to Wheatley School. Dill spoke to community leaders and residents of Ward 5 about his vision for the school district and welcomed questions and concerns from those in attendance...

The taxpayer foot the bill [MAIL] Speakout To the person who wanted to know who pays President Trumps expenses to travel to Florida each week. I guess it is the same people who paid for Bill Clinton to hop around all over the country in Air Force One. For George Bush to go half way around the world unannounced to have Thanksgiving Dinner with the troops in Iraq, and even come to Poplar Bluff on Labor Day of 2004 to make a speech as he began his re-election campaign...

By WALTER E. WILLIAMS Here's part of President Donald Trump's speech in Poland: "The fundamental question of our time is whether the West has the will to survive. Do we have the confidence in our values to defend them at any cost? Do we have enough respect for our citizens to protect our borders? Do we have the desire and the courage to preserve our civilization in the face of those who would subvert and destroy it?"...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN "One knowledgeable official estimates that the CIA-backed fighters may have killed or wounded 100,000 Syrian soldiers and their allies," writes columnist David Ignatius. Given that Syria's prewar population was not 10 percent of ours, this is the equivalent of a million dead and wounded Americans. What justifies America's participation in this slaughter?...

William Day, 70, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, July 24, 2017 at Whispering Oaks Residential Care Center. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 29 at the Greater Vision Worship Center in Puxico, Mo. Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff in charge of arrangements...

Patricia Kesler, 82, of Poplar Bluff did Wednesday July 19, 2017 at her residence. There will be a gravesides funeral at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 2017 at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery. Ron Fowler officiating.

Ralph Berlin Robertson, 89, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. passed away Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at the Oakdale Care Center. He was born on March 19, 1928 to the late Frances LeGrand and Pearl Robertson. On Jan. 26, 1948 he married Louise (Jones) Robertson, she preceded him in death April 27, 2017...

It's no secret that Marcedus Leech has impressed the likes of fans, opposing coaches and players during his past two basketball seasons at Poplar Bluff. The soon-to-be junior, who is averaging 18.4 points, 4.4 assists and 3 rebounds per game in two seasons with the Mules, is still focused on ending his career with Poplar Bluff on a high note...

Carolyn A. Sides, 67, of Ft. Myers Beach, Fla., died Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Condolences may be expressed at www.horizonfunerals.com. Arrangements are being handled by Affordable Cremations and Horizon Funeral Home.

Paul L. Tackett, 81, of Poplar Bluff, passed away at his residence on Thursday, July 27, 2017 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born on June 8, 1936 to Theodore and Frances (Ethridge) Tackett in Hendrickson, Mo. He graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1953. Paul started working for The Daily American Republic in 1960 until his retirement in 1998. On Jan. 11, 1958, he married Mary Coleman in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Butler County voters will get their first taste of a new Missouri identification law when they go to the polls Aug. 8 to decide the fate of city and county use tax measures. The use tax would apply an equal sales tax rate to online purchases as residents pay at brick and mortar stores within the community...

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Adjustments have been made since historic flooding damaged the Ripley County Sheriff's Department and Doniphan Police Department, but the top law enforcement official at each says its business as usual. Both departments were forced from their buildings three months ago when Current River inundated downtown Doniphan...

Ny BARBARA ANN HORTON News Editor The Historic Wheatley School, 921 Garfield St., Poplar Bluff, Mo. will be the site for the 11th Annual Church Expo from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. The expo is an "opportunity to present a Christian perspective to encourage Christians and promote Christian concepts to non Christians," said Rex Rattler Sr. "There will be both spiritual and physical nourishment."...

Academy Sports + Outdoors opened less than a month ago and immediately stepped into an involved role within the community. Academy donated 30 $100 gift cards to the Boys & Girls Club of Poplar Bluff for members to have an opportunity to shop at Poplar Bluff's newest addition...

A nearly $142,000 grant is expected to help Poplar Bluff Fire Department replace life saving equipment before it expires. The money would come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and should be accepted Aug. 7 by the city council. The grant was awarded to pay for 24 self-contained breathing apparatus, the mask and air tanks carried by firefighters when they enter burning structures...