Stories from Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Skeletal remains found Sunday have been identified as those of a Poplar Bluff, Mo., man who has been missing for more than two years. At about 11:30 a.m. Sunday, a citizen reported having "stumbled upon what appeared to be human remains" in a remote area near County Road 553, according to Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs...

"I don't know how I survived unless it was an act of God," former POW Jay Barber of Essex, Mo., said. "Just like the others that survived, I ate the food they gave me and did what they told me to do." Recognized for his service and bravery, Barber was the honoree at a National POW/MIA Recognition ceremony held at the American Legion Post 153 Friday, Sept. 15. The event was hosted by the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center...

The Twin Rivers R-X Board of Education decided to hold off on using remaining money from CTS summer projects to purchase two sock duct systems for the high school gym air unit until two other project costs were considered. The board said they would first like to see cost estimates on bathroom remodels at the high school C Building and wifi expansion before exploring sock ducts...

A 15-month investigation into the sale of illegal narcotics in Poplar Bluff, Mo., culminated this morning when officers from multiple jurisdictions began serving arrest warrants. "We are actively looking for 40 folks, primarily in the city of Poplar Bluff (and) a few in the county," explained Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Mark McClendon, who heads the SEMO Drug Task Force...

The 2017 Butler County Fair kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday with a parade through Downtown Poplar Bluff featuring Poplar Bluff High School's Football Homecoming Court and a Pet Parade to benefit the Downtown Dog Park. Jack Altman, president of the Butler County Fair Board, said this year's events will see a heavier focus on students...

Garrett Todd Orr, 19, has won a $500 Douglas Lacy Harris study grant to help underwrite his course work at Three Rivers College. The Harris fund is administered by the Three Rivers Community College Foundation. Orr is a 2017 graduate of Doniphan High School, where he was Beta Club president, Choir Club vice-president, and participated in Pep Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. ...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN "The Barbarian cannot make ... he can befog and destroy but ... he cannot sustain; and of every Barbarian in the decline or peril of every civilization exactly that has been true." Hilaire Belloc's depiction of the barbarian is recalled to mind as the statues honoring the history and heroes of the Republic and of the West continue to be vandalized and smashed...

Melvin "Tex" Rance Chailland, 69, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 at his residence. Mel was born Feb. 20, 1948 to Seeward and Georgia (McClain) Chailland in Kennett, Mo. He graduated from Doniphan High School in 1966 and later received his degree from Troy State in Business and Aviation. ...

By MIKE JENSEN Publisher Sikeston Standard Democrat Tragedies always seem to bring out the best and the worst in humanity. The twin hurricanes -- Harvey and Irma -- are just the latest example. The national unity and helping spirit of Americans was in full display first in Texas and then in Florida as Mother Nature delivered a costly blow in terms of damage and loss of life...

Madison Grace Gargac, 18, of Naylor, has won a $500 Douglas Lacy Harris study grant to help underwrite her business administration course work at Three Rivers College. The Harris fund is administered by the Three Rivers Community College Foundation...

By STEPHEN MOORE Liberals love to portray Republicans as the party of the rich and powerful. The GOP has tried, valiantly, to shed that criticism -- but then why are so many in the party defending the special interests of private- and corporate-jet owners over the interests of the rest of us? Do Warren Buffett and LeBron James really need taxpayer subsidies to jet across the country?...

NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Ina Sue Franklin, 81, of Harviell, Mo. passed away Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Ina was born April 8, 1936, in Harviell. She was a homemaker and enjoyed reading and singing. She was of the Pilgrims Rest Church of Fairdealing...

Sandra Kay Freedman, 77, of Castle Rock, Colo. passed away, Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 at her home in Castle Rock. Mrs. Freedman was born July 7, 1940, in Poplar Bluff to Bernard and Mary Wheetley. She grew up as a member of First Baptist Church, Poplar Bluff, and graduated in 1958 from...

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, Mrs. Wanda L. (Pearce) Mallner, 86, of Marietta, Ga, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017 at her residence. Born Feb. 9, 1931 in Poplar Bluff, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Robert Newton Pearce and Ida Mae Goff and the wife of the late Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Mallner, Jr. ...

Down 7-6, Shelbey Johnson pulled even in her singles match Tuesday afternoon but the Poplar Bluff senior couldn't complete the comeback as the Mules were swept by conference champion Kennett 9-0. "Toughest opponent we've played all year, but there were some bright spots," Mules coach Charles Harper said...

Hannah Vaughn made her final home match a memorable one Tuesday night as the Poplar Bluff senior broke another team record in a comeback win. Vaughn recorded a record 39 assists as the Mules rallied to beat Lesterville 21-25, 25-20, 25-19 at the Senior High Gym...

KENNETT, Mo. -- It came down to the final few points but the Kennett Indians found a way to escape with a key district victory Tuesday night. Kennett overcame a lackluster first set as it rallied to beat Doniphan 17-25, 25-14, 25-21. "The end result is great with a 'W,'" Kennett volleyball coach Veronica Gardner said. "But we would like to have better control of the game from point one to 25."...

ELLSINORE -- Bunts can be difference makers in a close ballgame, and on Tuesday they made all the difference for the East Carter baseball team. Sparked by Wyatt Elliott's RBI squeeze bunt in the bottom of the second inning, the Redbirds rallied past Clearwater and held on for a 10-4 victory at Brodie Gargac Memorial Field...

BROSELEY -- Katelyn South had seven kills and Brooke Blume added five as the Twin Rivers Lady Royals took down Holcomb 25-7, 25-12 on Tuesday night. Hannah Finley finished with five aces, Catey Hester chipped in three and 10 digs while Madison McKlintic had two aces and six digs for Twin Rivers (18-3-2), which won its ninth straight...