Stories from Sunday, February 25, 2018

It was a year of firsts, full tummies and smiling faces at the 13th Annual Mason-Dixon Chili Society Chili Cook Off Saturday at the Black River Coliseum. Aiming to raise funds for the United Gospel Rescue Mission (UGRM), 28 competing teams and a few hundred people gathered to accomplish what mission director Rev. Greg Kirk called "yet another fundraising success."...

A suspect is still at large and may have fled the Poplar Bluff area after an alleged attempt to shoplift less than $26 in alcohol ignited a three-day manhunt and lock downs for nearly 3,000 children and staff at Poplar Bluff schools, as well as local businesses...

A sincere dedication to the community earned Poplar Bluff Mayor Ed DeGaris a new title Friday, as Citizen of the Year. The Butler County Community Resource Council announced the award during their annual partnership luncheon. DeGaris is a champion of community events and can always be counted on for a ready smile and a helping hand, said Austin Montague, the 2016 CRC Person of the Year, when making the announcement...

After a lengthy executive session discussion, the Three Rivers College Board of Trustees focused on financials during its regular monthly meeting on Friday. According to TRC President Dr. Wesley Payne, as of Jan. 31, or 58 percent through the 2017-18 fiscal year, revenues continue to track behind last year's numbers. However, he added, expenses correspond and are also reduced...

By JOHN R. STANARD Until she settled in Texas some 27 years ago, author Paulette Jiles, now approaching age 75, spent most of her time on the move to places as far-reaching as the Canadian Arctic and Mexico. But a major constant in her life, especially in her early years, has been her rewarding and positive experiences with public libraries...

What's the worth of PBPD, PBFD? I'd like to comment on the editorial in the February 11 DAR titled "What's the worth of police and firefighters?" I urge any working man or woman to find that editorial and read it. This editorial proves the good side of being in a union. ...

TULLAHOMA, Tenn. -- Ernest Gene Hobbs Sr., of Tullahoma, passed this life on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, at his NHC in Tullahoma at the age of 78 years. Memorial Services are scheduled for Saturday, March 3, 2018, at 2 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church of Tullahoma. The family will receive visitors beginning at 1 p.m...

Officials in Clay County, Ark., and Dunklin County, Mo., believe at least one fatality and extensive damage to some homes and businesses can be attributed to tornadoes following a line of severe storms Saturday evening. This needs to be confirmed by the National Weather Service, according to officials...

DEXTER -- The Bearcats relied on defense and a stout first half by Gabe Jackson on Saturday to advance to the MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 semifinal. Jackson scored 16 of his game-high 22 points in the first half, and fourth-seeded Dexter beat Ste. Genevieve 55-23 at the Bearcat Event Center...

Three Rivers ended its turbulent regular season on a winning note. In what was likely the final game at the Bess Activity Center with a new building scheduled to be finished for next season, the Raiders beat On Point Academy 106-73 to finish the regular season 12-17. It is the worst regular season record in 48 seasons under coach Gene Bess...

The Lady Raiders were fifth in the Region XVI standings at the beginning of February. Now they're second. Three Rivers College closed the regular season with five straight Region XVI wins and eclipsed formerly No. 2 Crowder with a 69-67 win on Saturday at the Bess Activity Center...

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- Saxony Lutheran will be sending both basketball teams to the state playoffs for the second year in a row. The boys and girls teams swept the MSHSAA Class 3 District 2 finals Friday, with the boys beating Doniphan 56-39 and the girls beating Arcadia Valley 52-37...

By MARC A. THIESSEN WASHINGTON -- When the Republican-controlled Congress first approved its tax bill in December, most Democrats believed it would be a political loser for the GOP. Indeed, a New York Times poll found that just 37 percent of Americans approved of the plan. "To pass a bill of tax cuts and have it be so unpopular with the American people is an amazing achievement for the Republicans -- it's never been done before," Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., crowed...

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Becky Sue Moody, 59, of Fairdealing, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, at her residence. Visitation will begin at noon Monday at Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Plunk Cemetery...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN In days gone by, a massacre of students like the atrocity at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School would have brought us together. But like so many atrocities before it, this mass murder is tearing us apart. The perpetrator, the sick and evil 19-year-old who killed 17 innocents with a gun is said to be contrite...

Dear Editor, Steve and I both wish to commend the Poplar Bluff Police Department and Robertson Contractors, Inc. for their role in the removal of the barricades at the construction site on Roxie Road. Police Chief Danny Whiteley, Lt. Bob Moore and Officer Trevor Parks were instrumental in the removal of these barricades on February 13, 2018...

PUXICO, Mo. -- Vernon Abernathy, 88, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, at his home near Puxico. Visitation will be after 10 a.m. Monday at Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Puxico until services begin at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo., with full military honors...

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Lloyd Allen Ward, 96, of Fairdealing, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, at Poplar Bluff, Mo. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will follow at noon in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Ward Cemetery in Fairdealing...

FISK, Mo. -- Claude Charles Malcom Feathers, 41, of Rombauer, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, at his residence. Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. Monday at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Rombauer Cemetery...

ELLSINORE, Mo. -- Edna Wood, 76, of Rogersville, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, at Springfield, Mo. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday at McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellsinore, with the funeral following at 2:30 p.m. Burial will be at Harmony Cemetery in Ellsinore...

NEELYVILLE, Mo.-- Lynda J. Gambling, 77, of Doniphan,Mo., died Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Gambling was born April 29, 1940, in Rector, Ark. She was a longtime resident of Ripley County. She married Wesley LeRoy Gambling April 13, 1957 in Ellsinore, He preceded her in death on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. She enjoyed gardening, her church Naylor Pentecostal Church, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren...