Stories from Sunday, March 25, 2018

A month after an EF2 tornado blew through Malden, the residents and area communities have rallied behind those affected to prove the town has been shaken, but not broken. Since Ward 2 of the city was devastated by a tornado on Saturday, Feb. 24, the city has hauled away around 800 truckloads of debris. All families who were displaced now have a roof over their heads, whether it be with family members or a temporary home...

By JOHN R. STANARD Familiar early American hymns and folk songs are the central theme of an Easter season cantata to be presented on Good Friday evening by musicians of the First United Methodist Church. The public is invited to attend the free performance of "The Song Everlasting," a dramatic choral cantata that tells the Gospel story using time-honored tunes and texts, according to conductor Pamela Howard Becker, director of music at the church...

Patriotism filled the Tinnin Fine Arts Center Friday morning as about 50 Vietnam War veterans were honored and thanked for their service and sacrifice. From the posting of the colors by the Poplar Bluff Junior ROTC, to the singing of the Armed Forces Melody by James Todd and "God Bless America" by Jeanette Cox and the closing of "Taps" by the Southeast Missouri Honor Guard, the event paid tribute to the men and women who had been dishonored when they returned home from Vietnam...

A competition has developed for Butler County prosecutor, with filing set to end at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Former city of Poplar Bluff and assistant Ripley County prosecuting attorney Kacey Proctor completed the necessary documentation Friday to file for the Aug. 7 primary election, according to the county clerk's office...

Tossing a stone into still water causes long-lasting and far-reaching ripples, much like the actions of a great teacher, which create meaningful memories for children that can last a lifetime. Poplar Bluff R-1 Schools held its annual Teacher of the Year luncheon on Thursday, during which a great teacher, Deborah Harper, was named the 2018-19 District Teacher of the Year...

Opioid survivors The Opioid crisis is something we all need to be aware of in our community. Its a very addictive drug that has caused many, many deaths and addictions to it in many forms. Since so many people are becoming more and more aware of it its being broadcasted all over the news and papers everywhere. ...

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Glenda Hodge, 79, formerly of Piedmont, Mo., died Friday, March 23, 2018, in Montgomery, Ala.. Arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com

Raymond Henry Cooper, 81, of Poplar Bluff, passed away on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Ray was born on Oct. 17, 1936, to Corbett and Mary (Alexander) Cooper in Hartshorn, Mo. He enlisted in the United States Army and served until he was honorably discharged. ...

NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Bill J. West, 84, of Harviell, Mo., died Thursday, March 22, 2018 at his home. Mr. West was born March 16, 1934, at Neelyville, Mo. He formerly lived in Chicago Heights and Nashville. His hobbies were watching T.V., camping, boating and mowing. He married Martha Wolverton May 24, 1952 in Pocahontas, Ark. and she survives...

MALDEN, Mo. -- Johnnie Mack Gibson, 67, of Sikeston, Mo., formerly of Malden, died Friday, March 23, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston. Visitation will begin at noon Tuesday at Landess Funeral Homes in Malden followed by the graveside service at 1 p.m. in the Memorial Park Cemetery with James Powell officiating...

PIEDMONT, Mo. - Beverly Richmann, formerly of Greenville, Mo., died Friday, March 23, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo. Visitation will be held at noon Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Ruegg Funeral Home Chapel in Greenville. Funeral will follow at 2 p.m. also at the chapel. Burial will be at Richmann Chapel Cemetery...

By MARC A. THIESSEN WASHINGTON -- As "60 Minutes" prepares to air its interview with adult-film actress Stormy Daniels, conservative Christians are being accused of hypocrisy. How can so-called "values voters" continue to stand with President Trump despite revelations that he allegedly had affairs with a porn star and a Playboy model, and paid them for their silence?...

By PATRICK J. BUCHANAN "It is becoming more obvious with each passing day that the men and the movement that broke Lyndon Johnson's authority in 1968 are out to break Richard Nixon," wrote David Broder on Oct. 8, 1969. "The likelihood is great that they will succeed again."...

A Poplar Bluff senior high teacher of 13 years has received statewide recognition for her impact advising not only the Poplar Bluff student life organization, but student councils throughout Missouri during the past several years. Longtime math instructor Hope Conover was named the advisor of the year for the Missouri Association of Student Councils March 10 during the organization's 70th annual state convention in Lebanon...

Poplar Bluff Middle School sixth grade third quarter A Honor Roll honor roll students include: Amelia Adams, Matthew Anderson, Hayden Baker, Sandra Barker, Bailey Barrett, Brian Belknap, Jacob Booker, Kaylee Brown, Gabriel Burke, Chloe Cambron, Logan Crowley, Emma Degaris, Jack Ernest, Hannah Gambling, Kaylee Gloyd, Destiny Hall, Damien Hedspeth, Meadow Herrold, Kimber Hicks, Sarena Hill, Kadin Hillis, Logan Hite, Leara Hopson, Cooper Jackson, Connar Jones, Laynie Jones, Ava Kingree, Anna Kneir, Kaine Lewis, Ashlyn McIntyre, William Melton, Alyssa Miller, Preston Moore, Taylor Moss, Lexie Munoz, Grace Neighbors, Aiden Nguyen, Alana Osborn, Jessica Pearl, Ian Pierce, Cailin Pratt, Lily Reasons, Pamela Richards, Ava Richardson, Alejandro Rivetti, Blaise Rowland, Keona Sample, Cameron Settle, Addison Shell, Zora Shoemaker, Cameron Sisk, Sarah Smith, Nicholas Spain, Sophronia Starnes, Rebecca Stevens, Justin Stowers, Carson Todd, Alex Vass, Zoey Wawak, Jacob Webster, Heaven Werkmeister, Mason West, Brennen White, Bailey Williams, Romeoh Wontor, Kennedy Zgaynor. ...

CAMPBELL, Mo. -- Jeannie Weaver, 52, of Piggott, Ark., died Thursday, March 22, 2018 at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro, Ark. Visitation will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Landess Funeral Home in Campbell followed at 3 p.m. by the funeral in the Landess Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in the Gravel Hill Cemetery in St. Francis, Ark,...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. --Penalty kicks were the difference again for Poplar Bluff at the Noon Optimist Girls Soccer Tournament. The Mules took fourth place Saturday with a 1-0 loss to St. Vincent with the lone goal coming on a penalty kick after Poplar Bluff lost 4-3 in penalties to Saxony Lutheran in the semifinals the previous night...

FISK, Mo. -- Colver "Cobb" Clanahan, 79, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Clanahan was born Dec. 28, 1938 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. son of the late Leo and Ada Hendrickson Clanahan. ...

The Lady Raiders are now in first place in Region XVI. Three Rivers made the most of its weekend homestand by sweeping Crowder on Friday, 5-4 in 10 innings and 11-7 in the nightcap, then sweeping MCC-Maple Woods on Saturday, 6-3 and 9-1 in six innings. The Lady Raiders finish their season series against Maple Woods on Sunday...

The date of substantial completion for the Libla Family Sports Complex at Three Rivers College (TRC) has been pushed back to June 29, according to a statement from Keith Huffman, president of Huffman Construction, the project's general contractor. Until late Wednesday, TRC officials had not been notified of further delays by Huffman, which began work on the more than $8.3 million facility in September 2016...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- The Bernie Mules failed to capitalize on early scoring opportunities Friday, and Portageville cashed in late to win 10-0 at Meatte Park. The Mules, who were playing their first game of the season, left the bases loaded in the first inning and stranded 10 runners overall...

SEDALIA Mo. -- A miserable day of weather wasn't helped by getting swept by State Fair. The Raiders faced cold temperatures, 20 mph wind from the north and rain, losing 6-0 and 5-4 in 11 innings. In the opener, Three Rivers (8-13, 4-10 Region XVI) left runners on base in each of the first five innings while State Fair put up five runs in the first inning...

The Dexter Bearcats placed second Friday in the Cape Central Doubles Invitational. The Bearcats went 2-1 in the round robin. Cape Central went 3-0 to win the tournament. Dexter's No. 3 doubles team, Matt Chesser and Blake Bolin, went 3-0. They won 6-2, 6-3 against Sikeston, 6-1, 4-6, 10-8 against the Tigers and beat Jackson 6-2, 6-1...