Stories from Thursday, July 5, 2018

'Send 'em back' Yea I, ... hope ya put this in the paper and everything. I cain't understand why are federal and state governments let these foreigners come in to United States and put 'em on a check, give 'em housing, free food when the people right here in Poplar Bluff and surrounding areas needs help and can't get none. ...

Vernon J. Benton, Jr., 91, of Qulin, Mo., died Tuesday, July 3, 2018 in Qulin. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

By MICHELLE MALKIN Amid all the raging political headlines and hyperventilating tweets of the Summer of Resistance, a searing ember of news stopped me in my tracks this week. Jahi McMath has passed away. I never had a chance to meet the young California teen, but her fight for life gripped me three years ago and was never far from my mind or heart -- especially as my own daughter, the same age as Jahi, battled her own health crisis...

MALDEN, Mo. -- Ralph Eugene "Gene" Hillman, 81, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Clarkton, Mo., died Monday, July 2, 2018, at the Manor in Poplar Bluff. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Thursday, July 5, at the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. A graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 5, at Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton. Burial will be in the Stanfield Cemetery, Clarkton...

Poplar Bluff High School's trap team had a stellar showing at last weekend's AIM Championships shoot at Linn Creek, Mo., with several shooters bringing home trophy hardware. The high school A Squad, comprised of Hannah Cash, Hunter Seal, Andrew Miller, Dylan Hale and Cattarah Caringer, earned a second-place finish in the 16-yard Junior Division. Overall, they had a combined score of 973 clays out of a possible 1,000...

Wayne Hults of Annapolis, Mo., died Thursday, July 5, 2018, at his residence. Arrangements are pending with Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont, Mo..

With the governor's signature, the appropriations bills that make up the Fiscal Year 2019 state operating budget officially became law and took effect when the new fiscal year began July 1. In total, the bills make up a $28.6 billion budget that makes a record investment in K-12 education, and stabilizes funding for Missouri's institutions of higher learning...

By MARC A. THIESSEN WASHINGTON -- Democrats have a new theory for how they can win back Congress and the White House. Just like "soccer moms" helped put Bill Clinton in the Oval Office in 1996, and "NASCAR dads" helped George W. Bush win in 2004, Donald Trump, the theory goes, was elected because of "#NeverHillary" voters who didn't particularly like him but despised her. ...

GREENVILLE, Mo. - Melvin D. Barks, 80, of Shook, Mo., died Sunday, July 1, 2018 at the Missouri State Veterans Home, Cape Girardeau, Mo. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., Saturday, July 7 at Ruegg Funeral Home in Greenville. Masonic Services will be given at 12:45 p.m., in the chapel with the funeral following at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Crossroads Cemetery near Greenville with full military honors...

DEXTER, Mo. -- When most waterfowlers think of banded birds, they think of mallards captured and fitted with leg bands on the Canadian prairies. Banding waterfowl has long been usedby state, federal and even Canadian wildlife agencies to keep track of duck and goose species populations, and while the majority of leg bands are placed on captured birds on their northern breeding grounds, there is a strong effort each summer to band birds in Southeast Missouri, specifically the year-round resident Canada geese.. ...

NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- Robert D. Adams, 90, of Doniphan Mo. passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at the John J. Pershing V.A. Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Adams was born Oct. 10, 1927 to the late Howard and Ermal Adams. He enjoyed raising tomatoes commercially, fishing and traveling. ...

Terry Dewayne Dunn, 65, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, July 2, 2018 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. He was born April 10, 1953 in St. Louis, Mo. to Otis E. Dunn and Rose F. Darnell Dunn. He was of the Baptist faith. Terry married Charisse Mondy, June 15, 1984 in Wappapello, Mo. She survives...

When turning onto Kanell Boulevard, citizens and visitors to the city of Poplar Bluff will now know the contribution the road's namesake gave to his country. Signs proclaiming Kanell Boulevard as Private Billie Gene Kanell Memorial Highway have now been placed along the road to honor Butler County's only Congressional Medal of Honor recipient...

Cell phone service within city limits may improve for AT&T customers pending a proposed agreement between the wireless service provider and Poplar Bluff R-1 Schools. According to Asst. Superintendent of Finance Rod Priest, ground located on district property near the intersection of Westwood and Kanell boulevards has been deemed a desirable location by AT&T for the future home of a cell phone tower...

Community was the theme for Independence Day as Benton Street residents organized a neighborhood party centered around activities for youth and downtown Poplar Bluff hosted the annual fireworks show. The four-day Benton Street event concluded Wednesday with performances by local talent and a basketball tournament...