Stories from Tuesday, July 31, 2018

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith said Friday Southeast Missouri farmers are in for a "bumpy, roller-coaster ride" as a result of escalating trade disputes with China and other countries, but defended the Trump administration's decision to enact tariffs on those nations...

DUDLEY, Mo. -- When the sound of a child's giggle is louder than the whirring of duck wings and a nearby crowd of 50 people, you know something special is happening, and if you saw the smile on 3-year-old Beckett Kiefer's face Saturday morning, you'd have no doubt...

A new public administrator has been appointed for Stoddard County, Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis said following a recent meeting of the Stoddard County Commission. Cindy Duckworth has been appointed by Gov. Mike Parson effective Wednesday, Aug. 1, following current Public Administrator Pamela Lape's resignation. Duckworth was sworn in Wednesday...

DAEOC Head Start is taking applications for eligible children between the ages of 3 and 4, as well as 5 years old that missed the Kindergarten deadline. Early Head Start is accepting applications on children ages birth to 3 years old. Special Needs children are strongly encouraged to apply. Contact the nearest Head Start/Early Head Start Center or DAEOC County Office to complete an application...

Congressman Jason Smith Capitol Report Our grateful nation owes a massive debt of gratitude to the veterans who have fought to protect our country and its freedoms. As I accompanied President Trump this week on Air Force One for his fourth trip to Missouri since becoming president, I saw how devoted he is to fight on their behalf so every veteran receives the best possible treatment upon returning home. ...

Rescue mission property donated Hi I'm wanting to say something to Speakout. It said in Friday night's paper today that, the Coca Cola building was purchased by the United Gospel Rescue Mission by Jim Dunn. NO, THAT'S NOT RIGHT! IT WAS DONATED! Brother Jim raised money for a lighthouse mission and then with the Coke building was donated. He spent a very little amount of the money on remodeling it. IT WAS NOT PURCHASED! IT WAS DONATED! Thank you...

The Chicago Tribune Editorial Board We're searching for a description of the Chinese government's behavior and can't decide among bullying, extortion or coercion. The White House went with "Orwellian nonsense." Geopolitical chutzpah also comes to mind...

Stoddard County commissioners will discuss filling another open spot on the Senate Bill 40 board in August, according to presiding commissioner Greg Mathis. The commission discussed SB40 matters July 23, after a board member resigned at last week's meeting. Three new members appointed in July by the commission have created a shift in board priorities, and new upheaval for the entity created to help the county's developmentally disabled...

Randall Lynn Scott, 59, formerly of Braggadocio, Missouri died Saturday, July 21, 2108. He was born March 25, 1959 in Hayti. Randall is survived by his mother, Freda Scott; one sister and brother-in-law, Debbie (Neil) Tucker; two brothers, Ricky (Kaye) Scott and Jimmy (Rhonda) Graham; one son, Hunter Scott (Sydney) and grandson, Ledger of Crystal Springs, Arkansas; one daughter, Brandy Scott of Crystal Springs, Arkansas; three nieces, Tracy (John) Martin, Heather (Casey) Parson and Angelia Thompson and one nephew, Erick (Taylor) Scott.. ...

The Kansas City Star Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., says her office is drafting legislation aimed at improving safety on duck boats. "We've had more than 40 deaths associated with duck boats since 1999, yet there has been little done to address the inherent dangers of these amphibious vehicles," she said...

When I was a child, my favorite flavor was red. If pressed to be specific, I always said my favorite was cherry. When I became a man I put away childish things, but I still love cherries. At this time of year, when they are so abundant, I can never quite get the stains of cherry juice off my fingers...

Popular Asian eatery P.F. Chang's has been celebrating its 25th birthday. The lettuce wraps are arguably one of the most popular and best-loved dishes at P.F. Chang's. They consist of seasoned ground chicken that's scooped into crunchy iceberg lettuce and topped with crispy bean thread noodles. Wrap and eat...

Moses said unto the Israelites just before they were to begin their conquest for Canaan--the Promised Land: "The Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:27a. Knowing this surely must have given them courage to enter against a stronger and better equipped nation...

Cape Area Habitat for Humanity dedicated its 58th home Sunday. That's 58 families in the Cape Girardeau area -- some in Jackson, some in Perryville, but most in Cape Girardeau -- who have partnered with Habitat for Humanity to get into a home they otherwise couldn't qualify for, said Jeff Long, president of the Cape Area Habitat for Humanity, and a real-estate agent...

Shirley Dunivan, 88, of Puxico, Missouri, died July 25, 2018, at her home in Puxico. The funeral service was held July 28, 2018 at the First General Baptist Church in Puxico, Missouri. Dr. Danny Dunivan of Evansville, Indiana and Rev. Kenneth Lambert of Bloomfield officiated. Burial followed in the Puxico City Cemetery. Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Puxico in charge of arrangements...

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- Malaysia's civil aviation chief said Tuesday he has resigned to take responsibility after an independent investigative report highlighted shortcomings in the air traffic control center during Malaysia Airlines Flight 370's disappearance four years ago...

FISK, Mo. - Gerlean Wilkerson, age 94, of Naylor, Mo., died Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Cedar Gate Healthcare, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mrs. Wilkerson was born Dec. 10, 1923 in Biggers, Ark. daughter of the late Namon and Essie Pendergrass. She was of the Pentecostal faith and member of Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Fairdealing. On May 15, 1943 she married Everett Wilkerson. He preceded her in death on July 9, 2001...

Even with political allies currently holding the majority in Washington, D.C., and recent favorable rulings from various courts, local Second Amendment advocates know there is an outspoken segment of the American population relentless in its zeal to disarm citizens, and that is why the 26th annual SEMO Friends of NRA banquet is expected to be as big as ever...

Gerald Davis, 92, of Arnold, Mo., formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, July 27, 2018 at Kearney, Mo. Mr. Davis was born on May 29, 1926 in Risco, Mo. and was a lawnmower repair man. He loved watching wrestling and going to the auction barn and he dearly loved his family. On Feb. 18, 1961 he married Argie Mae Davis. She preceded him in death on Feb. 25, 2014...

CAMPBELL, Mo. - Terry James Clayton, 57, of Campbell, died Thursday, July 26 at his residence. Visitation will be at 1 p.m., Wednesday, August 1 at Landess Funeral Home in Campbell. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. with Rev. George Needham officiating. Landess Funeral Home of Campbell is in charge of arrangements...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Organizers of the annual Shootin' for St. Jude Archery Shoot are busy making final plans for the eighth annual event and promise it will be as big as ever. "Last year was so big, and we're on tap to do the same this year. We're expecting it to be bigger and better," said Poplar Bluff St. Jude Heroes team captain Miranda Fickert, whose group joins the local Indian Creek Bowhunters organization to host the event...

Jerry Allen Kearby, 68, of Ellsinore, MO died Friday, July 27, 2018 at Poplar Bluff, MO. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., Thursday, August 2 at Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. in the chapel. Burial will be in the Fairdealing Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Fairdealing Cemetery...

MALDEN, Mo. - Sharon Kay Brown, 69 of Monett, MO, died Saturday, July 28, 2018 at Cox Medical Center - Monett. Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m., Tuesday, July 31 at Bradshaw Funeral Home - Malden. The funeral will be at noon, Wednesday, August 1 at Bradshaw Chapel - Malden with Rev. Dewayne White officiating. Burial will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO. www.bradshawfh.com...

Poplar Bluff Piranhas swimmer Paige Bradley placed second in the Girls 15-18 division 50 meter freestyle at the Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa, which took place from July 26-29. Bradley finished the race with a time of 28.96 seconds. She went on to finish the 100 butterfly in 1 minute, 20.87 seconds, placing 14th. In the 200 freestyle, Bradley placed 16th with a time of 2:33.54...

Anyone who planned on entering this year's Mingo Swamp Friends' annual Flora and Fauna Photo Contest now has a little more time to do so. The original entry deadline of 4 p.m. today has been extended until the same time on Aug. 15, giving you two extra weeks to pick your favorite photographs, have them printed and get them delivered to the refuge...

Butler County officials completed a public test Tuesday morning of voting equipment, as the region gears up for the Aug. 7 primary election. More than a dozen county offices across Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Reynolds, Ripley, Stoddard and Wayne counties will see contested races this fall. Winners of the primary election will move on to the Nov. 6 general election...

By Phil Masturzo Writing about wine is like pulling up to a stop sign on an Italian street corner. It's only a suggestion. There are many, many options on the shelves for Italian pinot grigio. Rohco Blanchis Pinot Grigio from Collio, Italy, made me stop dead in my tracks and smile. Nice tropical flavors and a hint of orange peel on the nose. This pinot grigio has style...

PIGGOTT, Ark. - Edward Leon Moffitt, 75, of Edwardsville, Illinois, passed away July 26, 2018, at the Alahambra Care Center in Alahambra, Illinois. He was born on July 30, 1942, in Fagus, Missouri and was the son of Doyle and Edith (King) Moffitt. He was preceded in death by his mother, Edith Idabelle Moffitt and father, Doyle Moffitt...

PIEDMONT, Mo. - Betty Jane Nicks, 97, of Tucson, AZ, formerly of Piedmont, died Friday, July 27, 2018 at Peppi's Hospice House, Tucson. Visitation will be at 5 p.m., Wednesday, August 1 at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont. Graveside services will follow Thursday, August 2 at 10 a.m., at Masonic Cemetery, Piedmont. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

A month ago, the Southeast Missouri State baseball team thought it might lose its best hitter to the MLB Draft. That didn't happen, but the Redhawks have lost him anyway. According to a report from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette published last week, Trevor Ezell has joined the University of Arkansas as a graduate transfer...

BROSELEY -- With a flip of the calender from July to August comes thoughts of back to school preparations for homes throughout the area. The Twin Rivers R-X School District will hold the annual Back to School Fair from 1-7 p.m. Wednesday at the high school in Broseley...