Stories from Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Previous associate commissioner Danny Talkington cited his experience and accounting background as to why he threw his hat in the ring to be elected as the next presiding commissioner of Stoddard County. "Having been associate commissioner District 1 for four years (2013-2016), I understand the workings of county government," Talkington said. ...

Always having an interest in politics and looking for a position that would fit what he had to offer is how Brock Williams came to decision to run for Stoddard County presiding commissioner. Williams said he was interested in an elected position that would not take him away from his family at this time while his children are young...

Stoddard County citizens will be presented with two propositions relating to the sheriff's department when stepping into the voting booth next week. Proposition 1 is estimated to generate $1.4 million per year for the sheriff's office to maintain general operational expenses, equipment, vehicles and salaries...

After the announcement that current Stoddard County Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis would not be seeking re-election, Jeff Riddle decided it was his time to step up and run for the office. "I thought maybe it was time to get a younger generation in there to try to get the county moving forward," Riddle said...

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...

Being community service minded and active on many boards, Sam Huey Jr. said he always thought about running for presiding commissioner of Stoddard County. Since current office holder Greg Mathis announced he would not be running for re-election, Huey decided now was the time...

By STEPHEN MOORE The media and other Trump haters can't seem to let themselves admit it, but President Donald Trump scored a big victory for the American economy on trade last week. Trump and the European Union reached a handshake deal that is designed to lower tariffs on both sides of the Atlantic. They agreed to shoot for zero tariffs. Sounds like freer and fairer trade to me...

On July 19, the Knesset voted to change the nation's Basic Law. Israel was declared to be, now and forever, the nation-state and national home of the Jewish people. Hebrew is to be the state language. Angry reactions, not only among Israeli Arabs and Jews, came swift...

I wonder if liberals pray? Okay, that's a ridiculous question because, of course, liberals pray. But here's what prompts the question. With the current chaos -- and frightening chaos at that -- we have begun praying for our country. I can honestly say that past prayers for countless years have rarely, if ever, included a prayer for this country...

PIEDMONT, Mo. - Oland L. Brawley, 69, of Annapolis, died Saturday, July 28, 2018 at the Clark's Mountain Nursing Center in Piedmont. Visitation will be at 11:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 1 at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont. The funeral will follow at 1 p.m. in the chapel with Rev. Brent Reed officiating. Burial will be in the Mann Cemetery...

KENNETT, Mo. - Floyd "Mike" Jones III died July 30, 2018 at his home in Greenville, Missouri. Floyd was born to the late Floyd II and Edna (Pirtle) Jones March 16, 1948 in Kennett, Missouri. Mike married Marie Robertson December 20, 2012. Mike was an Army veteran and retired from the United States Military...

Robert Luther Freeman, 71, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Sunday, July 29, 2018 at Wappapello, Mo. There are no services planned. Online condolence: fowlersulivanfuneralhome.com

"There were three vows I made when I graduated from Dexter High School in 1975," Teresa Kapelski laughingly recalls, "I would never marry; I would never have kids; I would never set foot in a school again!" Forty-two years of married life, three children, and 26 years in education later, she says she can't imagine her life any other way...

Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home has been serving families of Poplar Bluff and the surrounding area from their Cedar Street location since 2008, but General Manager Ron Fowler brings nearly 30 years of experience to the establishment. Fowler, along with wife and assistant funeral director, Joyce, and funeral director Dora Burns, have established relationships with families in the area during their time of need...

MARSTON, Mo. -- The workers stood quietly watching as the truck loaded with 45,000 pounds of aluminum rolled through the gate. Then they began to applaud. Tuesday was a day some had feared would never come after Noranda Aluminum Co. declared bankruptcy and closed its doors in 2016. It was a day others had worked hard toward after the aluminum smelter was purchased by Magnitude 7 Metals...

Jerry Allen Kearby, 68, of Ellsinore, Mo. passed away on Friday, July 27, 2018 at Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born on Oct. 2, 1949 to Norma Kearbey in Coon Island, Mo. He graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1967. After high school he enlisted in The United States Army and the Army Reserves for over 20 years serving in Vietnam and Korea...

Modell Scobey was born Sept. 17, 1921 in Vilonia, Ark.. and died July 30, 2018. Modell's life goal was to make life lived between the dash (birth to death) count. Those who knew her best can testify to her contribution through her love, listening, faith and wisdom...

At a football practice earlier this summer Poplar Bluff head coach David Sievers kept looking at his watch. Sievers was waiting for a whistle to blow, signaling the players to rotate and switch groups. So he kept looking, wondering why nobody had whistled, then he realized he was the one who was supposed to do that...

Four individuals are vying for the Stoddard County presiding commissioner's office in Tuesday's election following the announcement that long time officer holder Greg Mathis would not be seeking re-election. They are, listed in ballot order, Danny Talkington, Brock Williams, Sam Huey Jr. and Jeff Riddle...

Women are the fastest growing population of veterans coming out of the service today, but less than half of those who qualify for benefits are seeking care in Poplar Bluff, said Dr. Patricia Hall, director of John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. The VA hopes a new women's clinic, and an emphasis on the needs of female veterans will help change that...

MERS Goodwill announced Tuesday the new Goodwill Excel Center will be housed in the former Kmart building, located at 2233 N. Westwood Blvd. in Poplar Bluff. Scheduled to open Monday, Oct. 22, the Goodwill Excel Center will help adults earn their high school diploma free of charge...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Following an increase in kindergarten enrollment, the Dexter R-XI Board of Education held a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the addition of a kindergarten teacher. During the meeting, school board members voted to add one teacher, increasing the number of kindergarten teachers from eight to nine for the 2018-19 school year. The addition results in lower class sizes, which administrators said is a benefit to students and teachers...

Rebecca "Maw-Maw" Williams-Jones, 63, of Springfield, Mo. formerly of Poplar Bluff, died Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at her residence. She was born Jan. 9, 1955 in Octa, Mo. to the late Clarence Hudson and Inez Williams. She was a member of Power of Acts apostolic church where she served as one of the mothers of the church under the leadership of Pastor Daniel Smith...