Stories from Sunday, August 19, 2018

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Eric Sevareid (1912-1992), the author and broadcaster, said he was a pessimist about tomorrow but an optimist about the day after tomorrow. Regarding America's economy, prudent people should reverse that. This Wednesday, according to the Financial Times' Robin Wigglesworth and Nicole Bullock, "the U.S. ...

Rep. Jason Smith As summer fades and fall begins, Missourians prepare to send their children back to school or off to college. Fall brings a fresh opportunity for new starts and the chance to be a little better than last year - whether it's in the classroom, on the sports team, or in the local community. ...

Avid St. Louis Cardinals fan Jo Janis celebrated her 102nd birthday in a way Redbird fanatics only dream of, by rubbing elbows and hugging necks with members of the organization. Janis, a Wayne County native, celebrated her birthday at Busch Stadium with family July 13. Catcher Yadier Molina, who just so happens to also share a birthday with one of his biggest fans, was also included in the once in a lifetime celebration...

Ramona Katherine Young, 79, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Friday, Aug. 17, 2018 at Cedargate Healthcare. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.cotrellfuneralservice.com

Ben and Michelle Nobles of Poplar Bluff were among the families honored Monday during the 60th Annual Missouri Farm Family Day at the Missouri State Fair. The Nobles family, including young Oliver, were selected as Butler County's Farm Family by the Butler County Extension Council and local Farm Bureau. ...

In a recent edition of the Daily American Republic, we ran a story about layoffs at a major newspaper. It's a common story in recent years. The story you are less likely to hear is that of community papers like the DAR. But community journalism is a story that needs to be told too...

VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Mary Ellen Barr, 81, of Van Buren, died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018 at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff, Visitation will begin for the public at 9 a.m., Monday, Aug. 20, 2018 at the McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren, Mo., with the funeral service following at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Rev Dan Harvey will be officiating. Burial will be Van Buren City Cemetery. Donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital: 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN. 38105...

The Poplar Bluff R-I Instructional Technology Department fabricated an interactive 3-D topographical map as a summer project to help further engage students this year as they learn earth science concepts. The augmented reality software was made available for free by UC Davis developers, who secured a grant through the National Science Foundation to educate about freshwater lake ecosystems. The IT department first became aware of the AR Sandbox during a MOREnet conference...

Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center students proved this summer they are competitive in their respective trades not only in Missouri, but on a national scale. Eight top students recently vied in the National SkillsUSA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky placing as high as in the top five of the country. In addition, outgoing senior Luke Cook earned a $1,000 scholarship from the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, based on an essay...

Judy L. (Perry) Giambelluca departed from this life peacefully on Aug. 17, 2018 at St. Francis Medical Center surrounded by her family. Judy was born on Feb. 1, 1936 in Avert, Mo. to Walter and Viola Perry. She graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1953, where she was a member of the cheerleading squad and volleyball team. ...

PIGGOTT, Ark. -- Jimmie Welty, 75 years old, of Qulin, Missouri passed away Aug. 16, 2018 at the General Baptist Nursing Home in Piggott, Arkansas. He was born Jan. 9, 1943 in Fagus, Missouri to the late Owen and Claudia Fowler Welty. In April 17, 1965 he married the love of his life Sue Hamilton...

The annual Maynard Alumni and Friends Reunion will be Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Maynard High School Cafeteria at 5 p.m. Maynard alumni and friends of Maynard are invited to attend. Scholarship recipients (from 1991 - 2018) are invited to attend and support the association. Thanks to all the members for your membership, donations and support in making the Maynard Alumni and Friends Association a successful organization...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The new class and district assignments for fall sports have been announced by the Missouri State High School Activities Association. Football While locally most of the districts remain similar to 2017, there are some changes in 2018, most notably New Madrid County Central dropping from Class 3 to Class 2. The Eagles were slotted into Class 2, District 1, joining Caruthersville, Charleston, East Prairie, Jefferson (Festus), Kelly, Malden and St. Pius X...

A new clinic in Cape Girardeau aims to help patients battling an opioid addiction. Brightstone Medical, a medication-assisted therapy clinic, opened Aug. 6 at 36 Doctors' Park, suite 2, according to a company news release. In 2017 alone, Missouri saw 951 deaths from opioid overdose, according to www.opioid.mo.gov...

A Poplar Bluff man was killed Saturday in a motorcycle accident at 1 p.m. on Route O, 12 miles north of Poplar Bluff. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Charles R. Plemmons, 67, was eastbound on a 2010 Harley Davidson when his motorcycle ran off the roadway and came to rest in a ditch...

A mass of students stepped back onto the campus of Three Rivers College and into their futures this past week. Classes officially began Monday, Aug. 13 in Poplar Bluff as well as off-site facilities. Brandon Martinez, a third-year student studying biology, said the semester kicked off with no issues...

VAN BUREN -- A wooden bridge on State Route 103 that serves as a primary access for Big Spring in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways will close Aug. 27, and could remain closed for up to a year. The National Park Service will replace the existing bridge through a partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, according to an announcement Friday. Cost estimates for the project have not been released...

ATLANTA -- After all of the hand-wringing and talk about the need for improved play from the Chiefs' offensive line in the wake of a disappointing preseason opener, first-year starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes faced relatively little pressure and wasn't treated at all like a pinata on Friday night...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Last season was supposed to be Kendall Blanton's year. As a sophomore in 2016, Missouri's tight end snatched 16 passes, three for touchdowns. He was Drew Lock's favorite red zone target, a 6-foot-6, 265-pound machine whose oversized hands swallowed the football. Maybe a strong junior season would vault him into the NFL draft a year ahead of schedule...

VAN BUREN -- Government offices may not return to a historic Carter County Courthouse that was damaged by a flood more than a year ago. County commissioners will hear from individuals concerned about plans for the courthouse during a meeting at 9 a.m. Monday, at the temporary offices on County Road M-101...

A Harviell man who was injured by two bulls on his property last week is making gradual steps forward, but remains on a ventilator at a St. Louis hospital, according to family. Bob Newcomb sustained 16 broken ribs, a collapsed lung and two fractured vertebrae during the incident Aug. 10 at his home on County Road 359...