Stories from Wednesday, September 5, 2018

The Dexter Police Department is seeking donations for the approximately $20,000 it needs for the re-establishment of a canine unit. "It's an expensive program, but it is a needed program," explained Dexter Police Chief Trevor Pulley. " ... It's a very necessary tool for law enforcement and the community."...

Each year, the Stoddard County Fair takes over the fairgrounds for five days of fun, food and livestock. It's the behind the scenes people and the many hours they volunteer year-round that make an event of its size look seamless. "The fair is all volunteers," Stoddard County Fair board President Henry Kestner said. "We receive no state, federal or local funding for anything."...

Story and photos by By NANCY NELSON VINES Contributing Writer SSLqSSLqIt's great to be home," beams singer, musician, composer, artist and lawyer Amanda Walker. "I am honored when I think about how much time and effort so many people put into making this happen," referring to her recent near-capacity crowd performance at Dexter High School (DHS) auditorium...

Story and photos by Caleb H. Swallows MALDEN -- An event Saturday drew hundreds to honor the 75th anniversary of the Malden Army Airfield and Malden's contribution to World War II. The Malden Army Airfield Preservation Society organized the event, which also recognized veterans, both those who have passed and those still serving...

"It is time for this war in Afghanistan to end," said Gen. John Nicholson in Kabul on his retirement Sunday after a fourth tour of duty and 31 months as commander of U.S. and NATO forces. Labor Day brought news that another U.S. serviceman had been killed in an insider attack by an Afghan soldier...

A Dexter farmer was one of eight appointments Missouri Gov. Parson made Thursday to various boards and commissions Allen Rowland of Dexter was appointed to the Clean Water Commission, while Pat Thomas, of Jefferson City, was reappointed to the Clean Water Commission...

By STEPHEN MOORE Love him or hate him, you've got to hand it to Donald Trump. His trade and tariff strategy -- risky as it is -- seems to be working. The master negotiator is hammering out agreements -- first with the Europeans and now with Mexico -- that are better deals for American firms and workers...

I've tried to avoid writing this column for quite some time. But I have to be honest. I cringed while watching President Trump's political rally in West Virginia last week. And this is far from the first time I have found myself bewildered by the ramblings of this President...

Sandra Ann Scott, 57, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She was born July 24, 1961 to Sam and Jean (Ketchum) Mansfield at St. Louis, Mo. In 1984, she married Keith in Poplar Bluff To this union was born a son Eric Scott. She liked to crochet and play board games...

Ted J. Plunk, 80, passed away peacefully Aug. 26, 2018 in his home surrounded by family and loved ones. Born Nov. 30, 1937 to Nova and Charlotte (Page) Plunk , Ted was a resident of Poplar Bluff until 1976 when he moved his family to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Upon his retirement as a food broker, Ted and his wife moved to Central Florida...

BLOOMFIELD -- The Bloomfield Wildcats want what Puxico has -- a win. In a battle of two winless teams, the Indians scored in each of the last three innings and beat Bloomfield 10-6. "We've been working toward this," Puxico coach Jay Pierce said. "Our first game was kind of a blowout. Then we've been progressing toward getting better, and this is the fruition of that. ... We are making that progress we need to win some games."...

Staff Reports An opening reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday for winners of the 31st Annual Pictures by the People photography contest, hosted by Margaret Harwell Art Museum. The free event is open to the public and will include an ice cream social and awards ceremony...

Glenda Reese, 86, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018 at Delmar Gardens South in St. Louis, Mo. Arrangements are pending with Cotrell Funeral Service.

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- David S. Mendoza, 63, died Monday, Sept. 3, 2018 at his home near Annapolis, Mo. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9 at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Piedmont. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10 at the Free Spirit Baptist Church near Annapolis with Pastor Steve Sale officiating...

George F. McCall, 73, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018 at his residence. George, the son of the late Moses "Mac" and Lois (Barham) McCall, was born Feb. 11, 1945 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was a proud member of the First Christian Church. George retired after 24 years with Gamblin Lumber Company...

Helen "Jackie" Nadine Roach, 96, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Monday, Sept. 3, 2018 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. A gathering of family and friends will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel with a Celebration of Life following at 2 p.m. The Rev. Robert Edwards will officiate...

So far, it has been a softball season filled with new players in new positions facing new challenges for the Mules. On Tuesday, freshman Emilee Cheek came through in the clutch with a game-tying run in the bottom of the sixth as Poplar Bluff rallied to beat Chaffee 4-3 at Bobby Strenfel Field...

Jaden Deaton and Dylan Cisne finished first and second at the Poplar Bluff cross country tri-meet on Tuesday in Poplar Bluff. In the two-mile race, Deaton averaged under 6 minutes per mile with a finish of 11:54 while Cisne took second in 13:24. The Mules placed four people in the top five with JT Thurman taking fourth in 14:21 and Brent Worley in fifth at 14:40...

NEELYVILLE -- With 90-degree temperatures beating down on the field at Neelyville high school, Greenville's Tye Huff brought the heat to the mound in Tuesday's game. The senior pitcher threw his second no-hitter in the team's first five games and his first three starts. He has yet to allow a run this season...

BLOOMFIELD -- Bailey Below's solid all-around play helped the Bloomfield Wildcats sweep SCAA foe Richland 25-16, 25-11 Tuesday night in a volleyball match at Bloomfield. Below had eight kills, five digs, four assists, three service aces and two kill-blocks...

NEELYVILLE, Mo.-- Keith Andrew "Andy" Gambling, 53, of Doniphan, Mo., passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born Oct. 23, 1964, at Kennett,Mo. to the late Wesley Leroy Gambling and Lynda "Tucker" Gambling. He is survived by son, Keith Gambling Jr., of Grandin, Mo.;two grandchildren, Ethan and Hanna Gambling, both of Grandin; grandmother, Christine Gambling of Doniphan; sister, Suzy (Donnie) Fowler of Naylor, Mo., Terry (Leroy) James and Tracy (Jerry) Strostrand, both of Doniphan, and Karen (Bill) Phillips of Lincolnton, N.C.; brothers, Joe (Lawdonna) Gambling of Tiptonville, Mo., Mike Gambling and Paul Gambling, both of Doniphan,. ...

Officials with Mid Continent Nail warned Tuesday the company's future is still in question as steel tariffs continue. But Labor Day has come and gone without an announcement of closure. "If we thought things looked absolutely impossible, almost certainly the parent company would have shut down by Labor Day," spokesperson Jim Glassman said in a conference call Tuesday with reporters...