Stories from Friday, November 7, 2014

Lately, I've been thinking about my friend, Charles, and missing him. He was a husband, father, English teacher, social worker, canoeist, bluegrass player, therapist, connoisseur of green-apple moonshine, and a good friend. He spent the last decade of his life as the Director of Student Services in my hometown school district, on the front lines of advocacy for some of the most vulnerable children in the community. ...

"As they danced they sang: Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands." 1 Samuel 18:7 We have entered the month in which we celebrate Thanksgiving, and it seems as if the world around us has forgotten all about Thanksgiving. This year two weeks before Halloween most stores had their Christmas candy and decorations out. I just want to scream out; what about Thanksgiving!!!...

IKESTON -- Property tax bills will have a whole new look for many area residents. "The receipts and statements are going to look completely different this year because I'm with a new software company," said Dewayne Nowlin, collector of revenue for New Madrid County. "It will be a full statement. They can tear off the bottom and send that in and keep the top part for their records."...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announced that hunters checked 5,691 turkeys during Missouri's fall firearms turkey season, which ran Oct. 1 - 31. Last year's fall firearms turkey harvest total was 5,929 birds. Top harvest counties for the 2014 season were Greene with 165 turkeys checked, Franklin with 163, and St. Clair with 160...

Youth deer season, that time honored tradition when precarious adolescences are escorted into the wild by the seasoned outdoorsman in their life, in hopes of encountering the majestic whitetail deer, and subsequently assassinating your majesty by means of a lead projectile through the lungs. ...

JV All Conference: Madi Schrum--Senath Lexi Campbell--Malden Kelsi Jones--Portageville Quameria Johnson--Hayti Tia Speers--South Pemiscott Hannah Vaughn--Caruthersville Tanner Moody--Holcomb Allison Hampton--Malden Maggie Crossno--Senath Anna Ockel--Campbell...

Audrey Hepburn and a Groovy Hippie were out on Halloween- not collecting candy, but delivering Breast Cancer Awareness Bags to women at local businesses all over New Madrid County. Tami Maly, left, and Tasha Hickson, right, got in the Halloween spirit while delivering bags containing tips and information about breast cancer awareness and prevention, along with some treats to snack on...

Three Rivers College's Testing Services department now offers the MEGA test for students completing their four-year education degree. The test will replace the Praxis II exam for determining competency in areas of instruction. "We're pleased to be partnering with Pearson Vue to offer this exam in Poplar Bluff," said Diane Patterson, Testing Coordinator at Three Rivers. ...