Stories from Monday, November 28, 2016

Headed into Election Day, political experts and polling data predicted many of Missouri's races would go down to the wire with Republicans favored in some contests and Democrats in others. After the dust settled late Tuesday night, the pollsters and pundits were proven wrong as Republicans surged to convincing victories in all the contests for statewide office, and the House and Senate maintained veto proof super majorities. ...

So many times we walk through life saying, "What have you done for me lately, Lord?" And the Lord answers back from heaven, "If only you knew." Many have heard of Helen Keller. She was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Helen Keller was born deaf, blind and unable to speak. ...

"we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies." Romans 8:23

Mary Hannah Swilley killed her first deer last Thursday morning, November 17. A four-point buck. Then she made the statement, "This deer hunting stuff is easy, and to all the PHS 9th grade boys, 'In your face'".

Ashlyn Swilley is a member of USA gymnastics and AAU gymnastics through her gym, Bootheel Gymnastics in New Madrid. She competes monthly at Paducah, and is on the Excel Silver level. This is her third year competing with her coach Shannon Reed. She will compete later for state next spring. ...

Kaitlyn Nowlin shot this eight-point buck last Sunday, Nov. 13. she and her brother, Klay Nowlin were hunting close to home in New Madrid County. She says it weighed about 170 pounds.

Travis Scherer shot this nine-point buck last Thursday morning. " I can honestly say this is the first deer I have ever killed in shorts and T-shirt.

On Saturday, November 12, one of Santa's helpers, Danny Angotti, got this deer the first weekend of deer season. No worries - this doe is NOT one of Santa's reindeer.

For the most part, the November meeting of the Portageville City Council went as usually with the hearing of department reports, review last month's bills, and passing a couple of bids. The first item of discussion was the condition of the older trash truck The air compression went out, and the truck was left parked until it could be fixed. ...

When the fate of the Girl Scout's Camp Latonka was threatened nearly three years ago, a group of concerned men and women -- many of them former Latonka campers themselves -- established the Friends of Camp Latonka and began efforts through which they hoped to save the once coveted summer Girl Scout Camp at Lake Wappapello. The camping program at Latonka offers canoeing, kayaking, paddle boating, swimming lessons and sailing...

The Holiday spirits are alive and well in the City of Portageville! Last weekend, the Portageville Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Christmas Open House, but with a new twist in the scheme of things. Last Friday, the chamber hosted a movie on the grounds outside the Community Center showing "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" However, due to inclement weather, it was moved inside the Community Center...

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway says government must do better when it comes to meeting its obligations to transparency with the public. A newly-released report on compliance with the state's open records laws shows that only 30 percent of local governments fully complied with laws specifically designed to keep government accessible to its citizens...

On Tuesday, the State Auditor's monthly report detailed local government's compliance with financial reporting laws. Cities, towns and villages in Missouri are required to file annual financial reports with the State Auditor's Office within six months of the end of their fiscal year...