Football jamboree 50% OFF First Individual Tax Return highlights ‘Meet 222 S. Crittenden, Marshfield the Jays’ festivities 417-859-7655 PAGE 1B Opened Mon & Wed 9am-5pm Closed 12pm-1pm 1350 Spur Dr., Ste 240, Mfld. 417-859-7655 10% off to military and civil servants marshfieldmail.com Vol. 130, No. 23 August 25, 2021 $1.00 612520c Armed suspect arrested at Walmart By Shelby Atkison [email protected] Marshfield Police officers responded to the site of a potential mass-shooting on Wednesday, Aug. 18 at Walmart. Warren Dale Bran- I see this man setting ning, of Long Lane, was arrested and charged with things outside of his 1st Degree Terrorist Threat, Warren Dale Branning vehicle and then I re- Resisting Arrest and 1st Warren Dale Branning, of Long Lane, Degree Harassment. Prior was arrested and charged with three alized they were guns to his arrest, Branning told felonies following an incident at Walmart in Marshfield on Wednesday, Aug. 18. because one was par- police the events of that day tially unzipped and probably would not have happened if he hadn’t used “This is the year 2021 showing,” a witness methamphetamine. and with the amount of gun said. “At that point, “This was an unfortunate violence and actual shoot- set of circumstances that ings that have taken place in I froze… I ducked could have put a lot of people Walmart parking lots… we down in my vehicle in danger… it was shaping were prepared for the worst up to be an active-shooter when we got the call,” added and I could see when situation. I can’t be anymore Chief Doug Fannen. “Dis- he would get back in proud of our officers and patch received several calls their willingness to risk their about a man on the ground, to get more guns. I lives and safety in order to laying out guns around Contributed photos didn’t want to drive protect our community” him. We didn’t know what Evidence from the Marshfield Police Department shows the off because I was said Mayor Natalie McNish. his mental state was but we pair of binoculars and several firearms Branning had in the “I can’t sing high enough had information that he was Walmart parking lot. afraid that he would praises about what our of- pointing and yelling at peo- ficers do. They are undoubt- ple. He had a pair of binocu- surreal for witnesses, includ- lunch in her car when Bran- shoot me… I just edly some of the most amaz- lars with him and did admit ing Rayola Leggett, a Burrell ning pulled up and parked knew he was going ing people I have met doing he was high on methamphet- Health employee who went to next to her, leaving one this job and used the least amine. This could have very Walmart that day for a loaf of empty space between them. to shoot me. I didn’t amount of force possible to easily ended in tragedy.” garlic bread. She told the Mail know what to do.” effect this arrest.” The entire experience was that she was finishing her See BRANNING, Page 3A School send-offs By ShelbyAtkison [email protected] Webster County children are Mail back to school this week and social media has been flooded with photos documenting the launches start of the semester. Kinder- gartener Laiken Gardner had a special send-off from a few new site friends that she’ll remember for years to come. By Mail Staff “Since she was little I have Head on over to www. always told her that I love her marshfieldmail.com for a infinity times infinity,” said Den- glimpse of the new Marshfield ver Gardner, mother of Laiken. “I Mail website. wanted to do something memo- With a fresh, new design – rable for her first day.” readers can enjoy everything According to Gardner, using the Marshfield Mail has to the cast of Toy Story was the per- offer, and more. fect way to do it. When Laiken Contributed photo “Relaunching the website is Kindergartener Laiken Gardner’s mom got creative with this year’s back to school pic – just what the Marshfield Mail See SCHOOL, Page 2A featuring a familiar cast. needed,” said Editor Shelby Atkison. “This gives our online newspaper a bold new face with the same classic content.” New website features include weather updates, a Rogersville dino stolen amid park project link to Marketplace as well as subscription information. By Shelby Atkison $1,000 to replace it with a similar piece Those who are experiencing [email protected] of equipment. Those are funds the delivery issues, need to register park didn’t plan on spending. a change of address or request The beloved purple dinosaur that “The reason it was stolen was be- a stop on delivery during vaca- donned the playground at the Rogers- cause of the current park improvement tion may also do so by clicking ville Community Park since the 1990’s project that’s taking place,” she said. “Contact Us” at the top of the has been reported as stolen amid “They are working now to remove old main page. the park’s most recent reconstruc- gravel, add mulch and even a walking The main page gives tion project. trail… the dinosaur was taken out and subscribers a wider scope of “This is really a devastating blow laid to the side while it’s worked on.” news coverage with greater to our community,” said Lauren According to Friends of the Park, ease. Those who wish to take a Brooke with Rogersville Friends of the construction is expected to be com- peek back at local history can Park. “I don’t know if whoever took pleted within 2-3 weeks. Those with do so by scrolling though the it really realizes what a hit it is to the details regarding the disappearance Contributed photo archives of news and sports by community.” of the playful t-rex should contact A Rogersville child enjoys the purple dino- Marshfield Mail writers. Not only do local kids love the plum the Rogersville Police Department at saur playground equipment that is now miss- dinosaur, it’s estimated to cost at least (417) 753-2324. ing from the Rogersville Community Park. See WEBSITE, Page 2A INSIDE See Back to OBITUARIES BridgetNewspaper Danielle Morris; Bar Codes TODAY’S School Photos Timothy Ervin Kusz;Arksansas/Missouri Donald Terrell Cantrell; ISSUE Page 7A John Richard Callaway; Steven Shaune “Steve” Walsh; 8 95401 00100 4 8 95401 00108 0 MM HDT-D Call today for your hearing healthcare needs! 417-943-3005 8 95401 00101 1 8 95401 00109 7 FREE Hearing Test & Consultation. Marshfield 222 S Crittenden,BHFP-W Unit C HDT-S FREE Trial of top brand hearing aids. SERVING YOU IN 3 LOCATIONS FREE Cleaning and in-house repair of all brands of hearing aids Ozark Mountain Grove 2213 Petrus Circle 205 W. 3rd Ste.6 • Bluetooth capable FREE HEARING TEST • Recharchable www.lifesoundsgreat.com8 95401 00102 8 8 95401 00110 3 601042hb Entire contents copyright © 2021 The Marshfield Mail Entire contents copyright © 2021 BR NCT 8 95401 00103 5 CCH 8 95401 00104 2 BHFP-F 8 95401 00105 9 CCR 8 95401 00106 6 RM 8 95401 00107 3 SCM 2.2.07 2A | The Marshfield Mail | August 25, 2021 NEWS New church brings USDA recognizes new life to Marshfield exemplary support for breastfeeding mothers 8 WIC local agencies honored as model programs JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The U.S. “The Missouri WIC program fully Department of Agriculture (USDA) has supports all mothers who would like awarded eight WIC local agencies with to breastfeed,” said Lisa Schlientz, the 2021 WIC Breastfeeding Award of State Breastfeeding Coordinator with Excellence for exemplary efforts in Missouri DHSS WIC and Nutrition supporting breastfeeding WIC moth- Services. “We are proud of the extra ers. The eight agencies are: Affinia efforts made by these eight agencies, Healthcare, City of St. Joseph Health even during a major public health Department, Columbia/Boone De- crisis, to provide a full range of breast- partment of Public Health and Hu- feeding services to WIC participants man Services, Laclede County Health who choose breastfeeding to provide Department, Randolph County Health a healthy start for their baby. This sup- Department, Saline County Health De- port empowers our Missouri moms partment, Washington County Health and enables them to be successful.” Department, and Webster County WIC agencies that have operated a Health Unit. These awards were part peer counseling program for at least of USDA’s National WIC Breastfeeding one year and meet all of the required Week, celebrated August 1-7. core components of the WIC Breast- Breastfeeding provides countless feeding Model for Peer Counseling, benefits to both babies and mothers, including recruiting and hiring from as well as many benefits to society as WIC’s target population, and being a whole, including decreased health- available to WIC clients outside usual care costs and increased productivity. clinic hours, are eligible to apply for While breastfeeding is natural, there is the award. a learning curve for moms and babies, The award program was established and all mothers benefit from having a to recognize WIC local agencies that supportive environment in which to have provided exemplary breastfeed- Photo by STEM Visuals learn how to feed their babies. Many ing promotion and support activities. Pictured is Marcus Blackstock being baptized by his sister, Morgan Free- mothers find success in breastfeeding Awards highlight successful models man (Blackstock). The first-ever round of baptisms was performed by The through education and support from and encourage other local agencies to Well Church Marshfield on Sunday, Aug.