Business

SIKESTON – Deke Lape, an employee benefits consultant with Mitchell Insurance of Sikeston has been selected for the third-straight year to address the 17th Annual World Health Care Congress (WHCC) in Washington, D.C. “Deke Lape is widely recognized as a national leader in innovative NextGen Benefits strategies that are revolutionizing employee benefits,” said Nelson Griswold, chairman of the WHCC Benefits Adviser Leadership Track. ...

By SARAH SKIDMORE SELL and MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Business Writers The Trump administration has announced that most individuals and businesses will be allowed to delay paying their federal tax bills for 90 days as part of an emergency relief plan amid the coronavirus pandemic...

Armstrong Outdoors celebrated their Grand Opening at the Sikeston Outlet Stores with a ribbon cutting on March 7. The store is now open in the corner next to Carter’s at the outlet mall and offers everything from mens, ladies and youth camo to all-inclusive hunting and fishing guided trips. The store hours are Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday noon-6 p.m...

Two Sikeston office supply stores recently merged. Effective March 1, Mid-South Office Supply and Heartland Office Supply merged. Mid-South Office Supply, located at 924 S. Kingshighway in Sikeston, opened in 1983 and is locally owned and operated. ...

Waller joins First Midwest Bank as vice president, lending officer SIKESTON, Mo. – Gordon Waller has joined First Midwest Bank in Sikeston as a vice president and lending officer. With over 45 years of experience in community bank management, commercial lending and agricultural lending, Waller brings extensive knowledge to the bank group...

SIKESTON — One of the largest community banks in Missouri, First State Community Bank has been part of the Sikeston community since 2005. First State Community Bank was founded in 1954 and opened a trailer in Sikeston in 2005, moving into their current location at 201 N. Main in 2006...

The Sikeston Regional Chamber held a ribbon cutting on Feb. 20 to celebrate the new location of GoSEMO Fiber. GoSEMO plans to be fully operational and open to the public in the new location, 778 N. Main St., on April 6. The location will be home to all subscriber care, sign-ups for service, call center, construction operations, and technical support. GoSEMO plans to offer full fiber services in the BMU served territory in the coming year as construction completes...

SIKESTON — Chad Crow has been promoted to executive vice president/chief business officer of Farm Credit in Sikeston. Crow began his Farm Credit career in 2003 as a loan officer at the Sikeston branch. Over his 17 year tenure, Crow has continued to grow and develop into a leadership role having held various other positions within the organization including vice president/branch manager, senior vice president / chief operating officer, and in 2017 accepted his most recent position of senior vice president / senior relationship officer.. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Saint Francis Medical Center’s Emergency and Trauma Center has been recertified as the only state-designated Level III Trauma Center in southeast Missouri. “This designation as a Level III Trauma Center demonstrates our continued commitment to provide the highest quality care when our patients need it most,” said Dr. ...

SIKESTON — Sikeston will have a new food option beginning Monday. At 10 a.m. Monday, Rally’s will open at 533 N. Main, next to Rhodes. “The Sikeston community has been a staple community in Southeast Missouri for many years,” said Brent Anderson, vice president of operations at PAJCO Inc. “The continued growth and development of the market and community made it an easy decision to open this exciting new brand in a town known for it’s hospitality.”...

SIKESTON — Subway on East Malone in Sikeston has a new look. Located at 1203 E. Malone in the old McDonald’s building, the newly renovated Subway opened Feb. 8. “We bought the building in June and Blake Hickman Construction pretty much gutted the building,” said Kathy Agin, who owns the business along with her husband Trent Agin. “It’s been a long process but he did an excellent job.”...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Corn farmers, industry representatives, and guests from across the state gathered in Jefferson City, Mo., Wednesday for the Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) Annual Meeting and Legislative Day.  The morning kicked off at the Capitol Plaza Hotel with MCGA’s annual meeting. ...

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. – Bruce Lawrence has been appointed to the First State Bank and Trust Co., Inc. Board of Directors. Lawrence joins the bank’s Board of Directors with over 35 years of experience in financial institution representation. “We are pleased to welcome Bruce to our Board of Directors at First State Bank & Trust,” said Matthew Drake, Chariman and CEO. “His background in banking law and regulation bring diversity and perspective.”...

SIKESTON —Morgan Krokstrom has been hired as the newest financial adviser for Raymond James Financial Services. Krokstrom graduated from Arkansas State University in December of 2018 with a degree in Business Administration. “We are delighted to have Morgan join our Raymond James team,” Dean Wooden said. ...

In a statement released Monday evening, UnitedHealthcare said its negotiations with Saint Francis Healthcare System are efforts to reduce the cost of health care for Southeast Missouri residents. “The cost of care at Saint Francis Medical Center is nearly two and a half times more expensive than the average cost of the hospitals in our network in the St. Louis metropolitan area, where more competition among hospitals has driven costs down,” the statement said...

Officials with Saint Francis Healthcare System announced Monday morning UnitedHealthcare has terminated its contract with the entity as the two negotiate rates for services provided at Saint Francis’ facilities. The situation would put Saint Francis facilities “out of network” for United customers, meaning customers would pay higher rates for services such as cancer treatment, surgery and laboratory testing provided at Saint Francis...

Title Jason Aldean, Greenway Team Up to Fight Child Hunger Greenway Equipment and country music star Jason Aldean have teamed up again to support weekend backpack programs in schools in Missouri and Arkansas. Greenway Equipment has donated the John Deere Cab XUV835M utility vehicle Aldean uses on his property near Nashville. The UTV features a dashboard plaque with his autograph...

SIKESTON — Tiara Ross, Human Resources Business Partner II at SoutheastHEALTH, has been named to the board of directors of Southeast Missouri Food Bank. “We are very fortunate to have Tiara join our board of directors as we continue to raise funds and develop programs to feed our hungry neighbors in southeast Missouri,” said food bank Chief Executive Officer Joey Keys. “Tiara embodies the spirit of our mission, and her talents and expertise will fit perfectly with our current board.”...

SIKESTON — A third generation, family owned company, Executive Systems Inc. (ESI) has been serving the Sikeston community for over 60 years. ESI began in 1954 as Chambers Electric and evolved into ESI as the technology and demand for low voltage communications and security systems increased in the mid 1980s...

SIKESTON – Missouri Delta Home Health recently received top-tier rankings from two national third-party evaluators of home health agency quality, patient satisfaction, and overall performance – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Five-Star Quality Rating System and the 2019 HomeCare Elite...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, has announced that Lieutenant Jason N. Crites, Troop F, of Jefferson City is being promoted to captain and will transfer to the Research & Development Division, General Headquarters, where he will serve as director of the division. The promotion takes effect Jan. 1, 2020...

Taylor is honored at Hunter Acres Caring Center SIKESTON — Terry Taylor is the Employee of the Month for November at Hunter Acres Caring Center. Taylor has been working at Hunter Acres Caring Center since June 19, 1995, as the head cook. She has four beautiful daughters, 11 grandkids, and four great-grandkids. She loves her family and her residents and would like to thank everyone for this award...

SIKESTON — In 1948 a small group of businessmen thought the area was in need of a hospital and in December of that year Missouri Delta Medical Center opened its doors. Now, 71 years later, MDMC has a main hospital along with 24 primary care and specialty clinics throughout Southeast Missouri, including Portageville, New Madrid, Charleston, Dexter, Benton and Chaffee. MDMC currently has a workforce of over 730 full-time employees and a payroll exceeding $55 million...

SIKESTON — For Joshua Holmes, owner of Security Locksmith Shop and Door Service, the path to his career wasn’t a normal one. “Fascinating story,” Holmes said. “My dad wanted a retirement plan from the highway department, so he agreed to spend everything he had saved on the locksmith company that his brother in-law worked at, with no intention of actually learning the trade.”...

SIKESTON — A Sikeston resident will be taking part in a leadership academy. Kathy Medley will participate in the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Delta Leadership Institute (DLI.) where she and others from the seven other Delta states to participate in the 10-month DLI Executive Academy to help further her skills in community leadership, policy development, and regional collaboration to drive economic growth across the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions...

Pinkston promoted to loan officer at First State Bank and Trust SIKESTON — First State Bank & Trust Co., Inc. recently promoted Callie Pinkston to loan officer at the Sikeston branch. Her new responsibilities include evaluating and approving real estate, auto and personal loans...

SIKESTON — Founded in 1934, First State Bank and Trust has been a Sikeston staple for many years. “The bank was formed by a group of farmers during the great depression to provide financing to farmers in the area,” said Zach Fayette, North Market president at First State Bank and Trust. “Our Board is comprised of the decedents of that initial group of entrepreneurs and we still specialize in financing farmers in the area.”...

Steve McPheeters joins First Midwest Bank in Sikeston SIKESTON, Mo. – Joseph T. McLane, First Midwest Bank president, recently announced that Steve McPheeters has joined First Midwest Bank in Sikeston as a business development officer. With nearly 20 years of experience in financial services and additional background in business and industry, McPheeters joins First Midwest Bank with an excellent history of customer service...

SIKESTON — SEMO CBD, located at 801 S. Main St., between ReArms and Soo Vape vapor shops, will hold a grand opening Friday. There will be samples, giveaways and Kennys Flippen Burger food truck. SEMO CBD is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and carry lotions, pills, tincture oil, candy or flower along with brands such as Charolette's Web, Lazarus and Pinnacle...

Portageville, Mo. - For the past few months, the City of Lilbourn had been without a restaurant where a family could go to for a good home cooked dinner. Today, that need has been filled. Bobo’s Freeze Queen has been opened for the last three weeks feeding the folks and area farmers all around...

SIKESTON — Steve Millington began in banking 47 years ago, filing checks and putting together bank statements for customers. After working in nearly all aspects of banking, Millington now serves as community bank president at First Midwest Bank in Sikeston...

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. — First State Bank & Trust Co., Inc. recently promoted Charles F. “Trey” Cain III to south market president, an area encompassing Caruthersville, Portageville and Hayti. Most of Cain’s responsibilities will now expand to his new territory: overseeing operations, outlining strategic opportunities, developing mutually beneficial partnerships and increasing community outreach throughout the region...

SIKESTON — Sandy Mehner has always wanted to help others and working at one of Sikeston’s longest-standing banks has given her that opportunity. Mehner, the regional retail manager at Montgomery Bank in Sikeston, has been part of Montgomery Bank team for over 15 years...

The Sikeston Regional Chamber held a ribbon cutting for Family Matters Home Services and Adult Dayhab Center on Oct. 24. The Center is designed to teach developmentally disabled clients  life skills needed for daily living. The recent addition of a club house provides after skills and socializing and includes a pool table, foos ball tables, ping pong table and much more...

Montgomery Bank recently donated $5,000 to Southeast Missouri Food Bank to support Backpacks For Friday (BFF) for the Sikeston R-6 School District. The program provides students who need them with backpacks containing enough food to feed of four for the weekend. Montgomery Bank has been a longtime supporter of the program...

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, recently announced 17 commercial vehicle officers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Oct. 25. Mr. Tom Crawford, president and CEO of the Missouri Trucking Association, served as the guest speaker during the graduation ceremony. ...

SIKESTON — From their humble beginnings in a single-wide trailer in January of 2001 to their spacious building at 1150 S. Main, beside Lowes, Focus Bank has become a big part of the Sikeston community. “We are known for delivering exceptional financial services and being committed to leading the way in the latest banking technology and customer-centered products while always remembering our roots as a community bank,” said Britt McConnell, community bank president...

SIKESTON — On Oct. 2 Food Giant presented the YMCA of Southeast Missouri with a check for $5,000 in support of the Y’s Annual Partners Campaign. The funds from this gift will provide support for the Y’s Partners Campaign, specifically assisting in making sure Y services are available to those who need them the most. In 2018 the Y provided nearly $190,000 in reduced membership and program fees to youth and families allowing them the opportunity to experience all the Y has to offer...

SIKESTON — Terry Williams, market president at Southern Bank in Sikeston, has taken his time growing up on his family farm and used it to help local farmers. Specializing in all types of agricultural loans, Williams currently holds the position of chairman of Southern Bank’s agricultural loan committees...

SIKESTON — On Aug. 5 the Sikeston Walmart presented the YMCA of Southeast Missouri with a check for $1,500 through the Walmart Community Giving program. The funds from the grant will provide support for the Y’s Partners Campaign, specifically assisting in making sure Y services are available to those who need them the most. In 2018 the Y provided nearly $190,000 in reduced membership and program fees to youth and families allowing them the opportunity to experience all the Y has to offer...

WICKLIFFE, Ky. — Economy Boat Store (EBS), the originators of mid-stream fueling, is holding a special event to commemorate the grand reopening of its facility in Wickliffe, Ky. Thursday. At 10 a.m. Thursday at the Wickliffe Facility, 169 River Circle Drive, a celebration will include EBS employees friends and members of the river and barge industry from Paducah, Ky., and the surrounding areas...

SIKESTON —Onethia Williams, community support professional, was named Bootheel Counseling Services Employee of the Month for September 2019. Williams’ coworkers described her demonstrating strong traits of teamwork and loyalty. She demonstrates compassion empathy balanced with wisdom...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Mason Kellams recently joined the First State Community Bank lending team in Portageville. “We’re thrilled about the new addition to our team,” said Keith Grantham, president of FSCB in Portageville. “Mason’s enthusiasm and ties to the area make him a great addition to our team.”...

SIKESTON — Known for their premiere residential and commercial property management, SMG Realty/SEMO Management Group also offers a knowledgeable and reliable team of realtors to help with purchasing or selling real estate. SMG, which is owned and operated by Randy York and Brandon Sparks, operated as SEMO Management Group from 2013 to 2017. In 2017, SMG became a full real estate brokerage and now operates as SMG Realty/SEMO Management Group...

River Ridge Winery owner Rob Bullock’s main goal Friday was to check sugar levels before harvesting the last Norton grape crop of the season Tuesday. “For us, it’s really about wine,” he said. The site is home to a 2,600-vine vineyard in Commerce, Missouri, just outside of Scott City...