News

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — A Dexter man received on Monday multiple life sentences after a jury recently found him guilty of child sex charges in Stoddard County. Jerry Michael Pierce of Dexter was sentenced to five consecutive terms of life imprisonment as a predatory sexual offender by Presiding Circuit Judge Robert N. ...

SIKESTON — Sikeston High School’s assistant principal and academic leader will take on a new role as an assistant superintendent for the Sikeston R-6 School District in the 2022-2023 school year. The school district on Friday announced Tiffany Morgan has been unanimously selected as the next assistant superintendent of secondary education and professional development. Shannon Holifield is currently serving in the position and will take over as superintendent starting July 1...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - The New Madrid County Central High School Class of 2022 has taken the motto written on the wall of the school’s commons to heart: Soar Like an Eagle. As this year’s Senior Awards Ceremony opened, Central High School Principal Justin Poley pointed out the class had received $209,700 in scholarships and awards to continue their education...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - For the members of the New Madrid County Central High School Class of 2022, it was a graduation with “Pomp and Circumstance,” with lots of smiles and a few tears. Before presenting the seniors with their diplomas, NMCC high school principal Justin Poley noted graduation marks the conclusion of 13 years of academic effort by the students...

SIKESTON — Beginning Tuesday, the following streets will be limited to traffic due to milling operations. They are: • W. Wakefield from Highway BB to the Power Station entrance. • W. North Street from Luther Street to N. West Street. • N. Scott Street from W. North Street to W. Malone Avenue...

BENTON, Mo. — A Chaffee, Missouri, man and rural Sikeston, Missouri, man face drug possession charges following separate search warrants served Wednesday in Scott County. James Tilley, 67, is charged with possession of a controlled substance; three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm; three counts of unlawful use of a firearm; and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, according to online court records...

**UPDATE: Due to weather predicted for Saturday evening, the CVB's Drive-In Movie Night has been POSTPONED. (Be on the lookout for information on a new date soon.) SIKESTON — In 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sikeston Convention and Visitors Bureau came up with the idea of hosting a drive-in movie as an outdoor event the community could take part in safely. The idea was a hit and continues to get bigger and better with the upcoming viewing of “The Greatest Showman.”...

SIKESTON — The City of Sikeston is purchasing a generator for the Sikeston Municipal Airport to assist in airport operations during time of an emergency. During a meeting Thursday night, Sikeston City Council approved the purchase of a Koehler generator from CK Power under the state contract for a cost of $52,020. The cost includes cables and camloks for hookup...

SIKESTON — Sikeston joined cities around the country in recognizing June 3 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. During Thursday’s Sikeston City Council meeting, Sikeston Mayor Greg Turnbow proclaimed June 3 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day...

SIKESTON — Formed in 1997 to address the issue of adult and child sexual violence, Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence (SEMO-NASV) now serves nine counties with the philosophy of “listening to every voice… Advocating for every heart.”...

SIKESTON — Marcie Lawson was introduced as the new president and CEO for the Sikeston Regional Chamber and Economic Development during the Sikeston Regional Chamber meeting on Thursday at the Clinton Building. “We’re very, very, very excited,” said Heather Couch, chairwoman of the Sikeston Area Economic Development Board when she made the announcement Thursday. “She has a lot of great ideas and we’re excited to implement those ideas and to see what it holds for Sikeston and the local community.”...

SIKESTON — There are many positive things going on in Sikeston, according to Mayor Greg Turnbow who spoke at the Sikeston Regional Chamber meeting Thursday at the Clinton Building. “We have so many things going on it’s hard to remember them all,” Turnbow said. “There’s a lot of positive things going on in the City of Sikeston.”...

UPDATE: About 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19, the Scott County Sheriff's Office reported Raymond Stovall was in custody. BENTON, Mo. — The Scott County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public's assistance in locating a Sikeston, Missouri, man wanted on multiple felony child sex charges. According to the sheriff’s office, Raymond Allen Stovall, 36, of Sikeston is wanted on the following charges: three counts of first degree statutory sodomy, three counts of first degree child molestationand three counts of statutory rape...

BERTRAND, Mo. — David Ring, a Christian evangelist and motivational speaker who has cerebral palsy will speak at Cornerstone Church, 307 W. Cedar St. Bertrand, Missouri, at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 22. Since 1973, Ring has challenged thousands of people with his signature message - “I have cerebral palsy... What’s your problem?” ...

MATTHEWS, Mo. — The first graders at Matthews Elementary School in Matthews would give their school a gold star. “It is a fun place to help you learn stuff,” said Mason White. From his desk as he practiced his handwriting, Kaiden Burnett chimed in: “It helps you learn a lot. I like to play and even learn to do my handwriting correctly. Matthews is just a good school.”...

SIKESTON — Five years ago, Jeff and Angie Hardin began keeping bees with two hives. Now, the Hardins are up to 40 hives and growing as they see the importance of bees and beekeeping. “It got addictive,” Jeff Hardin said. “We got started because bees are declining. The more I learn about it, the more I see the need for them.”...

SIKESTON — A Cape Girardeau, Missouri, woman faces felony charges after allegedly assaulting a juvenile last month in Sikeston. Emma Stroup, 20, of Cape Girardeau is charged with felony first degree assault-serious physical injury and felony abuse or neglect of a child-serious emotional or physical injury-no sexual contact, according to online court records...

SIKESTON — A Sikeston man faces felony charges after allegedly choking and punching a woman. Lee Oscar Smith, 27, is charged through Scott County with felony second degree domestic assault and felony resisting with the arrest for a felony, according to online court records...

SIKESTON — Some Sikeston residents living near Sikeston BMU’s wastewater facility on Ingram have been noticing a smell. On Tuesday, Sikeston BMU released a statement in regards to the smell. “First, you can be sure that our BMU operators at the facilities are just as anxious to solve the problem as you are – they are also your neighbors,” according to the statement. ...

SCOTT CITY, Mo. — An Illinois couple face drug charges following a traffic stop Wednesday in Scott City. On Wednesday, a Scott City Patrol Officer conducted a traffic stop on Interstate-55 for traffic violations, according to Scott City Police Chief Rick Walter. The officer made contact with the driver, Lonnie James Orr, and passenger, Brittany Ratrian Orr, both of East Saint Louis, Illinois. While speaking with the couple, the officer could smell the odor of marijuana...

Desiree Reed-Francois last August came from UNLV as the new athletic director of the University of Missouri-Columbia. Many ADs have talked about connecting with every corner of Missouri but for most it was only talk. In the spirit of the Show Me State and not even a full year on the job this AD has embarked on a multi-town and city tour of the entire state of Missouri called “The Welcome Home Tour.”...

Sikeston High School seniors Jay Lape and Karris Allen were recently presented the 2022 Service Above Self award by the Sikeston Rotary Club. This award is presented annually to two Sikeston seniors “for outstanding service to others and excellence in academics and activities.” The awards are accompanied by $2,500 scholarships to each recipient...

The Sikeston VFW recently presented a Patriotic Citizen Award, which is given in grateful appreciation for unsolicited inspirational patriotic service to the community, to Sikeston R-6 students and staff.

UPDATE: Advisory was canceled; Subject was located safe.

SIKESTON — The Sikeston Regional Chamber and Area Economic Development Corporation has named Marcie Lawson its next President and CEO. Lawson has served as executive director of the Sikeston Regional Chamber and Area Economic Development Corporation since 2017. She will succeed Mike Marshall as President and CEO on June 1 with a transition time until June 30 when Marshall will officially retire...