Editorial

Disliking homosexuality on TV I don’t know what’s wrong with you Christian people. You know it’s wrong to be homosexual or gay or lesbian. And their showing so much of this on TV. I don’t understand it. Where’s the preacher at? Why aren’t they standing up for God saying this is not going to be allowed. ...

I would to thank all the businesses who are following social distancing and guidelines for getting back in business. To those who are not following the rules, shame on you, and I will take you off of my list of places to go. Thank you.

Since becoming Chief in August 2019, we have faced many challenges. We have had some serious issues to deal with for sure, but I do believe we are on the path of improvement. Still, I know there is much that needs to be addressed if we are truly going to better our community...

June 2 is an important day for Sikeston. I have lived in Sikeston my entire life. If we expect our community to have a chance to grow, then we need to get behind this bond issue. You have to make an investment in education to give our community a future. Lee Hunter was built before I was born. It has outlived it’s usefulness. Those students need a better place to learn and this bond issue is the...

To voters of the Sikeston R-6 School Bond Issue: We are asking you to “VOTE YES” for the “Better Schools Better Communities” Bond Issue on June 2, 2020. When it comes to passing a bond issue for building new schools, we so often hear the following comment: “We just had textbooks, and that was good enough for us.” However, we no longer live in a “textbook-only” school culture. ...

To the editor: I am writing today about the upcoming school bond issue. My question is, why is the school system not operating just like any typical business in the U.S.? All successful businesses must budget for salaries, normal daily operation expenses, maintenance expenses, etc., as well as the replacement costs of the depreciating equipment and buildings...

My fellow Sikeston citizens, I hope you and your families are doing well and staying safe during these challenging times. I want to update you on economic development and school buildings in Sikeston. In addition to my position as mayor, I am currently the chairman of the Sikeston Area Economic Development Corporation. While we are all focused on how we survive this COVID-19 pandemic, I want to...

I’m calling to speak out in response to the person complaining about the high rates from BMU. I have family that lives outside of Miner and their electricity is supplied by Ameren UE. Their electricity bills are twice as high as those I pay from BMU. Also my family has a small property in Bollinger County that has a small trailer sitting on it that we use only on weekends and the electricity bill...

I was just wondering. I was trying to find an ingredient. It was something to put on your face for your skin and the name of it is LA Lune. I’ve been trying to find it. Somebody told me it was really good for your face and your skin. If anybody knows where I can find that put it in Speakout please. Thank you.

In regard to the Speakouts, “East Prairie church is breaking the law” that was published in the Standard Democrat May 13, East Prairie mayor Kevin Mainord provided the following response and said that churches congregating is not governed by the city government or the police department. “Those instances are on county health officials,” Mainord said. The mayor added that they cooperate with the...

I think during this coronavirus crisis, considering how much stress people are already under, that Sikeston needs to rescind its ordinance allowing all-terrain vehicles within the city limits. It’s 3 o’clock in the morning and just heard the motor of one of those going, I don’t know where. But I doubt the police are out checking. They can’t follow everything. In lieu of that, Sikeston, I think...

Considering the coronavirus I’m wondering what is the status of the Sikeston Farmers’ Market this year. Has it been canceled or postponed? The Sikeston Farmers’ Market opened for the season on May 9 with social distancing guidelines in place. The market is open from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Saturday in Legion Park.

OK, over here in East Prairie, c’mon church members, pastors. I know you need that Sunday money but I sat there and counted right outside and there was about 35 of y’all standing together. State law said no more than 10. I guess you think you all are better than everybody else. I hope nobody comes down sick. If so, lawsuit. You just broke the law. Where’s the cops at? Where’s the cops?

Trump disbanded the NSC pandemic response team. Trump cut funding to the CDC and W.H.O. Trump was playing golf and holding campaign rallies while the pandemic was ramping up. Trump did not read or ignored briefings from the experts, or follow their recommendations. Trump continues to only freak out about the economy. Trump literally said, “I take no responsibility.” Trump claims he’s not...

Meet my Corona. She won’t make you sick but be warned: She may just inspire you during these tough times caused by another corona. “My Corona” is actually my grandmother, whose first name is Corona. Her friends call her “Coonie.” Born at her family home in New Hamburg, Mo., my grandmother said she walked to school every day (just down and then up the hill, she said), and when she was about 10 or...

Would somebody please explain to me, with all the bad things going on right now in this world, someone would come on Missouri Street behind my house, and bust up an antique table that I had set out before I went to work to paint when I got back home. This doesn’t make sense. Why would anyone do that? It was an in-table. It was an antique. I’ve had it for years. Whoever done this, you are wrong.

One thing that continues to amaze me is the training that our officers need to do the jobs they do. It is extensive to say the least and it only seems to increase as time goes on. The SEMO Law Enforcement Academy class is 800 hours and takes five months to complete. ...

I have some excess junk to dispose of and lo and behold I find out that Scott County nor the City of Sikeston either one has a landfill. No wonder this county is so trashy and junky.

Dear Editor, Today, I mourn the passing of Bill Mitchell. He was a former Sikeston mayor, city council member, businessman, loving husband, father, grandfather and my very good friend. I had the opportunity to serve on city council with him for a couple of years. He served for several years as the Chairman of the Land Clearance and Redevelopment Authority which has had a positive impact on our...

It’s time. On Monday at 12:01 a.m. the state of Missouri’s stay-at-home order as well as the Scott County and Sikeston stay-at-home orders will lift, allowing businesses to reopen and residents to go back to work. Although I know many do not, I feel the decision is the right one, even though I do believe we will see an increase in COVID-19 positive cases in the coming weeks...

Dear Editor, Now, more than ever, the value of booking with a travel advisor is clear. When things go wrong, we have your back. Given the current circumstance our industry now faces, and the overwhelming complexities of what travel may look like in a post COVID-19 world, we’re eagerly waiting for guidelines and action from our government. We know that travel will return, but it will come back in...

Is there any homemakers or seamstresses locally who can sew face masks? You might leave your phone number or contact information with Speakout because there is a big demand for masks. You can also make a few dollars selling them. Might also be a good project for your church.

I recently went to a small gas station in Bloomfield and the cashier had been supplied with a plexiglass partition between her and the customers. What I want to know is why I haven’t seen the big chain stores, who make millions, and everyone knows the one’s I’m talking about, haven’t done something similar or anything to protect their workers. I guess they see their workers as a renewable...

While the coronavirus pandemic has left many anxious, stressed and counting the days until we get back to some new sense of normalcy, it has also left plenty of time to learn some things. The older I get, the less I want to learn. But this pandemic, as awful as it has been, has allowed me some self discovery...

The bond vote in June needs our support and I’m a yes vote. After figuring up the increase for my household it was a much more manageable amount than I thought. I encourage everyone to figure their own rate increase because I think you’ll be surprised. I also note that this an investment in our community and in our kids future. It’s worth it to me to know that my kids and the kids of this...