Stories from Sunday, March 16, 2003

SIKESTON - Temperatures remained low with weather observer Harry Young reporting three inches of snow on the ground last Saturday. Snow last Friday was reported at 1.05 inches. SIKESTON - The Retail Committee of the Sikeston Chamber of Commerce approved today the E.J. Noerper Advertising Agency for a special Easter promotion April 4 through April 14. This special promotion is centered around free fun rides for youngsters with tickets being procured from participating merchants...

Public education is struggling in so many ways today. Schools are scrambling to determine a new course of action as test scores decline. The problem is not isolated - it's universal. It strikes the urban centers and it strikes southeast Missouri equally...

I am calling about health or sanitary conditions in the fast-food restaurants. I have been to three lately. The workers are not wearing gloves, they blow their noses, go to the bathroom. I don't know if they're washing their hands or not. A few years ago there were outbreaks of Hepatitis A and B in Sikeston. Why don't they come down harder on these restaurant workers to use the universal safety precautions?...

A farmer disks his field near Sikeston. Today marks the beginning of National Agriculture Week and with the recent warm tempertures many area farmers will be preparing their fields for planting.

SIKESTON -- As St. Patrick's Day rolls around Monday, you may be inclined to wear a little green, pinch those who aren't and drink some green beer. Just don't expect Irish woman Carmel McCarthy Godfrey to drink a green beer with you. "You would not serve an Irishman a pint of green beer or they would throw it back at ya, with a comment such as 'What the (heck) are you trying to do to me? Kill me or somethin'?' The green beer is an American tradition," explained Godfrey, who has been living in Sikeston since 1999.. ...

SIKESTON -- For the past 23 years the overwhelming generosity of the residents of Sikeston and entire area have made it possible for the children attending Kenny Rogers Children's Center to receive services at no direct cost to their families. The Center is once again relying on that kindness at this year's telethon, scheduled to run Saturday from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Sikeston Field House...

SIKESTON - For his contributions and volunteer efforts with Little League basketball, the Park Board has chosen Allan Davidson to have his name installed on the Honors Board. Davidson is the 28th individual chosen for the Board since 1986. Located near the Ingram Road entrance to the Recreation Complex, the Honors Board recognizes individuals for outstanding volunteer efforts in community youth programs...

March 29, Poplar Bluff - at Black River Coliseum - at Black River Coliseum - at Black River Coliseum - at Black River Coliseum - at First Baptist Church - at First Baptist Church - at First Baptist Church - at Black River Coliseum...

POPLAR BLUFF -- The top senior high school basketball players in Southeast Missouri will be on display March 29, taking part in the B.A. Sports All-Star Extravaganza. The day-long event will take place at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff, starting at 11 a.m...

Plans are under way for the first ever "Savor the Southeast" Festival, scheduled for May 22 at the Clinton Building in Sikeston's Sports Complex. "Savor the Southeast" will showcase Southeast Missouri's attractions to tour group leaders from all over the world by featuring the River Heritage area's best food, drink, live music and other entertainment...

SIKESTON - For Bootheel residents with a yen to enjoy the great outdoors, their means of transportation can be found at B&B Boats and Bikes. And today, they have even greater selection. Owner Bryan Bedell has added another line to his already filled showroom at 110 Missouri Ave. In 2002, Bedell became the authorized local dealer for Yamaha...

SIKESTON - Betty Cook, an employee of H&R Block in Sikeston, was recognized and her success story shared through the H&R Block's e-news system to every employee in more than 9,000 offices nationwide. Cook made a difference for a taxpayer and her future through the new tax saver's credit and an express IRA...

SIKESTON - Hunter Acres Caring Center, along with 80 other nursing homes across Missouri and hundreds across the nation, is participating in the Nursing Home Quality Initiative recently launched by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services. The NHQI combines health-care quality information for consumers and educational resources for nursing homes to improve the quality of care for residents...

The ribbon was cut March 6 to mark the official opening of Antonio's, Sikeston's newest styling salon located at 127 N. New Madrid St. Owned by Tony Guzman and Andy Alberson, the salon provides complete haircare from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. ...

SIKESTON - The L'eggs, Hanes Bali Playtex Factory Outlet Store at the Sikeston Factory Outlet Stores, off Interstate 55, is offering shoppers the opportunity to make miracles happen for sick children. For a $1 donation to the children's Miracle Network, customers get a paper miracle balloon to sign and add to the store's display. Customers will also receive a 15 percent off a single item coupon, when they make a donation. The coupon is good immediately...

POPLAR BLUFF -- To no surprise, this year's all-region team is headlined by the league champs. Three Rivers' William Durden, Dereke Tipler and James Profit were each selected to the team after the Raiders won the Region XVI title for the 17th time last weekend with a thrilling tripe-overtime victory...

SIKESTON - In Sikeston High School's athletic program, no sport generates more participation than track and field. With 18 different events, track and field is a sport that athletes of all different types can participate and find success. With 165 participants out for the team this year in junior and senior high combined, head coach Jerry Dement has high expectations for his squad...

WYATT - Preston Wayne and Lisa Carol Norton are the parents of their first child, a son, born at 9:43 p.m. Feb. 28, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Preston Gage Norton weighed 5 pounds, 7 ounces and was 17 1/2-inches long. Mrs. Norton is the former Lisa Finley, daughter of Nancy Ames of Wyatt and Mr. and Mrs. James Finley of Portageville. She is employed by Gates Rubber Company in Charleston...

PUXICO -- Pallbearers for the funeral service held Friday at the Parma Church of Christ in Puxico, under the direction of Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Puxico, for Nadine Carver, 68, who died March 12, 2003, were: Lee Wilfong, Kent Carver, Ronnie Carver, Billy Beck, Randy Wilfong and Mike McDaniels...

PEKIN, Ill. -- Opal L. Coombes, 92, formerly of Scott City, Mo., died at 2:58 p.m. March 13, 2003, at the Pekin Hospital. Born Nov. 30, 1910, in Obion, Tenn., daughter of the late Jones C. and Mattie Baker Allen, she was a department manager of Stix, Baer and Fuller in St. Louis for 35 years, retiring in 1987...

MIDDLE BROOK -- Bulah Barnett Fitzgerald, 82, formerly of Morehouse and Sikeston, died March 13, 2003, at her home. Born April 7, 1920, in Parma, daughter of the late Claude and Lucy Woods Little, she was retired from Vickers Electric in St. Louis and was a member of the Morehouse Assembly of God Church. She had lived in the Morehouse and Sikeston areas before moving to Middle Brook in 1993...

HAZELWOOD -- Walter W. "Jerry" Lane, 61, formerly of Essex, died March 14, 2003, at his residence in Hazelwood. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.