Stories from Sunday, August 3, 2003

SIKESTON - I would like to take this opportunity to remind our area residents about the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce's ninth annual Redneck Barbecue being held at the Sikeston Sports Complex. The cookers will start arriving about 6 a.m., but we suggest everyone else show up around 9 or 10 a.m. to enjoy the fun. There will be games and entertainment for the whole family and barbecue sandwiches will be available at our concession stand...

CHARLESTON - G H Home Furnishings received the Pinnacle of Retailing Award given by the National Independent Furniture and Appliance Retailers Association. President Gary Forrester stated the Business Performance Review judges several areas of business including organizational development, selling system, sales management, financial controls, merchandising strategies and marketing strategies. ...

SIKESTON - Darrin Johnson knew he wanted a challenge. After nine years of working for another Sikeston business, he opened Ultimate Flooring Inc. Located inside the House of Color at 311 E. Malone Ave., Ultimate Flooring Inc. provides complete lines of flooring from carpeting to hardwood to stone...

Larry Eaves, left, is expanding his Bloomfield plumbing and septic service business into Sikeston. Now located at 816 Susan St. in Sikeston, the company offers 24-hour service for commercial and residential customers, including installation of plumbing for new buildings and plumbing repairs along with complete septic service, Eaves said. ...

SIKESTON - Missouri Delta Medical Center honored employees during their annual Awards Banquet in May. Selected the "Employee of the Year" was Tina Adams. Adams serves as the secretary for the Continu-Care and has worked at MDMC for five years. The "Manager of the Year" is Amy Gordin, physical therapist, ATC, who serves as director of rehabilitation services. She has worked at MDMC for four years...

Tiffany Smith, daughter of Lloyd and Marlys Smith is the Standard Democrat's Calendar Girl for August. Smith, a finalist in the Miss Sikeston contest, plans to attend the Southwest Missouri State University and major in theater.

BENTON - Chrystal Lynn Chidester and Anthony Lee Rogers are the parents of their first child, a son, born at 6:40 p.m. July 3, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Landen Drake Rogers weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was 20-inches long...

SIKESTON - When the 51st Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo kicks off on Wednesday, its impact is felt throughout Southeast Missouri. Every August, thousands of fans pour into the Sikeston Jaycee Rodeo grounds to see some of the top cowboys give it their best...

SIKESTON - Two people lost their lives early Saturday morning when they were involved in a one-vehicle accident near Sikeston. According to reports from the Sikeston Department of Public Safety and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident was reported at 1:38 a.m. when a tractor trailer struck a guard rail on Interstate 55 near Interstate 57. The truck came to rest in a median and caught fire...

NEW MADRID - An altercation between a New Madrid County deputy and a subject resisting arrest led to a man being shot Friday evening. According to reports, the sheriff's office received a call at 8:55 p.m. in reference to an altercation at Bonnie's Bar and Grill in Gideon...

MARSTON - Marston Mayor Becky Redden plans to go door-to-door to explain the community's upcoming election issue. Portageville's Mayor Henry Maclin met with local residents in a public meeting Tuesday night to discuss the impact of Tuesday's ballot proposal...

SIKESTON - Municipalities don't plan to fail; they fail to plan - which is why the city's Planning and Zoning Commission is so important. Sikeston's Planning and Zoning Commission was established on Jan. 20, 1958, according to Public Works Director Tom Bridger...

SIKESTON - Mrs. J.H. Welsh entertained at a buffet supper and cards Wednesday evening at her home on North Kingshighway in compliment to G. Raymond Crews on his birth anniversary. MATTHEWS - A crowd of 1,100 composed of stockholders and their families attended the 30th anniversary of the Production Credit Association meeting held in Matthews High School Thursday night...

This is in answer to "Bring issue to a vote." Open your Bible to I Corinthians 6:9-10 and you will read where these people are going to live this lifestyle, and you along with them, unless you change. I don't understand idiots like you. I will be praying for you, whoever you are...

Long before an 86 year-old motorist plowed into a crowded California market and killed 11 people two weeks ago, I have advocated some type of additional testing for older drivers. As I near that age myself, my resolve is as strong today as ever. It is not meant as an affront to older drivers but the facts speak for themselves. ...

SIKESTON -- For the past 51 years, the Sikeston Jaycees have been providing the community with entertainment and music during their annual Sikeston Jaycees Bootheel Rodeo. This week is no exception; however, the Jaycees do a lot more than have a little rodeo fun once a year...

Here is a look at the rules of the events you will see this week at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Rodeo fans watch some of the wildest action during the bareback riding competition. Although the sport seems cantankerous, the rules are technical and scoring depends on both the rider and horse's performance. ...

SIKESTON -- Trick Pony, Brad Paisley, Chris Cagle and Chris LeDoux won't be the only superstars performing at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo this week. The top cowboys and cowgirls in the world will also be in attendance, showing off their riding, roping, wrestling and barrel racing skills, hoping to earn a share of over $100,000 in prize money...

BERNIE - Josie Marie Smith, 90, died Aug. 1, 2003, at the Beverly Healthcare Center in Bloomfield. Born Sept. 17, 1912, in Bernie, daughter of the late Joseph Louray Grayum and Ethel Jennette Jordon Grayum, she had been an interior decorator and was a published poet. She was a pianist for her church since age 9 and was a member of the church missionary society...

LILBOURN - Eugene Moore, 76, died July 28, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Aug. 28, 1926, in Indianola, Miss., son of Augusta Moore of Lilbourn and the late Tom Moore, he worked for the Liberty Cash Company in Memphis, Tenn., for more than 35 years before retiring...

CHAFFEE -- Mary Brockmeyer, 83, died Aug. 1, 2003. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

CROSBY, Texas - Robert "Bob" Mitchem,, 57, died July 27, 2003, in Houston. Born Jan. 15, 1946, in Lilbourn, Mo., he was the son of Madalyn Mitchem Atkin of Venice, Fla., and the late Bill Mitchem. He lived in Lilbourn until age 17 and again in the 1970s. ...

SCOTT CITY - Patsy Jean Triplett, 45, died Aug. 1, 2003, at her home. Born Sept. 24, 1957, in Bonne Terre, daughter of the late Billy Joe and Aimee Vivian Brooks Bailey, she was a member of the Illmo First Baptist Church. On Feb. 2, 1988, at Cape Girardeau, she married Robert Earl Triplett, who survives of the home...

SIKESTON - Elmer James "Jim" Wills Jr., 82, died Aug. 2, 2003, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis. Born Nov. 22, 1920, in Olney, Ill., son of the late Elmer J. and Lydia Ethel Thomas Wills Sr., he was a member of the First Christian Church. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he was a 32nd degree Mason in the Consistory of Bloomington, Ill. He was manager for Missouri Utilities in Charleston and Poplar Bluff, retiring in 1982...

DEXTER - Imogene L. Davis, 72, died Aug. 2, 2003, at Missouri Southern Healthcare. Arrangements are incomplete at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home.