Stories from Friday, October 8, 2004

SIKESTON - High School news: The initiation of the new Red Peppers was enjoyed by everyone. The following became Red Peppers: Wilma Foster, Wilma Pixley, Nadine Fox, Betty Sizemore, Geneva Murphy, Arvella Vaughn, Janet Trousdale, Shirley Pensel, Ann Newsom, Jane Schillig, Alice Martin, Ruth Tidwell, Ann Schulte, Sue Dement, Mary Lee Cotton, Eugenia Blanton and Betty Waldman...

I am so fed up with farmers burning off fields. I live in Mississippi County where numerous farmers choose this, even though they know it causes ozone problems and health problems for many people. Every time they burn, I have asthma problems and my mother has asthma problems, as do many others. I am asking farmers to think about what they are doing. Think about the health problems you are causing. Your uncaring actions are costing others their health and money...

CHAFFEE - James Lester Triplett, 79, formerly of Sikeston, died Oct. 6, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born March 24, 1925, in Dexter, he was the son of the late H.C. and Effie Elizabeth Duncan Triplett. A former member of the Morley Church of God, he was currently a member of Tanner Street Church of God in Sikeston...

EAST PRAIRIE - Ruth Marie Greer, 93, died at 2:15 a.m. Oct. 8, 2004, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Born Jan. 11, 1911, in New Madrid County, daughter of the late George and Flora Ann Duffy Schneider, she lived in Mississippi County most of her life. She retired as a cafeteria worker for the A.J. Martin School and was a member of the First Christian Church in East Prairie...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Thursday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Thelma M. Hicks, 97, who died Oct. 2, 2004, were: Alan Hicks, Derry Hicks, Gary Hicks, Ronnie Hicks, Jerry Nystrom and Mark Nystrom.

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. - Aura Harper, 94, formerly of the Sikeston, Mo., area, died Oct. 7, 2004, at the Heritage Square Nursing Center in Blytheville. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

SIKESTON - Grindel Loran Daniel, 34, died Oct. 6, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 23, 1969, in Sikeston, daughter of Willie B. Daniel of Sikeston and the late John Turk, she attended West End Missionary Baptist Church and was a graduate of Sikeston High School...

SIKESTON - Dexter Alan Britton, 44, formerly of Woodlawn, Tenn., died Oct. 7, 2004, at his home. Born May 28, 1960, in Sikeston, son of Robert Dee Britton and Carol Lemmons Smith of Sikeston, he was a helicopter mechanic for Dyncorp Inc. at Fort Campbell, Ky., and formerly attended Shady Acres Church of Christ and the Crowder Church of Christ. ...

EAST PRAIRIE - Janet Faire, 69, died at 11:07 a.m. Oct. 6, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Dec. 2, 1931, in Holland, Mich., daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred Smith, she lived for the past 18 years in East Prairie where she was a member of the First General Baptist Church. She was a cook for the East Prairie R-2 School District for many years...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services conducted Thursday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Richard M. Lucy, 84, of Blytheville, Ark., and formerly of Sikeston, who died Oct. 5, 2004, were: Robert Cagle, Roy Cagle, Phillip Westridge, David Yarbrough, Jordan Lucy and Blake Lucy...

JACKSON -- Sikeston, the fourth seed, took top-seed Hillsboro to the wire before dropping a 2-1 district game at Jackson on Thursday. Hillsboro (20-6) pushed across the game winner in the bottom of the seventh inning of the Class 4, District 1 semifinal to close out a stellar season by the Lady Bulldogs...

LEAGUE RESULTS: Sunday Points Game (10-4) First place team: Jeff Ketterman, Vaughn Baker Second place team: Roger Parker, Kenny Woodard, Sherrie Simmions Third place team: Mike Newman, Nolan Newman, Mike Scott Tuesday Senior League First place team: Andrews, Baker, Noles, McVay (61)...

CHARLESTON - It's out with the old and in with the new - hopefully by the end of the year. Sandra DeField, Mississippi County treasurer, met with the county commissioners during their regular meeting Thursday to discuss phasing out the old Crime Reduction Fund and complete the process of setting up the new Law Enforcement Restitution Fund...

Downtown Business Association members Nancy Galemore, John Testa and Teresa McGill look over the "Downtown Holiday Brochure" Thursday morning at Susie's Bake Shoppe and Restaurant. The Association, which is part of the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce, discussed their Christmas promotions and how to revitalize the downtown...

Camden Sapp plays the bean bag game Thursday evening during the Sikeston Kindergarten Center Fall Festival. Over 200 children attended the event sponsored by the Kindergarten Center, Early Childhood Program and Parents As Teachers.

MINER - Miner Fire Chief Benny Thurston is asking residents of Miner and the surrounding area to refrain from burning leaves or other debris during the current dry weather. Burning laws within Sikeston are currently being enforced according to Sikeston Department of Public Safety Director Drew Juden...

SIKESTON - The Sikeston tennis team finished in third place in the Class 1, District 2 Tournament held at the Sikeston High School tennis courts. Fredericktown won the 11-team tournament with 29.5 points followed closely by Dexter with 28 points. Sikeston finished in third with 17 points while Charleston took fourth with 16 points...