Stories from Tuesday, November 23, 2004

Despite what the blue-state Democrats would have you believe, we Republicans don't always agree on all issues. I'm a conservative Republican and proud of it but I disagree with the administration's attempt to overrule the assisted-suicide law in Oregon...

VENTURA, Calif. -- A local couple's granddaughter will have the chance to charm television viewers this weekend when she co-stars on The WB drama, "Charmed." Five-year-old Sierra Paris, granddaughter of Jeanette and Howard Parker of Sikeston, Mo., will play the daughter of the character portrayed by actress Alyssa Milano ("Who's the Boss") during Sunday's episode, "Witchness Protected."...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - The Sikeston junior varsity basketball team dropped their season opener on Monday with a 49-38 loss to Jackson in the Notre Dame Junior Varsity Tournament. Sikeston trailed 14-8 after one quarter but was able to trim the lead to 20-17 by halftime...

LILBOURN - Virginia Wolfe, 76, died Nov. 22, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born April 7, 1928, in Caruthersville, daughter of the late Ernest and Willa Mae Brown Bullington Sr., she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lilbourn...

SPRINGFIELD - Virginia M. Tharp, 86, died Nov. 10, 2004, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. Born April 17, 1918, in Skene, Miss., daughter of the late Charles and Lillie Howarth Wing, she was a member of the Hillcrest Baptist Church in Pontiac, Mich. She taught school in Missouri from 1939 until moving to Pontiac in 1952, where she continued teaching until her retirement...

PADUCAH, Ky. - John Richard Frost, 63, died Nov. 18, 2004, in Paducah. Born Feb. 15, 1941, in Appleton, Ark., son of the late Dolan and Tennie Hays Frost, he was a truck driver and scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America. Survivors include: one daughter, Pennie Harrison of the state of California; four sons and daughters-in-law, John and Carol Frost of Kentucky, James and Rachel Frost and Dolan and Heather Frost of California and Ben and Janice Frost of Utah; and four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Lulabell and B.A. ...

DEXTER - Shirley Johnston, 68, died Nov. 22, 2004, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Health Center North Campus. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

SIKESTON - Royce Warren Ayers, 85, died Nov. 22, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home.

The Sikeston Department of Public Safety responded to a house fire Monday afternoon on Westgate Street. The fire, which started around 1:30 p.m., was quickly extinguished by Sikeston DPS officers.

CHARLESTON - A Southeast Correctional Center inmate who briefly escaped from a "medical outcount" at a Jefferson County Hospital was caught in Festus, according to Missouri Department of Corrections officials. Anthony B. Cook is facing attempted escape and first degree assault charges after being apprehended without incident by Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies at approximately 11:12 a.m. Monday. He reportedly escaped from the hospital at 10:45 a.m...

SIKESTON - Despite high gasoline prices, millions of motorists will share highways on their way to grandma's house, stores and other destinations as the annual travel season begins once again. "The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the most traveled holidays we have in the state of Missouri," said Sgt. Larry Plunkett, public information officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol. "It will be one of our busier weeks."...

SIKESTON -A gift of a Hammond electric organ was presented to the Christian Church on Nov. 19 by J.F. Cox Sr. and family as a memorial to Mrs. J.F. Cox Sr., who passed away two years ago. SIKESTON - Jimmie Stone, son of Mrs. J.E. Stephenson, 141 N. West St., has climbed up in the musical world and has produced a hit record, and given a 10-year contract for future records. ...

DFS needs to investigate a woman with kids who has no place to live. They get food stamps and money but live on the street with their children. This needs to be investigated. The schools should look into where the kids live and where they are bussed from. They would learn that where they are living is not an appropriate place for them to be staying. It will be getting cold outside and the kids need a place to live...

SIKESTON -- Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Leible recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Leible and the former Beulah Dempster were married Nov. 18, 1939, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau. Their children and spouses are Patricia and Bill Green of Sikeston, Mary Critchlow of Columbia, Chuck and Terri Leible and John and Melissa Leible of Sikeston and Bob and Ann Leible of St. Louis. They also have nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild...

HILLSBORO - Brad and Vicki Deason Marks are the parents of their third child, second son, born at 4:57 p.m. Oct. 5, 2004, at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Crystal City. Benjamin Michael Marks weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces and was 20 1/4-inches long. Mrs. Marks is the daughter of Walter David "Dub" Deason of Blodgett and the late Ella Virginia Gardner Deason...