Stories from Sunday, December 26, 2004

I have to let you in on a little secret. If you've paid any attention, you haven't heard nor read anything about the Community Christmas Campaign this year and it's time I explained why. By way of background, this year marks the 25th year this newspaper has sponsored a Community Christmas Campaign designed to provide holiday toys, food and other items for the less fortunate in our community...

SIKESTON - For those who decorate with real Christmas trees, a valuable conservation asset is available that can have a positive impact well beyond the holidays. The City of Sikeston Park Division is collecting real Christmas trees again this year for use as shelters in the city's two public fishing lakes. ...

SIKESTON - Having stayed longer than planned, Scott County Commissioner Walter Bizzell is ready to pass the responsibility on to his successor when his term ends Dec. 31. Bizzell was elected for his first term in 1992 and began as commissioner in January 1993. "It was two year terms then," he recalled. "My intention was to run for three two-year terms, but they made my third term a four (year term)."...

Icy haze rises from Collins Lake in Sikeston Friday as dangerously low temperatures and snow clung onto Southeast Missouri over the holiday weekend. But residents can expect warmer weather this week as highs are expected to top 49 degrees by Tuesday with a low near 34, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky...

BLOOMFIELD - To no surprise, the Dexter Bearcats received the top seed in the 48th Annual Bloomfield Christmas Tournament, which is scheduled to start tomorrow morning. Dexter, winners of six straight Bloomfield championships, enter the tournament with a 4-2 record and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the state in Class 4...

DEXTER - Greg and Laurie Cooper are the parents of their fourth child, first son, born at 1:10 p.m. Nov. 24, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Kaden Gregory Cooper weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces and was 19 3/4-inches long. Mrs. Cooper is the daughter of Gary Putnam and JoAnne Putnam...

ST. PETERS - Karen Faye Sullinger, 57, formerly of Benton, died Dec. 23, 2004, at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton.

CHARLESTON - Dorothy Telker Uthoff, 79, died at 8:45 a.m. Dec. 24, 2004, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete at McMikle Funeral Home.

MARSTON - Ulisses Lester, 75, died Dec. 22, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid.

BLOOMFIELD - James "Jim" Bell Sr. died Dec. 24, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are pending at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield, where visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday and services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- A holiday tradition returns to Southeast Missouri with the unveiling of the 60th annual seMissourian (formerly University High) Christmas Tournament on Monday at the Show Me Center. The long-running tourney showcases 16 prep teams and is, in a sense, the area championship. The winner owns year-long bragging rights over 15 other teams in about a 30-mile radius of Cape Girardeau...

SIKESTON -- The presents are unwrapped, and now it's time to exchange the shirt that's a size too big or bring back an item that was duplicated this Christmas. But retailers caution there are some things consumers can do to help smooth the return/exchange process...

SIKESTON - A prisoner of war Christmas program broadcast from Berlin last Friday revealed to Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Tate of Smith Addition that their son, Sgt. Lawrence Tate, who was reported missing in action in Germany Nov. 8, is safe. Mr. and Mrs. Tate have not been informed by the War Department officially as yet, but they received 25 letters from short wave listening fans from 11 states that they had heard the broadcast of their son's voice and relaying the message...

The lives of four local families were affected yesterday (Monday) when the incident occurred at Santi Oil. We as family and friends do appreciate the job of your staff for keeping the public informed when these tragic accidents happen. Without trying to cause controversy in the community, we as family and friends would like for anyone with questions to know that Santi Oil is one of our community's most compliant and helpful in this matter. ...

NEW MADRID - Kontek Industries announced it has successfully tested a steel- and foam-layered panel against an 81 millimeter mortar explosion. The test simulates one type of artillery being used against U.S. forces fighting the war against terrorism. ...

SIKESTON - Numerous employees were recognized for their contributions to Sikeston during the City's Annual Employee Appreciation Dinner Dec. 11. Among those honored were this year's 19 new employees, including 15 from Public Safety, three from Public Works and one from Economic Development...