Stories from Wednesday, October 12, 2005

SIKESTON - Work has started on the extensive remodeling and redecoration of the Nuway Cleaners, operated by Loomis Mayfield on Malone Street. --- SIKESTON - Daniel Malone, who was recently released from the service of his country after nearly five years, a year of which was spent overseas, has accepted employment in the Division office of the State Highway Department...

I hope you can help me. The clowns that ride the little motorcycles in the parade here. I was wondering if someone could tell me if you wanted to hire one of them, for like a child's birthday, how would you go about doing that? Call Johnnie Dixon, head of the Shriner clowns, at 571-5378...

SIKESTON -- Households aren't the only ones reeling from the high fuel prices -- school districts are, too. Even though the Sikeston R-6 School District reduced the number of miles it drove last year by 30,000, its fuel cost went up about $25,000, said district transportation director Randy Thompson as he updated the R-6 Board of Education with the annual transportation report during Tuesday's regular meeting...

BENTON -- After nearly six weeks of providing housing for displaced persons of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the American Red Cross hurricane disaster relief center began dismantling its shelter Monday -- a process that could take at least two weeks to complete, officials said...

A Red Cross volunteer appreciation night is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the dining hall, located on the Charleston Baptist Association campgrounds in Benton. Any volunteer of the hurricane disaster relief shelter and their family and friends are welcome to attend...

BENTON -- Scott County commissioners will meet weekly with the county's emergency management director in an effort to better prepare the county for emergencies. With the recent earthquake on the heels of hurricane devastation along the Gulf Coast, preparing for emergencies is on everyone's mind, according to Martin Priggel, presiding commissioner. ...

MINER -- A noise ordinance was passed in Miner but the conflict between JD's Steakhouse and Saloon and Hinton RV Park will continue for the time being "This ordinance is going to be for residential areas of the city," Mayor Mitch Thompson explained during the regular Miner Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday...

Austin Stafford, a student at the Kindergarten Center, helps Firepup demonstrate how to use a water fire extinguisher Tuesday during Fire Prevention Week. The Sikeston Department of Public Safety is visiting Sikeston schools during the week to promote fire safety...

There's a line in the movie "City Slickers" where the weekend cowboys are sitting around a campfire talking baseball. One character says that when he was a teenager, he and his father had nothing to talk about except for baseball. "When we couldn't seem to communicate about anything else, we always had baseball."...

LAKE BARKLEY - The Bootheel Bassbusters held their eighth tournament of the year on October 2nd on Lake Barkley out of the Poplar Creek ramp. Leon Miller won the tournament with five fish weighing 12 lbs. 1 oz. including the tournament big bass of 3 lbs. 11 oz. Travis Garrett was second with three bass weighing 5 lbs. 14 oz. and Kenny Dement was third with one fish weighing 2 lbs. 3 oz. Ty Garrett won the "Lucky Drawing"...

Nobody asked me but...what fun it was to see a wide-open offense run by the Hayti Indians. Running from the shotgun, Hayti understands that most defenses in the area struggle with pass defense. Nothing fancy, just throw to the flat and 95 percent of the time a receiver will be open...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Long-time rivals Charleston Bluejays and East Prairie Eagles tangle for the 66th time on Friday at East Prairie. Bragging rights for the best team in Mississippi County has been the almost exclusive domain of the Bluejays, who own a lopsided 59-4-2 edge over the Eagles...

I saw on the news the Post Office is going to raise the price of a stamp to mail a first class letter. I can understand the need of the increase as almost every thing has increased lately. But there are some things I don't understand, for instance, I have some 29 cent stamps I bought a few years ago. ...

JACKSON - The Sikeston Bulldogs boys soccer team traveled to Jackson to take on the Indians. Behind three goals from Blake Taylor, the Bulldogs gained a big road win as they defeated Jackson 3-1. "Big win for us today," said Sikeston head coach Derrick Long. "We have lost to them twice already this season and the guys cam out after they scored first and stepped up."...

SIKESTON - Now in its third season, the Heartland Wrestling program is preparing for another year of competition. Bringing back 17 state placers including three state champions, this year should be our best season ever. The past two season we have had 32 state placers and seven state champions. I'm looking for the team to be in the top three is the state championships this year...

TORONTO, Ontario - Falconbridge LTD, which merged with Noranda Aluminum earlier this year, is reporting a "friendly takeover" of the company. Noranda is one of Southeast Missouri's largest employers. Inco Limited's takeover with an offer of cash and Inco common shares for all outstanding Falconbridge common shares was approved Tuesday by the respective Boards of Directors. ...

EAST PRAIRIE - Jeffy Dell Lowry, 60, died at 9:30 p.m. Oct. 10, 2005, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born July 9, 1945, in Big Sandy, Tenn., to the late O'Dell Jefferson and Mary Nadine Pierpoint Lowry, he had lived most of his life in Mississippi County where he worked as a farmer. He was affiliated with the Baptist Church...

MATTHEWS - Billie James Huffstutler, 83, died at 5:25 p.m. Oct. 10, 2005, at his residence. Born Oct. 27, 1921, in Kennett, son of the late William Morris and Mary Alice Bird Huffstutler, he attended school in Holcomb and graduated from Wardell High School. ...

DEXTER - Mildred Aslin, 82, died Oct. 11, 2005, at Missouri Southern Healthcare at Dexter. Born Aug. 20, 1923, in Bloomfield, daughter of the late Aud Launius and Estelle Lewis Launius, she was of the Baptist belief and a former urology nurse at Kneibert Clinic in Poplar Bluff...

ST. LOUIS -- James L. Grant, 51, died Oct. 7, 2005, at his home. Born June 21, 1954, in Sikeston, son of Hattie McCullough Grant of Sikeston and the late Johnnie Grant, he had attended Scott County Central High and was of the Baptist belief. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, receiving an honorable discharge...

MARSTON - Una M. Rogers, 81, died Oct. 10, 2005, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston. Born Jan. 8, 1924, in Savannah, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late George and Ella Elizabeth Hughes Smith. In 1946, in Osceola, Ark., she married Wilbur B. Rogers, who preceded her in death on Dec. 15, 1985...

CHAFFEE - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Doye F. Gadberry, 71, who died Oct. 9, 2005, will be: Mark Perkins, Andrew Crumb, Brandon Gadberry, Justin Gadberry, Gary Gadberry and David Russell. Visitation is prior to the service, which will be officiated by the Rev. Bill Gadberry of Morley...

DUDLEY - Pallbearers for services conducted Tuesday at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Richard Barker, who died Oct. 8, 2005, were: Jim Barker, Ralph Barker, Ralph Barker Jr., Jimmy Bryant, Wendell Ward and Steve Rice.

CHARLESTON -- A funeral Mass for Ralph Reece Carr Jr., 68, will be celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2005, at 10 a.m. at St. Henry Catholic Church in Charleston with Monsignor Richard Rolwing, senior pastor of the St. Francis Xavier Church in Sikeston, serving as celebrant...