Stories from Sunday, March 5, 2006

I've got an idea. Considering the gigantic size of the intersection of Salcedo Road and North Kingshighway, the city should put a roundabout in there to improve the flow of traffic at that four way stop. Bring our service people home. They are in the middle of a civil war. ...

Please keep the following information confidential. Through an amazing stroke of luck, I received notice this week from a Nigerian government official that I was to receive a portion of a $20 million secret fund from a long- abandoned gold mine in that African nation. I'm not certain how my name was selected but talk about luck!...

SIKESTON - Work got under way Monday morning on laying the new 12,000- foot water main that will bring water service and fire protection to Chaney and Matthews additions. NEW MADRID - New Madrid County's 19th annual 4-H Club Charter Night program was held last night at the high school gymnasium with several hundred paying tribute to the young people, their leaders and clubs for work during the past year...

SIKESTON -- Like most other transportation directors, Randy Thompson is confident Missouri school districts already provide the safest mode of transportation for children. He's just not sure state legislators feel the same. "It is a proven fact children are safer in a bus than any other mode of transportation around," said Thompson, referring to the National Pupil Transportation Association fact...

SIKESTON - At least 16 burglaries, approximately 20 thefts from vehicles, and numerous thefts from several local businesses were solved with the arrests of two pairs of thieves. The thieves apparently were working independently of each other in the Sikeston area, said Sikeston Department of Public Safety Director Drew Juden in announcing the arrests Friday afternoon. ...

SIKESTON -- In what is likely to be a foreshadowing of the Sikeston City Council's decision Monday, a mock city council made up of students unanimously approved opposing Union Pacific's plan to increase train traffic through Sikeston. The mock city council meeting was conducted Friday as part of the Optimist Club's annual Youth in Government Day...

ConverStation, a game created by Camille Lancaster of Sikeston, is now available locally through Craftmasters Kidsmart in downtown Sikeston. One of the "Toy of the Year" finalists, ConverStation offers 240 question cards which focus on speech-language skills including organization, memory, language, vocabulary, categorization, sequencing and problem solving. ...

Our Annual Awards Banquet is fast approaching where we recognize the best from our area. We enjoy recognizing Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year, Educator of the Year and so on, but as we work on preparations for the 2006 festivities I don't want to forget to recognize our SACC members who support us day in and day out. They are the best of the best this community has to offer, their support of the Chamber allows SACC to support our community...

SIKESTON - Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company is introducing a new kind of car insurance that encourages safe driving. Allstate® Your Choice Auto offers new rewards to consumers who drive safely and enhanced protection for those not able to stay out of harms way...

SIKESTON - Three Southeast Missouri residents recently earned certification as "Professionals in Human Resources." Karen Bailey, who is employed with the city of Sikeston; Lori Baird, who works at Riceland; and Megan Looney of Sikeston were awarded the certification by the Human Resource Certification Institute. ...

First Midwest Bank was selected the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce Spirit Award winner in the business division for February. The award singles out a business for its superior attitude, customer service and community spirit. Pictured at the presentation of the award are, from left: Kathy Ray, Sherry McAnulty, Caroline Carroll, Darrell Ray, Steve Millington with First Midwest Bank and SACC Executive Director Missy Marshall...

SIKESTON - Goodwill is opening of a new Sikeston store serving Scott and New Madrid counties. The store located at 214 N. Main St., will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:45 a.m. March 16 with opening celebrations continuing through March 18. Dignitaries at the opening ceremony include Lew Chartock, president and CEO of MERS/Goodwill, city officials and representatives from the Sikeston Chamber of Commerce who will preside over the ribbon cutting...

SIKESTON -- Joe and Carol Farell of Webster Groves and Ernie and Lisa Moxey of Sikeston have announced the engagement of their children, Lauren Patricia Farell to Jonathan Michael Moxey. A 1999 graduate of Webster Groves High School, the future bride earned a bachelor's degree in 2003 from the University of Missouri-Columbia's School of Journalism. ...

JACKSON -- Jim and Kathie Woeltje have announced the engagement of their daughter, Molly Nicole, to David Wesley Leek, son of Bill and Teresa Thompson and Bob and Jan Leek of Dallas. A 2002 graduate of Jackson High School, the future bride is the granddaughter of Charles and Maryella Heitz of Godfrey, Ill. She attended Missouri State University and is employed as a crisis advocate at Hays-...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Mississippi County Boxing traveled to Poplar Bluff recently to compete at a show held at the Holiday Inn. Competing first for Mississippi County Boxing was Billy Mace, fighting in the 85 lb. weight class against Armondo Reeves of Jefferson City. This was a well-...

CHARLESTON -- Heading into Friday night's Class 3, District 2 championship game with Charleston, Kelly coach Cory Johnson knew his team would have to play over their heads combined with a meltdown by the talented Bluejays to have a chance. The exact opposite happened...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Kelly Jo Cook and Ronald Watson Jr. were united in marriage July 9, 2005, at Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. The ceremony was performed by Dr. Ronald E. Stone. The bride is the daughter of M.G. and Sandi Cook of Scott City. The bridegroom is the son of Ron and Shirley Watson of Kelso and the grandson of Billie Watson and Reva Gifford, both of East Prairie, and the late John L. Gifford Jr...

MALDEN -- Jessica Cunningham and Michael Britton were united in marriage during a 2 p.m. ceremony at the Landmark United Pentecostal Church in Malden. The double-ring ceremony was performed by the Rev. Leroy Young of Malden and the Rev. Eric J. McDougall of Sikeston...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Sometimes even a busted play can be a team's best friend. The Kelly Lady Hawks can testify to that after defeating Greenville 50-49 in Friday night's Class 3, District 2 championship game at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The much-anticipated Bell City-Scott County Central Class 1 sectional matchup, scheduled for Tuesday, offers several intriguing storylines. However, the game's true significance lies in the quest of a common goal of both teams -- to capture a state title...

CHAFFEE - Maggie Ann Dodd, 97, died at 7:28 p.m. March 2, 2006, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born June 15, 1908, in London, Ark., the daughter of the late John Thomas and Loe Amy Freeman Cochran, she was a homemaker. In 1926, she married Joe Pleasant Hampton Burton, who preceded her in death in 1946. She then married Cleveland Dodd on Oct. 9, 1948, who preceded her in death on April 11, 1997...

CHARLESTON -- James R. Franklin, 81, died at 7:15 a.m. March 3, 2006, at the Charleston Manor. Born July 28, 1924, in Cairo, Ill., son of the late Harry and Gertrude Riggs Franklin, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He later lived in San Francisco where for 15 years he managed the Forrester restaurant chain. In 1978, he moved to Charleston where he was a member of the United Methodist Church...

SIKESTON - Jamie Western and Nathan Rapert are the parents of their first child, a son, born at 4:25 a.m. Jan. 31, 2006, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Peyton Andrew Rapert weighed 4 pounds, 7 ounces, and was 17.5 inches long. Maternal grandparents are Randy Western and Teresa Western...