Stories from Wednesday, June 28, 2006

SIKESTON -- About 45 school officials from Southeast Missouri gathered Tuesday at Scott County Central schools to learn how to promote healthier eating and increased physical activity within their districts. "This is really wellness policy 101," said Mickey Belosi, supervisor of the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's food services, who conducted the regional wellness policy training Tuesday...

SIKESTON -- The city of Sikeston is stepping up its mosquito abatement program, according to Steve Lee, street superintendent. "With the big Fourth of July weekend coming at us, we're going to fog all the parks Friday afternoon. We're getting both foggers out so we can get double coverage on the city," he said. "We'll run two foggers until we see the need to drop back to one, which will probably be in September."...

SIKESTON -- The Warfield family is inviting the community to join the finale of their family reunion in what they consider a special treat: a performance by one of their own, James Warfield Jr. "It's going to be an outstanding affair," said his father, James Warfield Sr. ...

BENTON -- Scott County commissioners have adopted an ordinance which standardizes and mandates addressing within the county. The addressing ordinance was made official during the regular County Commission meeting Thursday. It goes into effect July 1, according to Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn...

SIKESTON -- Local leaders have reached an impasse with the Union Pacific Railroad Company on the railroad's plan to increase train traffic through this area. City officials stated they will do everything in their power to get the railroad to choose a different route while UP officials said they are sticking to their plan to route more traffic here...

New Dawn State School would like to thank the following individuals and businesses for their support this past school year. You've helped make our fund-raising efforts a success. We appreciate each one of you. Brian Hensen, Wendy's, Taco John's, Subway, Papa Murphy's, Sikeston Bowling Center, Pizza Inn, Domino's, Sun Sensations, El Tapatio, Rodchester's, Movie Gallery, Rhodes 101 Stop, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Calbert Photography, North Main Florist, Craftmasters, New Madrid County SB40 Board, Mississippi County 40 Board, VFW, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club, Bill Cashmer and The Standard Democrat.. ...

NEW MADRID -- When Travis Day was hired as New Madrid County Central's new boys basketball coach in April, it wasn't just a chance to come back to his hometown, it was a chance to take that huge step in one's coaching career. It was the step of becoming a head coach for the first time...

Top: Timmy Fox of the American Legion delivers a pitch on Tuesday night during Musial League action at the Sikeston Complex. Middle: Connor Landers of Blanchard Funeral Home cleanly fields and throws to first base in National League action. Bottom: Gavin O'Brien of Rotary is safe at first as J.T. Jones of Steward Steel defends in American League play at the Sikeston Complex...

Nobody asked me but...some things haven't changed much in my years on this planet. The sun rises from the east, mosquitoes love Swampeast Missouri and little league baseball parents still take it too serious. When did a a little league game become Game 7 of the World Series? This is a great time to teach the kids the basics of the game...

The 10-year-old Sikeston Diamond Dawgs won the USSSA Missouri State Tournament in Branson with a 7-0 record. The Dawgs only allowed 13 runs in the seven games. Sikeston defeated the No. 2 ranked team in Missouri and the No. 1 ranked team in the championship game. ...

SIKESTON - A Taylor Craft airplane belonging to Paul Tudie Jones was badly damaged when a wind squall flipped it over about 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon. DEXTER - Final plans for the Dexter Memorial Hospital will be ready for approval about Sept. 1. The announcement was made at the regular meeting of the hospital board last Monday night...

I have been to the Sikeston Farmers Market the last two Saturday by the Sikeston Depot and I learned two things. Number one, you better get there early because most of the products have been sold out before 10 o'clock. The other thing is that there are an awful lot of gardeners and farmers missing out on a good opportunity it seems to me. There has been a good crowd down here and if more vendors and farmers would come down I think I would have a good chance to sell their products...

The annual Kids Count survey was released this week and for those unfamiliar, this is perhaps the most comprehensive survey of the American family. The survey measures drop-out rates, teen pregnancies, poverty and a wide array of health issues. It's not necessarily exciting reading but it provides ample food for thought...

SCOTT CITY -- Vincent Paul Miller, 85, died June 27, 2006, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete with the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

DEXTER - Montie L. Northcutt, 86, died June 27, 2006, at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter. Born Dec. 7, 1919, at Ceiro Cordo, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late Granville and Daisy Northcutt. Survivors include: four brothers, Bing Northcutt of Bloomfield, Marshall Northcutt of Sikeston, Rudy Northcutt of Kalaska, Mich., and Bob Northcutt of Dexter...

DEXTER -- Jason Stidham, 19, died June 27, 2006, near Puxico. Born April 14, 1987, in Benton, Ark., son of Mark Stidham of Dexter and the late Velva Sharlene Murphy Stidham, he was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter. A 2005 graduate of Dexter Senior High School, he was employed in construction and a resident of Dexter...

DIEHLSTADT - Francis Dale Gage, 67, died June 27, 2006, at his home. Born April 27, 1939, in the Lusk Chapel Community of Scott County, to the late William Raymond and Lillian Decker Gage, he had lived most of his life in the Lusk Chapel Community where he farmed before moving to Diehlstadt 16 years ago. He was of the Baptist belief...

It was a simple phone call from a friend. "Hey, do you want to play in a softball tournament Saturday?" I was torn. You see my wife was having a garage sale on Saturday so after thinking for a nanosecond I said, "sure." The day had debacle written all over it. ...