Stories from Wednesday, November 15, 2006

My wife and I used to enjoy going to the movies and we would see anything. But the last few years our movie trips kept getting worse and worse, so it is a rare movie that we will now head to the theater to see. Enter "The Departed." Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Jack Nicholson and Matt Damon I wasn't going to miss it. So I eagerly looked online to see what time it started at the theater. Here is the kicker...

It sounded like such a good idea. The Missouri Legislature would appoint a special committee to explore the issue of illegal immigration and make recommendations. Thus, the House Special Committee on Immigration Reform was appointed with 10 Republican members and six Democrats. And then the good idea turned bad...

PORTAGEVILLE -- The Portageville Lady Bulldog volleyball team had a strong season this year and the coaches didn't forget that when voting for all- conference performers. The Lady Bulldogs had three players selected first team all-conference in the Bootheel Conference led by Player of the Year Lauren Kellams...

SIKESTON - The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs will look to expand upon a successful season last year under new head coach Homer Jackson. Last year, the Lady Bulldogs won 18 games which set a new program record for wins. Sikeston lost to Notre Dame in the Class 4, District 1 tournament to end the season with seven losses...

Nobody asked me but...the NAMB Awards for high school football has come around for its second installment. Remember, these are just the players that I've seen in person. And away we go... Offensive Player of the Year - for the second year in a row the award goes to Caruthersville's Kendrickus Reed. The dynamic Tiger running back eclipsed the 2,200 yard mark for rushing yards again in his senior year. Reed led his team to the Class 2 quarterfinals...

Dear Editor: Our economy is good. Inflation is in check, unemployment is down, and gas prices are lower than where they have been. I had enough of the Democrats telling us different! In 2004 we voted for a ban on gay marriage which passed and elected conservatives who would stand by traditional moral values. I had enough of Democrats wanting to be elected who did not believe in those values...

Thank you from Immaculate Conception Home and School for contributing to our Harvest Festival Benefit. You helped make our dinner and auction a great success. We deeply appreciate your support. Home and School Association

BENTON -- With the overwhelming response to the Scott County Veterans Day Service Saturday at the courthouse, officials are considering doing it again next year. During their regular meeting Tuesday, commissioners discussed the success of the service which was held to honor Scott County's veterans and to dedicate the newly-renovated Scott County War Memorial...

SIKESTON -- Finishing touches are being put on Sikeston High School's math and science building. "It will be finished by Christmas," said Sikeston R-6 construction manager Randy Bratton of Montgomery Martin Contractors LLC in Memphis, Tenn. Following Tuesday's regular Sikeston R-6 Board of Education meeting held in the newly renovated high school library, board members and others in attendance took a tour through the up-and-coming math and science center. ...

SIKESTON - A Sikeston resident was robbed early Monday morning after armed men forced their way inside his home. Sikeston Department of Public Safety received the report just after 7 a.m. According to the victim, Eddie Mills Sr., two black males came to the rear door of his home at 523 Delmar around 3:30 a.m., knocked on the door then forced their way inside...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - A Southeast Missouri man pled guilty to federal drug charges. Anthony M. Pettigrew, 23, of Wyatt, pled guilty to one felony count of possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of cocaine base in an appearance Monday in U.S. District Court before Judge Jean C. Hamilton. He now faces a maximum punishment of 40 years imprisonment and a $2,000,000 fine...

Grace Roberts gives Kris Greene the Heimlich Maneuver during the City of Sikeston's American Red Cross CPR training Tuesday. The city offers employees the opportunity to receive the training. Also pictured are: Kerrie Gilmore, Linda Lowes and Jiggs Moore...

MINER -- The Miner Board of Aldermen will consult with the new associate circuit court judge before making their annual appointment for municipal judge. Board members were slated to make the city judge appointment during their regular meeting Tuesday but decided to table the decision...

BENTON - Scott County Commissioners are looking into asking voters to approve a continuation of the half-cent law enforcement sales tax during the April 2007 election. The current half-cent law enforcement sales tax will expire in September 2008. "This one we would ask for naturally wouldn't start until the other one expires," Commissioner Jamie Burger said at Tuesday's Commission meeting...

JACKSON - Elizabeth and Timothy Kistner are the parents of their first child, a son, born at 12:40 p.m. Sept. 25, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Landon Estes Kistner weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces, and was 20 inches long. Maternal grandparents are Stan and Janice Bandermann of Sikeston...

PORTAGEVILLE -- Ocie Lee Booker, 67, died Nov. 10, 2006, at her home. Born Sept. 13, 1939, at Catron, daughter of the late Love and Mae Fannie Ward Durden, she taught for the Portageville School System in the Head Start program for many years. She was a member of the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church where she served as an usher, Sunday school secretary and teacher. She was also president of Friendship District Ushers Department...

CHARLESTON - Frank "Bubby" Ware Jr., 52, died Nov. 10, 2006, at his home. Born Aug. 1, 1954, in Hickman, Ky., son of the late Frank and Elnora Cobb Ware Sr., he was a member of Mercy Seat Baptist Church. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Eugene Williams and T.C. Williams; and one sister, Beatrice Owens...

SIKESTON -- Matthew David Barnes, 29, died Nov. 12, 2006, at his home, due to an apparent heart attack. Born March 6, 1977, in Arcata, Calif., son of Michael David and Marcia L. Spini Barnes, he was a 1995 graduate of Arcata High School and graduated from California Polytechnic State University in 2000. Matt worked for the John Deere Corporation since graduation, working for them in Nevada and Oklahoma and was currently a territory manager for them in Sikeston...

BLOOMFIELD -- Delmer Dale Underwood, 59, died Nov. 13, 2006, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born July 14, 1947, at Bloomfield, son of Delmer and Imogene Underwood of Bloomfield, he lived his entire life in the Bloomfield community where he was a 1965 graduate of Bloomfield High School and a lifetime member of the Bloomfield AMVETS. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served during the Vietnam War for which he received the Bronze Star...

SIKESTON - Reba R. Harden, 84, formerly of East Prairie, died at 11:50 p.m. Nov. 13, 2006, in the East Prairie Nursing Center. Born Dec. 9, 1921, in East Prairie, to the late Herman and Carmen Sams Puyear, she lived in Sikeston for several years before moving to East Prairie and was a member of the Assembly of God Church...

HOWARDVILLE - Elizabeth K. Johnson, 71, died Nov. 10, 2006, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Sept. 22, 1935, in Lilbourn, daughter of the late Bennie and Mattie Lee Greer, she was a member of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church and volunteered for Beverly Entripe, Kids Beat and the New Madrid County Resource Center Tutoring Program...

NEW MADRID - Hazel Mae Horton died Nov. 14, 2006, at her home in New Madrid. Arrangements are incomplete with Richards Funeral Home of New Madrid.

DEXTER -- Betty L. Henson, 77, died Nov. 13, 2006, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born June 2, 1929, in Fisk, daughter of the late Clifford and Rosie Tyree Hill, she retired from Dexter Poultry and was a babysitter for many years. Survivors include: three sons, Donald Henson, Joe Henson and Robin Henson of Dexter; three brothers, James C. ...

NEW MADRID -- Geneva M. Safford, 100, died Nov. 9, 2006, at Golden Living Center in New Madrid. Born Feb. 25, 1906, in Tunica, Miss., daughter of the late Lou Allen and Mattie Foster McCoy, she was a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in New Madrid...

SIKESTON - At the Rex Theatre today, "Roughly Speaking," with Rosalind Russell and Jack Carson. At the Malone Theatre, "Boy's Ranch" with James Craig and Butch Jenkins. SIKESTON - Fifty-three years ago, New Madrid Street, downtown Sikeston, was the first brick street laid. Three blocks from the railroad at the old post office was the first section of brick paved streets installed in town...

So what's going to be the true consequences of rewarding and acquiescing to a deceitful Democrat agenda in concert with a deceptive media who betray and malign traditional core values of America? I think this pretty well sums it up. Dying to vote...