Stories from Wednesday, February 7, 2007

I am not much of a nurse. I know that comes as a shock to many of you who read my thoughtful columns each week and can't believe that I would have trouble being sensitive to someone else's pain. But, alas, it is true. It has never been more evident than these last few days. ...

SIKESTON -- Tuesday marked the day most Americans earn enough disposable income to pay for a year's worth of groceries. In recognition of the fact it takes only 36 days to earn money for a year's worth of food, local Missouri Farm Bureau representatives celebrated Tuesday as Food Checkout Day. This week is also being acknowledged locally and statewide as Food Checkout Week...

To Up a creek that was in Monday, Jan. 29 SpeakOut. I can figure that you're on welfare, always crying about the government taking care of you, blaming Bush instead of the FEMA director. Get real. I also agree with Mr. Jensen's editorial on Sunday, Jan. 21, but you should have added more to it. I'm sick of taxes paying for illegitimate children. If you can't pay for them, keep your pants zipped or your legs together...

SIKESTON - Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Murphy Jr. and son will move into a residence at 713 Gladys St. It was recently occupied by Mr. and Mrs. William Belk. SIKESTON - "Confidence, game and business deception" will be the topic of a speech presented at 7:30 p.m. March 14 at the high school by Thomas J. Gearly, special agent in charge of the St. Louis district of the FBI...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Bulldogs basketball team jumped out to an early lead and were never threatened as they rolled through Oran 72-38 on Tuesday night at the Field House. The Bulldogs dominated the boards and converted numerous layups off Eagle turnovers in the game...

BENTON -- Supplying water to the Salcedo community will be a challenge, according to Scott County officials. During the regular County Commission meeting Tuesday, County Developer Joel Evans updated commissioners on his meetings with some of the residents in the Salcedo area regarding a possible water supply project there...

CARUTHERSVILLE - A family argument ended with one person shot and another facing criminal charges. Billy J. Elliott, 26, of Holland, Mo., is to be arraigned Thursday on charges of first degree assault, second degree assault, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and possess/discharge of a firearm while intoxicated. Elliott's bond is set at $100,000...

BENTON -- Scott County and fire district officials are looking at ways to address unprotected areas in the county. The Scott County Rural Fire Protection District is looking into applying for a Community Development Block Grant to help fund construction of a new fire station "to provide more complete coverage for the southern part of our district," said Joel Evans, county developer. ...

There's a court case under way in Missouri to determine how much the state should provide in funding for education. Nearly half the state's 524 school districts are challenging the state formula for funding education. These schools say the funding is inadequate and unfair. ...

PORTAGEVILLE - The East Prairie Eagles basketball team picked up a big road win on Tuesday night over the Portageville Bulldogs, 71-57. The Eagles controlled the boards against the Bulldogs and had 25 offensive rebounds as a team. East Prairie also had 17 steals for the contest...

Nobody asked me but...the girls basketball program at Sikeston is hitting some rough patches as of late. A season ago under head coach Fred Johnson, the Lady Bulldogs recorded their best record in the program's history at 18-7. This season has been sobering for many involved with the program...

SCOTT CITY -- Two old rivals, Kelly and Scott City, battled to the final horn in a Scott-Mississippi Conference game on Tuesday. The Scott City Rams held on to defeat the Kelly Hawks 71-70 in the game with, not only conference, but also district implications...

SIKESTON -- The Historic Midtown Development Group has selected an executive director. Amanda Pratt, a Sikeston native and graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree in history with a historic preservation minor, was chosen for the position following a three-month process that screened candidates from the four-state area. ...

POPLAR BLUFF -- A Poplar Bluff man accused of forging checks in eight communities throughout Southeast Missouri is awaiting formal charges by various prosecuting attorney offices. Charles White, 24, of Poplar Bluff was arrested Friday after officers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department, Dexter Police Department and Butler County Sheriff's Department executed a search warrant on his residence in rural Butler County. ...

SIKESTON -- The school bus involved in a traffic accident Monday afternoon in New Madrid County belonged to the Sikeston R-6 School District. Jim Bates, transportation director for New Madrid County R-1 School District and Matthews Elementary principal, said one of R-1's buses approached the scene after the accident occurred but was not involved in the accident...

Dear Editor, I was very pleased to read the article about the TV bill that could bring more competition to the cable industry. According to a recent FCC report, cable TV rates have increased 93 percent in just ten years! Citizens in Missouri have waited long enough for a choice in video services and we have paid the price...

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. - Harry Emerson Coleson, 74, died at 12:25 a.m. Feb. 6, 2007, at his home, following an extended illness. Born Feb. 13, 1932, in Pulaski, he was the son of the late Lloyd Edgar Coleson and Ruby Harp Coleson Rogers. He attended Trinity Assembly of God Church in Olive Branch...

DEXTER -- James Paul Barker, 89, died Feb. 5, 2007, at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter. Born Nov. 16, 1917, near Bloomfield, son of the late James Abner and Mary Elizabeth Martin Barker, he was a lifelong resident of Stoddard County where he farmed for many years and worked in a variety of factory and retail jobs in Dexter. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps and later in the U.S. Army during World War II...

PONTOTOC, Miss. -- Roger Allen Brown, 47, formerly of Bertrand, Mo., died Feb. 6, 2007, at the Care Center of Aberdeen at Aberdeen. Born July 21, 1959, at DeKalb, Ill., daughter of Betty Donaldson Brown of Bertrand and the late J.D. Brown, he lived most of his life in Mississippi County (Mo.) where he was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bertrand. He had lived the past 10 years in Pontotoc and had worked in construction...

DEXTER -- Mildred Taylor, 89, died Feb. 6, 2007, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born April 30, 1917, in Dudley, daughter of the late Edwin and Lilly Tite Wooley, she was a member of First General Baptist Church in Dexter and a former cook with the Dexter Public School System for 20 years...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers for services to be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at Concordia Lutheran Church for Maggie Irwin, 54, who died Feb. 5, 2007, will be: Tommy Lathum, James Lathum, Herbert Lathum, Harry Irwin, David Irwin and Brandon Tinnin. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Blanchard Funeral Chapel...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers for services held Tuesday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Reginald Lee Dodd, 54, who died on Feb. 4, 2007, were: Brian Alexander, Kevin Alexander, Brian Hardin, David Howell, Steve Howell and Gary Owens.

DEXTER -- Barbara Edwards, 76, died Feb. 7, 2007, at Missouri Southern Healthcare. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

WILSON CITY - Roy Graham, 84, died at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 2, 2007, at his home. Born Aug. 6, 1922, in Halls, Tenn., to the late George and Omie Ward Graham, he lived over 70 years in Missouri. He attended school at Rush Ridge Community. He had been a farmer and was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church of Charleston...