Stories from Monday, July 16, 2007

Sharon Morse of Morse Farms is assisted by her grandson Hayden Morse as customers line up for fresh produce at the Farmers Market at the Depot in Sikeston on Saturday.

SIKESTON -- For 47 Sikeston kids, swimming during the summer is more than just cannonballs and waterguns: it's competition. Ranging in age from 4 to 15, the Sikeston Swim Team, or "Sharks," participates in seven meets throughout the season. While there are 80 events in all, each swimmer may compete in up to five events within their age group. The Sharks' season runs from the beginning of June through the end of July...

PORTAGEVILLE - A search is under way for a Portageville resident who was last seen on July 3. Murl Silman, a resident of Portagevillage, was reported missing to Portageville Police on July 10. He was last seen by his family on July 3. Lt. Tom Doering with the Portageville Police Department said a missing person's report was issued with national agencies as well as local law enforcement and the Missouri Highway Patrol...

Buying stuff for college is quickly and easily becoming my new favorite hobby. New bedding, computers, laundry bags, Hello Kitty toasters . . . the list--and my wants--goes on and on. According to the National Retail Federation, freshmen spent an average of $1,112.62 each on back-to-school items last year. I'd like to meet the kids who only spent $1,100 and find out where they shopped because we obviously are not shopping at the same places...

SIKESTON - Robert Bridges, 61, died July 15, 2007, at his home. Born April 19, 1946, in Cottage Hills, Ill., he was the son of Gladys Arnold Bridges, who survives of Sikeston, and the late Orvile Bridges. He recently retired from Noranda Aluminum after 32 years of service. He was a member of Sikeston Eagles 3319. He enjoyed camping, traveling, fishing and wildlife, with his friends...

BLOOMFIELD - Wilford Dewey Gean, 74, died July 15, 2007, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Jan. 20, 1933, in Peach Orchard, Ark., to the late Samuel and Hazel Tyler Gean, he was a sheetmetal worked for Pyramid Roofing in Sikeston, a member of Sheetmetal Workers Union Local No. 36 and of the Baptist belief...

DEXTER -- Eugene E. Edwards, 76, died July 13, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born March 4, 1931, in Stoddard County, son of the late Duane Alfred and Eathel Oneita Lingo Edwards, he was a member of the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Dexter, retired farmer, veteran of the U.S. Navy, and 25-year member of the American Legion post 59...

PORTAGEVILLE -- Lois Ann Gribble Rogers, 60, died July 15, 2007, at Pemiscot Memorial Health Systems in Hayti. She was born Jan. 12, 1947, in Wardell, daughter of the late Tom and Mattie Francis White Gribble. In 1967, in Tennessee, she married M.T. Rogers, who preceded her in death Oct. 1, 1996...

DES ARK - James Lawrence O'Brien, 73, died at 12:18 a.m. July 15, 2007, at Iron County Memorial Hospital at Pilot Knob. Born Sept. 24, 1933, at St. Louis, to the late John and Ruth Cassidy O'Brien, he retired from Southwestern in Fort Worth, Texas, where he worked in sales and was a veteran of the U.S. Army...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Velma Ruth "Goose" Northern McMillen, 48, died at 6:05 a.m. July 13, 2007, in the Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. Born Aug. 31, 1958, in Mississippi County, to the late Marshall Lee and Leoma Pearl Northern Dean, she lived most of her life in Mississippi County...

BLOOMFIELD - Launa Jackie Skelton died July 15, 2007, at Cypress Point Health Care in Dexter. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield.

NEW HAMBURG - Christine "Tena" Lape, 93, died July 14, 2007, at Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 15, 1914, in Charleston, to the late Henry and Rosella Layton Scheffer, she retired from Thorngate Ltd. in Chaffee where she was employed as a presser. She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and St. Ann Sodality in New Hamburg...

PORTAGEVILLE - Daniel Patrick Young, newborn, died July 14, 2007, at Pemiscot Memorial Health Systems. Arrangements are incomplete with DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Former Sikeston All-American Blake DeWitt has been promoted to the Los Angeles Dodgers' Double-A team in Jacksonville, Fla. DeWitt overcame a slow start in Advanced-A at San Bernardino, Calif.. He finished his stint with the 66ers with a .298 average, eight home runs, 29 doubles, two triples, 46 RBIs and 48 runs scored in 339 at-bats 83 games...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston 12-year-old All-Stars made it a three-peat as they captured the Missouri State Cal Ripken Baseball Tournament for the third consecutive year. Sikeston didn't just win its third straight state championship, they did it in convincing fashion, with a 20-4 dismantling of the Mineral Area Baseball Association All-Stars in the championship game on Sunday at the Sikeston Complex...

On Tuesday July 17th from 1p.m.. until 6 p.m. the city of Sikeston will be hosting their annual Blood Drive at the Hunter Memorial Presbyterian Church. Every year in the month of July our City takes on this responsibility as an example of their dedication to you in doing their part to keep blood on the shelves for YOU!...

I'd like to thank my neighbors, Mr. Hicks and Mr. Curry, for mowing my yard and my lot in the back Sunday. I appreciate it and there should be more neighbors like them. This is not the first time they've done this for me when I needed it. I would just like to thank them very much. It is really appreciated...

SIKESTON - Mr. and Mrs. Van Strickland spent Saturday evening visiting friends in Cape Girardeau. SIKESTON - Sikeston is given prominent mention in the new brochure, "The Miracle of Malone & Hyde." The brochure relates to the beginning of the wholesale grocery firm. Sikeston is pictured at the top of a full-page map showing the seven states in which the company operates...