Stories from Tuesday, July 17, 2007

SIKESTON - Sheron Bailey and Henery King are the parents of their second child, second daughter, born at 7:01 p.m. May 17, 2007, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Shakeya Renae King weighed 5 pounds, 6 ounces, and was 18 inches long. Maternal grandparent is Eula McClenton...

I just want to say thanks to Margaret and David Russell for putting on the best fireworks show we have ever had in Blodgett. Thanks again from a Blodgett resident. All the yellow dogs are upset about the president commuting the sentence against Libby. ...

SIKESTON - Pleas Malcolm, Sikeston postmaster, was slightly injured Saturday when he spilled insecticide in his eye. SIKESTON - Mayor Kendall Sikes called a special meeting of church clergy and lay leadership Wednesday, then directed questions to them concerning substandard housing in the Sunset Addition. Forty-five members of the clergy and lay leadership attended...

SIKESTON -- Sikeston's Historic Depot is undergoing a lot of changes this summer, which will give a glimpse to its past. Thanks to a Missouri Department of Transportation Enhancement Grant, additions and renovations will be made to the interior and exterior of the building...

SIKESTON -- Area residents who have both Medicare and Medicaid are being talked into paying for insurance which increases their out-of-pocket expenses. Brenda Knat, office manager for a Sikeston physician's office, said for some people, such as those on Medicare who don't have a lot of health problems and don't seek a lot of services, Medicare Advantage Plans can save them a little bit of money...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Department of Public Safety is seeking a man wanted for drug distribution. DPS, assisted by the National Guard's Counter Drug Unit, executed a search warrant at about 9:30 p.m. Friday on the 800 block of Ruth Street. The Guard's helicopter was used during the operation and traffic was blocked from the area for around an hour to an hour and a half, according to DPS Director Drew Juden...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Authorities continue to search today for a former Butler County Clerk accused of first degree statutory sodomy with two juvenile girls, ages 11 and 12. As of Monday, investigators with the Missouri State Highway Patrol continue to search different residences and cabins in both Ripley and Butler County but have not located John Dunivan...

Ladies Golf Association Ch. Flight A Flight Betty Dawson/Doris Stepp 89 B Flight C Flight Senior Association Low Gross Low Net Curtis Butcher/Dick Inman 66 Low Putts Men's Golf Association Twilight Couples Golf A Flight B Flight C Flight For membership information contact Kevin Collins, PGA- Pro Shop at (573) 472-4225...

RISCO - Grover "Buddy" Parker, 69, died July 14, 2007, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 3, 1938, in Truman, Ark., to the late Robert E. Lee and Ruby Augustine Rollins Parker, he was the former police chief of Risco and a U.S. Navy veteran. On June 15, 1959, in Tulot Ark., he married Edna Ruthie May Maclin, who survives of the home...

TALLAPOOSA - Clyde Jerome Copeland, 54, died July 14, 2007 at his home. Born Oct. 2, 1952 in Portageville, he was the son of the late Kelly and Myrtle May Brock Copeland. He was employed by Noranda Aluminum and a veteran of the U.S. Army. On Oct. 2, 1990 in Dyersburg, Tenn., he married Barbara Rae Woolums who survives of the home...

NEW MADRID - Rosa Mae Reed, 87, died July 12, 2007 at the Golden Living Center in New Madrid. Born Jan. 28, 1920, in Hernando, Miss. to the late Sylvester and Daisy Clark Reed, she was a homemaker and caretaker. In July 1941, she married James E. Wade, who survives of the home...

NEW MADRID - Carol Ann Barbre Wilson, 64, died July 14, 2007, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born May 25, 1943, in Cairo, Ill. to the late Fred and Goldie Summers Barbre, she was a licensed minister. Survivors include: one son, Charles James Brewer, Jr. ...

BLOOMFIELD -- Launa Jackie Skelton, 77, died July 15, 2007, at Cypress Point Health Health Care in Dexter. Born March 21, 1930, in St. Louis, daughter of the late Harvey and Myrtie Aslin Bess, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bloomfield...

EAST PRAIRIE - Pallbearers for services held today at the Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie for Velma Ruth "Goose" Northern McMillen, 48, who died July 13, 2007, were: Anthony Blasingain, Travis Blasingain, Max Blasingain, John Bolen, Aaron Turner and Rudy Arimencles...

SIKESTON -- Jessie Green, 96, died July 17, 2007, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Visitation is scheduled from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

NEW MADRID - Gertrude Perkins, 96, died July 16, 2007, at the Golden Life Center in New Madrid. Arrangements are incomplete with DeLisle Funeral Home of Portageville.

SIKESTON -- After serving as interim director of the Sikeston Historic Depot for almost a year, Mike Marsh became the official director May 29. "I've been very much part-time interim director since June of '06," Marsh said. That wouldn't have been possible without the great Board of Directors he has backing him up. "They did a lot, volunteering their time to pick up the slack."...

I am somewhat passionate when it comes to public education even though my kids have long graduated. My argument remains the same - throwing dollars after failed policies may make us feel better about ourselves but it does a terrible disservice to the students. We are afraid to point the finger of blame where it should be directed - toward the parents who shirk their duties and take little to no interest in the academic achievement of their children...