Stories from Friday, July 27, 2007

ORAN - Brandy and Michael Boshell Jr. are the parents of their third child, second daughter, born at 7:32 a.m. June 26, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Halle McKenzie Boshell weighed 8 pounds, 6.6 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long...

CHARLESTON -- A Charleston man pled guilty to distributing cocaine base on Wednesday, according to a news release from United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway. Christopher Booker, 34, pled guilty to one felony count of distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base and one felony count of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base...

NEW MADRID -- The New Madrid University of Missouri Extension Council will be frying up some fish for a good cause Friday. For the past three years, the fish fry has been held to offset office costs as part of a budget crunch, said Jeff House, agronomy specialist and county program director...

SIKESTON - Harry Young Jr. is expected back Sunday from Fort Hoyle, Md., where he has been encamped since June 19. He will spend August in Sikeston before returning to the Virginia Military Institute for his second year. SIKESTON - When the lights went out at around 8 p.m. ...

SIKESTON - Fire damaged the J.F. Cox Tire Co. and the Locke Distributing Co. warehouse, located in the same building on Highway 60. SIKESTON - Early reports on two phases of the Sikeston United Fund Drive, which is under way now, show that the campaign is progressing soundly. Charles Matthews, chairman, said today. The goal for this year's drive is $56,000...

WILLISTON, N.D. -- The Charleston Fighting Squirrels Senior Babe Ruth baseball team lost in the first round at the Midwest Plains Regional in Williston, N.D., falling to Lakin, Kan., 3-2 on Thursday. Dallas Tew was the hard-luck loser for the Squirrels. Charleston stranded seven runners in the game...

LAMAR, Colo. -- The Sikeston 12-year-old all-stars defeated Ottawa, Kan., 6-4 in the first round of the Midwest Plains Regional Tournament on Thursday. Sikeston will play the host team, Lamar, Cool., today at 1:30. Sikeston jumped on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning on Tyler Anderson's two-run home run over the right centerfield wall...

DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. -- The Sikeston Bulls suffered a heartbreaking loss on Thursday night to the Fulton Railroaders, 14-7. The Bulls led the home team 7-0, but quickly lost the lead on four unearned runs in the third inning. In the fourth inning the Railroaders plated three unearned runs to tie the game at 7-7 apiece...

Dear Editor, In the writer's opinion, one of the greatest disservices of the media, political columnists, reporters and politicians, is the treatment accorded to the financial condition of our federal government. Please let me provide a current example. ...

I am a very upset citizen, among many, that live in East Prairie. I have a scanner and there has been so much emphasis placed on speeding, etc., instead of patrolling the back streets where there is stealing and dope deals being done. I thought they were supposed to protect and serve, not just write tickets. I can't wait until the next election...

This is in response to fixing the street on Moore. I read your comment and I do understand it is the city, not the state that is responsible for fixing the street. My thing is, I never said who was supposed to fix the road, I just said someone needs to fix the road. Whether it's a state or a city job, all I've got to say is someone needs to come fix Moore Street. Whoever's job it is, someone needs to get the job done...

If it weren't so serious, it would be downright funny. A country bumpkin from just outside of Joplin had some bad blood with relatives of his former wife. So the country fella decided to hire himself a hitman to "off" the relatives. And just to make sure everything went as planned, he offered the hitman a crisp $20 bill with the promise of another $80 when the job was done...

Dear Editor, I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank the Sikeston Jaycees and all the sponsors of the 13th Annual Redneck Barbecue than was held in April. It was SACC's most successful barbecue with 32 teams competing in the Kansas City Barbecue Society event...

Mandy Pratt, director of the Sikeston Historic Midtown Development Group, speaks during the monthly Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce meeting Thursday at the Clinton Building.

SIKESTON -- Given the choice, country music singer Eric Church said he would rather be a songwriter than a singer any day. "It's not even close as far as I'm concerned," he said in a telephone interview. That's why he insisted that he have a hand in writing each of the songs that appeared on his debut album, "Sinners Like Me," which was released last year...

Sandy Huang counts coins to match the correct number shown on a card at the Sikeston Kindergarten Center. The Center will have late enrollment on, Aug. 2, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children must be 5 years of age by July 31 to qualify for school. Parents are asked to bring their child's birth certificate, shot records, social security number, Medicaid card and proof of residency. For an appointment, call 471-0653...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Bulls dropped their 10th straight game Wednesday night to the visiting Union City Greyhounds, falling by a score of 7-3. Despite a solid pitching performance from Jeremy Brinkmeyer, who threw eight innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, while striking out five, the Bulls once again couldn't execute with runners in scoring position. Coach Jamie Puckett was proud of his pitcher, stating that this is his third straight start, getting stronger with every game...

The Sikeston 11-year-old All-Stars took third place in the Cal Ripken Missouri State Tournament held in Chaffee, July 19-22. Members of the team pictured front row left to right: Chase Baran, Austin Erwin, Kaleb Newton, Bryant Decota, Patrick Smith and Adan Kennard. Second row: Dylan Mason, Caleb Hampton, Colton Black, Doug Still, Jarrett Sandlin and Gavin O'Brien. Third row are coaches: Jason Erwin, Phil Black and Dan O'Brien...

CARUTHERSVILLE - As a result of a three week investigation, three people have been arrested on theft charges, with more arrests expected. According to a news release from the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department, sheriffs in Stoddard, New Madrid, Dunklin and Pemiscot Counties and Malden Police have cleared thefts of approximately 17 irrigation pivots and several grain bin and chicken house thefts...

David Bizzell, a member of the Sikeston Veteran's Park Committee, cuts down a bracket which will hold the new anchor at Veteran's Park. The 6-ton anchor was put in place by committee members earlier in the week.

CHARLESTON -- A public hearing closing out the second phase of Mississippi County's rural water district was held during the regular County Commission meeting Thursday. "The project is now completed," said Joe E. Lane, director of community planning for the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission at Dexter...

SIKESTON -- About 20 local farmers and agriculture leaders participated in an agricultural roundtable discussion at the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday afternoon. "It was about all aspects of Missouri agriculture," said Missy Marshall, executive director of the SACC...

ST. LOUIS -- Sallie Leuer Sterling, 93, died July 24, 2007, at Delmar Gardens of Meramec Valley in Fenton. Born Oct. 16, 1913, daughter of the late Harry Foote and Zoe Constance Rozier Leuer, she was a homemaker. A son-in-law also preceded her in death...

PARIS, Tenn. -- Cathy Jane Murrell, 48, formerly of Portageville, Mo., died July 18, 2007, at Paris. Born Jan. 13, 1959, at Hayti, Mo., to the late Lynell and Delores Franks Murrell, she was a graduate of Portageville High School and a member of the softball team...

SIKESTON -- Jewell Marie "Jo" Sikes, 77, died July 25, 2007, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Jan. 12, 1930, in Clarksville, Ark., daughter of the late Herbert Spencer and Flora Lee Matthews, she was a member of the First Christian Church. She was the vice president of Mercantile Bank and later worked at Montgomery Bank before retiring...

DEXTER - Nathan L. Chaney, 59, died July 24, 2007, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Born Aug. 29, 1947, in Qulin, son of the late Thomas and Garnett Burnett Chaney, he was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Survivors include: his common-law wife, Marketta Legitt of Dexter; two sons, Michael Chaney and Troy Chaney; one daughter, Hannah Chaney; three brothers, Terry Chaney of Dexter, Larry Bailey of Poplar Bluff and Howard Bailey of Sikeston; five sisters, Betty Richardson of Weatherford, Texas, Sharon Pullum of Bloomfield, Sharlene Waters of Poplar Bluff, Shirley Niswonger of Broseley and Teresa Bailey of the state of Michigan.. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Herbert Huggins, 77, died July 25, 2007 at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Born Dec. 13, 1929, in Greenfield, Tenn., he was the son of the late Talma and Ethel Richmond Huggins. He was an active member at Word of Faith Fellowship Church in Cape, where he was a deacon, on the Board of Trustees and piano player. He retired from General Sign Company after 30 years of service...

SIKESTON -- George Renfroe, 64, died July 26, 2007, at St. Louis University Hospital. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, where services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday. The Rev. Carl Addison, pastor of Tanner Street Church of God, will officiate...

SIKESTON - Romey L. Stevens, 42, died July 24, 2007, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Nov. 11, 1964, in Advance, son of the late Mary Alice Stevens, he was a lifelong resident of Missouri. He attended Scott Central Schools and was of the Baptist belief...

LILBOURN - Richard Ballard LaFerney, 81, passed away July 25, 2007, at his home in Lilbourn. Born Aug. 22, 1925, in Portageville, to the late Henry and Evelyn Winstead LaFerney, he loved to work crossword puzzles and watch the Cardinals play baseball...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Former Sikeston High School All-American Blake DeWitt has been on fire since joining the Jacksonville Suns in the Double-A Southern League. In Thursday night's 14-4 victory over Huntsville, DeWitt went 3-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored while blasting his second home run since joining the Suns...

BENTON -- Following a weekend off from Dirt Late Model competition, Joey Mack and his #97m team are gearing up for a busy stretch of racing action. On Saturday, July 28, the I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark. will play host to a $2,000 to win Midsouth Racing Association (MSRA) event...