Stories from Tuesday, December 18, 2007

MORLEY - Alene Tyler Fitzgerel, 87, died Dec. 15, 2007, in West Jordan, Utah. Born Nov. 11, 1920, in Wynn, Ark., to Jim and Cornelia Thomas Tyler, she worked at the International Hat Factory in Oran for 35 years before leaving her home in Morley to move to Salt Lake City, where she was a Salt Lake County Aging Services senior companion...

PORTAGEVILLE - Rondal "Red" Hurley, 73, died Dec. 17, 2007, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete with DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Pallbearers at services set for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Bloomfield Cemetery for Albert B. "Al" Bange, 92, formerly of Festus and Blodgett, who died Dec. 15, 2007, will be: Brett Matthews, Bill White, Ray Shock, Doug Beggs, Donnie Beggs, Paul Rosener and Bob Rosener. Visitation is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel...

CHARLESTON - Peggy Nelson French, 51, died Dec. 17, 2007, at her home. Memorial services will be held at a later date. McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston is in charge of arrangements.

We are by any definition an obese nation. Just look around and you'll find ample evidence to support the claims. And some of the fastest growing industries - naturally - are those which promise to take off those pounds and restore that youthful figure, assuming you had a youthful figure in your youth...

SIKESTON -- It's a week before Christmas and he's checking his list -- but dressed in blue, not red. And his helper isn't an elf but a student from the Sikeston Seventh and Eighth Grade Center with a grin a mile wide. School Resource Officer Joey Henry of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety and his student shopping partner, one of four teams, are cruising the aisles at the Sikeston Wal-Mart on a mission to make a disadvantaged family's Christmas a little merrier thanks to a new "Shop With a Cop" program.. ...

SIKESTON -- Those hoping to buy high-demand gaming systems such as the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation PSP for Christmas still have a chance, although it's a slim possibility they'll be able to put it under their tree. "There's not enough for us and not enough for other retailers," said Larry Futer, district manager for Radio Shack. "The manufacturer simply does not make enough."...

CHARLESTON -- Melba Clark of Lilbourn was looking to lose some weight and breathe easier when the 66-year-old's doctor put her in touch with a registered dietician from the Mississippi County Health Department. After attending only two monthly sessions with the dietitian, Clark, who has chronic bronchitis and emphysema, has lost 12 pounds and said she can breathe better...

Members of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety Special Operations Group enter 504 John R. Blvd. to serve a search warrant. The Sikeston DPS along with Scott County, New Madrid County, Mississippi County Sheriff's Departments, the Scott County Prosecuting Attorney's office, the U.S. ...

SIKESTON - Two babies were born at the hospital on Dec. 18. A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Reeves of Sikeston and a son to Mr. and Mrs. Houston Worth of Sikeston. SIKESTON - The Tree of Lights campaign to collect money for toys, candy and fruit for needy children on Christmas approaches. In it final four days, the total collected is about $1,000. The goal is $1,800...

In response to the person who complained because her child was being required to empty and return his/her lunch tray every day, and instructed her child to refuse, I didn't know royalty attended the public schools. My name is Mike Marsh, 471- 7626. There was something wanting to know if anyone was selling pecans. Please give them my number...

Far too often we fail to give credit where credit is due. As an employee of New Madrid County R-1 School District, I feel fortunate to have been given the opportunity to serve as principal at Matthews Elementary School. Through my job, I have had the privilege of working with members of the Matthews Elementary PTO. What an outstanding organization!...

BENTON -- A Saturday phone call to the Scott County Sheriff's Department regarding a suspicious person resulted in a Tennessee man being jailed for possession of heroin. In custody is Daniel Steven Smith, 25, of Bartlett, Tenn., charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond has been set at $10,000...

Nichols SIKESTON - Kendra and Jerry Nichols are the parents of their fourth child, third son, born at 11:17 p.m. Nov. 9, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Jerren Lee Nichols weighed 9 pounds and was 21 inches long. Maternal grandparent is Viola Wilkerson of McGregor, Texas...

BROSLEY -- The 11th Annual Twin Rivers Lady Royals Christmas Classic continued on Monday evening, as Sikeston advanced past Charleston, 51-40, and New Madrid County Central downed Kennett 52-20. Sikeston will now face NMCC on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Charleston started out with the lead over the Lady Bulldogs, but with six minutes left to go in the second quarter, Sikeston took the lead and the Bluejays saw nothing but tail-lights, as they saw their lead disappear never to return...