Stories from Saturday, December 29, 2007

Well, the time has come for some year-end pithy thoughts on 2007 and some equally pithy predictions for the coming year. Actually, I just wanted to use the word pithy for some strange reason but now that I'm stuck with the introduction, I have little choice other than to sum up the year...

BENTON -- A Sikeston man was arrested late Thursday night after sheriff's deparement investigators received a tip of drug activity from a residence located on Collins Street in Sikeston. According to a Friday news release from Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, Davy Hampton, 39, of Sikeston was arrested and charged with the class C felony, possession of a controlled substance, (methamphetamine), the class D felony, delivery of drug paraphernalia, and the class A misdemeanor, possession of drug paraphernalia. ...

SIKESTON - A partial meth lab was seized between midnight and 1 a.m. Saturday at a residence on Harding Street in Sikeston. According to a news release from Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, Scott County detectives were conducting a surveillance on the residence. The suspect left and did not return to the residence. It is speculated that the suspect went to get the items he needed to to finish the lab when he was apparently arrested in another county on unknown charges...

SIKESTON -- When it comes to returns, staff at local retailers have heard almost every excuse in the book. And it's not just that something is the wrong size or color. "I've had to put my foot down," said Martha Payne, manager at Carol's Hallmark in Sikeston. She has worked there for eight years. "They'd try to do everything under the sun."...

MARIETTA, Ga. - Eric and Courtney Ragan are the parents of their second child, first son, born Nov. 7, 2007, in Marietta. Jackson Charles Kenneth Ragan weighed 5 pounds, 14.6 ounces, and was 16 inches long. Grandparents are Daniel and Donna Byrd of Sikeston, Mo. and Kenneth and Vicki Ragan of Thayer, Mo...

Chloe' Hamby celebrates her first New Year's at her grandparents' home, Susan and Rick Tidwell. The 11-month-old is the daughter of Claudia and Robby Hamby of Sikeston. People young and old will be celebrating the new year this weekend and Monday night...

SIKESTON -- Want to make it home safely after a New Year's party? Plan ahead. There are many options for those who plan to use alcohol while ringing in the new year, according to Lt. John Hotz, public information officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol's General Headquarters in Jefferson City...

Mike, I get up every hour or two and go potty. Is that the same thing as get up and putter? Pretty close! This is to the concerned parent who called in about late nights and early mornings, about her child working at McDonald's and Burger King. I would rather their child be working than running the streets. ...

SIKESTON - Mr. and Mrs. George Wright of Sikeston are the parents of a girl born Dec. 28. SIKESTON - A seven member industrial development council was appointed to administer $42,000 to be paid the city by Anchor Toy Corporation Tuesday at the Tuesday night meeting of the Sikeston City Council...

POPLAR BLUFF--Things got rolling early and often on Friday night, as the Sikeston Bulldogs put up 83 points in a victory over the Maplewood Blue Devils and cruised to their first-ever win in the Poplar Bluff Showdown by a score of 83-58. Sikeston head coach Gregg Holifield was pleased with his team's victory after the game, noting that his team came out with a lot more effort than in Thursday's tough loss to Harrison, Ga...

CHAFFEE -- Phillip David Groves Sr., 73, died at 10:45 p.m. Dec. 27, 2007, at Heartland Care and Rehab in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 1, 1934, in Cairo, Ill., son of the late David and Ruth Lassiter Groves, he was a rental manager for Ryder Truck Co. and U.P.S. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War...

EAST PRAIRIE - Welton Rhodes, 85, died at 12:20 a.m. Dec. 29, 2007. Arrangements are incomplete with Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie.

NEW MADRID -- Evelyn Duncan, 64, died Dec. 27, 2007, at Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Born Dec. 15, 1943, in Oran, daughter of the late Earl Douglas and Grace Alice McCarty McCallister, she was a longtime member of the New Madrid Baptist Church...

DEXTER - Gladys Irene Heflin Rowland, 82, died Dec. 28, 2007, at the Golden Living Center in Dexter. Born Oct. 27, 1925, in Dunklin County, daughter of the late Abe and Pricilla Green Brotherton, she had been employed with Elders in Dexter. She was a member of the Second General Baptist Church and its Quilting Club and the Dexter Bowling Team...

BLOOMFIELD -- Three Stoddard County residents were arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into an effort to combat rising illegal prescription drug use in Stoddard County. According to a Friday news release from Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner, Hershell M. ...

SIKESTON -- Darrell and Barbara Stovall have announced the engagement of their daughter, Laura Beth Stovall, to Bobby Dale Landers, son of Kevin and Sandy Landers of Sikeston. A 2002 graduate of Christian Life School in Sikeston, the future bride is employed at Ferguson Medical Group. The prospective bridegroom is a 2001 graduate of Sikeston High School and works for McCormick Construction...

MATTHEWS -- Jana Wrather has announced the engagement of her daughter, Stacy Wrather, to Matt Younger, son of Odis and Sandy Younger of Sikeston. The future bride is also the daughter of the late Bobby Wrather. A 2001 graduate of New Madrid County Central High School, Wrather attends Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau...

Tanic Tan, located at 334 S. Kingshighway, was named the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce's Spirit Award winner for the month of November. Pictured with the award in front of the business is owner Tiffany O'Neal.

Montgomery Bank has installed an ATM in the parking lot of the Sikeston Factory Outlet Stores. The ATM is now open and is part of the MoneyPass® ATM network. Pictured are Julie Stafford, Teresa Wright and Michelle Worth of Montgomery Bank.

As we wrap up 2007, there is much to be thankful for in Downtown Sikeston. I would like to extend my thanks to this year's new members: American Legion Post 114, Bo's Jewelry & Pawn, David Crader-Attorney at Law, Gadberry Rentals, George W. Gilmore Jr.-Attorney at Law, Heartland Office Supply, Joy's Bridal, Kirby's Sandwich Shop, John A. ...

Subway Sandwiches, located at 1405 E. Malone, is partnering with The Christian Academy to help children get and stay fit. During this emphasis, every three weeks, Subway provides free sandwiches to the TCA class that has logged in the most exercise minutes. Pictured here with their Subway sandwiches are Gennice Gipson and her first grade students...

NEW MADRID -- Al Finnell, former electrical maintenance superintendent at New Madrid Power Plant near New Madrid, has retired after 23 years with Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. (AECI), which operates the plant. Finnell said his job was maintaining anything that "has a wire leading to it." In a plant the size of New Madrid, he supervised 10 electricians who kept all the wire-connected engines, computers and devices running. ...

SIKESTON -- Allstate Insurance Co. has announced the opening of a new agency. Operated by Agent Edward Wright, it is located at 107 W. Center St., Suite B. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. "My staff and I are excited about opening for business," said Wright. "This will be a full-service insurance agency, offering a complete line of insurance products and services including traditional life insurance. I am committed to providing extraordinary customer service."...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- For the fifth straight year, the Charleston Bluejays have been seeded number one in the seMissourian Christmas Tournament, and for the fifth straight year, have been eliminated in the semi-final round. This year, the Bluejays fell to the number five seed Notre Dame Bulldogs Friday night. A 40 point performance by 6-8 senior Ryan Willen, helped propel the Bulldogs past Charleston in a close 70-67 final...

BLOOMFIELD -- The Portageville Bulldogs advanced to the fifth place game in the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament after holding off the Bloomfield Wildcats 53-46 Friday afternoon. Portageville led for most of the game and held a 14-point lead, 32-18 with four minutes left to play in the third. But that is when Bloomfield mounted their comeback...

COLUMBIA -- Kristina June Dorward and James Stanley Essner were united in marriage during a Sept. 15, 2007, ceremony at Broadway Christian Church in Columbia. The Rev. Rick Frost performed the double-ring ceremony. Parents of the couple are Don and Darla Dorward of Columbia and Stanley and Shirley Essner of Benton...

BENTON -- Sara Michelle Essner and Nicholas John Hussman were united in marriage during a June 9, 2007, ceremony at St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton. The Revs. Normand Varone and Oscar Lukefahr performed the double-ring ceremony. Parents of the couple are Stanley and Shirely Essner of Benton and John and Janice Hussman of House Springs...