Stories from Friday, February 29, 2008

CHAFFEE -- Maujeva Louise Overfield, 60, died at 5 p.m. Feb. 26, 2008, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born May 17, 1947, at St. Louis, to the late Dennis Eugene and Goldie McBride LaCroix, she had worked as a presser for Bohannon Cleaners in Scott City and as a clerk for Dollar General Store in Chaffee. ...

BERTRAND - Pallbearers for services scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday at Blanchard Funeral Chapel for William D. Heckert, 90, who died on Feb. 27, 2008, will be: Joey Heckert, Donald Lynn, Charles McGill, Danny Freeland, Phil Wilox, Luther Smith Jr. and Jimmy Sweet. Visitation will begin at noon...

CHAFFEE -- Hilda Imogene "Gene" Summers, 90, formerly of Canalou, died at 6:20 p.m. Feb. 28, 2008, in Chaffee. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston, where services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday.

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for services conducted today at the Blanchard Funeral Chapel for Wanda Branham, 70, who died Feb. 26, 2008, were: Paul Ruff, Aaron Brown, Chris Rodgers, Tom Ayers, Bob Medlock and Joe McCullough.

MALDEN -- August John Andrew Mekan, 84, died Feb. 27, 2008, at the Malden Nursing Center. Born Aug. 2, 1923, at Bernie, son of the late August John Fred and Ollie Bell Grim Mekan, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served during World War II. He retired from Union Electric of St. Louis and was of the Assembly of God belief...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Andrew "Drew" Reeves Shelby, 10, died at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 27, 2008, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born March 28, 1997, in Cape Girardeau, to Jeff Shelby and Stephanie Reeves who survive of East Prairie. Drew was a fifth grade student at Martin Elementary School in East Prairie and a member of the Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. ...

SIKESTON -- Matthew Moore, 68, died Feb. 25, 2008, at the Clearview Nursing Center. Born June 2, 1939, in Newport, Ark., to the late Matthew and Antonio Reynolds Moore Sr., he had lived in Southeast Missouri all his life and in Sikeston for the past few years. He was of the Baptist belief...

SUN VALLEY, Calif. -- Alice Frances Schuchart Howard, 91, formerly of Morehouse, Mo., died Feb. 11, 2008, at her daughter's home. Born Jan. 31, 1917, in Union, Mo., to the late R.P. and Wilhelmina Schuchart Sr., she attended schools in Morehouse and completed three years of college at Southeast Missouri State before accepting a job teaching in a one-room school on the original Greer Acres Farms near Sikeston, Mo., in 1939. ...

Julie Braden, Joe Foster and Harold Myrick act out a scene in the Sikeston Little Theater production of "South Pacific." Tickets are still available for each of the remaining performances, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, at Collins Music as well as at the door...

BENTON -- Scott County Commissioners have set a budget for the courthouse security improvements they hope to implement, should they receive a grant. During Thursday's regular meeting, Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger suggested a total budget of $30,000 for the improvements. If approved, $15,000 would come from a grant through the Circuit Court Budget Committee through the Office of State Court Administrator. The other half would come from other county funds...

CARUTHERSVILLE -- Police are investigating a strong-arm robbery in Caruthersville. At about 4:23 a.m. Thursday, Caruthersville Police Department officers responded to 205 W. Haven in reference to a strong-arm robbery, according to a news release provided by Chief Chris Riggs. ...

PORTAGEVILLE -- Before their district championship game Thursday night, Portageville's Mallory Bidewell said her team read Bible scriptures to give them strength prior to taking the court. One in particular noted, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart."...

GIDEON -- The Scott Central Bravettes won their fifth consecutive district title on Thursday evening by defeating the No. 1 seed Oran Lady Eagles by a final score of 52-41. The Bravettes came in as the No. 2 seed in the Class 1 District 1 tournament, and now head into the sectionals Tuesday evening in Poplar Bluff. Scott Central will be going up against the Delta Lady Bobcats, who defeated Lesterville Thursday evening by a final of 52-42...

SIKESTON - W.Z. Baker was elected president of the Rotary Club for the coming year at a meeting of the club at the Dunn Hotel last night. SIKESTON - Robert L. Mitchell of Mitchell Insurance Agency of Sikeston will be a panel member in the March 9 annual officer workers seminar at the Holiday Inn in Sikeston. The event is sponsored by the women's committee of the Chamber of Commerce...

Considering the almost daily crimes of rage, one can't help but see causes in the breakdown of communities, the absence of life supporting jobs, too large and impersonal schools, American religious fanaticism and racial and religious prejudice and intolerance. ...

PORTAGEVILLE -- When NMCC sophomore Dontre Jenkins was younger he used to be a manager for the Eagles basketball team and watched as they won three district titles. Now Jenkins has one of his own as NMCC defeated Portageville 61-41 for the Class 3, District 1 title Thursday night...

GIDEON -- Since the 2003-04 season the Scott County Central Braves have won four-straight Class 1, District 1 titles. After Thursday night at Gideon High School, they can add one more to that streak. The Braves rolled against the Gideon Bulldogs to win their fifth-straight district championship, 88-56...

SIKESTON -- Through the A+ program, Sikeston R-6 works to better students and give those who may not be able to afford college a chance. "This is an important program that our school district is using," said Andy McGill, who has been the coordinator of the program for three years. He was the guest speaker at Thursday's monthly Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon. "I wish I had this program when I was in school."...

BENTON -- Two Benton residents were arrested on drug charges Tuesday night as a result of an investigation by the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force. According to a Thursday news release, Christopher L. Klughart, 29, and Nichole M. Welker, 19, were arrested and are facing possession of precursor chemicals and attempted manufacture of methamphetamine charges...

SIKESTON -- Recent ice storms and snow showers mixed with cold temperatures and cloudy days are enough to dampen anyone's spirits. But, for some, the gloomy weather has motivated them to think spring. "If you walk in our store, you're going to see spring," said Tami Heavener, women's department manager for JC Penney in Sikeston...

CHARLESTON -- Gates will be going up on the new No. 7 road. During the regular County Commission meeting Thursday, several people owning land near the road or their representatives met with commissioners to advise of their intention to permit the Conservation Department to erect two gates on the road which is located near the conservation area near Dorena...

My! My! Another school shooting! Right here in our neighboring state of Illinois; North Illinois University in Dekalb, Ill. Like everyone else, I have questions, why and how. Not only about this shooting but all the past school shootings. Why do these young people turn to such violence? How can we stop future such tragedies. Do you realize that since Feb. 2, 1996, to this last shooting, there have been 35 school shootings in our country?...