Stories from Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Hillary all the way - Obama isn't ready! I think you should start a "pet peeve" column and start with me. My pet peeve is when I call someone they put me on hold while they answer the phone for someone else. They can call back. I have call waiting but I never use it because I think the person I am talking to deserves my undivided attention. Thank you...

SIKESTON - Fire swept the roof and upper floor of a house at 415 Prosperity St. about noon today, almost destroying the household furnishings of Mr. and Mrs. Royal Kellett, who lived on the upper floor. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Singleton, who occupied the lower floor, were able to carry out several pieces of their furnishings since the fire was largely confined to the upper part of the house and roof...

Members of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety work to remove an individual from an SUV Tuesday morning (top photo). The accident occured at just after 8 a.m. when a DPS patrol car struck the SUV on Highway 61 just south of Highway HH. At least one person was transported by helicopter for their injuries...

SIKESTON -- It may sound like a simple task, but reading medicine bottle labels and instructions carefully isn't practiced by everyone. "Some people get casual with medications, and medications are dangerous," said Jim Barnes, director of pharmacy at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. "They're good and can cure and correct a lot of medical conditions but when taken incorrectly or inappropriately, they can certainly cause serious harm, allergic reactions or even death."...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce and Missouri Career Center are expecting big results at their job fair on Wednesday. As of this morning, 19 employers plan to set up booths at the fair, which is free for any prospective employees. It is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Clinton Building, 501 Campanella...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - A Sikeston man pled guilty on Monday to federal drug and gun charges. Elton Lloyd Stoner, 23, pled guilty to one felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He appeared before United States District Judge Charles A. Shaw...

LILBOURN -- Arnold Simpson, 86, died March 10, 2008, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Richards Funeral Home in Lilbourn.

SIKESTON - Pallbearers for services conducted Monday at the Ponder Funeral Home for Opal Kelley, 84, who died on March 5, 2008, were: Gary Kelley, Clay Kelley, Chris Holt, Jay Holt, Ronnie James and Don Holt.

SIKESTON -- Earl Phelps, 75, died March 10, 2008, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

VANDUSER -- Reta Mavanee "Melva" Martin, 79, died March 9, 2008, at her home. Born July 22, 1928, in Nauvoo, Ala., to the late Rufus Eligiah and Georgia Peeak Sutherland, she was a member of the Vanduser Church of God, where she served as secretary/treasurer for more than 30 years...

BLOOMFIELD -- Johnny F. Horn, 71, died March 9, 2008, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Sept. 21, 1936, in Stanberry, to the late Jesse Horn and Alie Eagan Horn, he was a farmer for many years. On Feb. 7, 1963, in Essex, he married Iva Dowdy who survives of the home...

PORTAGEVILLE - Mary Elizabeth Eftink Klipfel, 92, died March 10, 2008, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Oct. 24, 1915, at Portageville, to the late John Eftink and Elizabeth Elfrink Eftink, she was a member of the St. Eustachius Catholic Church and the Ladies Sodality...

SIKESTON -- With the start of a new spring season, the Sikeston boys' tennis team will soon be in full swing as they prepare to take the court once again for the 2008 campaign. It should be another solid year for the Bulldogs, as they will return several key players from last year's district runner-up team...