Stories from Friday, July 20, 2012

CHARLESTON -- While federal funding will go toward the projects, these are definitely bridges to somewhere. During their regular weekly meeting Thursday, Mississippi County commissioners took another step toward seeing a new bridge on County Road 521 by making their selection of an engineering firm...

SCOTT CITY -- A Scott City couple face drug charges after a meth lab was found in their home. On Wednesday, officers with the Scott City Police Department and SEMO Drug Task Force Officer Ron Merideth executed a search warrant at the residence of Kimberly Counts and Calvin Rayford located at 729 Grove in Scott City. ...

SIKESTON -- An observant postal employee led law enforcement to the arrest of a Sikeston man and the discovery of more than two pounds of marijuana. On July 11, a package sent in the mail was thought to be suspicious by a postal worker, according to Lt. Jim McMillen, public information officer with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety. The employee reported his concerns to the SEMO Drug Task Force...

SIKESTON -- Southeast Missouri may not only be the future home of biomass production and technology; it will also be the source for those versed in it. Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Agriculture hosted a grand opening ceremony for its Biomass/Biofuels Research and Demonstration Field at Southeast's Sikeston campus Thursday morning. ...

The Charleston Department of Public Safety is seeking information about the June 17 burglary at Casey's General Store. The public is being asked for their help in identifying the suspect pictured above. Anyone who knows who he is, or has any information concerning this crime, contact DPS at (573) 683-3737. The investigating officer is Cory Cates...

BERTRAND -- Linda F. Wages, 75, of Bertrand died July 17, 2012, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Jan. 16, 1937, in Deventer, to the late Lendell and Mary Slayden Hunt, Linda moved to Bertrand in 1990 and was a longtime member of Abundant Grace Church in Bertrand. ...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Charles H. Bradham, 78, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., died July 12, 2012. Born Dec. 19, 1933, in East Prairie, to the late Rae Catherine Nunn and George Herbert Bradham, he was an electronics technician for the U.S. Air Force, FAA and National Weather...

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for services held Thursday at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Alfreda Brashears, 87, who died on July 14, 2012, were: Bill Henderson, Johnny Burwell, Adam Russell, Angela Henderson, Patrick Pitschner and Phillip Wilson.

SIKESTON -- Kim Maclin, 53, died July 19, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home.

NEW MADRID -- Bethany Kay Darter, 21, died July 18, 2012, at her home in New Madrid. Born April 29, 1991, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of James and Malinda Darter. Survivors include: her brothers and sisters, Collin and Chalis Beachum of St. Louis, Nicholas and Whitney Darter of Malden, Joshua and Angel Darter and Brittany Darter of New Madrid, Jimmy Darter, Kenny Darter, Michael Darter, Breanna Darter, Lorie Darter, Sara Darter and Kathy Darter of the home, and Teresia and the Rev. ...

SIKESTON -- Don Ashley, 74, died July 19, 2012, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Arrangements are incomplete with Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

DEXTER -- Virginia Cossey, 71, died July 20, 2012, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete with the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

CHAFFEE -- Opening up the 9-and-under Missouri State Cal Ripken Baseball Tournament on Thursday, the Sikeston All-Stars saw a pair of rough innings against the Mineral Area National Division team lead to a 16-7 loss. "They definitely came through with those three runs in the fifth to keep it alive," Sikeston manager Jared Self said of his team. "We just made too many mental mistakes and beat ourselves. That was really the story of our game."...

MONTROSE, Co. -- The Charleston Fighting Squirrels suffered their first loss of this year's Midwest Plains Regional Tournament on Thursday, 8-6, at the hands of host Montrose, Colo. The loss drops Charleston into the loser's bracket of the tournament where they play Eastview, Minn. this morning at 10 a.m...