Stories from Friday, September 23, 2016

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- America's small churches under 400 attendance still dominate the nation's church landscape both in number of churches and in total attendance. The number of the smaller churches still make up more than 90 percent of all U.S. congregations. ...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- The final result was never in doubt. Both teams knew what they were getting into, especially Kelly, who saw more success their first year of varsity football three years ago than recently. The final buzzer sounded and the Hawks were on the wrong end of their second 80-point blowout in as many weeks after falling to Malden 85-0 just seven days prior...

A New Madrid medical center is one of 29 clinics to receive funding for for health information technology enhancements. The Southeast Missouri Health Network received $65,549. Last Thursday, according to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia M. ...

ANNA, Ill. -- The Sikeston soccer team fell to 6-8 on the season after its road loss to Anna-Jonesboro, Ill., Thursday. Jose Guzman scored the game-winning goal in the second half on an assist from Jovanni Amesquita to get the win for Anna-Jonesboro (8-6)...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston volleyball team primarily worked on two things during Wednesday's practice. Hitting and passing. The extra reps paid off in a big way Thursday night with a dominating two-set win over visiting Malden, 25-15 and 25-17, at the Sikeston Field House...

CAMPBELL, Mo. (SMNS) -- A Campbell man was seriously injured after he was apparently struck by a train, according to Chief Tony Burke of the Campbell Police Department. Burke says officers were called to the railroad crossing at Morgan Street in Campbell in reference to a pedestrian vs. train crash. Officers found 39-year-old Jon M. Bevill Jr. 300 feet west of the crossing suffering from a serious leg injury...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Investigators from the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Public Safety sent reports and evidence to the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney's office Thursday in a sexual-assault investigation that occurred on campus, interim DPS director Beth Glaus said...

New Madrid County Central High School kicked off homecoming activities with a parade and bonfire Thursday night at the high school campus.

ORAN, Mo. -- Virginia Lucille Dennis, 94, died Sept. 23, 2016, at her home. Born June 1, 1922, in Cape Girardeau, to the late James and Minnie Ditterline Simmons, she was a retired machine operator for Venture Products in Oran. She was a member of Oran Baptist Church, the Sikeston Eagles and Morley V.F.W...

SIKESTON - James Joseph "Jim" Below Sr., 68, died Sept. 23, 2016, at his home. Born June 9, 1948, in Cape Girardeau to the late James R. and Carmen Brennecke Below, he previously resided in Cape Girardeau, Delta and Iola, Kan. A retired heavy equipment salesman, he was a member of the U.S. ...

ORAN, Mo. -- Verdell Hooe, 99, died Sept. 22, 2016, at Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee. Born Aug. 16, 1917, in Hartman, Ark., to the late Ben and Leora Pyron Phillips, she was a homemaker. A charter member of the Hooe Baptist Church in Oran, she played the piano at church and taught adult women's Sunday school class for many years...