Stories from Wednesday, October 19, 2016

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- For the second time in as many years, the Portageville volleyball team's district bid came to a halt in the semifinal round. The third-seeded Bulldogs fell in three sets to No. 2 Twin Rivers 13-25, 25-14 and 16-25 Tuesday during the Class 2, District 1 tournament at Portageville High School...

DEXTER -- After an emotional 25-23 first set loss to Notre Dame in Tuesday's Class 3, District 1 semifinals, it'd be fair to say the Dexter Bearcats were worried that the Bulldogs had their number yet again. It was in last year's district finals that Notre Dame swept Dexter in straight sets and the Bulldogs had already taken two of three meetings this season...

This year's announced enrollment at Southeast Missouri State University is 11,970 students. Similar to national averages, 57.6 percent (6,899) are women and 42.4 percent (5,072) are men. The number of men 20 and older without paid work is 32 percent...and only 15 percent of men 25 to 54 who worked not at all in 2014 said they were unemployed because they could not find work...

What was know as the old Dillard home, corner of Second and Dawson St. in Lilbourn was destroyed by fire early last Wednesday morning, October 12. The Lilbourn Volunteer Fire Department received the call around 2:30 that morning. Fire Chief David McClarty said the New Madrid Fire also responded to the call for mutual aid. ...

Alejandro Reed, a student of St. Eustacius Christian School in Portageville, was born in 2002. In 2009 with circumstances beyond his control, he needed a place to go after school for awhile. 1 or 2 days a week he came to the home of Ray and Jane Nabors. ...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. - An investigation into domestic abuse led to charges against an East Prairie man. The East Prairie Police Department reported that at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, an officer investigated a report of a domestic assault and child abuse. During the investigation, Justin T. Warren was taken into custody...

SIKESTON -- With the new season of the Sikeston Little Theatre also comes new methods to purchase show tickets. Beginning Sunday, tickets for Little Theatre productions will be available for purchase to members via the internet and a ticket box office. Then beginning Oct. 30 the general public will be able to purchase tickets online or at the box office, which is located at the Sikeston Little Theatre, 506 S. Kingshighway...

MINER, Mo. -- The Miner Board of Aldermen discussed whether or not to add a food bank storm shelter in the city during Tuesday's meeting, leaving the vote for a later date. Jennifer Wood, chief development officer for Southeast Missouri Food Bank, said this area is "high risk for disasters," adding that SEMO Food Bank is seeking a partnership with the city...

BENTON, Mo. -- The Scott County inmate who escaped from jail last month has been charged for his actions. On Monday Joshua David Musgrove, 31, of Chaffee was formally charged in Scott County with one count of felony escape from confinement, according to online court records. The bond for this charge is $25,000 cash only...

BENTON, Mo. -- A Benton couple is in custody following a narcotics investigation in Scott County. Coley Mills, 23, is charged with one count of possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, two counts of statutory rape in the first degree and one count of statutory sodomy in the first degree. Bond is set at $25,000 cash only...

Annual event helps Sikeston Kiwanis Club fund scholarships and other local causes.

Event benefits Missouri Delta Medical Center's mammography program.

As hard as I try, it's impossible to avoid political discussions as the clock ticks down to Nov. 8. In my lifetime, at least a half dozen presidential elections have been billed as "the most important vote in the history of America." Those words are being spoken this year and it may well be accurate this time...

DEXTER, Mo. - Lela Fay McCoy, 94, formerly of Charter Oak, died Oct. 17, 2016, at the home of her daughter in Dexter. Born Dec. 1, 1921, in Center Ridge, Ark., to the late Eli Harvey and Mary Jane Epperson Bryant, she had lived in Center Ridge before moving to Southeast Missouri in 1952. A school teacher, she had taught in Heber Springs, Ark., and...

MOREHOUSE, Mo. -- Doris Mills, age 75, died Oct. 18, 2016, at her residence in Morehouse. Born July 17, 1941, in Maynard, Ark., to the late J.T. and Jewel Martin Hambrick, she was a member of First United Methodist Church, had served as conference supervisor for United Methodist Women and was a strong advocate for the Heifer Organization (a non-profit organization for third world countries). ...

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. - Kendall Pittman, 62, died Oct. 17, 2016, at his home. Born Sept. 11, 1954, in Caruthersville to the late Floyd and Altha Pittman-Owens, he was educated in the Caruthersville Public School System. He was skilled carpenter and landscaper and of the Baptist faith...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Thomas Earl Rodgers, 60, died Oct. 18, 2016, at his home. Born Sept. 30, 1956, at Wyatt, son of the late Rowland and Hallie Rodgers, he was self-employed with Tom's MTM and Tom's Towing, from which he retired, and of the Christian belief...

New Madrid County Central High School Marching Band was named Best Large Class Marching Band for the 72nd Annual Cotton Carnival Parade. The band competition is sponsored by the Sikeston Optimist Club and is judged by area retired band directors. Because the parade is a Sikeston event, the Sikeston Senior High Band was not included in the competition. ...

Puxico High School Marching Band was named Best Small Class Marching Band for the 72nd Annual Cotton Carnival Parade. The band competition is sponsored by the Sikeston Optimist Club and is judged by area retired band directors. Pictured from left are: Ronda Smith, president of the Sikeston Optimist Club; Wendy Pruden, vice president; Murray Sullivan, Optimist Club chairman of the band competition; Puxico Drum Majors Mikayla Smith and Katelyn Pierre; and David Barani, Puxico High School band director. ...

MATTHEWS, Mo. -- Matthews Elementary School has announced the honor roll students and the students who achieved perfect attendance for the first quarter of the 2016-2017 school year. An after a student's name denotes honors with distinction. Honor roll...