Stories from Sunday, January 29, 2017

SIKESTON -- Patrons of the Sikeston R-6 schools now have a way to leave a lasting impression through a commemorative brick fundraiser by the Sikeston Public Schools Foundation. A contribution of $100 for a 4x8-inch or $250 for an 8x8-inch entitles individuals or businesses to recognition on a brick paver in the "Bulldog Walk of Honor," which is located in front of Sikestson High School. The clay bricks will be laser engraved...

SIKESTON -- Becky Brown's business is enjoying sweet success and she credits much of its recent growth to LaunchU, a five-week class she took last year at Southeast Missouri State University-Sikeston. As her cupcakes baked in the oven for her business Cakes Reanimated, Brown paused to talk about LaunchU, which will be offered for a second time in Sikeston, beginning Feb. 13...

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- A man accused of robbery decided to forgo his jury trial accepting a prison sentence. Devontae M. Rivers, 24, of Blytheville, Ark., was sentenced to 15 years in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections on a charge of first degree robbery. Judge Fred Copeland, who heard the case on a change of venue from Dunklin County, ordered the sentence to run concurrently with any sentence Rivers is now serving...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Three East Prairie residents face felony charges following a narcotics investigation by the Mississippi County Sheriff's Office. David Wayne Sprinkles, 57, of East Prairie is charged with felony delivery of a controlled substance and felony possession of a controlled substance and felony delivery of less than 35 Grams of Marijuana...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A Wyatt couple face felony charges following a narcotics distribution investigation by the Mississippi County Sheriff's Office. Jason Lindell Sharp, 42, of Wyatt is charged with felony delivery of a controlled substance and three counts of felony possession of a controlled substance...

FAIRDEALING, Mo. -- Two young children died Thursday as the result of gunshot wounds authorities say were caused by their mother, who then shot herself in a double murder/ suicide. Ripley County Coroner Mike Jackson identified the victims as Gunner Coleman, 2, and his 4-year-old sister, Maycie Harris. Also dead is the children's mother, Laura E. Coleman, 32...

SIKESTON -- Mary I. Stalcup, 87, died at 7:07 p.m. Jan. 28, 2017, at her sister's home in Sikeston. Born Jan. 19, 1930, at Hunterville, daughter of the late Clarence and Laudie (Garner) Chapman, she was a member of Eastside Nazarene Church. On April 14, 1951, she married Raymond L. Stalcup; they were married for almost 50 years before he preceded her in death Jan. 2, 2001...

CHARLESTON, Mo. - Diane Lynn Harris, 44, a resident of Charleston, died Jan. 27, 2017, at Murray, Ky. Born Feb. 2, 1972, at Sikeston, to James M. Harris Sr. and Linda Diane Miller Harris, who survive of Charleston, she had lived in Charleston her entire life and was a 1991 graduate of Charleston High School. She was a member of the Concordia Lutheran Church in Sikeston...

SIKESTON -- Miloslav "Joe" Skrabala, 86, died Jan. 27, 2017, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Born Oct. 22, 1930, in Kolicin Czech Republic, the son of the late Josef and Ludmila (Hejnik) Skrabala, Joe came to the United States July 8, 1952, and he first served in the U.S. Army from April 24, 1952, to April 23, 1957. He then served in the U.S. Air Force from Jan. 9, 1958, to May 25, 1962. He then worked as a service technician for Sears Company before retiring...

SIKESTON -- Tammy Susan Bryant, 44, died Jan. 27, 2017, at her home in Sikeston. Born March 10, 1972, in Dexter, she was the daughter of Jim and Susan Hewitt Chadd Sr. On July 2, 2005, in Sikeston, Mo., she married Jeff Bryant who survives of the home...

SIKESTON -- Bobby James Green, 74, died Jan. 28, 2017, at Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston. Born Feb. 24, 1942, in Sikeston, he was the son of the late James and Elsie Clapp Green. Survivors include: one brother, Tommy Green of Charleston; four sisters, JoAnn Vinson, Wilma Parker, Kay Harper and Debbie Green of Sikeston...