Stories from Saturday, July 15, 2017

NEW MADRID, Mo. - Despite the heavy equipment and construction, New Madrid's Water Department Superintendent Richard Bodi III couldn't be happier about the work underway adjacent to the water plant he oversees. Going up just next door is a new water plant which will soon replace the city's aging facility...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - While a special legislative session paved the way for the possibility of bringing a new steel mill to New Madrid, city officials are still waiting for a final decision. New Madrid City Administrator Richard McGill said the individual behind the plant's location is returning to New Madrid for a second site visit and to meet with others about the mill...

SIKESTON -- A new law means Missouri voters will have to show a valid photo ID before voting in their next elections. The new photo voter ID law took effect June 1. New Madrid County was the first in Missouri to have an election with the new law in effect when a special election was held for one of its wards on June 20, according to New Madrid County Clerk Clement Cravens...

Through 40 years of writing this newspaper column, I have on several occasions used the Rev. Al Sharpton as a sterling example of all that is wrong with many of our public figures. I will admit that Sharpton is an easy target on so many different levels. He's clearly a charlatan and race-baiter. He's also a tax cheat...

Engagement 7/16/17