Stories from Tuesday, December 19, 2017

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- James Clay Waller, II, 47, was sentenced Tuesday to 420 months on one felony count of interstate domestic violence. Waller appeared Tuesday before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig. At his plea on October 5, Waller admitted he had on numerous occasions threatened his wife, Jacque Sue Waller, that if she divorced him, she would be signing her death warrant. ...

Laila Nelson had a big hug for Santa Claus as he traveled through New Madrid on the fire rescue truck on Saturday. However her little brother, Latham, wasn't so sure about the Jolly Old Elf. The New Madrid Volunteer Fire Department spent the day traveling throughout the community bringing bags of goodies to youngsters and sharing the holiday spirit...

Staff Sergeant Payton Marrick of the Civil Air Patrol, Trail of Tears, Composite Squadron, places a wreath on a grave during Wreaths Across America on Saturday at the Bloomfield State Veterans Cemetery. The event is a holiday wreath-laying ceremony to honor and remember our nation's veterans...

Mike Parker plays in the Handbell Choir at the First Baptist Christmas Musical Celebration held Sunday at the Sikeston First Baptist Church.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- There's no place like home for the holidays. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds motorists to include safe, crash free travel as part of their holiday plans. Check your vehicle before you travel to ensure that it is in good working condition. Make sure you are well rested before driving to your destination, no matter how short the distance. Keep an eye on the weather, too. Above all, please, please obey all traffic laws, be a courteous driver, and drive sober...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- The hunt continues for a man who assaulted a woman then fled with three children. Police are searching for Antwoine Donte Weakley, 38, of Cape Girardeau. Weakley is charged with burglary, domestic assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon...

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Jimmy M. Spears, 82, died Dec. 18, 2017, at his home. Born Feb. 26, 1935, in Piggott, Ark., to the late Robert and Inez McMullen Spears, he was employed at Noranda Aluminum for 25 years until his retirement and was a member of Steelworkers 7686...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Mertie G. Cates, 97, died Dec. 18, 2017, at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center in Dexter. Born June 2, 1920, in Bloomfield, daughter of the late Leland Moses and Gracie Deck Linville, she had lived in the Bloomfield and Dexter area all of her life. She was a member of the New Bethel General Baptist Church...

SIKESTON -- Helen Joyce Barnes Brown, 82, died Dec. 17, 2017, at her home near Sikeston. Born Feb. 1, 1935, in Sikeston, daughter of the late Clyde James and Rubye Vaughan Barnes Sr, she was a retired Telephone operator and clerk with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- Tammy Wynette Brisher, 48, died Dec. 17, 2017, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti. Born April 15, 1969, in Malden, daughter of the late Ruth Ann Lacey Vandiver and Jewell Vandiver, she was a member of First Assembly of God in Portageville...

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Chalbert Richard "Ricky" Nelson, 57, died Dec. 1, 2017. Born May 26, 1960, in Selmer, Tenn., he was the son of the late Chalbert and Nova Dillon Nelson. His wife, Barbara Earheart Nelson, survives of the home. Other survivors include: three brothers, Rocky Nelson and Charlie Nelson of New Madrid and Randy Nelson of the state of Oregon; and four sisters, Tracey Crossfield of New Madrid; Kay Loucter and Fay Gill of St. Louis; and Diane Clark of the state of California...