Stories from Thursday, February 22, 2018

The application deadlines for several Three Rivers College Nursing programs in Poplar Bluff and Kennett are approaching. The application deadlines are March 1 for the Poplar Bluff Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Day Program and the Poplar Bluff Evening LPN-RN Bridge Program; April 3 for the Practical Nursing (PN) Program in Kennett; and May 1 for the Poplar Bluff AAS in Nursing Evening Program. ...

NEW MADRID, Mo. – The Missouri Farm Bureau has announced it is seeking eligible peanut producers who are interested in serving on the National Peanut Board.  The Missouri Farm Bureau will hold a nominations election to select two nominees each for member and alternate to the National Peanut Board during a meeting to be held on Friday, March 16, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. ...

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Most of Missouri remains in a drought, according to a map released Feb. 8 by the National Drought Mitigation Center. The drought affects livestock farmers facing dwindling hay reserves. Row crop farmers are eyeing the situation with caution as planting season nears...

            The Missouri Lottery today sent more than $24.9 million to the Lottery Proceeds Fund for public education. Today’s monthly transfer of $24,949,550, based on January sales, brings the total for fiscal year 2018 to more than $206.4 million...

A man had a lovely and gracious wife that he wanted to do something special for. One day they saw in a store a dress that was to her the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. It was very expensive, but she loved the dress. They went in to price it and it was perhaps more than they had ever dreamed of paying for a dress but it was special, and he could afford it and he bought that dress for his wife. ...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — In the post season match between the sixth-seeded Portageville Bulldogs and the third-seeded East Prairie Eagles, Portageville saw their season coming to an end Saturday evening as they lost to East Prairie in overtime, 53-58. This was their quarterfinal match of the Class 3 District 1 tournament. New Madrid County Central is hosting the event...

MDC hatcheries will stock three trout per anticipated angler on opening day.

Rural America is roaring back. A recent report from the Department of Agriculture shows that for only the second time in the last century, we are actually increasing the number of farmers under the age of 35. With the President’s leadership, we have been able to deliver tax cuts for American farmers, reduced federal regulations at a rate of 22:1, driven down energy prices and have grown the economy to bring jobs back to rural America...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Regional Chamber held its annual Farmers Banquet Thursday evening and honored a young local farmer as well as an agricultural enterprise. Being honored as the 2018 Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year was Zach Bell. Growing up in a farming family, Bell went to college as a "back-up plan" and obtained a degree in agriculture business with a focus on plant and soil science from Southeast Missouri State University...

Findings of a Missouri State Highway Patrol inquiry into allegations of timecard fraud involving the Oran Police Department will be placed in the hands of the Missouri Attorney General's Office.

Bill Foster runs his finger across the layer of soot that blackens the edge of his helmet bearing the number nine and the words "Portageville chief."

"A New Madrid County Central High School student is in juvenile custody tonight after orchestrating a malicious and hurtful rumor today that another student was going to 'shoot up' the school tomorrow. It was a lie."

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:...

Week-long preschool screenings came to an end Friday in the Sikeston R-6 School District, but it marked only the beginning of preschool and kindergarten screenings throughout the area for the 2018-2019 school year. 

KEWANEE, Mo. Frankie Taylor Fout, 78, died Feb. 21, 2018, in the New Madrid Living Center in New Madrid.

HOWARDVILLE, Mo. Joanna M. Treadwell died at birth Feb. 9, 2018, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

DELTA, Mo.  Peggy Sue Coomer, 70, died Feb. 21, 2018, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

PUXICO, Mo.  Vernon Abernathy, 88, died Feb. 21, 2018, at his home near Puxico.

ORAN, Mo. -- John Franklin Johnson, 90, died Feb. 21, 2018, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Born May 2, 1927, in Advance, son of Frank and Mable Ellis Johnson, he had been a farmer for over 60 years and was a member of the Bell City United Methodist Church and Methodist Men. ...

ALMO, Tenn. -- Bobby Allen Vaughn, 47, died Feb. 21, 2018, at Humboldt Healthcare Center. Born march 18, 1970, in Hayti, son of Peggy Nowell of Almo and the late Eugene Vaughn, he was a past member of the Church of God in Caruthersville and a 1987 graduate of North Pemiscot School. He enjoyed spending time on his computer...