Stories from Friday, March 9, 2018

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Rep. Don Rone would like to invite residents of the Missouri Bootheel to attend the formal announcement of the opening of a new smelter in New Madrid County, MO. Magnitude 7 Metals is currently hiring staff for the new mill which could total close to 400 new jobs for the area. The mill is located at the former Noranda Aluminum smelter...

For sometime, the City of Portageville has received letters and hosted some meetings with the And Justice For All group. In a recent interview with Larry McClellon, president and CEO of And Justice For All, he noted “We have been dealing with the City Council about this problem for some time, possible about two year ago, at it is a racial issue,” he said. The issue at hand began when Floyd Simmons was mayor and has carried over to the current administration...

Portageville - DAEOC Head Start/Early Head Start is hosting their annual book drive. It will take place during the month of March to recognize National Literacy Month. If you have new or gently used books for children ages 0-5 years old, please donate them. You may drop books off at Central Office or your local Head Start Center at any time...

NEW MADRID - Candidates lined up to put their names on the ballot Tuesday as filing opened for the Aug. 7 primary election of county, legislative and judicial positions. Filing ends at 5 p.m. March 27. Winners of the primary election will move on to the Nov. 6 general election...

Beau-Hunter and Max Warren traveled to St. Peters, Mo., to compete on February 24-25. There were over 650 swimmers in attendance and teams from Eastern Missouri and Western Illinois. Swimmers had to achieve BB times in order to compete. Max swam in the boys 9-10 year old age group and scoring 101 points to finish 3rd overall. ...

Coram Deo means “Before the Face of God.” It is a term made popular by the late theologian R.C. Sproul. He published a series of articles for Ligonier Ministries’ journal Table Talk, titled “Before the Face of God.” This term came to my mind as I contemplated Psalm 27:4. ...

  “My home is in heaven, I am just traveling through this world.” On February 21, 2018, Reverend Billy Graham was welcomed to his true home in heaven. This week, we honored his life and legacy with a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol. It was an honor to attend the ceremony and pay my respects to a man who lifted up our entire nation and changed countless lives...

HB 1268 would allow the Missouri Dental Board to issue dental faculty permits to individuals who are employed by accredited dental schools, colleges, or programs in Missouri. Supporters say the bill would allow qualified dental instructors to teach dentistry without having to go through the extensive and difficult procedure necessary to get a license to practice dentistry...

Corn Weather problems in South America, fewer corn acres in the U.S. and good demand have all have helped move prices higher.  Argentina’s corn and soybean production continuous to get smaller as the drought persists.   Brazil’s soybean crop looks Ok but due to wet weather at harvest, it is delaying their planting of their double crop corn.  This puts the corn crop at greater risk of dry weather during pollination and grain fill. ...

Joseph Paul Priggel, 77, of Portageville, was born January 28, 1941, in Portageville, to Paul Vincent Priggel and Jane Brands Priggel, and departed this life Saturday, March 3, 2018 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was united in marriage September 11, 1963, in Duluth, Minn., to Mary Lou Ferrin, who survives of the home...

Ruth Marie Swilley, 91, of Portageville, was born July 30, 1926, in Conran, Mo., to Jahn and Georgia Attberry, and departed this life Friday, March 2, 2018 at her residence. She was united in marriage August 9, 1946, in Benton, Mo., to Cody Swilley, Jr. He preceded her in death in 1993...

MARSTON, Mo. — The aluminum business is returning to Southeast Missouri. Magnitude 7 Metals formally announced Friday its plans to begin aluminum production at the former Noranda Aluminum smelter at the St. Jude Industrial Park and the return of 450 jobs. According to Bob Prusak, CEO, production of one line will begin in May followed by a second production line next fall...

SIKESTON -- The five local children chosen as this year's poster children for the 38th Annual Kenny Rogers Children's Center Telethon represent the various services the Center provides, but they're also selected as a way to educate the community. Poster children are also chosen to represent the primary counties the Center serves...

The Neal E. Boyd Endowed Scholarship in Performing Arts has been established through the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. The fund was established by Boyd and two fraternity brothers. The scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled at Southeast Missouri State University majoring in performing arts with a minimum 3.0 grade point average. ...

SAVANNAH, Tenn.  Mary Elsie Rogers, age 91, passed away on March 7, 2018, at Hardin Medical Center in Savannah.

NEW MADRID, Mo. Roger Brooks, 69, died March 8, 2018, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

MALDEN, Mo. Gary Lynn Kinsey, 65, died March 8, 2018, at Malden Nursing and Rehab.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) employees, in cooperation with local partners and stakeholders, continue to monitor the flood risk reduction system to ensure the safety of lives and property in the region during the current flood. The forecast calls for the river to crest at 39.5 feet on the Memphis gage sometime today, 5˝ feet above the National Weather Service's flood stage...

SIKESTON — Police are investigating an incident where as many as 40 gunshots were fired and damaged parked vehicles late Thursday in Sikeston. At 8:09 p.m. Thursday, officers with Sikeston Department of Public Safety responded to the convenience store Quick Chek II, located near the corner of Kingshighway and Center streets in reference to multiple reports of gunfire, according to Sgt. Jon Broom, public information officer for DPS...