Stories from Friday, June 15, 2018

COLUMBIA, Mo. – New Medicare cards are on their way to everyone enrolled in the program. Cards will be mailed automatically and free of charge. People should be wary of anyone calling to offer assistance with the cards or to request money or personal information, says Brenda Procter, University of Missouri associate extension professor...

JEFFERSON CITY, June 12, 2018—The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index increased in May to the second highest level in the survey’s 45-year history. The index rose to 107.8, a three-point gain, with small businesses reporting high numbers in several key areas including compensation, profits, and sales trends...

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” —Psalm 37:4

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri livestock producers may be looking south for hay due to concerns over predicted hay shortages. Buyer beware of red imported fire ants hitching a ride on hay from south of Missouri’s border, says University of Missouri Extension field crops entomologist Kevin Rice...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Due to declining sales of physical Federal Duck Stamps at its offices where hunting permits are sold, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will no longer sell physical stamps at its offices. Waterfowl hunters can still buy Federal Duck Stamps electronically through MDC’s online permit website at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits or through its mobile app MO Hunting. ...

It’s about time the United States Senate calls the bluff of the obstructionist liberals in their ranks and gets serious about finishing the people’s work. Just this week they took a step in the right direction by canceling Senators’ traditional August break – doubling down on their efforts to confirm the President’s nominees and get through the backlog of limited government, pro-growth pieces of legislation the U.S. ...

QULIN, Mo. — A girl and her dog missing for 12 hours were found safe Friday morning. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Clark Parrott, a 3-year-old white female was reported missing to Butler County authorities 8:32 p.m. Thursday. An intensive ground search began and highway patrol aircraft was used, but searchers were unable to locate the child in the dark...

Improvements to the Interstate 55/57/U.S. 60 cloverleaf interchange in Sikeston are continuing. The interchange is located at mile marker 66. Currently the ramp from northbound I-55 onto westbound 60 will be closed, with a signed detour available. The ramp is expected to reopen Friday, Aug. ...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - A New Madrid man is headed to prison and the county prosecutor is in hopes that sentence sends a message to other criminals. Marquon Akeem Davis, 28, was sentenced to seven years each in the Department of Corrections on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and receiving stolen property. ...

Who decides what is on the front page? What determines what is put on the front page? I was surprised to learn that the teacher that had sexual encounters with a student but the man who had stole the gun was on the front page and was in there twice and if you molest a child you aren’t even on the front page. What determines who gets on the front page and whether their picture is shown? Thank you...

TUCSON, Ariz. — Myrtle Ann Turner, 78, died June 1, 2018, in Tucson. Born Feb. 27, 1940, in Ironton, Mo., daughter of the late Rev. Arthur and Eunice Davis, she graduated from Esther, Mo., High School. On Feb. 14, 1960, she married Charleston, Mo., native Donald Turner, who survives of Tucson...

JACKSON, Mo. — Virginia Lee Morse, 78, of Jackson, passed away Friday, June 15, 2018, at at her home. She was born Jan. 31, 1940, in Cape Girardeau, to Luther and Imogene Edmonds Wise.  Virginia taught school for 36 years in Sikeston, retiring in 1998.   She was a member of Connection Point Church in Jackson. She formerly taught Sunday school at the First Baptist Church in Blodgett. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life...

SIKESTON — The Sikeston Jaycees have announced a new way to attend the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. They’re calling the premium entry method the All-Inclusive Chute Club. Membership in the club includes unlimited Pepsi products, food, a cooled shelter and complimentary Anheuser-Busch products. Only 150 tickets are available each night to anyone 21 years and older. Each membership is available to the public for $75 per night...

Doyle Noe with Sikeston Public Schools eyes a return during the Sikeston Corporate Games tennis competition on Wednesday night at the Sikeston Recreation Complex. The Corporate Games continue this week with the Coed Aqualympics on Tuesday and end with “Super Saturday” on Saturday with five events scheduled, including fishing, coed pyramid relay, canoe races, triathalon and coed tug-of-war...

SIKESTON — Scott County First District Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn has been named the new chairman of the board for the Bootheel Solid Waste Management District. Ziegenhorn of Sikeston has been an active member of the board since 2005, serving as vice-chair, according to a news release from Bootheel Solid Waste Management District...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – As Missouri closed the books on a record-hot May and already hot June, the National Weather Service, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Public Safety are promoting Missouri Summer Safety Week (June 18-24) to highlight the risks and dangers associated with excessive heat...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc., the parent corporation of Southern Bank, and Gideon Bancshares Company (“Gideon”), the parent company of First Commercial Bank (“First Commercial”), has announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement whereby Southern Missouri will acquire Gideon in a stock and cash transaction. As part of the transaction, First Commercial will be merged with and into Southern Bank...

BENTON, Mo. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages America’s farmers and ranchers to nominate candidates to lead, serve and represent their community on their local county committee. According to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Scott County Executive Director Chris Grojean, FSA began accept nominations for county committee members on Friday...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced that 26 troopers will graduate from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on June 29. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. in the Academy gymnasium. The public is invited. The 105th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on Jan. 2 to begin the 25-week training course to become a trooper. The new troopers report for duty in their assigned troops on July 16...

SCOTT CITY, Mo. — Dan Overbey has watched the barges, trucks and train cars come and go at the Southeast Missouri Regional Port for 25 years. As executive director, Overbey has overseen growing operations at the Mississippi River port near Scott City. But he said he’s finally ready to retire, which is set to occur June 30...