Stories from Tuesday, July 17, 2018

MINER, Mo. — In an effort to help with an expected budget shortfall next year and in the future, the Miner Board of Alderman voted to put a half-percent sales tax on the November ballot. Miner City Clerk Darrin Skinner told the Board that currently the City of Miner is $36,000 over-budget which could have been $213,000 if not for income they received from selling railroad property...

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — Debra June Russell Gray, 63, died July 14, 2018, in Southaven. Born Dec. 28, 1954, in Sikeston, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Argus Ragon and Ardena Mae Russell. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Hartsil “H.R.” Russell...

PARMA, Mo. — Randall Ramsey, the longtime Mayor of Parma, died peacefully in his sleep on July 16, 2018. In addition to being Mayor, he owned and operated W.L. Ramsey Inc., a farm equipment dealership for more than 30 years. Randall was preceded in death by his parents, W.L. and Lorene (Dawson) Ramsey; his brother, W.L. Ramsey, Jr. (Cowboy). He was also preceded in death by his wife, Gay (Murphy) Ramsey; and daughter, Carol Ramsey...

ORAN, Mo. — Edward Lee Jolley Jr. died July 16, 2018, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis at the age of 62. Born March 17, 1956, in Sikeston, he is the son of the late Edward Lee and Olla Lee (Waters) Jolley Sr. Edward was a member of Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran...

BELL CITY, Mo. — Donna Jean Felton, 55, died July 17, 2018, at her aunt's home in Sikeston. Born Jan. 29, 1963, in Sikeston, she is the daughter of Kenneth P. "Bud" Crowden of Vanduser and the late Margaret (Morgan) Crowden. Donna was a barbecue cook for Dexter Bar-B-Q...

SIKESTON — The City of Sikeston is doing their part to further the efforts of getting Interstate 57 built, which will run from Chicago all the way through Arkansas. At Monday’s special city council meeting, the council approved a resolution which supports construction of a new interchange at the intersection of South Ingram and Highway 60/Future I-57 in Sikeston. ...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. - Two men are in custody on drug charges following a traffic stop that led to the reported discovery of marijuana and illegal drugs. Portageville Police Chief Ronnie Adams said that at approximately 8:20 p.m. Saturday, officers from his department along with members of the SEMO Drug Task Force conducted a traffic stop in the parking lot of a local business on East Highway 162...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Stoddard County city has received funds to improve its wastewater infrastructure. Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett on Monday announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $267 million in 103 infrastructure projects to upgrade water and wastewater systems in rural communities...

Children at the YMCA Summer Day Camp enjoy their time playing a game recently at the YMCA. The Summer Day Camp is for children that will be entering kindergarten through seventh grade.

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Bobby Gene Treece, 75, died July 15, 2018, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born April 22, 1943, in Portageville, son of the late Richard “Dick” Treece and Etta Mae Kinchen Treece, he was previously employed by General Motors and of the Pentecostal belief...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Edward Lee Williams, 81, died July 12, 2018, at his home. Born Nov. 26, 1936, in Blaine, Miss., son of the late Earl and Gladys Canady Williams, he started farming at the age of 17 and was employed by Steve Jones Farms of East Prairie until his retirement...

SIKESTON — Mamie Elizabeth Davis, 89, died July 11, 2018, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston.  Born Oct. 31, 1928, in Memphis, Tenn., daughter of the late Youlus Thomas “YT” Davis and Elizabeth Allen Davis, she was a former member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Sikeston. She worked over 40 years as a housekeeper and nanny for Freeman family...