Stories from Thursday, July 26, 2018

SIKESTON — A man faces charges following a brief vehicle pursuit early Thursday in Sikeston. At 8:30 a.m. Thursday a Sikeston DPS officer on patrol observed a vehicle traveling east on East Malone near East Street with improper registration, according to Sgt. Jon Broom, public information officer with Sikeston DPS. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle for the violation, and it failed to yield and continued to drive toward East Kathleen and East Gladys streets, Broom said...

PUXICO, Mo. — Shirley Dunivan, 88, died July 25, 2018, at her home in Puxico. Born June 8, 1930, in Fredericktown, daughter of the late Coda and June Lane Brown, she had lived in Brownwood and then moved to Puxico in 1956. She was a member of the First General Baptist Church for over 50 years...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Larry Brack Speer, 58, died July 11, 2018, at his home.  Born July 13, 1960, in Advance, son of the late Sonny Speer and Audrey Jean Morton, he had served in the United States Navy and was later employed as a truck driver.
He is survived by one brother, Ronald Morton Jr. ...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Audrey Jean Morton, 80, of East Prairie, died July 11, 2018, at her home.  Born May 22, 1938, in East Prairie, daughter of the late Lynn Denny and Inez Busby, she was a homemaker.
Survivors include: one son, Ronald Wayne Morton Jr. ...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — The city of Bloomfield will receive nearly $4.8 million in federal money for wastewater treatment improvements expected to start by early spring 2019. A $2.8 million loan and a $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will improve the treatment and collection of the city’s wastewater...

SIKESTON — Bullfighters Only will return for the third time to the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. Thursday night, Aug. 9 and Friday night, Aug. 10 will each host five rounds of bullfighting. Since 2016, this rodeo event has inspired a huge following in Southeast Missouri...

Fire personnel from the New Madrid and Lilbourn Fire Departments responded to a fire at the home of Jason Redden, 840 Kingshighway in New Madrid, at approximately 3:50 p.m. Wednesday. According to New Madrid Fire Chief Jim Harris, the fire personnel “worked hard and got the fire stopped” however the house also had smoke and water damage. Personnel remained at the scene until 6:48 p.m. The cause of the fire is still undetermined, Harris said...

Tracy Morrow, Southeast MO health care organizer, explains how the Farm Bill and SNAP/Food Stamps programs impact the community at a meeting Thursday morning at the Sikeston Public Library. The Farm Bill is due to be re-authorized by the US Congress and both the Senate and House have passed versions of the bill that now need to be reconciled by a conference committee. The Senate version has bipartisan support while the House version has restrictions...

BENTON, Mo. — A Southeast Missouri circuit judge faces a Democratic primary challenge from a Scott City attorney who says the judge will be forced to retire before the end of his six-year term. David Dolan, circuit judge for the 33rd circuit of Scott and Mississippi counties, is challenged by attorney Rebecca Reed in the Aug. 7 primary. Dolan is seeking election to a fourth term. The winner will be unopposed in the November general election...

SIKESTON — Michael Holden, 53, died July 22, 2018, at St. Louis University Hospital. Born April 11, 1965, in Sikeston, son of the late Arthur “Art” and Sandy Holden-Helms, he worked at various place in Sikeston over several years and was a member of the Sikeston Jaycees.

SIKESTON — Roger Neumeyer, 53, died July 24, 2018, at Myrtle Beach, S.C., while on vacation. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time at 4 p.m. Sunday at Miner Baptist Church in Miner. A complete obituary will follow with Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements...