Stories from Tuesday, September 4, 2018

SIKESTON — The Hampton Inn by Hilton, owned and operated by Midas, recently opened at 1240 Commerce Dr. in Sikeston. The 57,000-square-foot four-story, 92-room hotel cost $11 million and is located off Highway 60 and Interstate 55. Hampton Inn by Hilton Sikeston is the third tenant at the new 100-acre Cotton Ridge Development, which will include restaurants, shopping and entertainment including the recently opened eight-screen Malco Sikeston Cinema & Grill...

SIKESTON — Larry Freeman, 66, died Sept. 1, 2018, at his home in Sikeston. Born Nov. 29, 1951, in Dexter, he was the son of the late Omar and Ruby Mason Freeman. On Dec. 31, 1970, in Russellville, Ark., he married Phyllis Vick Freeman, who preceded him in death on July 31, 2006...

MALDEN, Mo. — An event Saturday drew hundreds to honor the 75th anniversary of the Malden Army Airfield and Malden’s contribution to World War II. The Malden Army Airfield Preservation Society organized the event, which also recognized veterans, both those who have passed and those still serving...

If passed,, Prop D would increase fuel tax by 2.5 cents a gallon each year for the next four years

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Five people died in traffic crashes during the 2018 Labor Day holiday weekend. Last year, there were 11 fatalities. The 2018 counting period for the Labor Day holiday ran from 6 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Monday. During the 2018 counting period, Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated 258 crashes, which included 92 injuries and five fatalities. ...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — A Howardville, Mo. man was arrested Friday afternoon after the Poplar Bluff Police Department was alerted of a suspicious package coming through the post office. Lieutenant Josh Stewart said he received a call from a postman about a package addressed to a subject residing in the city of Poplar Bluff. The package contained approximately 7.5 pounds of high grade marijuana...

Parengo Coffee shop will remain open in Sikeston

SIKESTON — The Sikeston City Council will hold an outreach session meeting on Thursday evening with additional discussion on the proposed BMU rate increase on the agenda. Last week during a special City Council meeting, BMU officials proposed an eight percent increase on electricity each of the next three years and a 12 percent increase in water and sewer. The measure will be voted on at Monday’s regular city council meeting...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Lonnie Denell “Lakeside” Johnson Sr., 62, died Aug. 8, 2018, at his home in Charleston. Born Feb. 18, 1956, in Wyatt, son of the late James Elijah "Jack" Johnson and Sadie Hampton Johnson, he was a 1974 graduate of Charleston High School in Charleston. He was a factory worker at Superior Electric in Cape Girardeau for many years, a custodian at the Charleston Manor Skilled Nursing Facility and currently employed at the Nutrition Center in Charleston...