Stories from Wednesday, December 12, 2018

SIKESTON — Three people have been charged in connection with a deadly shooting Tuesday in Sikeston. According to Sikeston DPS Assistant Chief Jim McMillen, apparent drama on Facebook escalated into a 19-year-old getting a firearm and going to the residence in the 200 block of Alabama Street in Sikeston at about 7 p.m. Tuesday. The suspect shot numerous times at the house. Bullets struck the house and went through the walls where 32-year-old Ricky D. Walker Jr. received a bullet wound to the chest and died of those injuries. Approximately 15 people were in the house at the time with about half of those being children, McMillen said. No one else was reported injured.

Several years ago, I sat down with former House Speaker Ron Richards to discuss right-to-work legislation for Missouri. Richards knew I had been a longtime supporter of right-to-work, having seen surrounding states attract industry away from our region based solely on right-to-work...

Yes, I had never been to a title loan place before and I took a friend by there, because he lost his job and had to get his vehicle fixed so he was going to put his title up to get his vehicle fixed. And, when the guy said “you borrowed $700 at 302 percent interest, $189 for 12 months,” I kinda looked at him and shook my head no. I stood up and I said, “hey man, I’ll loan you the money at no percent interest.” I didn’t know it was like that, 302 percent interest. If a bank would do that, or if Mike Jensen would say “hey, I’m charging you 302 percent interest on your bill,” there will lawsuits and they would be shut down and everything else. This is a shame. A bank can’t even charge you that. This needs to be regulated. I haven’t really paid attention to it before. They go after the poor. They go after the people that need a little cash and you know, that’s a shame. Three-hundred and two percent interest. If you don’t believe me, just have a reporter or investigator just call and ask how much it would be if they wanted to borrow and you will have a true story to write about. A rip off there in Sikeston. A big rip off.

SIKESTON — Grant Lawson and Aaron Mayes were named Sikeston High School Students of the Month for November. Sikeston Public Schools Foundation, which sponsors the monthly program, names two seniors each month for the honor during the 2018-2019 school year...

Sikeston Kindergarten and Early Childhood Center named its preschool pups of the month for November. Pictured are front row, from left: Sarah Crouthers, Dominic Griswell, Caludia Bles and Liam Patterson; and back row:  Ruger Hancock, Brooklynne Hall, Milo Kinder, Lawson Warren and Mallory Scott. Also pictured are principals Jenny Hobeck and Sarah Carbaugh...

The Sikeston Kindergarten Center has named its November Pups of the Month. Pictured are front row, from left: Shonte McCray, Aidan Garcia-Hernandez, Kyleigh Clark, Jake Lemmons, Jace Epp, Quentin Graves, and Jordyn Gedeika; second row: Ender Mercer, Isabella Elder, Whitney Hensley, Jordan Mau, Kinsley Brown, Bryson Boardman, Thomas Reynolds, Tristan Cagle and Thomas Douglass; and back row:  staff member Arica George, Jude Johnson, Lucy Day, John Ross Williams, JaMyrah Warfield, Priscilla Bell, MaJesilyn Hunt, O’Myrah Boone, Lincoln Blackburn, Rilynn Swanson, D’Zyriah Harris and Cameron Davis. Not pictured is Alexandra Gordon.. ...

The Sikeston R-6 Parents as Teachers children of the month for November were Graham McKelvey, 11 months old, and Charlotte McKelvey, 3, who are pictured with their parents, Cooper and Meredyth McKelvey.

SIKESTON — SEMO Food Bank has been named in the top 10 percent of food banks in the nation, according to a new report from Charity Navigator. The group rated American food banks and related entities. Many aspects were considered for the ratings, including the food banks’ IRS forms, financial health, and the organization’s website...

CAMDEN, Ala. — Meredith Halbrook Powers, 87, died Dec. 10, 2018, at Vaughn Regional Medical Center. Born Oct. 22, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Gerald and Pearl Halbrook. Her husband, Jackie Darrel Powers, preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Lori Ann Duncan; two brothers, Rayburn Halbrook and Tommy Halbrook; and a sister, Clelia Simpson...

BENTON, Mo. — Donald Joseph Cook, 79, died Dec. 12, 2018, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.  Born April 7, 1939, in Venice, Ill., son of the late Donald and Dorothy Goodrich Cook, he was a maintenance supervisor for the casino. On Feb. 1, 1969, he married Shirley Felter, who survives of the home in Benton...

DELTA, Mo. — Warner R. “Bud” Diggs, 84, died Dec. 11, 2018.  Born Nov. 9, 1934, in Denton, Texas, son of the late Rev. Arthur Cecil and Ola Mae Finney Diggs, he worked for Todt Sheet Metal as parts manager for 19 years and was self-employed until his retirement in 1997. A member of Full Life Fellowship, Church of God of Prophecy of Delta, he served in the U.S. Navy...