Stories from Thursday, February 21, 2019

JEFFERSON CITY – Due to an early start of wintry weather and a seemingly relentless assault of ice and snow, this year’s spring pothole season is in early bloom. Missouri Department of Transportation crews are working as fast as they can to fix the pesky potholes, but continuing bouts of winter weather have hindered progress. Still, patching crews are on the move, and MoDOT officials are asking motorists to be on the lookout for slow-moving patching operations...

The application deadlines for several Three Rivers College Nursing programs in Poplar Bluff are approaching. The application deadlines are March 1 for the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Day Program (RN) and the Evening LPN-RN Bridge Program; and May 1 for the AAS in Nursing Evening Program (RN). ...

In the Monday night semifinals of the Class 2 District 1 Tournament, one Portageville senior scored her 1000th career point. Portageville was playing the Lady Campbell Camels. During the first half of the Lady Bulldogs’ final game, Dasmine Johnson scored her 1000th career point. ...

The Portageville Bulldogs joyfully receive the First Place Trophy of the Class 2 District 1 Tournament from PHS Athletic Director Jim Bidewell.

CHARLESTON, Mo. — A Charleston man who had been missing since mid-January has safely located and is back with his family. Family, friends and law enforcement had been searching for Lucas Conyers, 36, who was last seen Jan. 15 in Sikeston. On Feb. 8, The AWARE Foundation Inc. made an update via its Facebook page that Conyers had been located and is safe. The post said: “The family wanted everyone to know know how much they appreciated all your help and the prayers you sent their way.”...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Tuesday night in Cape Girardeau. Police officers responded to a domestic incident involving a gun at the intersection of Green Acres Drive and Rand Street around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to Sgt. Clark Parrott of the highway patrol...

New Madrid County R-1 elementary school students presented gift bags to members of the school board during the Tuesday, Feb. 19, school board meeting. The from the district’s schools also gave presentations and performed a song for the board members as part of School Board Appreciation Week...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — On Thursday, Nestlé Purina announced the expansion of its Bloomfield factory in Southeast Missouri where Tidy Cats brand cat litter is made. The expansion represents a $115 million investment that will allow Purina to meet a growing demand from cat owners. ...

MATTHEWS, Mo. — A body was found in a vehicle in a water-filled ditch in New Madrid County Thursday morning. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Harold Myers, 49, of East Prairie, was traveling westbound on Highway 80 at 6:23 a.m., four miles east of Matthews when his vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway, struck a road sign and then a bridge before landing in a water-filled ditch...

SIKESTON — The victim in a Monday night homicide in Sikeston has been identified. According to Sikeston Department of Public Safety Captain Austin Henley, Marcus Dixon, 24, of Sikeston, has been identified as the victim in a shooting that occurred late Monday in Sikeston...