Stories from Thursday, October 17, 2019

BERTRAND, Mo. — Billie V. Woods, 86, died Oct. 15, 2019, at Bertrand Nursing and Rehab Center in Bertrand. Born April 1, 1933, in Sikeston, daughter of the late James E. and Kathleen Moran Brown, she was a member of Bement Baptist Church and had been a cook at Southeast Elementary School in Sikeston...

PARIS, Tenn. — Cynthia Gail Elder, 71, formerly of Dexter, died Oct. 16, 2019, at her home.  Born Sept. 11, 1948, in Knull County, W.Va., daughter of the late Pierce and Maxine Evans Bounds, she was a homemaker.  Survivors include: her companion, Billy Rushing of the home; five sons, Arthur Boles of Charleston, Clinton Rushing of Bloomfield, Gary Rushing of Poe, Bert Rushing of East Prairie and Margel Boles Jr. ...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Bea Smithson, 97, a died Oct. 17, 2019, at East Prairie Nursing Center.  Born March 31, 1922, in East Prairie, daughter of the late George and Cora Cogdill Flowers, she had been a cook for McAllister Towing Company.  She attended First Assembly of God Church in East Prairie...

A Malden teenager was committed to the Missouri Department of Youth Services on Tuesday afternoon after he earlier pleaded guilty in connection to a May drive-by shooting on Business 60, east of Poplar Bluff. Accompanied by his attorney, Jordan Wellinghoff with Public Defender’s Office, Naaman Jahl Caldwell appeared before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett for sentencing...

The Jason J. LeGrand and Neal E. Boyd Endowment has been established through the Southeast Missouri University Foundation.  LeGrand established the award to honor Boyd and celebrate their friendship, and to support character and leadership development for students who are members of their fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha...

SIKESTON — A Charleston man faces multiple sexual assault charges in Scott County. Lazingo Dee Washington, 30, of Charleston is charged with felony first degree kidnapping, first degree sodomy, two counts of second degree domestic assault and misdemeanor peace disturbance, according to online court records...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Paula Morlan has announced the engagement of her daughter, Ashley Daniel Lacey, to Donnie Preston Viar, son of Karen Turley of Caruthersville and the late Donnie Viar. The future bride is also the daughter of the late Daniel “Danny” Lacey...

Scott City real estate agent and small-business owner Will Perry will seek a state House seat next year, setting up a Republican primary battle with Democrat-turned-Republican Jamie Burger. Perry and Burger are seeking the 148th District House seat now held by Republican Rep. Holly Rehder, who will not be able to run in 2020 because of term limits...