Stories from Friday, October 18, 2019

JACKSON, Mo. — A Sikeston man was found not guilty of second degree murder in Cape Girardeau County Friday morning. Orlando “T.J.” Sheron Jr.was acquitted by a jury for the April 2016 shooting death of Jay Harris. Sheron, and Jeterrence Harris, who plead guilty in 2016 to unlawful use of a weapon, were each charged in the killing of Jay Harris and the shooting of a second victim...

If any family or community hasn’t yet been impacted by youth experimenting with vaping devices, just wait — because it will happen. Better yet, don’t wait. Take the time now to talk to your kids about the dangers of vaping, and, hopefully, keep them from ever using...

David Jenkins, I too have walked the streets of St. Louis back in the early 1960s and felt safe. I worked in downtown St. Louis and was never afraid. Nowadays you can’t even go to a football game if you are a child or an adult and feel safe. Are they catching any of the killers or not? It’s a shame what is happening to our large cities like Chicago and St. Louis and many others. Thank you.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Lennie O. Whitworth Jr., 99, died Oct. 14, 2019, in Memphis. He was born Feb. 2, 1920, in Fredericktown, Mo., to the late Lennie O. Whitworth Sr. and Elizabeth Bernice Whitworth. He married Marietta (Twitty) Whitworth on Nov. 2, 1947, who predeceased him on Dec. ...

SIKESTON — Sikeston Masonic Lodge 310 celebrated its 150th Anniversary Oct. 12 by having their Masonic Hall Re-Dedicated to Masonic Purposes by Most Worshipful Brother Stanton T. Brown II, Grand Master of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri and his Grand Lodge Officers...

SIKESTON — On Aug. 5 the Sikeston Walmart presented the YMCA of Southeast Missouri with a check for $1,500 through the Walmart Community Giving program. The funds from the grant will provide support for the Y’s Partners Campaign, specifically assisting in making sure Y services are available to those who need them the most. In 2018 the Y provided nearly $190,000 in reduced membership and program fees to youth and families allowing them the opportunity to experience all the Y has to offer...

SIKESTON — Terry Williams, market president at Southern Bank in Sikeston, has taken his time growing up on his family farm and used it to help local farmers. Specializing in all types of agricultural loans, Williams currently holds the position of chairman of Southern Bank’s agricultural loan committees...

SIKESTON — The Sikeston House of Refuge is gearing up to host its biggest annual fundraiser – the $5,000 Drawdown — in an effort to not only raise money but also awareness of an issue that affects one in four women — domestic violence. “Domestic violence is the big, purple elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about,” said Holly Heckemeyer, vice chairperson of the Board of Directors for the House of Refuge...

Scott County will be one of the beneficiaries of a $21 million investment from the US Department of Agriculture to improve water and wastewater infrastructure throughout the state. In a news release, USDA Missouri State Director Jeff Case, announced the $21-million investment that will benefit over 26,000 Missourians...