Stories from Wednesday, August 19, 2020

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Through both a proposed amendment and an emergency rule, the Missouri State Board of Education approved an alternative route for individuals to obtain a substitute certificate of license to teach. “Many teachers and school administrators have expressed concern about the potential shortage of substitute teachers during the 2020-21 school year due to COVID-19,” said Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Educator Quality Paul Katnik. ...

In response to a spike in COVID-19 cases, the city of East Prairie’s offices are closed until further notice. “Over the last several days, both Mississippi County and the East Prairie community have experienced a substantial increase in COVID-19 cases," City Administrator Dennis Presley said Tuesday in a Facebook post on the East Prairie Police Department’s official page. ...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — An East Prairie man faces murder charges for the stabbing death of one man and physical assault of his father early Tuesday in Mississippi County. Albert Wade Toombs Jr., 42, is charged through Mississippi County with one count of felony first degree murder, one count of first degree domestic assault and two counts of armed criminal action, according to online court records.

SIKESTON — Sikeston Department of Public Safety is reminding citizens to be aware of rental scams in the area and steps they can take to avoid them. “It has been brought to our attention that residents have suffered financial loss due to rental scams in our area,” Sikeston DPS said in a post on its official Facebook page. “We would like to warn residents and give some quick tips on how to spot a rental scammer.”...

For the August 2020 article, I thought I would discuss a couple of issues and a small recap of the Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo from earlier this month. RETURN TO SCHOOL – As you know, Sikeston R-6 will start the 2020-2021 school year on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Of course, motorists must be mindful of the heavier vehicular and pedestrian traffic the school year brings. ...

McConnell lies as bad as ole Trump. They are nothing but big liars. I wouldn’t vote for either one. They are big, big liars. They have never told the truth. They don’t know what the truth is. They’re just that crazy. McConnell and Trump doesn’t believe in a God. They are more like the devil. We call them the devil. They have never liked the blacks either. They are racists and atheist. Thank you.

MARSTON, Mo. — Lillie Lucille Ferguson, 94, died Aug. 18, 2020, at the New Madrid Living Center in NewMadrid, Missouri. Born Feb. 1, 1926, in Dyess, Arkansas, she was the daughter of the late Rosie Reed Martin and Walter Martin. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Gary, Obie and Odell Martin; seven sisters, Tillie Eaton, Ollie Southard, Lois Smothers, Gertie Ash, Opal Thornton, Pauline Emerson and Christine Vickey; one son, Donald Ferguson; one daughter, Betty Britt; and three grandchildren.. ...