Stories from Thursday, February 17, 2022

TONGANOXIE, Kan. — The two-story white farmhouse is quiet. Betty Jean DeLisle Stevens, 92, took her last breath on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in her Tonganoxie home where she had lived since the age of 25. In her last two months of life, Betty was surrounded at home by a host of loving family members, as well as professional caregivers. The farmhouse itself was built a century ago on what locals called Strawberry Hill, and later the city grew around it...

SIKESTON — Two men face felony drug trafficking charges following an investigation by Sikeston Department of Public Safety. Andrew J. Sales Jr., 66, of Benton, Missouri, and Paul D. Freeman, 59, of Sikeston, Missouri, are each charged with second degree drug trafficking; two counts of possession of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid; tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution; and two counts of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, according to online court records.. ...

BENTON, Mo. — An additional 60 years has been added to the prison sentence for a Missouri man already serving 25 years for another crime. Cornelius Perkins, 27, of Bonne Terre, Missouri, formerly of Sikeston, Missouri, was formally sentenced Wednesday by Presiding Circuit Judge David A. Dolan in Benton for the Feb. 18, 2019, shooting death of 24-year-old Marcus Dixon Jr. of Sikeston...

When Tony Northern was just a freshman in high school he began going along with his dad, who was a firefighter, to fire calls. Now 50 years later, Northern is still responding to fire calls as a member of Miner Fire Department. “I enjoy the excitement,” Northern said of his 50 years as a firefighter. “I’ve always loved helping. I’ve always considered it a privilege to be able to help people that are in the need.”...

d chief executive officer Maryann Reese resigned Tuesday afternoon, according to a release from the organization. Justin Davison, chief financial officer, will serve as interim president. No reason for Reese’s departure was given, and the release stated the organization would not accept media inquiries “at this time.” The release states the organization wishes Reese well “in her retirement.”...

A Chaffee High School teacher and assistant football coach has been charged with misdemeanor assault after a student alleged he touched her buttocks. Court records show Todd Cabral, 50, faces a misdemeanor fourth-degree assault charge against a special victim. A student reported the alleged assault to a teacher Nov. 15, the same day the alleged incident occurred...

The stress and fear everywhere has caused uncertainty about the future due to the country’s division, election year, COVID, potential increase of conflict with Russia and China, border issues, and so much else. According to David Nather of Axios, “Americans are less optimistic and more nervous about what 2022 has in store for the world than they were heading into 2021, according to a new Axios/Momentive poll.”...

SIKESTON — Martha Kay Bradley, age 70, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, at her home in Sikeston. On Jan. 14, 1952, in Sikeston, she was born to the late Cordie and Evelyn Ryan Raines. On Jan. 14, 1982, she married Jackie Bradley in Sikeston. Martha was a CNA for the Sikeston Convalescent Center before her retirement. She was also a member of the Canalou Baptist Church...

A man has been given life in prison, plus 15 years, for the murder of a Dexter, Missouri, man in 2018. On Thursday, Stoddard County Judge Joe Satterfield sentenced Joshua Koonce to a life sentence plus 15 years for the 2018 stabbing death of Jimmy Casey in Dexter...