Stories from Sunday, January 26, 2003

MINER - An apparent suicide at the Ramada Inn Friday is under investigation, according to Deputy Coroner Jerry L. Goin, but foul play is not suspected. The death occurred at approximately 11:55 p.m. Friday. The name of victim, a 23-year old male, is being held pending notification of the family...

SIKESTON - "Catholic Schools: Making a World of Difference" is the theme for this year's observance of Catholic Schools Week, an annual campaign promoting Catholic education. The St. Francis Xavier, St. Denis and St. Henry schools are among those in this area joining with the National Catholic Educational Association and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in this effort...

SIKESTON -- As methamphetamine use rises in the area so does the endangerment to children. "Meth becomes the main drive in the lives of people who are using it," said Semo Drug Task Force Coordinator Kevin Glaser. "Everything else takes second seat. They lose their appetite when using meth so they don't buy food and their children don't get to eat."...

SIKESTON -- For the ultimate football fan, a dream come true would be able to attend a Super Bowl, preferably with your favorite team playing and preferably for them to come out as Super Bowl champions. For Dennis Ziegenhorn of Sikeston, "two out of three ain't bad."...

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in California once again is censoring the voice of the majority of Americans on the Pledge of Allegiance issue and must be held accountable! It has been months since the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling banning the Pledge of Allegiance from their schools, and eventually nationwide, because of the words "under God." Despite overwhelming nationwide public support for the Pledge in its current form, the 9th Circuit has conducted a series of lengthy delays to avoid the question of rehearing the case.. ...

What is the problem at the AFDC office? A mother plants drugs on her kids, they call the kids' school and reports that the kid has drugs on him, she puts it in a tag flap in the back of his jacket so they're sure enough to find it. And then the state of Missouri tries to help her keep her kids? Come on. ...

As much as I hate to admit it, St. Louis may have stumbled onto a plan that puts teeth in often-ignored city codes concerning property maintenance. A landlord in St. Louis has been jailed for repeatedly violating the city's codes on property maintenance and debris removal. The 33-day sentence handed down last week sends a crystal clear message to landlords - maintain your property or face fines and jail time...

MATTHEWS - Fire, churned by an arctic winter wind Tuesday night, destroyed nine business buildings and two residences in the most severe conflagration on record at Matthews. The loss was estimated at between $50,000 and $75,000. Structures razed were in the center of the business district...

DEXTER -- Sikeston's girls basketball team suffered another tough loss on Friday night, falling to Dexter in a make-up game, 48-31. "We gave up too many rebounds and missed too many easy shots," said Sikeston coach Lee Brooks. "We had our opportunities and have nobody to blame but ourselves. It has been that way most of the season."...

PUXICO - Zach Dill scored a game-high 39 points as the Bernie Mules evened their record at 8-8 overall with a 53-45 win at Puxico. Dill hit five 3-pointers and was 10-of-11 from the free throw line in the win. "Zach Dill just shot the ball awfully well," said Puxico coach Terry Tomlinson. "He made four 3-pointers in the first half and just tore us up."...

SCOTT CITY - For the second year in a row, the Scott County Central Braves unexpectedly reached the championship game of the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament with its win against top-seeded Scott City on Thursday. However, unlike last year, the Braves didn't have enough magic to win the crown as the Oran Eagles took home the trophy with a 73-60 win at Scott City High School on Friday night...

ZALMA - James C. Merchant, 78, died Jan. 24, 2003, at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Born May 9, 1924, to the late William and May Crowder Merchant, he was a former resident of Madison, Ill., before moving to Zalma 13 years ago. A retired maintenance man for Marhan trucking in Madison, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services for Vaudie Hazel Roberts, 86, formerly of Sikeston and Diehlstadt, who died Jan. 22, 2003, at the Monticello House in Jackson, will be Jerry Roberts, Larry Roberts, Tom Davenport, Vince Horton and Jason Lewis. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel until time for services at 11 a.m. Monday...

CAIRO, Ill. - Charles Allen Hall, 64, died Jan. 24, 2003, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie.

SIKESTON - William Dwight Jones, 74, of Sikeston Route 3 died at 5:35 a.m. Jan. 25, 2003, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born March 22, 1928, in Sikeston to Annell Lee Lambert Jones, who survives of Sikeston, and the late William Wood Jones, he was affiliated with the Church of Christ and was a self-employed farmer. A member of the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, he was a member of the American Legion Post 114 and Eagles Aerie 3319 in Sikeston...

NEW MADRID -- Nolin "Ed" Desmore, 79, died Jan. 24, 2003, at his home. Born Sept. 28, 1923, in Marston, son of the late Mae Beardsley and Nolin E. Desmore, he worked in vending sales. On March 17, 1989, in Millington, Tenn., he married Shelby Savat who survives of the home...

CHARLESTON - Charlene Kunz Hillhouse, 81, died at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 24, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Aug. 7, 1921, in Wyatt, daughter of the late Charles Anthony and Anna Lee Hutcheson Kunz, she lived her entire life in Mississippi County and was a member of the Wyatt United Methodist Church...

MURRAY, Ky. - Lindell Franklin Bagley, 94, died at 10:04 a.m. Jan. 24, 2003, at Lakeway Shores in Murray, Ky. Born Nov. 20, 1908, in Charelston, Mo., to the late Ira Dow Bagley and Florence Idell Crenshaw Bagley, he graduated from Oran (Mo.) High School. ...

MURRAY, Ky. - Lindell Franklin Bagley, 94, died at 10:04 a.m. Jan. 24, 2003, at Lakeway Shores in Murray, Ky. Born Nov. 20, 1908, in Charelston, Mo., to the late Ira Dow Bagley and Florence Idell Crenshaw Bagley, he graduated from Oran (Mo.) High School. ...

BERNIE - James Glen McGhee, 82, died Jan. 24, 2003, in the St. Joseph Health Care Center in St. Charles. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie.

MEMPHIS -- Myra F. Ransburgh, 97, formerly of Portageville, Mo., died Jan. 24, 2003, at the Methodist Lebohner Hospital in Germantown. Born Dec. 4, 1905, at Hickman, Ky., daughter of the late Myra Robbins and Alexander Allan Faris Jr., she was a housewife...

BLOOMFIELD - William Norton "Dude" Evans, 84, died at 11 p.m. Jan. 24, 2003, at the John Cochran Veterans Medical Center in St. Louis. Born March 31, 1918, at Hickman, Ky., to the late William and Nettie Lee Johnston Evans, he had lived in the East Prairie area most of his life, moving to Bloomfield in 1979. A member of the First Christian Church in East Prairie, he was a retired farmer and machinist and was a U.S. Army veteran serving in World War II...