Stories from Friday, November 12, 2004

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services conducted at 1 p.m. today at Blanchard Funeral Chapel for Virginia Whiteside, 81, who died Nov. 9, 2004, were: Chip Hiliman, Dwayne Bechel, Freddie Edwards and Wade Whiteside.

PORTAGEVILLE - Johnny Frank Gray Sr., 60, died Nov. 11, 2004, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti. Born Oct. 17, 1914, in Steele, he was the son of the late Climmie McKenley and Fannie Lucille Evans Gray. On April 1, 1966, in Portageville, he married Mae Helen Johnson who survives of the home...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Exia Neoma Dolan, 89, died at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 2004, at the Monticello House in Jackson. Born Jan. 28, 1915, in Loretto, Tenn., daughter of the late James David and Emma Alice Pugh Taylor Sr., she retired as a housekeeper for St. Francis Medical Center. She was a member of the General Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau...

SIKESTON - Zelma Louise Woods, 86, died Nov. 12, 2004, at the Greenview Hospital in Bowling Green, Ky. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

SIKESTON - Veterans of the past, present and future were honored Thursday during the Veterans Day Ceremony at the Sikeston High School Field House. "Since Nov. 11, 2003, we have experienced more painful losses in our fight against terrorism, both men and women paying the ultimate sacrifice along with those suffering severe battlefield wounds," said Blair Moran, chaplain of the Sikeston American Legion Post 114, in his welcoming remarks. "We truly thank them for their service and sacrifice."...

I wouldn't doubt it if W.T. and Tony Heckemeyer had to have bypass surgery again after the way this election turned out. I hear they are really in turmoil. ---- It looks like we got George Bush for another four years. People will be sorry they voted for Bush because he's for the rich and not for the poor and middle-class people. I wish they would raise the minimum wage and get healthcare for people who need it...

Sikeston High School cheerleaders perform their cheering routine before an audience at the Sikeston Field House Thursday night. Sikeston, who were state champions last year, will be competing in the state competition Saturday afternoon at the Hearnes Center in Columbia. Members of the New Madrid County Central cheerleading squad made their finall performance before a crowd in the high school gym Thursday evening before leaving for state competition today...

SIKESTON - Lynn Finley and daughter Shirley, of St. Louis, visited his mother, Mrs. R.C. Finley and brother Robert Finley, electrician mate first class, over the weekend. SIKESTON - G. Hartley "Bill" Jones has been appointed Boy Scout District organization and extension chairman. He was formerly a neighborhood commissioner in Sikeston...

SIKESTON -- Area residents who don't have their homes properly marked may be threatening their lives should they ever need emergency assistance. While police are usually able to assist in a city when residences can't be found, when it comes to rural areas, ambulance personnel often have a hard time locating residences...

Dexter High School all-state girls basketball player Rachel Blunt signed a letter of intent with Southeast Missouri State University on Thursday. Blunt, a 6-foot forward, averaged 19 points and 12 rebounds last year. Seated with Blunt is mother Debra Blunt and Gavin Miller, girls basketball coach. Standing is Blunt's father, Scott Blunt...

BERNIE - Calvin and Shelia Coleman are the parents of their third child, second son, born at 10:13 a.m. Oct. 16, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Jabori TayShawn Coleman weighed 5 pounds, 8 ounces and was 17 1/2-inches long. Mrs. Coleman is the daughter of Robert Lee Compton and Patricia Ann Johnson...

On Nov. 6 and 7, the Sikeston Youth Soccer League held the 10th Annual Bootheel Classic Soccer Tournament. One hundred thirty-seven teams from Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee combined to make the tournament the largest recreational soccer tournament between St. Louis and Memphis. The tournament included 1,400 players and over 4,000 parents, coaches and other fans...

To my local Democrat neighbors, friends and citizens, I have stated before that most, but not all, local Democrats are exceptions and are not the target of my sometimes-abrasive rhetoric aimed at the National Democrat Party leaders and their co-conspirators. I understand that doesn't translate, and many, if not all of you are offended by my remarks. I apologize for the offense my impassioned rhetoric sometimes causes. But, I can not remain silent...