Stories from Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Here's what the United States did to help with the disaster in the Asian nations following the catastrophic events this week that killed thousands; We sent an initial $15 million in financial aid relief; we have pledged to increase our food donations to that region which are already substantial; we pledged additional money when the full scope of the disaster is understood; we dispatched a 21-member disaster relief team to assist in the recovery; and we dispatched military patrol planes from the Pacific fleet to assist in the relief efforts.. ...

SIKESTON - Hospital notes: Mrs. Frank Rankin of Gray Ridge entered on Dec. 22 and a daughter was born to her on the following day. --- SIKESTON - A daughter was also born to Mrs. J. Ramsey of West Murray Lane. SIKESTON -Earl M. Allen of Sikeston has bee named to the National Circus Hall of Fame. ...

Rumsfeld told the truth on our military. You go to war with what you've got. That's what we did in Korea. Harry Truman shipped us in with nothing but M-1s and 2.5 rocket launchers that would bounce right off the Soviet tanks like something bouncing off a concrete drive. It's not just this group. Truman and his boys and as far back as you can remember, you went to war with what you had...

The purpose of this letter is to recognize the outstanding efforts of the Sikeston Police Department, Miner Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E. You and your readers may not be aware of the impact law enforcement makes on Special Olympics. Hundreds of agencies work year-round to help raise the necessary funds to provide sports training and competition programs for 13,960 children and adults with mental disabilities in Missouri...

SIKESTON -- The American Cancer Society in Sikeston is striving for a new year of hope for those stricken with cancer as it enters 2005. One way the organization is looking to achieve its goal is through its first New Year's Eve Gala set for Friday at the Sikeston Armory...

BENTON - A Rockview man says he won't be railroaded without a fight. Lester Glastetter of Rockview said during the regular Scott County Commission meeting Tuesday that he is filing two lawsuits against the Union Pacific Railroad. "They have to abide by our laws, just nobody's pushing it," Glastetter said. "I will."...

Rufus Sumlin, 9, throws a snowball at Ryan Norton, 9, while Kelsey Dial, 10, and Drew Harper gather more ammunition during a snowball fight Tuesday. The four classmates were out during the morning getting the most out of the snow before it melts later in the week...

Sonny Solid Waste employee's Daniel Garza and Marty Atkinson unload overflowing trash cans Tuesday morning. Not only are the employees facing the overload of trash due to Christmas but also dealing with snow covered roads.

SIKESTON - James T. "Red" Taylor, 77, died Dec. 28, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Nunnelee Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete.

BENTON - Catherine Louise Halter, 80, died at 11:37 p.m. Dec. 27, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 10, 1924, in Ancell, daughter of the late Benjamin John and Dorothy Theresa Heuring Enderle, she was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church and St. Denis Ladies Sodality in Benton...

ESSEX - Shirley Ann Baker Cobb, 63, died Dec. 28, 2004, at her residence in Essex. Born Oct. 14, 1941, to Mary Bessie Purcell Cobb of Dexter and the late Robert Harold Woodruff, she was a former employee of Elder Manufacturing in Dexter and a resident of Essex most of her life...

DEXTER - William D. Walker, 96, died Dec. 28, 2004, at the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Dexter. Born Nov. 17, 1908, at Gainesville, Ark., to the late Charlie and Ethel Penny Walker, he was a self-employed farmer and a member of the Sadler's Chapel Methodist Church in Dexter...

PORTAGEVILLE - Mildred P. Laws, 83, died Dec. 27, 2004, in Jackson. Born Nov. 11, 1921, in Point Pleasant, daughter of the late Walter and Ella Bruce Lovell, she was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Portageville. On Sept. 24, 1938, in Portageville, she married Lee Edward Laws who preceded her in death on Oct. 20, 1959...

SIKESTON - Robert A. Hicks Sr., 44, died at 4:40 p.m. Dec. 24, 2004, at his home. Born May 21, 1960, in Dexter, son of Clifford Hicks and Hiwana Cummins Hicks of Oak Grove, La., he was a cab driver and was of the Baptist belief. He was a member of Sikeston Eagles Aerie 3319 and former member of Henry Meldrum American Legion Post 114 in Sikeston...

CHAFFEE - Elizabeth "Beth" Dooley, 43, died at 6:25 a.m. Dec. 28, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 26, 1961, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Bob and Janet Steger Sullivan of Chaffee, she was office manager for the Pete Dooley Insurance Agency in Chaffee. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Ladies Elks Lodge 1810, Booster Club and Chamber of Commerce in Chaffee...

CHARLESTON -- Freddie L. Balton, 54, died Dec. 23, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Sept. 7, 1950, in Forest City, Ark., he was the son of the late Freddie and Essie Lee Ford Balton and had lived in Charleston for many years...

WYATT -- Anna Robinson, 58, died Dec. 9, 2004, at Charleston Manor Nursing Facility. Born Nov. 18, 1946, in Charleston, she was of the Pentecostal belief. Survivors include: one daughter, Gloria Steele of Wilson City; and one grandson. Graveside services will be conducted at noon Thursday at Oak Grove Cemetery at Charleston...

HOWARDVILLE -- Hattie Mae Branch, 91, formerly of Lilbourn, died Dec. 27, 2004, at Beverly Healthcare Center in New Madrid. Born March 15, 1913, in Walls, Miss., daughter of the late Lonnie and Mary Etter Bailey McKay, she had lived in Lilbourn for over 81 years. She was a member of the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Lilbourn, where she was a member of the Mother Board...

HAMILTON, Ala. - Joe Billy Parker, 78, and his wife, Ophelia Sue "Susie" Parker, 71, died Dec. 22, 2004. Born Oct. 28, 1925, in Mississippi, son of the late Jasper John and Eula Elizabeth Harris Parker, Joe Parker died at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo...

GREENTOWN, Ind. - Jimmie Lee Curd, 57, formerly of Morehouse, Mo., died Nov. 12, 2004, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and Health Center in Dayton, Ohio. Born Jan. 15, 1947, in Morehouse, son of the late Raymond and Irene Marie Breeden Curd, he was a 1965 graduate of Morehouse High School and Ivy Tech. ...

SCOTT CITY - Lloyd Eugene Zimmerman, 72, died Dec. 27, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 17, 1932, in Fornfelt, son of the late Theodore Roosevelt and Anna Lee Cambron Zimmerman, he was a stationary engineer for 32 years with the City of St. ...

SCOTT CITY - Dorothy Laureen St. Clair, 78, died at 2:30 a.m. Dec. 28, 2004, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Born March 21, 1926, in Kelso, daughter of the late William Theodore and Emma Bertha Goetz Leible, she was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and VFW Post 6407 Ladies Auxiliary in Scott City...

BROSELEY - The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs finished sixth in the Twin Rivers Lady Royals Christmas Classic on Tuesday after falling to Greenville 38-35. Sikeston (3-7) led 16-8 after one quarter but couldn't hold on as Greenville took control from there...

BLOOMFIELD - After a day of first round blowouts on Monday, day two of the 48th Annual Bloomfield Christmas Tournament saw much more excitement, including a near upset of six-time defending champion Dexter. The semifinals are set as top-seeded Dexter will take on No. 5 Doniphan -- which defeated fourth-seeded South Pemiscot in double overtime -- at 7 p.m. tonight. On the other side of the bracket, second seed Portageville will play No. 3 Twin Rivers at 8:30 p.m...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Seventh-seed Kelly executed its game plan to perfection in a 65-60 upset win over No. 2 Charleston at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament on Tuesday. "We just came in with a good game plan and the kids…I can't compliment them enough about the way they played team basketball," said Kelly coach Cory Johnson. "Anytime you play that well together as a team, good things will happen."...