Stories from Monday, January 31, 2005

On the same day that Condoleezza Rice was confirmed by the United States Senate as the nation's Secretary of State, 37 American soldiers died in Iraq. In what seems a cruel hoax, the date of her confirmation coexists with the deadliest day for American forces since the United States invaded Iraq almost 24 months ago...

SIKESTON -- Sikeston fell to 7-11 on the season with a 59-53 loss to Portageville on Saturday at the Field House. The Lady Bulldogs led in the third quarter before Portageville grabbed a 45-43 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Sikeston had the lead cut to 51-49 late in the game before seeing top rebounder Martika Davis foul out...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Bulldogs basketball team lost another tough, close game when they fell to state-ranked Portageville on Saturday, 58-49 at the Field House. Sikeston started the game on fire, taking an 11-0 lead, but the Bulldogs couldn't sustain the momentum...

I'm calling Speakout about the Miner Board of Aldermen recognizing officer Billy Williams about the stranded traveler that he boarded at this home. There are other people that need to be recognize for taking the stranded motorists out to officer Billy Williams' house. ...

Harold Eugene Stroud Jr. is honored as part of Veterans Night prior to Saturday's basketball game between Portageville and Sikeston at the Field House. Portageville won the game 57-49.

SIKESTON -- Feb. 7 is Food Check-Out Day, a time Southeast Missourians can celebrate affordable food. Feb. 7, which is 37 days into the year, marks the calendar day upon which the average American has earned enough income to provide food for his/her family for the entire year...

MINER -- A Mississippi County resident sustained fatal injuries in a head-on collision Saturday in Scott County. At 12:40 p.m. on Malone Avenue in Miner city limits in front of Ag-Mart, an accident occurred as eastbound motorist Monty D. George, 41, of Bertrand crossed the center line and struck the westbound vehicle, driven by Kevin R. Hughes, 37, of Benton, head-on...

SIKESTON - Sikeston General Hospital: Mrs. Louis McCoy, Sikeston Route 3, entered the 21st and a girl was born to her on the same day. ORAN - Sgt. Robert L. Carr, 19, has been reported missing in action by the War Department in a message to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.O. Carr of Oran...

BLOOMFIELD - Irene Taylor, 89, died Jan. 29, 2005, at the Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born Jan. 16, 1916, at Hornersville to the late William and Mary Foster Kennett, she lived most of her life in the Bloomfield community. A retired employee of the SEMO Electric, she was a former employee of Elder Manufacturing Co. and taught in the Swinton and Philadelphia schools. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bloomfield where she participated in the Helping Hands Ladies group...

BERTRAND -- Monty Doyle George, 41, died at 1:49 p.m. Jan. 29, 2005, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 14, 1963, in Charleston, son of Doyle George of Durham, N.C., and the late Delores Ann Groves George, he had lived in Mississippi County most of his life and had been employed by the maintenance department at TA Truck Co. at Matthews...

SIKESTON - Frankie L. Neal, 88, died at 9:10 a.m. Jan. 30, 2005, at Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston. Born Feb. 29, 1916, in Ouachita County, Ark., daughter of the late Lee and Laura Jones Walker, she was a housewife. On Oct. 9, 1937, she married C.S. "Clinton" Neal who preceded her in death in September 1972...

SIKESTON -- Nellie Anna Lambert, 89, formerly of Blodgett, died at 7:15 a.m. Jan. 30, 2005, at Clearview Nursing Center. Born Jan. 1, 1916, in Blodgett, daughter of the late John and Nettie Cauthorn Boston, she was a cook for Kelly High School and worked in food service with the University of Missouri Extension program for 10 years. A member of Vanduser church of Christ, she was also a housewife...

BERNIE - John Robert Bansept, 70, died Jan. 28, 2005, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center at Memphis, Tenn. Born June 6, 1934, to the late John and Elizabeth Bansept, he was a former cashier in a convenience store and attended the Church of God of Prophecy in Bernie. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he was a member of the American Legion...

PUXICO -- Harrell Verdell Grindstaff, 79, died Jan. 29, 2005, at Puxico Nursing Center. Born Aug. 7, 1925, in Arab, son of the late John and Louella Grindstaff, he had spent 30 years in Alton, Ill., and returned to Puxico in 1974. He retired from Lacled Steele in Alton and was a member of the Brown General Baptist Church near Puxico...

PORTAGEVILLE - Hattie P. Hankins, 95, died Jan. 31, 2005, at the Gideon Care Center in Gideon. DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete.