Stories from Friday, December 22, 2006

BENTON - Arline Stuckey, 79, of Benton died Dec. 21, 2006, at the Monticello House in Jackson. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete.

OTTUMWA, Iowa -- Ida Robinson, 79, formerly of Bloomfield, Mo., died Dec. 19, 2006, in Ottumwa. Born Sept. 15, 1927, at Bloomfield, daughter of the late Alex and Oma Bowman McRoy, she spent most of her life in Iowa and attended the Pentecostal church...

SIKESTON -- Carl Eugene "Gene" Phillips, 67, died Dec. 21, 2006, at Barnes- Jewish Hospital in St. Peters. Born Oct. 21, 1939, in Gray Ridge, son of the late William Marvin and Liddie Tucker Phillips, he was a member of the Sikeston Eagles Aerie 3319 and the owner and operator of Sikeston Auction and Rental Properties...

DEXTER -- Bernice Cutler, 79, died Dec. 20, 2006, in St. Luke's Hospital in St. Louis. Born March 5, 1927, in Morton Grove, Ill., daughter of the late Jack and Myrtle Bowman, she lived most of her life in Dexter where she was a homemaker and an active member of the First Christian Church. She worked in both the Sikeston and Dexter areas...

HAYTI -- Ashley Rogers, 20, died Dec. 20, 2006, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She is survived by her parents, Jim and Kathy Madison of Hayti and Steve and Linda Rogers of New Madrid...

CROWDER -- Pallbearers for graveside services held today at Garden of Memories Cemetery for Lorene A. Bennett, 86, who died Dec. 20, 2006, were: Carl Christy, Steve Greene, Marty Vines, Jim Vines, Ival Karnes and Farris Roper. Nunnelee Funeral Chapel of Sikeston was in charge of arrangements...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Pattie Kaye York, 56, died Dec. 20, 2006, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born March 29, 1950, in Cairo, Ill., daughter of the late Charles P. and Kathryn Brigman Anderson, she lived most of her life in Mississippi County and was of the Baptist belief...

CHARLESTON -- Mississippi County commissioners said they made the right choice in selecting a less risky but more expensive county health insurance plan. Commissioners discussed their choice for health insurance during their regular meeting Thursday...

SIKESTON -- Is the idea of family get-togethers, your bank account balance and the holidays in general making you feel a bit strained this year? You're not alone. High expectations, family losses, finances and altered routines often contribute to holiday stress. But, there are ways to help prevent this anxiety...

SIKESTON -- For many the new year marks a fresh start and a time for change. But for those who earn minimum wage, it means making more money. On Jan. 1 Missouri's minimum wage rate will increase from $5.15 an hour to $6.50 an hour. Erica Vaughn, 17, of Sikeston works part-time at Rodchester's Deli in Sikeston. She said she's excited about earning more money but sees another side to it, too...

SIKESTON -- Those dreaming of a white Christmas this year might want to wish a little harder. A 30 percent chance of snow or rain is forecast Sunday night and Christmas day, but meteorologist Mike York of the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky., said it will likely be rain -- although there's a better chance for snow on Christmas day than Christmas eve...

SIKESTON - The Sikeston High School Cagers dropped their first game of the season to Morehouse, 29-23. The Sikeston B team also lost its game to the Morehouse B team, 21-16. SIKESTON - The Missouri Highway Patrol reported that roads were covered with snow and ice as the area's first winter storm passed through the Southeast Missouri region. The snow is expected to end later today or early tonight...

A day's work for a day's pay. If you are like most Americans you are probably on the job at least 40 hours a week. But not if you are a U.S. senator or representative. This year Congress will be in session less than 100 days out of 365. A typical work week has been arriving on late afternoon Tuesday and departing midday on Thursday. ...

SIKESTON - Jessica Woods is the mother of her first child, a son, born at 10:36 a.m. Nov. 1, 2006, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Jerrodrick Ki'shawn weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long. Grandparent is Waver Coleman...

BROSELEY - The finals are set in the 10th Annual Lady Royals Holiday Classic Tournament at Twin Rivers High School, as the Kelly Lady Hawks will face the Dexter Lady Bearcats on tonight at 7:30 p.m. Kelly defeated Twin Rivers 67-54 and Dexter knocked off Naylor, 49-34, to advance to the finals...

SIKESTON -- For Sikeston's Hunter Schuerenberg, racing has been a part of his life for, well, most of his life. The 17-year-old Sikeston High School junior has been racing since he was 6- years-old at the SEMO Raceway, and he hasn't slowed down since...

CARUTHERSVILLE - Police are looking for an Indiana man in connection with at least two stolen vehicles. At 2:40 p.m. Thursday, Caruthersville police were called to Churchill's Pre- Owned Car Lot, located on Highway 80. The salesman reported a man, identified as Kevin W. Myers of Indiana, had taken a 2002 Chevrolet 2500 extended cab pickup, for a test drive and failed to return...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - A New Madrid man was sentenced for unlawful possession of a firearm in a U.S. District court. Dominique M. Betts, 21, was sentenced to 120 months on one felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm Monday. Due to Betts' prior felony convictions, he is prohibited by law from possessing firearms...