Stories from Saturday, July 12, 2008

HOUSTON -- Dorothy Brown Faulkner, 49, passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2008. She was born on March 4, 1959, in Caruthersville, Mo., daughter of Louise Brown and the late James Brown Jr. A wonderful mother, daughter, sister and cherished friend to many, Dorothy worked at Exxon Mobil for many years. She was an active member of Progressive Baptist Church and enjoyed spending time with her children and friends, working with various charity organizations and was always able to assist those in need...

MATTHEWS -- Viola I. Eaves, 72, died July 9, 2008, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 18, 1936, in Caruthersville, daughter of the late John and Irene McAdow Callaham, she was of the Pentecostal belief and was a resident of the Close to Home Nursing Center in Matthews...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Peggy L. Boardman, 73, died July 10, 2008, at Methodist North Hospital. She was a retired bookkeeper and member of Bartlett Woods Church of Christ. She married Thomas F. Boardman who preceded her in death. Survivors include: one son, Tony Boardman of Memphis; and three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Larry Lambert, Jim and Pat Lambert and David and Cheryl Lambert of Sikeston, Mo...

GAINESVILLE, Fl. - John W. Mason Jr., died Sunday, July 6, 2008, after complications stemming from a brain aneurism. Born on April 14, 1938 in Sikeston, he was the third of four children born to John W. Mason and Eula Cline Mason. John grew up in Sikeston and graduated from Sikeston High School in 1956. ...

BERTRAND - Margaret Louise Belk, 87, formerly of Charleston, died July 12, 2008, at the Bertrand Nursing Facility. McMikle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete.

Jordan EAST PRAIRIE -- Tracy and Dickie Jordan are the parents of their fourth child, fourth daughter, born at 11:31 p.m. May 23, 2008, at St. Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace in Cape Girardeau. Sophia Grace Jordan weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 19 inches long...

SIKESTON -- Community service isn't just a nice option for participants -- it is also a big help to the city and agencies in the community. "Since July of last year, over 125 individuals have served 8,600 hours of court-ordered community service," said Linda Lowes, director of governmental services for the city of Sikeston...

Even in the summer, there is still lots of school work. New Madrid County R-1 school officials are busy this summer overseeing the continued renovation of the New Madrid Elementary School. Work includes replacement of the drop ceilings, new floors, new heating and air-condition system, insulation and the replacement of window. The final touch will be new paint throughout the facility. Travis Aufdenberg, left, and Brian Dye install an exterior insulation finish system to the school's exterior...

SIKESTON -- Grants recently approved by the state Department of Economic Development grants will mean improved water drainage for some Mississippi County residents and smoother roads for a Scott County town. Last week Gov. Matt Blunt announced $2.1 million in Community Development Block Grants. ...

BENTON - An 18-year-old Benton resident is in custody for a July 2 stabbing incident. Matthew W. Windes was arrested Friday on charges of first degree assault and armed criminal action. His bond is set at $50,000 cash only. Windes was arrested following an investigation by the Scott County Sheriff deputies into a domestic disturbance which started in Stoddard County. ...

Over 50 area Cub Scouts participated in the three-day day camp which ended Saturday. Above: Trevor Williams, a member of Pack 37, aims an arrow during Cub Scout Day Camp Friday at the Sikeston Elks Lodge. Left: Andrew Driskill throws a sponge while playing water frisbee during the day camp games...

­SIKESTON -- A Sikeston teen is in custody on a drug arrest following a brief standoff Thursday afternoon. Christopher Bradlee Shultz, 18, is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and receiving stolen property. The charges stem from the discovery of marijuana and drug paraphernalia while firefighters were extinguishing a kitchen fire early Thursday morning at 603 W. Salcedo...

CHAFFEE -- Scott County Post 369 managed to squeak by with a 14-13 victory on Friday evening against Cape Post 63 in American Legion baseball action. Post 369 jumped out early with a 6-0 lead after one inning but allowed Cape to jump back into the game with four runs in the top of the second...

SIKESTON -- The YMCA of Southeast Missouri is encouraging moms and dads everywhere to gather their mind, body and spirit... and their children to try their latest exercise program, Flexible Families. Originating earlier this summer, Flexible Families is a yoga structured exercise class designed for parents and kids to help them develop their strength, balance and flexibility through stretching and core exercise...

SIKESTON - Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Kern announced the arrival of a son born June 25 at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau. The child weighed 7 pounds and 12 ounces and has been named Danny Joe. SIKESTON - The Women's Society of Christian Service of First Methodist Church met at 11 a.m. Thursday for their monthly meeting at Luber's Restaurant. Special guests were the visiting Girl Scouts from Sweden and their leader, Mrs. Annalisa Haggard...

The world of politics has always been a nasty business. If you look back at political cartoons over 100 years ago, you'll see that throwing darts at your opponent is not a new phenomenon. But I think we may be elevating the art of dirty politics to a new level and for the life of me, I still don't understand the process...

Sit on it I'm calling about the uneducated hoodlums in Blodgett who keep destroying the park benches. Their parents just let them run wild with no supervision, no nothing, because there is no police in Blodgett. I just want to let them know Mr. Russell provided these benches for everyone to have something nice at the park. ...