Stories from Tuesday, January 24, 2017

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Dexter Bearcats scored the first seven points, allowed one field goal in the first quarter and comfortably advanced to the semifinals of the Stoddard County Activities Association Tournament. Dexter (12-5), which led by 24 at the half, went into the fourth quarter ahead by 31 and played with a running clock...

ESSEX, Mo. - Three people were taken to the hospital following a two-vehicle collision. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that at 9:30 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Route Y and Route N, a southbound truck driven by Tyler D. Griffin, 28, of Morley failed to yield the right of way to an eastbound vehicle driven by Karla L. Bates, 48, of Bell City. Bates' vehicle then struck Griffin's vehicle, which then struck a stop sign...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - State Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, has introduced legislation aimed at protecting First Amendment rights of alternative-to-abortion services. If Senate Bill 41 becomes law, the legislation would block efforts in the city of St. Louis to add "reproductive-health decisions," including abortion, to the city's anti-discrimination ordinance, Wallingford said...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. - An investigation into the distribution of narcotics has led to the arrest of three Mississippi County residents. James Brice Owens, 39, of East Prairie, who was wanted on a charge with unlawful possession of a firearm, now faces an additional charge of felony possession of a controlled substance. His bond is set at $75,000...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Claudia "Faye" Kirkpatrick, 85, formerly of Benton, died Jan. 24, 2017, at her home. Born Oct. 25, 1931, in Canalou, to the late Claude Cletus and Iva Lena Pointer Bryant, she graduated as the class valedictorian from Canalou High School. She was a member of Lacroix Methodist Church and the Red Hat Society of Benton...

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Mary Ada Ervin, 90, died Jan. 21, 2017, at the New Madrid Living Center. She was born April 28, 1926, in Pocahontas, Ark., to the late Filo H. and Vera Copeland Thomas. She was married to Herbert Ervin, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by one son, Roger Ervin; and one daughter, Polly Latrice Ervin...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Martha Louise Schilb Fowler, 58, died Jan. 22, 2017, at her home in Charleston. Arrangements are incomplete at McMikle Funeral Home.

SIKESTON -- Geneva Keith, 94, died Jan. 20, 2017, at Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston. Born Jan. 4, 1923, in Lamar, Ark., daughter of the late Charles and Maude Moss Cowell, she was a member of Vanduser Church of God for over 70 years and an ordained minister. She owned and operated Keith's Beauty Shop for 25 years...

SIKESTON - Raymond Sauceda, 70, formerly of Oran, died Jan. 22, 2017, at the Convalescent Center in Sikeston. Born March 3, 1946, in Nixon, Texas, to the late Vidal and Susie Valdez Sauceda, he was kitchen manager for 25 years at Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston. He was a member of Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran...

CHAFFEE, Mo. - Florence Anderson, 92, died Jan. 23, 2017, at the Jackson Manor in Jackson. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

MINER, Mo. -- Michelle Potter, 39, died Jan. 23, 2017, at the Preferred Family Healthcare Center in Miner. Born Aug. 14, 1977, she was the daughter of the late Cynthia Gee Porter. She is survived by one sister, Brandi Potter of Poplar Bluff. Services will be scheduled at a later date with Ponder Funeral Home in charge of arrangements...