Stories from Wednesday, March 8, 2017

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- The Dexter girls basketball team showed its superiority from the tip and breezed through its Class 4 sectional against Potosi Thursday night at the Farmington Civic Center. The Bearcats outmatched the Trojans in every facet which led to a dominate 72-30 victory and their fifth trip to the Class 4 quarterfinals in six seasons...

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- One thing about the Sikeston Bulldogs that has become apparent this season -- they don't panic. Sikeston showed its strong nerve in a district semifinal two-point win against Dexter when they trailed by seven late in the fourth quarter, and they showed it again on Tuesday night in a sectional game against Hillsboro, trailing by 10 in the third quarter...

In anticipation of the state’s annual Vietnam Veterans Day on March 30, House members are encouraging veterans throughout the state to come forward to receive recognition for their service. As part of the annual celebration, Vietnam veterans will be honored at the State Capitol in the House Chamber by the Speaker of the House and the members of the House of Representatives. Each veteran will also receive an official House Resolution in honor of the service they provided to the nation...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last Friday, March 3, Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Paul A. Gosar D.D.S. (AZ-04), Chairman Emeritus Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01) and Western Caucus members Rep. Jason Smith (MO-08), Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Rep. ...

(Washington, D.C.) – This spring, Missouri volunteers will team up with the Civil War Trust to aid in the maintenance and restoration of numerous sites as part of Park Day, a nationwide effort that includes more than 130 historic sites in 30 states. Thousands of volunteers across the country will participate as Park Day celebrates over 20 successful years on Saturday, April 1, 2017...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - Police followed the instructions on the door mat. New Madrid Police Chief Joey Higgerson reported the arrest of the four after a search warrant was served at a residence on Mill Street following a months-long investigation. The instructions on the mat on the front step of the residence, Higgerson noted, said "Come back with a warrant." Officers arrived with a search warrant March 1 at the residence and began their search...

SIKESTON – The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded contracts for Southeast District projects during its regular meeting on Feb. 1. Awarded contracts include pavement and bridge improvements. Contracts in the New Madrid County area include the following:...

NEW MADRID, Mo. --- A Portageville man could serve up to 15 years in prison in connection with a statutory sodomy charge. David Wayne Wiedel, 30, was sentenced Tuesday in Division I of New Madrid County Circuit Court by Judge Fred Copeland on a charge of first degree statutory sodomy sexual intercourse with a person less than 14 years of age resulting in physical injury or display of a deadly weapon...

PORTAGEVILLE-- Late Tuesday night, February 28, utility crews began working on through the night and into the next day to restore the widespread power outages resulting from the region's severe storms. Around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday strong winds downed power lines and trees, bent metal on roofs, trailers and other structures, but no injuries of residents in Scott, New Madrid, Mississippi and Stoddard counties were reported to emergency personnel...

CAPE GIRARDEAU – U.S. Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) announced the addition of former Missouri State Representative Shelley (Keeney) Taylor to his in-district team serving the citizens of south central and southeast Missouri.  Taylor most recently served Missouri State House District 145/156, which includes Bollinger, Madison, Perry and Wayne Counties...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO -- Southeast Missouri State University has announced its fall 2016 graduates. Those from New Madrid County include: Randal Calvert of Portageville, graduated with a Bachelor of Science with a major in psychology. Katelyn Jackson of Portageville, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in finance...

They are 2.7 million strong—1.9 million girls and 800,000 adults who believe girls can change the world. It began over 100 years ago with one woman, Girl Scouts’ founder Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low, who believed in the power of every girl. She organized the first Girl Scout troop on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, and every year since, we've made her vision a reality, helping girls discover their strengths, passions, and talents...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A central Missouri woman faces felony drug and assault charges following a traffic stop in Mississippi County. Krista Golden Hardcastle, 25, of Villa Ridge is charged with felony second degree assault on a law enforcement officer and felony delivery of a controlled substance...

SIKESTON -- In the first two months of this year, the number of confirmed flu cases by a Sikeston medical group has exceeded the total number in all of 2016. "This is the most flu cases I've seen since the notorious swine flu in 2009," said Meredith Hooper, laboratory director of Ferguson Medical Group in Sikeston...

SIKESTON -- Three Charleston men are in custody following an altercation and pursuit with law enforcement which also forced an hour-long lockdown of Sikeston schools. At 12:40 p.m. Monday a Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper initiated a traffic stop on U.S. 60 for a registration violation, according to Sgt. Clark D. Parrott, public information officer for Missouri State Highway Patrol's Troop E. The vehicle turned onto Keystone Drive and a short pursuit ensued...

SIKESTON -- Police were called to a Sikeston restaurant Saturday after an employee received a threat. At 10:05 a.m., officers with Sikeston Department of Public Safety responded to Pizza Hut, located at 1103 E. Malone Ave., in Sikeston, in reference to a fire-bomb threat, according to DPS reports. ...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation has entered a Community Assistance Program agreement with the city of East Prairie to stock and manage the pond at K.S. Simpkins Park. Mike Reed, MDC fisheries management biologist, said MDC will conduct fish and habitat management at the pond, which will include fish stocking and placing brush piles for fish habitat. Conservation agents will also enforce Wildlife Code of Missouri regulations at the pond...

The Kenny Rogers Children's Center Telethon is less than two weeks away but before he takes the stage as one of this year's telethon poster children, Jake Pritchett still has therapy to complete. Working on his balance and strenthening his core muscles, Jake's therapist Audrey Glover made it a game as he reached up for ingredients of a sandwich he was making. ...

SIKESTON -- Police were called to a Sikeston restaurant Saturday after an employee received a threat. At 10:05 a.m., officers with Sikeston Department of Public Safety responded to Pizza Hut, located at 1103 E. Malone Ave., in Sikeston, in reference to a fire-bomb threat, according to DPS reports. ...

SIKESTON -- In the first two months of this year, the number of confirmed flu cases by a Sikeston medical group has exceeded the total number in all of 2016. "This is the most flu cases I've seen since the notorious swine flu in 2009," said Meredith Hooper, laboratory director of Ferguson Medical Group in Sikeston...

Residents of north St. Louis gathered recently for a community meeting to discuss issues relating to an EPA Superfund toxic landfill smack dab in the middle of their neighborhood. Living near a toxic landfill is risky business from countless standpoints. The health issues are obviously concerning and the gathered crowd at the meeting shared stories of ailments that resulted from their proximity to the toxic swamp...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- "Music with Moms (and Other Important Women)," was held on Feb. 2 at Charleston Middle School for students in grades prekindergarten to eighth grades and their mothers or mother figures. The event was free and open to the public...

The Sikeston Public Schools Foundation recently honored Julie O'Brien (left) and Stephanie Gleason (right) for their continued support and years of dedication of service to the Foundation Board of Trustees. Also picture is Foundation Executive Director Lauren DeWitt...

SIKESTON -- Sylvester Murphey Jr., 66, died March 3, 2017, at the Clearview Nursing in Sikeston. Born Jan. 19, 1951, in Rich, Miss., son of Sylvester (Ida Mae) Murphey Sr. and the late Johnnie Mae Mitchell (Jimmie Lee Mitchell), he was a former heavyweight champion boxer, most notably during his boxing career, a match with boxing champion Duane Bobick. He was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- James "Jim" Samuel Hodges Jr., 90, of East Prairie, died Saturday, March 4, 2017, at Cotton Point Nursing Facility in Matthews. He was born Oct. 7, 1926, in Sikeston, to the late James Samuel Sr. and Emma Thelma (Arnold) Hodges...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- Richard Allen LaFerney, 71, died March 7, 2017, at the Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born March 14, 1945, in Portageville, to the late Richard B. and Dorothy Marshall LaFerney, he worked as a police officer and a carpenter...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Patricia S. Moore, 70, died March 4, 2017, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau Born July 12, 1946, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of the late Robert Moore and Valeria Carter Moore, she graduated from Chaffee High School in 1964. ...

SIKESTON -- Bernice Irene Wooten, 98, died March 7, 2017, at her residence in Sikeston. Born Sept. 12, 1918, in Carterville to the late Edward and Etta Jane Graham Jackson, she had worked as a sewing machine operator in a shirt factory and then served as a pastor's wife and church organist for over 67 years including at Praise Assembly (formerly Eastside) in Springfield, Campbell, Kansas City, First Assembly in Sikeston, St. ...