Stories from Saturday, March 18, 2017

“…the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?” 2 Peter 3:11

Last weekend, President Trump opened up about his suspicion that his campaign was wire tapped by the Obama White House during the 2016 Presidential election. While some in the media found this outlandish, the reality is that a long track record by the Obama White House of using whatever means necessary to discredit those who opposed him leaves President Trump justified in believing that individuals who worked on his campaign and potentially himself were subjected to eavesdropping...

Coach: Brian Horrell 2016 record: 18-9 Starters lost: none Returning starters: 10 Assignment: Class 2, District 3 Notes: Though they are still a young bunch, the Chaffee Red Devils might be the most experienced baseball team returning to the field this spring...

Coach: Matt Limbaugh 2016 record: 7-8 Starters lost: 5 Returning starters: 3 Assignment: Class 1, District 2 Notes: The Braves will have to replace the bulk of its lineup after graduating five starters from a 7-8 season a year ago. SCC lost Gavin Pobst, Jacob Brown, Colten Winter, Jeffery Porter and Brody Ditto...

Coach: Justin McAlister 2016 record: 14-13 Starters lost: 4 Returning starters: 6 Assignment: Class 3, District 1 Notes: Kelly will look to replace four starters who helped lead the Hawks to a second straight district championship game appearance last season...

Coach: Joe Bickings 2016 record: 14-9 Starters lost: 3 Returning starters: 8 Assignment: Class 1, District 2 Notes: A strong finish from a young Oran squad last year has head coach Joe Bickings excited about the upcoming season. The Eagles won 12 of their last 16 games and challenged the defending Class 1 champions in the district final after starting the year 2-5. ...

Coach: Tyler Trover 2016 record: 17-14 Starters lost: 2 Returning starters: 4 Assignment: Class 3, District 1 Notes: With a new head coach at the helm and two senior leaders to replace, the Portageville Bulldogs hope four returners and a roster full of young potential can help them build to a district title...

Coach: Brian Becker 2016 record: 9-17 Starters lost: 4 Returning starters: 5 Assignment: Class 4, District 1 Notes: The new pitch count rule will effect every high school baseball team to a certain degree and Dexter is no different. Although head coach Brian Becker thinks one of his strengths will be his depth on the mound which could make the restrictions easier to handle...

Coach: Joseph McClarty 2016 record: 11-15-1 Starters lost: 3 Returning starters: N/A Assignment: Class 4, District 1 Notes: Though they will have to find a way to replace three seniors from last year's district winning squad, New Madrid County Central's biggest opposition this season might end up being their new postseason home...

Coach: Brett Kolons 2016 record: 15-9 Starters lost: 2 Returning starters: 8 Assignment: Class 4, District 1 Notes: After a small head coaching whirlwind within the last year, the Sikeston baseball team is now settled and secure with a longtime assistant...

BENTON, Mo. -- Marissa Jones netted three goals as the Kelly Hawks kicked off their season with a 7-1 victory over the Herrin, Ill., Tigers in the opening round of the Kelly Round-Robin Tournament. Emily Bolen contributed two goals while Kaitlyn Johnson and Maegan Walker each had one goal for Kelly (1-0). Mallory Urhahn dished out two assists for the Hawks while Meghan Foley, Hailey Noon and Lynsey Powers provided one assist apiece...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- In their previous three trips to the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown, the Dexter Lady Bearcats were always missing that extra something to end the season on a high note. In 2013 it was a loss in the championship game, the following year it was a fourth place finish...

Coach: Michael Minner 2016 record: 14-13 Starters lost: 3 Returning starters: 7 Assignment: Class 3, District 1 Notes: The Bluejays improved by 10 games last year compared to their four wins in 2015 and have most of that same roster coming back. Charleston, who finished last year 14-13 and lost to the eventual third-place finishing Scott City Rams in the Class 3, District 2 semifinals, returns seven starters. ...

SIKESTON -- A Sikeston man faces charges after allegedly firing a stolen gun in front of a residence. At 6:43 p.m. Thursday, an officer with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety responded to the 800 block of Ruth Street in reference to a report of weapons/shots fired, according to DPS reports. ...

SIKESTON -- A Sikeston man is facing felony charges after officers with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety checked a report of a suspicious odor. Leslie Redd, 25, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm with his bond at $20,000 cash or surety for the drug charge and $2,500 cash only bond for the firearm charge. He has bonded out...

ORAN, Mo. -- Signs with the words vote yes for Proposition K.I.D.S. and accented with Oran Eagle blue and yellow colors are visible in yards throughout the Oran R-3 School District. On April 4, its voters will be asked to approve a no-tax increase, $1,035,000 bond issue for the purpose of paying off a lease purchase three years in advance and making much-needed improvements in the district, said Oran R-3 Superintendent Blane Keel...

SIKESTON -- For many students, a normal school day is spent sitting at a desk for most of the day. A new partnership between the YMCA of Southeast Missouri and the Sikeston Alternative School is trying to change that. Called an Active Education Program, the idea is to use physical activity to help enhance academic ability. Brandy Mason, member and program experience director at the YMCA, came up with the idea after researching possible opportunities to address childhood obesity...

Throughout history, societies rise and fall because of countless reasons. Greed and dishonesty often precede those historic declines but sometimes societies start that gradual fall in much smaller and less-noticed ways. Here's a classic example that has meaning far beyond the headline...

Wedding 3/19/17

Engagement 3/19/17

SIKESTON -- Kathleen June Cope, 99, a lifetime Scott County resident, died March 16, 2017, at her home in Sikeston. Born June 1, 1917, in Chaffee, Mo., to the late Mary and James Chewning, June was graduated from Blodgett High School where she was an honors student and basketball player. In 1936, she married R. H. "Rusty" Cope...

SIKESTON - Lois Faye Cokenour, 73, a life-long resident of Sikeston, died Thursday, March 16, 2017 at her home in Sikeston. She was born June 20, 1943, in Sikeston to the late Charles and Ora (Raines) Hazel. On Sept. 27, 1963, she was married to Melvin L. Cokenour in Sikeston...

BENTON, Mo. - The Kelly Middle School has released the third quarter honor roll. Named to the honor roll are: A Honor Roll Sixth grade Kya Baker, Adam Birk, Jacob Chapman, Micah Cranfield, Caden Dunn, Jenna Essner, Katelyn Evans, Lauryn Graham, Ma llory Heuring, Aleya King, Leah Lambert, Sydney Merryman, Kyll Nailling, Caidith Niswonger, Jonah Paz, Brianna Pennington, Natalie Popp, Delaney Quigley, Mikaela Robey, Tabitha Whaley and Abby Wolf...

Sikeston Junior High School announced its character education students for February. The word of the month was ambitious. These students were all nominated by their teachers for being ambitious in their education. Pictured are front row, from left: Lilly Recker, Madison Rudisill and McKenna Jenkins; second row: Micah Adams, Trey Scott, Brandon Swilley, Cooper Wooley and Zoe Robison; and back row: Brionna Flye, Samantha Keller, Sierra Hedrick, Trey Appleton, Shane Smith, Leighton Tarter and Cannon Gaddis.. ...

Sikeston Fifth and Sixth Grade Center announced its January character education students in fifth grade. The word of the month was honesty. Pictured are front row, from left: Kayla Dobbs, Sam Lancaster and Jkwon Applewhite; second row: Rush Ault, Hailey Caton and Kayden Parker; and back row: Austin Tarter, Sam Lancaster, Elijah Torres and Mallory Goza. Not pictured is Austin Moore...

The sixth grade character education students for January were named by the Sikeston Fifth and Sixth Grade Center. Honesty was the word of the month. Pictured are front row, from left: Cara Colter, Zoie McDonald and Samantha McGowen; second row: Seth Meeks, Ethan Pope and Vincent St. Cin; and back row: Titus Randle, Baden Hackworth, Lizzy Hawkins and Allison Jones. Not pictured is Lucas Bounds...