Stories from Wednesday, July 5, 2017

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. - A traffic stop led to the arrest of two people on drug charges. The East Prairie Police Department reported that on Monday, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Tina Staggs of East Prairie. Officers located 3.7 grams of methamphetamine inside the vehicle during the traffic stop, according to a news release by the Department. ...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. - The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated numerous accidents over the Fourth of July holiday. At 7:11 p.m. Tuesday on Highway 80 at the intersection with Pecan Street in East Prairie, a southbound vehicle driven by Sara E. Conklin, 32, of East Prairie pulled into the path of a westbound vehicle driven by Jamie L. Bailey, 31, of East Prairie resulting in an accident...

SIKESTON -- American author Tomie dePaola spoke of the importance of reading. "If you can read, you can learn anything about everything and everything about anything," he said. A grant to the Sikeston Public Library will use reading as to help students learn about themselves and to strengthen their academic skills...

MORLEY, Mo. -- A Scott County town is mourning the loss of its most beloved social hub -- the Morley Cafe. The cafe had served as a place where the world's biggest problems were solved, the town's happenings were first heard and conversations flowed with ease...

SIKESTON - July is National Parks and Recreation Month nationwide, and Sikeston has loaded up the calendar with events for kids of all ages. Fun time for children ages 10 and under is scheduled for 8-10 a.m. on Mondays. Healthy snacks will be provided...

In a nation blessed with abundant opportunities for all, we seem to spend an enormous amount of time focused on those who rely on taxpayer assistance.

Suspended Mississippi County Sheriff Cory Hutcheson will face trial on 15 charges, including charges of forgery, tampering with computer data and misconduct by a notary.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Ben M. Adams, 93, passed away Sunday, July 2, 2017, at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born, Dec. 4, 1923, in Benton to the late Benjamin Franklin and Norma P. Termenstein Adams. Benjamin and Edith Randol were married on May 7, 1988, in Cape Girardeau...

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Patty Branum White, 55, died peacefully at home in New Madrid on July 3, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer. She left this world more beautiful and more comfortable than she found it. Others felt safe and comforted in her presence, her smile and enthusiasm were contagious to all those around her. Her loyalty and devotion to those she loved and the God she served, powered her life and strong spirit...

CROWDER, Mo. - Virginia Ruedrich, 78, died at 9:40 p.m. July 3, 2017, at her residence in Crowder. Born Feb. 19, 1939, to the late Woodrow Wilson and Elouise (Thompson) Glueck, she was of the Baptist faith. On April 7, 1958, she was married to William Ray Ruedrich, who preceded her in death June 9, 1972...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Johnnie Pearl Rimpson, 102, formerly of Hayti, died July 3, 2017, at her home. Born Jan. 29, 1915, in Jonestown, Miss., to the late Count Van Trawick and Mollie Parker Trawick Jones, she graduated from Concord Grade School in Hayti in May 1932. She was a member of Beloved Community United Methodist Church, where she served as the communion steward...

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - Robert Lee Ward Sr., 96, died July 3, 2017, at Delmar Gardens Nursing Home in Chesterfield. Born in Henderson, Tenn., on March 30, 1921, to the late John Lonzo and Florence Moore Ward, he was a retired mechanic and of the Baptist faith...