Stories from Friday, August 11, 2017

For the fifth year in a row, I am dedicating the month of August to focus on farms in southeast and south central Missouri, stopping in all 30 counties of our district. Meeting the people who run these operations gives me a real understanding of the challenges they are facing and how I can help them. ...

"Waiting on God" is Isaiah's definition of fervent, effectual prayer. The prophet wrote: "Has thou not known? Has thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faint not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isa. 40:28-31).

The Gideon School District has announced the opening day of school for the fall term will be Thursday, August 17, 2017. Open House and annual Title I meeting will be held Tuesday, August 15, 2017, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The open house will begin with a general meeting in the cafeteria...

COLUMBIA, Mo. - A recently completed assessment of University of Missouri Extension found that with an annual investment of $86 million (2016), MU Extension generated dividends totaling nearly $950 million. The findings are part of a report developed by TEConomy Partners LLC. The report and other documents from a statewide needs assessment for MU Extension are available at extension.missouri.edu/staff/buildingfuture.aspx...

SIKESTON --The Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo is collecting nonperishable food items to present to the Bulldog Pantry for a "livestock" the shelves event. Children ages 3 to 13 who bring 10 or more nonperishable items to the Bulldog Pantry table in front of the ticket office will receive a voucher for $10 off his or her next Rodeo ticket purchase during the 2017 season. Those who bring items Saturday will receive $10 off that night's ticket purchase...

SIKESTON -- Theannual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo is more than just a popular event with national consequences for the participating athletes who risk their lives and limbs for the sport. For Sikeston and the surrounding give counties, the Rodeo is gold...

SIKESTON -- Beau Schueth needs no extra motivation when it comes to fighting bulls, but he'll take it. This week, he returns to the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo to defend his Bullfighters Only title, and he knows he'll get all the help he needs from the knowledgeable fans...

SIKESTON -- Victoria May Surface, 90, died Aug. 10, 2017, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Nov. 2, 1926, in Bertrand, to Elza and Mary Allie Hall Lynn, she had lived in Sikeston since 1999. She was a 1944 graduate of Diehlstadt High School and a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Sikeston...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- Floyd Edward Quick, 73, died Aug. 10, 2017, at Portageville Health Care Center. Born Feb. 3, 1944, in Point Pleasant, son of the late Donnie E. Anders Quick and T.B. Quick, he worked in construction for many years. Survivors include: four daughters, Connie Houqeison of Midlothian, Ill., Donna Rust of Clifton, Texas, and Mary Moore and Cindy Quick of Mexia, Texas; two brothers, Bill Quick and Jimmy Quick of Chicago; two nieces, Jessica Townsend and Holly Miller of Portageville; and several grandchildren.. ...