Stories from Tuesday, March 9, 2021

NEW YORK (AP) — Fully vaccinated Americans can gather with other vaccinated people indoors without wearing a mask or social distancing, according to long-awaited guidance from federal health officials. The recommendations also say that vaccinated people can come together in the same way — in a single household — with people considered at low-risk for severe disease, such as in the case of vaccinated grandparents visiting healthy children and grandchildren...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Mike Parson took time on Monday to reflect since the first presumptive positive COVID-19 case was detected in Missouri one year ago. “Since COVID-19 struck Missouri one year ago, we have worked nonstop to take a balanced approach, fight the virus, and keep Missourians as safe as possible,” Parson said. “A tremendous amount of work has been accomplished over the past 12 months, and I could not be more proud of Missourians for their efforts.”...

SIKESTON — Ronnie Hewitt, age 79, passed away on March 7, 2021, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born Sept. 15, 1941, in Canalou, to the late Nathaniel and Grace Pointer Hewitt. On July 31, 1965, in the community of J.Y. near Portageville, he married Brenda Lewis Hewitt who survives of the home in Canalou...

BERTRAND, Mo. — Betty Jane McKinley, age 84, died Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at the Miner Nursing Home of Sikeston. Born Oct. 30, 1936, to the late Arthur and Sue Parr, she was one of 10 children, all of whom preceded her in death except for one sister, Nancy Hurst of Sikeston...

SIKESTON — Michael Lee Thompson passed away at Evelyn's House-BJC Hospice in Creve Couer on Saturday, March 6, 2021. His family expresses heartfelt gratitude for their care over the past week, and for the prayerful support and practical helps of the body of Christ, Mike's friends and loved ones.
Born March 24, 1952, in Cape Girardeau, son of Thomas Ewing Thompson and Martha Adeline (Hart) Thompson; both parents now predecease him. ...

SIKESTON — With rain in the forecast for Saturday the Historic Downtown Sikeston’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival has been moved back one week. Jason Davis, director of Historic Downtown Sikeston, announced Monday that the Festival, originally scheduled for Saturday, would be moved to March 20. The Saturday forecast calls for 60% chance of rain...

SIKESTON — Lavern Church, age 74, passed away on March 8, 2021, at his home in Sikeston. He was born Oct. 12, 1946, in Tuckerman, Arkansas, to Thersie Hutchinson Church and the late Alfred Church. He was a self-employed general contractor for many years before retiring; he served in the Army National Guard...

SIKESTON — Mary E. (Harris) Jimerson, 81, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2021, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born March 16, 1939, in Jackson, Mississippi, to the late Will Harris and Rosie (Jones) Harris. She was married to the late Danny Jimerson. “Ms. Sugar Do,” as she was affectionately called, was the mother of 16 children —11 sons and five daughters...

Over 1 million Missourians have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, 16.8% of Missourians have initiated vaccination with over 221,000 doses administered in the last week. As of Tuesday morning, there have been almost 1.6 million doses given...

“A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google. In the male-dominated field of economic development those voices come from at least four women in Southeast Missouri, who play crucial roles in their communities and Southeast Missouri as a whole...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - It is a deputy’s worst nightmare. He is chasing a suspect in a crime and as they wind their way through mostly rural New Madrid County, he needs to radio dispatch his location for backup. Looking for a road sign to give his location, all the officer sees is a pole. The sign is gone...

SIKESTON — Children throughout the area will be learning about animals as part of the Sikeston Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. The theme this year is “Tails and Tales” with featured readings about animals all over the world. The program will be held between June 7 and July 30 and there is plenty planned, including a total of three presentations...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. - A family was left homeless after fire swept through their residence. Just after midnight Sunday, the Portageville Fire Department”s Engine 1 and Ladder 10 responded to a fire call at residence on Workman Avenue. Prior to their arrival, it was learned all occupants were out of structure and that it was fully involved...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — A woman was injured when a fire got out of control. According to New Madrid Police Chief Joey Higgerson at approximately 2 p.m Monday residents were burning yard waste near their house in the 300 block of Powell Street. The fire spread across the yard to the house catching the south wall on fire...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Warren E. Hearnes Elementary School will soon receive new playground equipment, including some pieces that are inclusive. The project was made possible by a grant from the Mississippi County SB40 Board as well as the CDC Healthy Schools Grant, in addition to local funding...

Sikeston Fifth and Sixth Grade Center has announced its fifth grade February character education Students of the Month. The word of the month was patience

The sixth grade February character education Students of the Month have been announced by the Sikeston Fifth and Sixth Grade Center. The word of the month was patience.

The Sikeston Kindergarten Center has announced its Top Dog bus riders for February. These students were chosen by the bus drivers.

The Sikeston Preschool Pups of the month for February were recently named.

CHARLESTON, Mo. — James and Daphne Thomas of Charleston have announced the engagement of their daughter, Haley Anne, to Dylan Kevin Essner, son of Kevin and Gwen Essner of Cape Girardeau. A 2019 graduate of Southeast Missouri University with a Bachelor of Science, the future bride currently is a third-year student at St. ...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - Christina McWaters, executive director of the New Madrid Chamber of Commerce, has often visited with business owners after they have moved into their new locations. Now, it is McWaters who is busy settling into a new address. In early February, the New Madrid Chamber office moved to 537A Mott St...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - It will be a mix of magical musical moments from Disney and Pixar movies when the New Madrid County Central High School Band performs at 7 p.m. Thursday in the high school gymnasium. The 65-member band will perform music from the movies “The Incredibles,” “Coco,” Ratatouille,” “Up” and “Toy Story.” According to band director Ethan Flood, the music will be performed as select scenes from each of the movies are shown...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – A former New Madrid, Mo., firefighter will go to prison after stealing money from a fundraiser meant to benefit the community’s late fire chief. Jennifer S. Newton, 47, was sentenced March 4 to six months in prison on each of two counts of wire fraud by United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. The sentences are to be served concurrently...