Stories from Tuesday, June 11, 2024

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Citing health reasons, New Madrid County Sheriff Buddy Cooper has resigned from office. On Friday, June 7 Cooper submitted his resignation to the New Madrid County Commissioners. The resignation was effective immediately. On Monday, June 10 the County Commission appointed Ronnie Adams, former Portageville Police chief, as interim sheriff...

SIKESTON, Mo. — A Sikeston man is in custody on drug charges. Zachary Lee Aldrich, 37, was arraigned Monday, June 10 on charges of first degree trafficking of drugs or attempt, unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon...

SIKESTON — Two weeks after an EF3 tornado struck Sikeston, state and local agencies were together in one place Sunday, June 9 and Monday, June 10 in Sikeston to provide assistance as the community continues to recover...

SIKESTON — The Sikeston Little Theatre is in need of support after the May 26 EF3 tornado tore the roof off the building and caused extensive damage. The Sikeston Little Theatre is run entirely by volunteers who were only a week away from opening their most recent production, “The Play That Goes Wrong,” when the tornado struck. ...

BENTON, Mo. — A Sikeston man facing nearly 50 charges of forgery, stealing and money laundering involving local businesses was ordered bound over to circuit court. A preliminary hearing for Carl Eugene Rose was conducted June 5; witnesses were sworn and testimony was given, according to online court records. A judge ordered Rose bound over to circuit court on all charges, which include 46 felonies and four misdemeanors...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Sikeston residents, Laura Coalter Parker and Chesnye Steward were recently appointed to the Saint Francis Foundation Board of Directors. Both have long histories of philanthropic service to the community. Parker, a veteran of the insurance industry, is President and Partner of Coalter Insurance Group of Cape Girardeau. ...

STUTTGART, Ark. — As a philanthropic organization rooted in the Arkansas Delta and Bootheel of Missouri, the Riceland Foods Foundation has given almost $2 million in grant awards and donations over its 25-year history. Created to give back to the communities and organizations in which Riceland Foods is involved, the Foundation funds numerous types of projects and groups, including Agriculture, Community Building, Conservation, Education, Youth, Human Services, Arts and Culture, and more. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Saint Francis Healthcare System is proud to welcome Angela Kramer, MBA, BSN, RN, CNOR, CPPS, CPHQ, NEA-BC, as Vice President of Perioperative Services. Kramer joins Saint Francis from St. Francis - Emory Healthcare in Columbus, Georgia, where she served as Executive Director of Surgical Services...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Saint Francis Foundation recently recognized Lynn Richardet and Richardet Floor Covering with a Donor of Distinction Award for leadership giving. Theaward was presented at Grace Notes, an annual donor appreciation dinner hosted by the Foundation. ...

DUDLEY, Mo. — Michelle Akridge of Dudley a financial representative with Modern Woodmen of America, was New Member Leader in the Missouri East Region for the month of April. Akridge joined Modern Woodmen in September 2023. Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal life insurance society headquartered in Rock Island, Illinois.  Modern Woodmen provides life insurance, annuity, and security products to over 717,000 members nationwide...

SIKESTON — Willie Earl Walker, age 57, passed away April 25, 2024, at John H. Stoger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, Illinois. He was born March 24, 1967, in Sikeston, son of Mary Ellen Scott Walker and the late Aarron Calvin Walker. Willie was a graduate of Sikeston High School and had worked as a forklift operator at P&G. He loved his family...

SIKESTON — Larry Joe Johnson Sr., 71, of Sikeston passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was born on Sept. 4, 1952, in Osceola, Arkansas, to the late Ardean Johnson Sr. and Dora (Gaines) Johnson...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Louella C. Williams, 95, formerly of Sikeston, Missouri, died June 10, 2024, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Private family services will be held. McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston is in charge of arrangements.

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — James “Jim” Disher, 90, died June 8, 2024, at New Madrid Living Center in New Madrid, Missouri. Visitation was from 11:30 a.m. until service time at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 11 at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville with the Rev. Jason Whitson and the Rev. Reggie Grant officiating...