Stories from Tuesday, June 16, 2015

By NOREEN HYSLOP Managing Editor A father and son's vacation ended tragically this week for a well known local family. The family of Richard Williams, 39, learned early Tuesday that he died while aboard a cruise ship on Monday. Williams had taken his kindergarten age son, Tayton, on a Disney cruise to the Cayman Islands, and when he began to feel ill on the boat, he reportedly asked the daycare center on the ship to take care of his son while he went to his cabin to rest. ...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Construction of the new bridge on County Road 307 in Pike Township should get underway in late July, the commission was told at their regular meeting Monday. The main part of the meeting consisted of a pre-construction conference involving representatives of Smith & Company, Engineers; Robertson Contractors, Inc.; and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)...

In a world of changing technologies, few entertainment mediums remain as consistent as writing. And, while technologies may continue to develop that allow someone to have their work published, The Daily Statesman would like to lend a hand to all aspiring writers...

Over and over, we've heard and we've even said repeatedly to readers, "If it sounds too good to be, it is." Well, in this case it sounds extraordinary, and it really is. For a nine-day period beginning on July 14 and continuing through July 23 -- with the exception of Sunday, July 19 -- members of the National Guard's U.S. Army and U.S. Naval services will be in Dexter to offer free healthcare services...

Missouri Department of Conservation Agent Eric Heuring from Dunklin County is shown assisting Riley Zoll at the archery range during Saturday's JAKE's Day activities held at the Holly Ridge Archery Range. Through a cooperative effort between the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Missouri Department of Conservation, JAKE's Day is held annually in June to endorse survival skills and outdoor activities for area youth. ...

CHARLESTON, Mo. - The Charleston Fighting Squirrels became the first team to score runs against the undefeated St. Louis Sting but came up short in its bid to knock off the big-city juggernaut in the title game of the Fighting Squirrels Classic late Saturday night...

Student leaders with the Mingo Job Corps filled the back room of Dexter Barbeque Monday afternoon for this quarter's student leader awards. Pictured are the student leaders. At center, showing their plaques are Keynote Speaker Pastor Stan Dauck (left center) and SGA Award Winner Orville Kirkby. Dauck is the pastor at the Church of Christ in Bernie, and he gave a speech concerning what success truly means, as well as the importance of setting and achieving goals...

This mystery specimen is found in several area yards this time of year, often wreaking havoc with lawn mowing. The first individual to correctly identify this element of summertime nature via email to nhyslop@dailystatesman.com will receive a free one-month subscription to the paper. The answer will be revealed in the Wednesday edition of The Daily Statesman...

CHARLESTON, Mo. - The bottom part of the Charleston Fighting Squirrels lineup looked as dangerous as the top of the order in a championship semifinal of the 12-team wood bat tournament Saturday afternoon at Hillhouse Park in Charleston. No. 7 hitter Hunter Cook, No. ...

Elzora Robey, daughter of the late John Davenport and Mamie Ellis Davenport, was born on July 18, 1926, in Bertrand, Mo. and died on Jan. 24, 2015, at North Village Park Care Center in Moberly, Mo. at the age of 88. Mrs. Robey had worked in nursing and was a former resident of Dexter...

An Advance factory building originally built with volunteer labor in the early fifties is once more being renovated and re-fitted to serve the community. When the Advance branch of the Stoddard County Gospel Mission had to vacate their current location on Ruth Street, because the building had been sold, the Advance Ministerial Alliance stepped up to provide the Mission with a location that will furnish the local charity with 4400 square feet of operating space...

Four years ago, Advance resident Jennifer Nelson got on a plane to go on vacation. After being seated and struggling to buckle in, she realized her seatbelt was one inch short of fitting around her waist. "The passenger across from me was visibly disgusted. I was so embarrassed. I had to ask for a seatbelt extension. That's when I told myself, 'Never again. This is not going to happen next year,'" Nelson recalls...