Stories from June 2004

Missouri's unemployment rate dropped in April as did that in the six-county Bootheel region. The state's unadjusted unemployment rate slipped from 5.2 percent in March to 4.5 percent April, and was a full percentage point lower than the same month a year ago. It was also nine-tenths of a point lower than the national jobless rate of 5.4 percent in April...

TRUMANN, Ark. -- The old saying "too much is not enough," certainly held true for the Dunklin County American Legion baseball team Saturday afternoon. Dunklin County held the Trumann, Ark., Twisters to just one run in 12 innings and didn't need a lot of offense to sweep a doubleheader. Despite not needing to put big numbers on the scoreboard, Dunklin County scored in a big way, defeating Trumann, 9-0 and 11-1 to improve to 3-1 on the young season...

BLOOMFIELD - Following the severe storms of the weekend, blue skies and a brisk breeze were order of the day for the 19th Annual Memorial Day Ceremonies Monday, May 31, at the south courthouse lawn. The Stars & Stripes-Harry C. Crumb American Legion Post #382 of Bloomfield made arrangements for the ceremony. An estimated 200 attended the Monday afternoon event...

In the past few weeks since starting back at the paper I have had a mixed reaction to some of my latest columns. Most have been positive and some have been negative; but, a lot of people have been discovering what makes me tick this time of year. Many people have started to realize that during an election year my main pet-peeve is uneducated votes...

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to college, along comes the news that "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" isn't just a campy TV show. It turns out it's also food for thought. A conference in Nashville last weekend drew students of the show from as far away as Singapore...

Alice Grim, a resident of Bloomfield, died Monday, May 31, 2004, at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield.

Wilma Lemons, daughter of the late Olando Smith and Ann Tucker Smith, was born April 21, 1915, at Essex and died in the Crowley Ridge Care Center at Dexter on Saturday, May 29, 2004, at the age of 89. Mrs. Lemons was a member of the Second General Baptist Church in Dexter, a housewife and resident of Dexter...

Carroll Findley, son of the late Samuel Findley and Barbara Capps Findley, was born Oct. 6, 1913, in Stoddard County and died in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center on Monday, May 31, 2004, at the age of 90. Mr. Findley was of the General Baptist faith, the former office manager for the U.S.D.A. Agricultural Service in Poplar Bluff for 40 years, a veteran of the United States Army and a resident of Dudley...

William Anthony Love, of Malden formerly of Clarkton, son of the late William Love and Carrie Lee Robinson Love, was born Sept. 13, 1951, at Blytheville, Ark., and died Friday, May 28, 2004, at Malden Nursing Center. Survivors include two daughters, Rachel Smith of Poplar Bluff and Petrina Love of Malden; five sisters, Pearlie Smith of York, Pa., Brenda Turner of Blyetheville, Ark., Joann Franklin and Jeanette Franklin, both of York, Pa., and Laura Anderson of Milwaukee, Wis.; four brothers, Willie Love of Clarkton, George Jackson of Essex; Winford Love of York, Pa., and Odel Love of Arkansas; and three grandchildren.. ...

Wayne Rodery, son of the late Joe Rodery and Ethel Mae George Rodery, was born at Clay County, Ark., on March 21, 1923, and died in the Malden Nursing Center on Friday, May 28, 2004, at the age of 81. Mr. Rodery attended the Nazarene Church of Bernie and lived in Bernie...

The Dexter Fire Department responded early Tuesday morning to Rick Shipman Construction off County Road 403 in Stoddard County. Joe Recker, of Sikeston reported that his car was overheated and his vehicle went up in flames. Dexter Firefighters responded quickly and extinguished the fire within five minutes. Dexter Fire Chief Al Banken said the cause of the fire was more than likely electrical...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Saturday saw an end come to a stellar season for a team and a noteworthy career for a Dexter athlete. The Dexter Lady Bearcats polished off their track season at the state championship meet at Lincoln University on Saturday, bringing home medals in two events...

After a large storm blew through Dexter and much of Stoddard County Sunday night, area residents were treated to a rainbow that came with the first break after the storm. The storm caused minimal damage in Dexter and caused dome other damage in Bloomfield...

But no one has stepped forward to claim big prize

D-DAY: 'THERE WERE SHIPS IN THE WATER IN ANY DIRECTION'

It was the mid-1970s, I was a freshman in college and had just finished my first choral concert as a college music student. As a freshman I felt privileged to be in the ensemble; actually, I was one of the only freshmen in the audition-only choir. Frankly, I was a little in awe. ...

Missouri teacher salaries are among the lowest in the United States and have been for longer than state officials realized. In an annual report released Thursday by the National Education Association, Missouri's average teacher salary ranked 44th in the nation, a drop of nine steps from last year's ranking of 35th. However, officials with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education discovered Tuesday that they'd reported incorrect data to NEA in past reports...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A Sikeston woman was arrested last week in connection with the Oct. 9, 2003, armed robbery of the Fifth Third Bank of Indianapolis after being recognized on the popular Fox TV program "America's Most Wanted." Television cameras were present when 22-year-old Naomi Betts was arrested. ...

Joyce LaVerne Frederick, daughter of the late William Harvey Thompson and Ruby Lee Stacy Thompson, was born June 27, 1943, at Gibson and died Wednesday, May 26, 2004, at Baptist Hospital at Memphis, Tenn., at the age of 60 On Sept. 8, 1962, she was united in marriage to Darrell Frederick at Kennett...

Alice Grim, the daughter of the late Frank and Mahala Eash Brookshire, was born in Weatherford, Okla., on July 11, 1920, and died at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau on Monday, May 31, 2004, at the age of 83. Mrs. Grim had been a resident of Bloomfield for 58 years. She was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Bloomfield. She had been a seamstress at the Elder Manufacturing in Bloomfield for over 30 years...

There's a place in the world where violence reigns supreme -- where killing is more than just a pastime; it's a way of life. It's a place where people with difference can't bear to work together and iron them out, preferring instead to slaughter thousands in an endless war of attrition...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- If you heard thunder last Thursday, it was not from a thunderstorm. The noise you heard was nearly 50 business and industry leaders and state legislators participating in a brainstorming session. It was the third of four Economic Roundtables hosted by Missouri Eighth District Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson. The event was held at the MU Delta Research Center...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- If you heard thunder last Thursday, it was not from a thunderstorm. The noise you heard was nearly 50 business and industry leaders and state legislators participating in a brainstorming session. It was the third of four Economic Roundtables hosted by Missouri Eighth District Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson. The event was held at the MU Delta Research Center...

There's a new hotel in Tampa that, according to a recent newspaper article, is trying to get a four-star rating with its Mediterranean style and top-flight amenities. Those amenities will include turn-down service, which I've heard of, and a complimentary olive bar, which I haven't. ...

Country music and dance this Saturday at Wappapello WAPPAPELLO -- This Saturday will feature Rick Helton and Country Accents at the Wappapello Civic Center. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Cost is $3 per person and $5 per couple. For more information, contact Viva Davis at (573) 222-8853...

The Heartland Children's Choir performed in the capitol rotunda in Jefferson City on May 11. The choir, pictured here lining the steps of the rotunda during the performance, performed a 40-minute set under the direction of Maria Chamberlain and even got a chance to sing on the floor of the General Assembly...

BLOOMFIELD - Charges were filed Wednesday afternoon against two of Stoddard County's top law enforcement officers. In complaints filed Wednesday by Special Prosecuting Attorney James R. Robinson, Sheriff Steve Fish and Chief Deputy Ricky Cook both were charged with separate counts of Class C Felony of stealing in violation of state law...

Whitney Crow, student of MaryRuth Boone, will be presented in a senior piano recital on Sunday, June 6, at 2:30 p.m. at the Pleasant Grove Community Church in Dexter. Crow, a recent Bernie High School graduate, is the daughter of Darell and Debbie Crow. She is the granddaughter of Ruby Crow of Bernie and the late Wenzil Crow and the late Pete and Imogene Koppman of Puxico...

BLOOMFIELD -- Several questions concerning the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department continue to be bandied about following charges filed against Stoddard County Sheriff Steve Fish and Chief Deputy Rick Cook. On Wednesday, June 2, Fish and Cook were both charged with a Class C felony of stealing. ...

BLOOMFIELD - A sizable impact will soon be felt on the amount of illegal drugs in Stoddard County; at least that's what SEMO Drug Task Force officer Dennis Fowler hopes. Fowler's hope stems the arrest of 13 people on May 27 and May 30. The arrests came about as a combined effort between the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department, the SEMO Drug Task Force and the Missouri Highway Patrol...

The Stoddard County Fairgrounds is the place to be for horse lovers this Saturday, as the 27th annual Missouri State Championship Racking Horse Show comes to Dexter. Racking horses are well-known for being animals of exceptional grace and beauty with great stamina and a calm disposition. Considered a "light" breed, weighing only about 1,000 pounds and standing an average 15.2 hands high, these horses are reputed to have one of the smoothest natural gaits of any horse in existence...

BLOOMFIELD -- The dedication of the new exhibit isn't the only event that will be happening to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day at the Stars and Stripes this weekend. Museum Curator Paul Arnold has organized events on both Saturday and Sunday to honor those who took up the task of ending the largest war in history...

Dexter Church of Christ "Bible Treasures" is the theme the Dexter Church of Christ has chosen for its annual Vacation Bible School, which begins next Monday, June 7, and continues through Friday, June 11. Bible classes are available for all ages, nursery through adult. All materials, as well as refreshments at snack time, are provided; there will be no collections. Activities start each day at 9:10 and end at 11:30 a.m. Everyone is invited; come and bring your family and friends...

BLOOMFIELD -- The Stars and Stripes Museum and Library is known as a warehouse of information on military history from all eras. From the Civil War to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the museum has information and displays on all of America's wars...

Gracie Marie Mitchell, daughter of William Mitchell of Richwoods and the late Beulah Choate Mitchell, was born on July 20, 1954, at St. Louis and died in her residence at Dexter on Thursday, June 3, 2004, at the age of 49. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dexter, an employee of the Dexter Burger King, involved with the activities of the Stoddard County A.R.C., and a resident of Dexter...

Rev. Stanley W. Chambers of Bridgeton was born July 20, 1915, at Columbus, Ohio, and died Wednesday, June 2, 2004, at Cypress Point Healthcare Center in Dexter at the age of 88. Rev. Chambers was the general superintendent and minister of organized church. He was the general secretary of United Pentecostal Church International for 22 years, a pastor and missionary...

Diane Mitchell (right), financial grants manager for the Regional Healthcare Foundation presented Taylor Nelson (left), of Dexter, with a $1,000 check. The check is to support the foundation's objective of improving the number of healthcare workers. Nelson is a Junior in Dexter High School...

A five-day yard sale is loooooong. We participated in the 100 mile Memorial Day yard sale for this first time this year. We prepared for it with great expectations and we sold  a lot of our "stuff". Now,  we didn't know a lot about yard sales, we just knew the "stuff" had to be cheap. ...

A commentary by Megan Keathley and members of Senior Girl Scout Troop 60 "Excuse me, sir, do you speak English?" "Yes." "Oh, okay...would you like some free pizza?" "Oh...sure!" What chances are there of having this conversation at a normal hotel? Not much. But at a hostel, it can be commonplace, especially when there's extra Chicago-style deep-dish pizza to go around. That's one reason why we, the girls of Senior Girl Scout Troop 60, loved staying at Hostelling International Chicago...

BERNIE -- Citizens of Bernie seem to be asking one question lately: "What happened?" The question stems from the unknown employment situation concerning Bernie Police Chief James Tilmon; but also concerns the resignation of Bernie City Clerk Marla Tilmon, James Tilmon's wife...

Do you know your neighbor? A new web-site, which was started nearly two weeks ago as a community service, has received a considerable amount of attention as several people in Missouri are looking for names they might recognize. The Missouri sex offender registry, which is hosted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provides an extensive list of registered sex offenders in all Missouri Counties...

The saga continues in the City of Dexter's ordeal with modular homes, as City Attorney Bud Lawrence plans to present new language to the Board of Aldermen Monday night to help the city legally distinguish between manufactured homes and modular homes...

Fourth in a series of cancer survivor features preceding Stoddard County's August "Relay for Life" Sherry Dukes of Dexter is a woman who has always put the needs of others before her own. She has a quiet nature and a subtle smile that warms the hearts of all who have come to know her. ...

Leon Laird, the son of the late Clyde E. and Martha Rice Laird, was born in Essex on March 23, 1944, and died at his home in Dexter on Friday, June 4, 2004, at the age of 60. He had lived in Dexter and Essex for most of his life. He was employed by Tyson Foods in Dexter and had served in the U.S. Army. He was of the Baptist faith...

Thad Owens and Heather Cunningham browse through a table full of prizes offered this summer through Keller Public Library's Summer Reading Program. The program will take place on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon at the library through July 14. Ages 3-5 and 6-12 are welcome. Prizes were made available through a grant from Wal-Mart, Friends of the Library and other local merchants...

It must have been some sight -- the Supreme Commander, hands on his hips, chatting with young men in combat fatigues, black paint smeared on their faces and fear most certainly in their hearts. He asked their names and hometowns, joked with them a bit, and talked to them about the crucial mission on which they were about to embark...

BERNIE -- Tension filled the air Monday night at the regular Bernie City Council meeting in Bernie Monday night. The small meeting room was packed to standing room only as other concerned citizens stood outside during the meeting. Several were in attendance, apparently to obtain some clarification concerning the employment status of former Bernie Police Chief James Tilmon. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Although the Missouri Republican Party's platform calls for making approved state spending for public schools immune from midyear cuts by the governor, the party doesn't intend to pursue a constitutional change to strip future governors of the authority to do so...

BERNIE -- Despite heated public opinion and much community outcry, Bernie Mayor Willard Adams and the Bernie Board of Aldermen attempted to handle controversy surrounding former Bernie Police Chief James Tilmon as best as possible at the regular Bernie City Council meeting Monday night...

A new regional publication reaching thousands of homes in Southeast Missouri will debut this week. The new SEMO News Shopper will officially premiere this Wednesday, June 9, in Stoddard, Dunklin, New Madrid and Pemiscot counties in Missouri's Bootheel. The new publication is product of Delta Publishing -- North Division and will have a combined readership with The Daily Statesman of over 40,000 readers...

BLOOMFIELD -- On this date 60 years ago, thousands of young American men were locked in mortal combat on foreign shores in the largest battle ever known. Two days before, they had swarmed the beaches at Normandy, fighting their way out of the water against fierce German resistance as the largest invasion in history moved onto the shores of France...

A quick-thinking neighbor and a quick response from the Dexter Fire department caused a potential tragedy to be avoided Monday morning. At 11:39 a.m., Monday, the Dexter Fire Department was dispatched to 910 Mulberry Street after the neighbor next door saw smoke coming from inside the structure...

Diane Mitchell (right), financial grants manager for the Regional Healthcare Foundation presented Taylor Nelson (left), of Dexter, with a $1,000 check. The check is to support the foundation's objective of improving the number of healthcare workers. ...

I know I said last week that I would be writing a two-part column with the intent of breaking down both current political heavyweights jockeying for the presidency. And, yes I started last week with a column looking at President Bush; and I promised the same for Democrat contender John Kerry...

Playing Major League Baseball, somewhere along the way, is every little boy's dream. More so than that, pitching in the World Series is an even greater thought. Now, one of Stoddard County's own has reached the first step in acheiving that dream. Advance native Garrett Broshuis, who has spent the last three years as a pitcher for the Missouri Tigers, was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the fifth round, 160th overall, in Monday's Major League Draft...

Dexter has joined the large and growing list of cities opting out of the August sales tax holiday. By a 4-2 vote, the city's Board of Alderman voted Monday night not to participate in the holiday. Stoddard County has already decided to opt out. Under the sales tax holiday, clothing, school supplies and personal computers would all be exempt from sales tax during a three-day period starting the second Friday in August. ...

State officials call situation 'immediate threat'

Pam Stroup brings Mr. Tee around the rink at the 27th Annual Missouri State Racking Horse Championship show held in Dexter this past weekend. Mr. Tee competed in the Gated Please (2 Gait - English/Western) class and his trainer is Billy Street and owners James and Cal Smith of Dumas, Miss. ...

Marvin Hill, 65, a former resident of Essex and Malden, died at his home in Clarkton on Tuesday, June 8, 2004. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Watkins & Sons Funeral Home of Dexter.

Harry Anderson, a resident of Dexter, died on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, in the Missouri Southern Healthcare at Dexter at the age of 70. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Reba Cunningham, 95, a longtime resident of Poplar Bluff, was born Feb. 8, 1909, at Scott County and died Monday, June 7, 2004, at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was a homemaker and of the Methodist faith. Her husband, E.K. Cunningham, preceded her in death in 1973...

America has a sickness. It's a creeping plague that has reached its black hand over this great land for too many years now. It has made us into a people without priorities and wounded our ability to look at the world and life for what it is. But the plague I speak of is no physical sickness. ...

Well thank you very much, David R. Gillespie. Because you are unwilling to shell out a $5 cover and a couple more bucks for a beer or two, ladies' nights will no longer be a part of the New Jersey bar scene. Thanks to men like you in other states, the days of no cover and $1 beers for women may be limited across this great nation someday...

When the visitor steps in to the home of Bobbie and Dale Stites, Southeast Missouri fades away and it's as if we've made a trip south of the border to Mexico. We step through the front door onto cool Mexican tiles. Clay pottery is everywhere, and the massive wooden furniture beckons a welcome, reflecting the relaxed atmosphere of the Great Southwest...

Andrew Vaughn of Powell Supply starts his slide home during early inning action in Tuesday night's Instructional League play at the Dexter Sports Complex fields. Vaughn scored on this play against First Midwest Bank but the game was later called because of rain...

Whether at the public parks or at the public pool, kids in Dexter knew how to beat the heat Tuesday.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- After six years of failed efforts by Southeast Missouri lawmakers and sheriffs that included three deflating near misses, legislation intended to bolster local law enforcement funding is finally poised to become law. On Monday in Creve Couer, Gov. ...

Similar names, incorrect addressing, and a general lack of updating all seem to be causing difficulty for some people rather than providing a public service. The Daily Statesman has received information that Larry J. Whitsel, of Puxico shares the same name as his father, but is Larry J. Whitsel, Jr. The name appears on the list with out any junior or senior title...

Leo Lucas, a resident of rural Bloomfield, died Wednesday, June 9, 2004, in the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center at Bloomfield at the age of 88. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter...

Judy Sheryl Goode Burden, 55, died June 9, 2004, at her residence in Sikeston after a yearlong battle with colon cancer. She was born Sept. 28, 1948, in Sikeston, the youngest daughter of Hugh and Shirley Landers Goode who survive of Sikeston. She was the beautiful wife of James G. Burden of Sikeston, who survives of the home...

MoDOT crews worked Wednesday to resurface Highway 25 from the Business 60 intersection to one-half mile north of the intersection. The work continues to day until 6 p.m., weather permitting.

Celebration of 'remarkable life'

FULTON, Mo. (AP) -- Ronald Reagan got the world's attention in 1990 when he came to the college where Winston Churchill delivered his famous "iron curtain" address, helping to dedicate a sculpture made from pieces of the Berlin Wall. But there was little notice years earlier when the man then known only as a movie star was in the same Missouri town to deliver a commencement address at another school. ...

Marvin Hill, the son of Harriet McKeller Hill and the late William Hill, was born in Parma on March 12, 1939, and died in Clarkton on Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at the age of 65. Mr. Hill lived most of his life in the Malden area. He was a retired farm laborer and was a member of the New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church near Essex...

Harry L. Anderson, son of the late Frank Anderson and Effie Treat Anderson, was born Jan. 11, 1934, at Dexter and died in the Missouri Southern Healthcare at Dexter on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at the age of 70. Mr. Anderson was a mechanic for Bud Shell Ford in Dexter for 32 years, a veteran of the United States Air Force, a member of the Dexter Elks Lodge #2439, and a resident of Dexter...

Rex B. Davis, the son of the late Oscar B. and Cora Mae Neal Davis, was born in Parma on Oct. 26, 1918, and died at the Gideon Care Center on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at the age of 85. Mr. Davis had lived for 45 years in Michigan where he owned and operated three service stations. ...

Leo J. Lucas, Sr., son of the late George Lucas, was born July 10, 1915, at Wild Rose, Wis., and died on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, in the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Bloomfield at the age of 88. Mr. Lucas was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter and a resident of Bloomfield...

Jimmie Pullam, the son of the late Jesse Lee and Goldie Ellen Carter Pullam, was born near Dexter on May 27, 1935, and died at the Palos Hospital in Palos, Ill., on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at the age of 69. Mr. Pullam had lived in Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, Colorado and Ohio before moving to Dexter four years ago. ...

An unusual quilt will be displayed June 12 at Frisco. The quilt top was made before 1930 by the late Ellen Snider Myers and contains over 120 names embroidered on the blocks in family groupings. The names were of neighbors of Myers in Frisco and the surrounding area at the time. The quilt was recently finished by Fern Fowler of Frisco...

ALTRUSA held an installation ceremony for its newly elected officers for 2004-2005 on May 10. Pictured are (from left) Kathy White, president; June Chen, vice president; Jane Smith, treasurer; Bettie Nugent, director; and Kyra Taylor, immediate past president. Not pictured are Director Cindy Weber and Secretary Jenny Lamar...

Sometimes just when you think you know a person you get a surprise - like a bolt out of the blue. That's what happened to me earlier this week. I thought I knew my husband fairly well. Maybe I'd better clarify that. I thought I knew his cooking skills fairly well. Turns out I didn't have a clue...

The following column was published Sept. 15, 1988, following President Ronald Reagan's visit to Cape Girardeau. I arrived at Washington's National Airport aboard a TWA flight from St. Louis on a bone-chilling Sunday -- Jan. 4, 1981. Thrilled with my opportunity, enthused about prospects of a new job on Capitol Hill, determined to do my part in effecting watershed change at a crucial point in our nation's history, I could barely contain my excitement. ...

There are several subtle rules of flag care many people may not know about.

Fifth in a series of cancer survivor features to preview Stoddard County's Relay for Life. When Brenda Dowdy retired from teaching three years ago, having spent 30 years in an elementary classroom, she looked forward to a little traveling, shopping for antiques, spending time in the gym, and time with her family. ...

For one Dexter girl, the summer looks to be full of the sound of music. Rachel Long, a Dexter High School senior and the daughter of Jim and Liz Long, was one of 200 music students in the state of Missouri to be selected to tour Europe with the Missouri Ambassadors of Music. The Missouri Ambassadors is comprised of a highly select concert band, choir, string orchestra and jazz band...

Edward F. Hoffman, Hyannis, Mass., was born Aug. 7, 1910, and died Monday, June 7, 2004, at Cape Cod Hospital at the age of 93. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Elizabeth Joeckel, on Oct. 28, 1967. In 1969 Mr. Hoffmann moved to Boston, Mass. In 1982, Mr. Hoffmann was one of the first residents at Village at the Fawcett's Pond, Hyannis, Mass., on Cape Cod. He was a life long member of the Lutheran Church, and at his death a member of First Lutheran Church, West Barnstable, Mass...

Leo J. Lucas, Sr., son of the late George Lucas, was born July 10, 1915, at Wild Rose, Wis., and died on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, in the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Bloomfield at the age of 88. Mr. Lucas was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter and a resident of Bloomfield...

Like many Americans this week, my thoughts have turned often to President Ronald Reagan and his incredible impact on our nation, our world and even my generation. I recalled the day he took the oath of office for the first time, the horrible day when he was almost killed by a would-be assassin, and the times when he gave voice to our national thoughts and feelings. ...

BERNIE -- The city of Bernie now has a new city clerk and soon could have a new municipal emergency warning system thanks to actions taken by the Bernie Board of Aldermen at a special meeting Monday night. The meeting started with the board of Aldermen electing Karen Walker as the new city clerk. Walker now fills the position formerly held by Marla Tilmon, who recently resigned...

The Bloomfield City Council took a first tentative step Monday night toward implementing planning and zoning restrictions in the city limits. Any action on the matter would be quite some time down the road, but planners with the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission came to educate council members on the process of implementing a planning and zoning code...

The deadline is nearing for submitted information for the Hometown Heroes book honoring veterans of World War I and World War II from Stoddard County. The book is to be published by The Daily Satesman and Delta Publishing. Book editor Annabeth Miller will be at several locations this week to meet veterans and their families and accept photographs and memorabilia for the book. This week's schedule includes:...

Boy Scout Pack 200 Den Leaders Brian Phornburgh and Ben Rodgers raise the flag from half staff at Dexter Fire Station No. 2 Monday morning to observe Flag Day.

Loren Coffey, son of the late Lawrence Coffey and Nora Warren Coffey, was born on Nov. 23, 1915, near Essex and died in the residence of his daughter at Dexter on Monday, June 14, 2004, at the age of 88. Mr. Coffey was a member of the Second General Baptist Church in Dexter where he was a former Sunday School teacher, the former owner of Dexter Coal and Ice Company, the former owner of Coffey Construction Company, the co-owner of Coffey & Camp Lumber Company in Dexter, a 50-year member of Dexter Masonic Lodge #532, a former member of the Dexter Public Schools Board of Education for 33 years, a former board member of the Oakland City College, a member of the Dexter Kiwanis Club and resident of Dexter.. ...

Vincent A. Steimel, son of the late John A. Steimel and Mary Liekhous Steimel, was born Nov. 29, 1912, at Greeley, Neb., and died in the Mulberry Manor at Dexter on Sunday, June 13, 2004, at the age of 91. Mr. Steimel attended the First Baptist Church of Dexter, was a former Chemical Engineer for Dow Chemical in Midland, Mich., and a resident of Dexter...

Cierra Ingram, infant daughter of Christine Ingram of Dexter, died on Friday, June 11, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She is survived by her mother; one brother, Bryce Ingram of Dexter; maternal grandmother, Carla Bogue of Midway, Tenn.; maternal grandfather, Richard Ingram of Troy, Mich.; maternal great-grandfather, Carl Rice of Dexter; and one aunt, Dorothy Ellison of Dexter...

The Dexter Eagle's Club made generous donation of $430 to the Stoddard County Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC). Pictured are: (from left to right) Norma James, of the Eagles Auxiliary; Brenda Hueckel, past madame president of the Eagles Auxiliary; Glenda McCollough, President of the Stoddard County ARC; Sherry Jines, Executive Director of the Stoddard County ARC. the money will be used for the ARC activities fund...

Sheldon McGregor, son of the late Hadley and Cosa Swanner McGregor, was born in Massillon, Ohio, on Jan. 14, 1945, and died with his family at his side at the Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis on Monday, June 14, 2004, at the age of 59. Mr. McGregor had lived in Michigan before moving to Puxico five years ago. He moved to Ferguson. He was the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Granite City, Ill. He held a Ph.D. in genetics...

Stoddard County Relay for Life Co-chair Belinda Worley addresses the group at its second planning meeting Monday night at the Stoddard County Public Health Center. Worley announced the registration deadline for the event, July 26. The Stoddard County Relay for Life will be held Aug. 27 at Dexter's West Park...

Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts with Pack 200 gathered at Dexter Fire Station No. 2 Monday morning to observe Flag Day. Fire Chief Al Banken led the group in a recital of the Pledge of Allegiance after the raising of the American flag. Pictured are (from left) Jon Rodgers, cub scout; Hunter Frampton, cub scout; Jeremiah Phornburgh, cub scout; Ben Rodgers, den leader; Wes Rodgers, den leader; and Brian Phornburgh, den leader...

I see where the U.S. Supreme Court has permitted the phrase "Under God" to remain in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. For the moment, anyhow. The high court ruled on Flag Day that atheist Michael Newdow lacks judicial standing to sue to have the phrase removed from thepledge. And some have said that in so ruling, the court has managed to duck a decision on whether the pledge actually does violatethe principle of separation of church and state...

As promised, here is the second installment of my presidential candidate review. This time it's presidential hopeful John Kerry's turn under the microscope. While I could simply print a basic list of discrepancies, I simply won't as it would take too much space and would also be very dry. Instead, I would prefer to focus my attention on a few things with Kerry; mainly a question of character...

In recognition of his 20 years of service as SCORE Chapter 458 chairman and more than 40 years of service in economic development in southeast Missouri, Jim Carson of Poplar Bluff was recently appointed to the Business Advisory Council of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Shown congratulating Carson is John Barham (right), of Wappapello, secretary of SCORE Chapter 458...

Dorothy Lewis, of Bell City, was honored at recognition events in Jefferson City as one of 11 finalists for Missouri's 14th annual Outstanding Older Worker Contest on May 5th and 6th. Each year, the contest recognizes significant contributions these and other older workers bring to the workforce, while encouraging employers to hire the older worker. ...

Marion L. Edmundson, the son of the late Samuel and Martha Ann Caldwell Edmundson, was born in Edmonson Community south of Puxico on Oct. 27, 1911, and died at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, June 12, 2004, at the age of 93...

McAtee's to perform at Outdoor Theater WAPPAPELLO -- The McAtee's gospel band will perform Friday at the Lake Wappapello Outdoor Theatre with Level Ground bluegrass/gospel band from Dexter. Saturday the featured entertainers for the evening will be the bluegrass band Buzzard Run. Their unique bluegrass sound makes them one of the favorite bluegrass bands to appear at the theatre...

Currently, samples are taken only from those convicted of violent or sexually oriented crimes.

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Bradley Lively had additional surgery Monday night but is reported to be conscious and improving after being struck by a car Monday morning. Lively, 37, a zone supervisor for Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Scott counties, was struck by a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero driven by Talisa Jackson, 23, of St. Louis. The accident occurred on northbound Interstate 55 a mile north of Cape Girardeau while Lively was conducting a traffic stop...

Complaints have recently surfaced over the City of Dexter's policy of letting municipal employees drive their work vehicles to and from work. But city officials say the complaints are nothing new, that investigations have shown no abuse of the policy and that the policy works to create a faster response time in case of emergencies...

BLOOMFIELD -- After years of debate and some trial and error, Stoddard County Sheriff Steve Fish is happy with the new law enforcement fund bill. Missouri Governor Bob Holden was scheduled to sign the bill, which would allow counties throughout Missouri to impose fines on criminals as a means of restitution, on Monday in Creve Coure...

Norma Litzler, a resident of Dexter died on Monday, June 14, 2004, at Cypress Point Healthcare in Dexter at the age of 70. Funeral services are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

J. Floyd Naylor, the son of the late Harmon and Willie Young Naylor, was born in Finger, Tenn., on July 28, 1916, and died at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter on Sunday, June 13, 2004, at the age of 87. Mr. Naylor recently moved to Dexter but was a former resident of Milan, Tenn., and Birmingham, Ala. ...

The rains Tuesday didn't stop brothers Taylor (right) and Caleb Shafer from enjoying an afternoon bike ride.

With the death of President Ronald Reagan, the G-8 Summit passed by last week without much of anyone noticing it -- and the world leaders (the world' most powerful, at that) couldn't be happier about that fact. In fact, it stands to reason that the majority of Americans don't even know what the G-8 Summit is. Without getting into Illuminati-type conspiracy theories, I'll try to explain the purpose of the summit (even though its secrecy lends itself very well to those Illuminati theories)...

"I have never accidentally eaten anything." So said nationally noted motivational speaker Zig Ziglar about his former problem with his weight. And it is with increasing disgust that I note the incerasingly common view that anything bad is always somebone else's fault...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The public perception, according to Missouri Bar president Bill Corrigan, is that the ranks of the Missouri Legislature are dominated by lawyers. The reality is quite to the contrary. Slightly more than 13 percent of the 197 people currently serving in the legislature are lawyers, down from 26 percent 30 years ago and 38 percent a century ago. ...

The Dexter Police department has issued a public service announcement concerning a new scam that may be making its way around the Stoddard County area. According to police, two men, both Caucasian; one approximately six-foot tall and the other approximately five-feet and four-inches tall, have already decided to target an elderly woman in Dexter...

SCOTT CITY -- An overloaded electrical system is believed to be what destroyed a house at 115 Washington Ave. in Scott City Wednesday morning. State fire marshal Butch Amann is continuing his investigation into the cause of the fire, but Scott City fire chief Jay Cassout said it seems apparent that the cause was electrical...

The businessman who imported the egg product says the U.S. government made the mistake.

The pesky sports gods have prevailed once again and successfully kept the sports world in balance, because they know we can't take too many surprises this early in the year. It all started in January when the cinderella Carolina Panthers looked like - on paper - they could handle the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for the fans of the silver and blue, it didn't happen...

A small earthquake near New Madrid on Tuesday morning shook more than a few walls; it seems to have shaken the concerns of area residents. Given that Stoddard County sits well on the New Madrid fault line, any news of seismic activity appears to spark additional concern...

Norma J. Litzler, daughter of the late Fred Litzler and Rosalind Becking Litzler, was born June 22, 1933, at Dexter and died in the Cypress Point Healthcare in Dexter on Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at the age of 70. Ms. Litzler was affiliated with Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter and an office clerk for Civil Service at various governmental installations...

On Wednesday, June 9, Jean Rahm, Candice Summer and Janson Gibson presented a special children's program at the Keller Public Library about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Rahm played the character William Clark, while Gibson played the part of Merriweather Lewis and Summer played Sacagawea...

Rick Shipman of Rick Shipman Construction, left accepts a safety award from Louie Prestage, loss prevention consultant with Missouri employers Mutual Insurance in recognition of Shipman's sterling safety record over the past year and a half.

The federal Election Assistance Commission announced earlier this week that the state of Missouri will be receiving a $45 million grant to overhaul its election operations. Missouri is one of only 21 states to receive the money, which comes from $2.3 billion the bipartisan federal commission will be distributing this year. The money is being distributed as part of the Help America Vote Act, a piece of legislation well-known to election activists and officials...

As the weather grows warmer and summer begins to thrive, the members of the Friends of the Library in Dexter are preparing for what they hope to be an annual event. According to Friends of the Library President Debbie Bowling, the board has wanted a fundraiser for every quarter of the year; however was always unable to set one up for the second quarter...

Dora Warren, a resident of Bernie, died on Thursday, June 18, 2004, in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center at the age of 85. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie.

Thelma Triplett Moss, daughter of the late John and Lelia Tucker Triplett, was born April 19, 1921, at Gray Ridge and died Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at Van Buren at the age of 83. She graduated in 1941 from Gray Ridge High School. She was a nurse at Sikeston Hospital for 52 years...

Nelrose Douglass Overall, daughter of the late John a. Douglass and Cora Caroline Mann Douglass, was born Oct. 4, 1915, at Clarkton and died Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at her son's residence in Dexter. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Holcomb. She was a retired school teacher from Clarkton...

Roger Owens pulled a grinder-pump motor from the sewer system at Westridge apartments to fix the sewer leak there. Owens said he hopes to have the problem fixed by next week.

Here are some of the homes you can see on the Town and Country Garden Tour on June 26 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tickets are $5, and the event is sponsored by the Friends of Keller Library. Tickets with tour stop addresses and directions can be picked up at Keller Public Library, the Dexter Chamber of Commerce or from any Friends board member...

Seems not a day goes by that there isn't some attack by Iraqi insurgents. That is, if you watch what passes for news coverage of our effort to establish a democracy in Iraq, each day features some roadside bomb, ambush or car bomb attack in some populated area...

I have my three granddaughters, one grand-son-in-law and one grandson -boyfriend fooled. They think I am a super duper cook with lots of good food. At times (especially when they are coming) I try to have the things they like -- beef stroganoff, blueberries- any way -- chicken and dumplings, and cocoanut cream pie -- to name a few...

Dora Bates Warren, daughter of the late James Sylvester Bates and Martha Emeline English Bates, was born at Bernie on June 26, 1918, and died Friday, June 18, 2004, in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff at the age of 85. Ms. Warren was a homemaker and a member of the Bernie United Methodist Church and lived in Bernie...

Dale Mecey, 63, passed away on Friday, June 18, 2004. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 21, in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home at Warner Robins, Ga.; the Reverend Mark Gentry will officiate. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home prior to the service, starting at 1:00 p.m...

Diana L. McGowan, a resident of Bernie, passed away on June 18, 2004, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau at the age of 47. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced later by the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie...

Sixth in a series of Cancer Survivor features to promote Stoddard County's upcoming "Relay for Life"

When warm weather approaches, golf fans everywhere have only one thing on their minds -- hitting the green. In droves they show up on their favorite courses looking for golf glory. While golfing is just a pastime for many of them, others use their love of golf to raise money for charities. On Saturday, June 26, golf fans will once again get a chance to have fun and raise money for a good cause, as the 18 Fore Life Golf Tournament comes to Dexter...

A Stoddard County 4-H club member is heading Down Under. Josh Delay, incoming junior at Bloomfield High School, left Saturday to join -- and lead -- a group of 12 youngsters from the upper Midwestern states on a 4-H International Foreign Youth Exchange program (IFYE) as ambassadors to Australia...

This isn't the first year Josh Heaton has celebrated Father's Day as a father; but it is the first year he has celebrated the holiday as the winner of the Father's Day look-alike contest. From the time his son, Parker, was born, Heaton said people have been comparing the similarities that both father and son share. Heaton's wife Amy said the similarities were recognizable early on...

It was late on a summer evening, and the dinner dishes had been cleared from the old, round gate leg table in the kitchen. Mom was still at the sink cleaning up the dishes and putting the kitchen in order for the night. I proudly brought out of my bedroom the story - my first news story. ...

By now you have no doubt figured out there is a new kid on the block. And that's true in the literal sense. My family and I have just-- as in "June 11" -- moved to Dexter from Paragould, Ark. I have nine years in the journalism business, all of it in Paragould and all of it learned on the job. ...

BLOOMFIELD -- The Bootheel area could soon see quite an economic growth over the next few years. At least, such is the hope of the Southeast Missouri Economic Development Alliance (SMEDA). Composed of representatives from six different counties which make up the Bootheel region, SMEDA, met at the Stoddard County Industrial Development Association (IDA) office on Friday...

With the deadline nearing for submitting information for two new books honoring veterans of World War I and II, a series of opportunities is planned for are veterans and their families. Delta Publishing will release this fall "Hometown Heroes", two books honoring veterans of the two world wars from Stoddard and Dunklin counties. ...

In its fight with major telephone companies, the city of Dexter is engaging a bit more help. The city's board of aldermen voted unanimously to spend $1,377 to retain another law firm to help the attorney representing Dexter and several other cities in Missouri in a lawsuit to recover franchise fees from a long list of phone companies providing wireless service to customers in the state. ...

Patty Ann Thomason, daughter of Wilda Horn Menley of Dexter and the late Harry Jack Lamb, was born in Lilbourn on Sept. 3, 1951, and died in the Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter on Friday, June 18, 2004, at the age of 52. Mrs. Thomason was a homemaker, attended the Dexter Church of Christ, and a resident of Bloomfield...

Lanora Mae Blankenship, 81, of Oak Ridge, died Thursday, June 17, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born June 26, 1922, at Essex, the daughter of James D. and Clara Belle Trotter Hooks. She and O.D. Blankenship were married in 1942 in Piggott, Ark. He died in March, 1957...

William H. Lawson, son of the late John William Lawson and Lillie Davis Lawson, was born in Paducah, Ky., and died in the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Dexter on Saturday, June 19, 2004. Mr. Lawson was a member of First Assembly of God Church in Dexter, a forty-year member of Gideon's International, where he was past-President of Dexter Camp, Past-President of Dexter Kiwanis Club, and a resident of Dexter...

Eddie Samuel White, Jr., the son of the late Eddie Samuel White, Sr. and emma Peterson White, was born Sept. 17, 1932, at Beulah, Miss., and died Thursday, June 17, 2004, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center at the age of 71. He was a member of Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Malden...

Ross B. James, son of the late Chester A. James and Walice Rutledge James, was born June 19, 1918, at Jasper, Ark., and died in the Crowley Ridge Care Center at Dexter on Sunday, June 20, 2004, at the age of 85. Mr. James was a member of the Essex First Baptist Church as deacon for the past 54 years. He was a self-employed farmer and a resident of Dexter...

Sally A. Smith, daughter of the late Jessie James Smith and Pearl Marie McCormick Smith, was born Oct. 9, 1948, in Topeka, Kan., and died on Sunday, June 20, 2004, in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center at the age of 55. Ms. Smith was of the Catholic faith, a caretaker for the elderly, and a resident of Des Arc...

Diana Lynn McGowan, daughter of Donald Durham and Marlin Hillyard Durham, was born at Dexter on Feb. 8, 1957, and died in the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau on June 18, 2004, at the age of 47. She was united in marriage to Jan McGowan on April 26, 1975, in Bernie. To this union, two sons were born...

Lenora Smith, the daughter of the late Luther and Bessie Eaker Gooch, was born in Hornersville on July 18, 1918, and died at the Missouri Southern Healthcare facility in Dexter on June 19, 2004, at the age of 85. Mrs. Smith had lived in the Essex area most of her life until moving to Dexter 17 years ago. ...

Walter Dale Lane, a resident of Sikeston, died Monday, June 21, 2004, at the Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., at the age of 55. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced later by the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter...

Back during the 2002 election cycle, I'd written a column likening the Congressional election to a Road Runner cartoon. For it seemed each and every issue raised by Democrats and the mainstream media (to the extent there is a difference between the two) was analogous to one or another of Wile E. Coyote's schemes, designed to catch the road runner which instead blew up, squashed or otherwise defeated the coyote...

There are relatively few certainties in life: 1. Death and taxes; 2. The smallest book ever is the book of French war heroes; 3. Bob Holden is bad for the people and state of Missouri. I bring this up because, like several others, I have in a short period of time been bombarded by campaign commercials from the governor's office hailing him as a champion of the people. As a wise man once said: "It simply ain't so."...

Summer is here, and has brought with it a slightly higher number of petty crimes. But, according to Dexter Police Chief Paul Haubold, it isn't all that new. Although some area residents have voiced concerns over what seems to be a rise in the number of crimes such as vandalism and petty theft, Haubold contends that this just seems to happen in the summer months...

Summer has now officially arrived, and gardens throughout the community are blooming with the season's wide array of flowers. Heather Russell, the Calendar Girl for June, enjoys a few moments in one of Dexter's finest gardens to celebrate summer's arrival. ...

Members of the Dexter Fire Department responded quickly Tuesday afternoon to the Dish Network office on Walnut Street after smoke was reported inside the building. According to Fire Chief Al Banken, there was no fire. Banken said the firefighters found a light fixture which seemed to be producing smoke, but couldn't say whether or not the fixture was the exact cause. Firefighters are pictured above using positive pressure fans to clear smoke and pressurize the building...

Dale Lane, son of Mary Duncan Lane of Dexter and the late Walter Eugene Lane, was born in Dexter on Feb. 11, 1949, and died in the Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., on Monday, June 21, 2004, at the age of 55. Mr. Lane was a member of the Church of God in Sikeston, a truck driver for Schneider Transport, and a resident of Sikeston...

Maryln "Sue" Ford was born July 16, 1947, in Wayne County, the daughter of the late Earnest and Etta Marie Hovis Abernathy, and died Monday, June 21, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau at the age of 56. She was a cook for the Advance school system. She was a member of the Bethel General Baptist Church near Advance...

V.A. Sielert, 75, and a former resident of Dexter, died May 25, 2004, in Westport, Conn. He graduated from Dexter High School in 1946. He lived in Westport, Conn., for 35 years, after residing in California for 23 years. He was a retired director of Loss Prevention for GTE with 40 years of service. An active member of the National Safety Council, Mr. Sielert was also a member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and a volunteer at the Pequot Library for 20 years...

Stoddard County chief deputy Rick Cook receives a token of appreciation for his instruction as a D.A.R.E officer 12 years ago from Destiny Simmons. Simmons, who is blind, said Cook was instrumental in getting D.A.R.E. workbooks for her that were written in Braille. Simmons added the foundations laid by the D.A.R.E. program, coupled with Cook's continued involvement with her family long after the program was completed, had helped sustain her through major crises in her life...

Amber Whitley, 18, is the recipient of a scholarship from the Visiting Nurses Association. She has been a Certified Nurse's Aide since April 2003, working at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center for two years. Amber plans to get an assictae's degree in nursing, followed by a BSN and an MSN. Her ultimate goal is to become a nurse practitioner specializing in pediatric and neonatal care...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Bob Holden today plans to sign into law an omnibus agriculture bill that includes provisions standardizing meat inspection regulations and to encourage farmers to pay required levies for boll weevil eradication. Holden is to sign the legislation in St. Joseph after having conducted bill-signing ceremonies in other parts of the state this election year. It will take effect Aug. 28...

BLOOMFIELD -- Do you know what's cooking next door? Do you know what the kids next door might be going through? These are the types of questions posed to area juvenile officers by SEMO Drug Task Force agent Dennis Fowler. For the first time ever with the Stoddard County Juvenile Office, Fowler conducted a class pertaining to narcotics information...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The two Democratic candidates for Missouri's 8th District seat in Congress have many things in common, but their chief similarity is opposition to what they see as the failed economic policies of President George W. Bush and his fellow Republicans...

Andrew Franklin Reed, son of the late Herman Reed and Tessie Owens Reed, was born Dec. 10, 1915, at Powe and died in the Missouri Delta Medical Center at Sikeston on Tuesday, June 22, 2004, at the age of 88. Mr. Reed was a former body shop employee of General Motors in Pontiac, Mich., and a resident of Dexter...

Something's out of whack. And if you have been following what passes for news these days, you'll understand. Day after day we are barraged with stories of the Abu Ghraib ("grah-eeb," not "grabe") prison story -- or "scandal," depending on who's reporting it...

The Dexter Chamber of Commerce has some more money to use in pursuit of its goal of furnishing its conference and training room. ArvinMeritor OE, LLC of Dexter donated $1,500 to the Chamber on Wednesday. "Wow," said Chamber Economic Development Coordinator Janet Coleman. "This is more than we expected to get."...

"Now, can someone tell me where I can go to get my reputation back?" That's what former White House Travel Office chief Billy Dale asked after his trial on charges of misappropriation of funds in the so-called "Travelgate" scandal -- that resulted in his acquittal in less than two hours of jury deliberation...

Staff of the Richland School District are getting a long-overdue pay raise. The district board voted the staff a 4 percent pay raise at last night's board meeting. ""Our financial situation is very good right now," said superintendent Ken Latham before the vote took place. "We were $150,000 under budget even with the state [funding] cuts."...

The national day of mourning for President Ronald Reagan was June 11. Nonetheless, countless flags throughout Stoddard County, like these at the Missouri veterans Cemetery south of Bloomfield, remain at half-staff in a seemingly ongoing tribute to the leadership and popularity of the former movie actor, known as "the Gipper" for his role in the 1940 film Knute Rockne, All American...

Lacy Walker, daughter of the late William Penn Hill and Carolyn Berry Hill, was born July 26, 1909, at Ethridge, Tenn., and died in the Crowley Ridge Care Center at Dexter on July 22, 2003, at the age of 93. Mrs. Walker was of the Baptist faith, a homemaker and a resident of Bernie...

Richard Darcy, 92, died Wednesday, June 23, 2004, after an extended illness. He was born Aug. 17, 1911, in a borough of Manhattan, New York City, N.Y. He attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville...

I can remember attending my maternal grandparents 50th anniversary and I remember thinking how old they were. You know, I have looked at that picture recently and they really weren't that old. Funny, isn't it, the older we get the younger our parents and grandparents looked at certain ages...

Seventh in a series of Cancer Survivor Features to preview the upcoming August 27th "Relay for Life"

Editor's Note: The two names of the victims in this story have been changed due to pending legal action and a desire for anonymity by the victims at this point.

He's everywhere! He's everywhere! Just when you thought it was safe to turn on the television or listen to the radio or go to the bookstore -- there he is again. Bill Clinton is back! I told a friend recently that she didn't have to save up her nickels and dimes and buy me Billy Boy's new book for my birthday. ...

I have to hand it to our former vice president. Ever the loyal political warrior eagerly striking at the foe, Al Gore excoriated the current administration for everything from trashing the Constitution to completely and deliberately misrepresenting the reasons for war in Iraq in a speech Thursday to the America Constitution Society. And I have to salute his ardor in making his case before the group...

Ray and Brenda Dowdy and Dickie and Kathy Dockins II wish to announce the marriage of their children, Kaylan Dowdy and Dickie Dockins III, on June 2, 2004, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, at 2:30 in the afternoon. The wedding took place at the Ocho Rios Sandals Resort at the Reef Terrace Gazebo surrounded by native island flora with the ocean in the background...

Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Barnes request the honor of family and friends' presence at the marriage of their daughter, Michelle Leigh, to Gary Wayne Rushing on Saturday, July 10, 2004, at 3 p.m. The wedding will be held at Pleasant Grove Community Church, 13798 E State Highway H, Dexter. A reception will immediately follow the ceremony...

BLOOMFIELD -- "When you tend to force something on someone they tend to balk or not respond," Bill Pippins, Stoddard County Emergency Management Director, told the Stoddard County Commissioners during their regular meeting on Monday. Pippins was speaking to the commissioners in reference to a Stoddard County flood-plain situation...

The school funding outlook for the year 2004-2005 has brightened noticeably recently, but the future is still somewhat uncertain. That was the prognosis presented by Superintendent Ken Jackson at Monday night's meeting of the Dexter Public Schools Board of Education...

Friday's candidate forum at the Southeast Missouri Press Association produced few surprises but a couple of significant no-shows. The event at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau was to be an opportunity for the candidates for Missouri Secretary of State and lieutenant governor to make their positions known to the media. But only Republican and Libertarian candidates showed up...

Lucy Jane Kelley, the daughter of the late Thomas and Lucy Jane Terry Pulliam, was born in Doniphan on Feb. 13, 1921, and died at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau on Sunday, June 27, 2004, at the age of 83. Mrs. Kelley had lived in the Bloomfield and Dexter areas all of her life and was living in Dexter at this time. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dexter...

Ioleene Virgene Musgrave, daughter of the late John Frame and Sarah Oliver Frame, was born Sept. 16, 1920, at Ridgemont, Ill., and died in the Missouri Delta Medical Center at Sikeston on Saturday, June 26, 2004, at the age of 83. Mrs. Musgrave was a member of the Southwest Church of the Nazarene in Dexter, a homemaker and a resident of Dexter...

Loretta Jane Wilcox, 58, a resident of Howell, Mich., died Tuesday, June 22, 2004, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich. She was born May 11, 1946, in Powe, the daughter of Clarence and Mary Grindstaff Britt. She is survived by her husband, Douglas L. ...

By GARY EXELBY Nothing succeeds like success. The surprise handover of sovereignty from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the Iraq interim government has been hailed by just about everyone you can think of. And it will likely continue to receive praise from all but two groups...

by Jonathon Dawe Most people who know me know that music plays a huge influence in my life. Having come from a house where both parents are classically trained musicians who also teach music, I am kind of familiar with some music principals. However, I have never, until recently, been familiar with the joy of getting lost in music...

SIKESTON - The Sikeston Senior American Legion Post 114 baseball team picked up a huge district win on Monday by defeating Dunklin County 11-1 in eight innings at VFW Stadium. Sikeston (10-6, 2-1 district) broke open a close game and scored eight runs in the eighth to enforce the 10-run mercy rule...

The Dexter Board of Aldermen met at a special public hearing Tuesday night in order to review and pass the city's budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005. City officials expressed optimism, as the budget numbers appear favorable as compared to last year's...

Demaree and Mitchell Family Dentistry catcher Jackson Mason reaches for the throw while Kiger Electric's Kalab Thomley gets ready to slide home during action Tuesday evening at the Dexter Sports Complex. Thomley was safe on this play as the two Rookie League teams hooked up in an exciting game...

Debbie Young Metcalf, daughter of Dorothy Young of Dexter and the late George Young, was born Oct. 27, 1958, at Dexter and died in her residence at Dexter on Tuesday, June 29, 2004, at the age of 45. She was united in marriage to David Metcalf on June 21, 1997, at Dexter. Mr. Metcalf survives of the home in Dexter...

Chester Hopkins, son of the late Joe and Emma Crenshaw Hopkins, was born at Bloomfield on Jan. 14, 1914, and died at Beverly Healthcare in Bloomfield on Tuesday, June 29, 2004, at the age of 90. Mr. Hopkins was a lifelong resident of the Bloomfield community. ...

Brandi Burris receives a $500 scholarship from First Community Bank vice president Allen Ellenburg. Burris, a Bernie High School graduate, will use the money to pursue a pre-pharmacy degree at the University of Mississippi -- "Ole Miss."

Like many good cooks, Marjorie Elam doesn't always use a recipe, so when she wanted to share her coconut cream pie formula, she had to sit down and create the recipe - as well as the pie - from scratch. "It took me so long to write the recipe that I almost ran out of time to get the pie made!" explains this bubbly lady...

In case someone didn't notice, I wasn't working for The Daily Statesman last week. No, it wasn't because I was suspended or anything like that. Rather, I was on vacation. The destination I chose for my break from the hustle, bustle and fury of the working world: sunny Florida, the land of condominiums and retirees...

The next moron who whines to me about tax cuts for the rich is gonna get skinned alive and sprayed down with Listerine®. (Think about it) "But Gary, you should be more tolerant," someone will likely say, more out of goodwill than of wisdom or knowledge. "They are entitled to their opinions."...