Stories from Friday, June 23, 2023

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Repair work is underway on New Madrid’s boat ramp. On Monday, June 19 workers with Graylee Construction and Demolition from Ward, Arkansas, began the repair of the boat ramp which provides access to the Mississippi River. Officials estimated the work will take approximately 60 days to complete...

BENTON, Mo. — Scott County R-4 “Kelly” School District's new construction and summer maintenance continue. Scotty County R-4 residents voted in April 2022 to support a $6.5 million no-tax increase bond proposal known as "Proposition Kelly Schools 2022."...

Do you want to save 30 cents a gallon on your gasoline? If you do, drive five miles south of Sikeston, to the Matthews truck stop on I-55. Gas is $2.89. That’s a bargain.

FAYETTE, Mo. — Central Methodist University celebrated its spring 2023 commencement on May 13 in Puckett Fieldhouse on the Fayette campus. Former board of trustees chairman Robert Courtney gave the commencement address as a packed house of family, friends, faculty, staff, and other guests celebrated the graduates. Students were recognized for earning degrees at the master’s, bachelor’s, and associate’s levels...

FAYETTE, Mo. — The office of Central Methodist University Provost Rita Gulstad announced recently the students included on the Spring 2023 Dean’s List. Almost 900 students across all campuses and online learning met the requirements for placement, including a grade point average of 3.50 or higher for the semester...

Last week in Jackson, I saw a paneled station wagon with a rack on the roof. When I was able to see the back of the car I laughed out loud. The license plate was, “GRSWOL,” and on the rear glass it said in big letters, “You Serious Clark?” The car’s owner presented a perfect tribute to the 1983 movie, “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” starring Chevy Chase...

PAKISTAN — The Rev. Patricia Arlene Malik (Ruff), 71, passed away on June 4, 2023, in Pakistan. Rev. Patricia is survived by her husband, Zamir Malik of Pakistan; her daughters, Adrianne Gilbert of Bossier City, Louisiana, and Amanda Vollertsen of Miner, Missouri; her son, John Vollertsen (Paula) of Lonsdale, Minnesota; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, three sisters, two brothers, aunts, uncles, other family members, and friends that will remember the love and memories shared...

SIKESTON – Martha Burchfield, age 90, passed away on June 21, 2023, at Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston. She was born on May 24, 1933, in Vanduser, Missouri, to the late Jehu Paschal and Mary Kate Wornica. On Nov. 3, 1956 in Uma, Arizona, she married James E. Burchfield who survives of the home in Sikeston...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – With ongoing drought conditions around state, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds everyone to be extra careful with fireworks, campfires, and other sources of fire that could cause a wildfire. FIREWORKS: Don’t light fireworks in any areas where the sparks could ignite dry grass, leaves, or other potential fire fuel. ...