Stories from Wednesday, June 28, 2023

SIKESTON — With the Fourth of July falling on Tuesday, many communities have Independence Day celebrations planned on the actual holiday while others will start their festivities as early as Friday, June 30. The Vanduser, Missouri, Betterment Committee will once again kick off its two-day celebration on Friday at Graviett’s Memorial Ball Field. ...

Mark Green, an employee of May Brother Fireworks in Miner/Sikeston, straightens a display Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Firework sales are in full swing as Independence Day, which is Tuesday, July 4, inches closer.

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — The East Prairie Police Department warned residents early this week of a spoof phone number scam posing as the police department. The East Prairie Police Department made a post to its official Facebook page, which said: “Our police department number has been spoofed, 573-649-3511. They are using our number to solicit and portraying to be an East Prairie officer. Do not fall for this. It is not real.”

SIKESTON — Boy Scouts of America Day Camp “Where the Wild Scouts Are” is just a month away and will provide engaging experiences for children in the community. The Greater St. Louis Area Council is offering a scout camp at Sikeston Elks Lodge from noon to 4 p.m. July 27 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 28-29...

The July Fourth holiday weekend is a great opportunity to enjoy one of Missouri’s recreational opportunities or a backyard barbecue. Col. Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds Missouri’s travelers to make smart choices for a safe July Fourth holiday. ...

Since COVID and so many people leaving the work force and so many jobs unfilled and people quitting left and right, you would think employers would want to keep the employees that actually show up everyday and do their jobs. At my place of employment, we have six jobs that need to be filled. I am doing the work of six people plus my own work. So I asked the boss for a raise and she said she couldn’t afford it! So we are six people short, six salaries not being paid, six workers’ health insurance and workers comp insurance not being paid. So where do all the money go? I told her Friday was my last day. So now it’s seven people short. Maybe that will free up some salary space for seven people she hires to replace me.

NEW MADRID, Mo. — The classroom awards were announced May 24 for members of the freshmen, sophomore and junior classes at New Madrid County Central High School. Honorees included: English 1 - Layla Gaona and Laine McElveen English 2 - Drake Burton, Sophia Bobo, Kiya Vaught, Jaleecia Walton and Hailey Riggens...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — On the afternoon of June 10, officers responded to St. Anne Lane for reports of a man making threats while armed with a gun. When officers arrived, they found the man in the front yard of his home and he had laid a shotgun in the back of a vehicle. A woman at the home said the man was upset and had been walking around in the front yard saying that no one was leaving the property while brandishing the gun...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - When celebrating the Fourth of July, communities are urging residents to limit the hours they celebrate. In New Madrid, fireworks are allowed from 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. June 27 to July 3 and on July 4 from 10 a.m. to midnight. Fireworks within the city limits of Portageville may only be discharged from July 2-5 and are not to be shot after 10 p.m...

SIKESTON — On Monday, June 26, the Sikeston City Council met briefly in the city hall in downtown Sikeston.  Glen and Lillie Beasley’s proposal for a conditional variance for an in-home daycare at 1116 Pollard Plaza in Sikeston was approved by council. R-1 (Single Family Residential) is the zone for the property. The state and the city have already approved Mrs. Beasley’s childcare...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — First responders recovered an empty maroon 2014 Chrysler passenger vehicle from the Black River on Sunday afternoon, June 25. Poplar Bluff firefighters responded shortly before 1 p.m. to a car in the river at Sportsman Park Boat ramp, 1000 White Row St...