Stories from Tuesday, September 26, 2023

SIKESTON — Seven freshmen from Sikeston High School will compete for the title of Junior Miss Sikeston at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28 during the 79th Annual America Legion Cotton Carnival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. Allison Backfisch, 15-year-old daughter of David and Jennifer Backfisch, is active in Red Peppers, volleyball and art. The honor roll student also wants to be a beautician after graduating high school...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — A new building is the perfect prescription for better care for patients and for an improved working environment for employees at SEMO Health Network’s New Madrid location. A groundbreaking was conducted Sept. 20 for the building to be located at 665 U.S. Highway 61...

SIKESTON — The Henry Meldrum Post No. 114 Sikeston American Legion Cotton Carnival, now in its 79th year, grew from the heartfelt desire of returning World War II veterans for a homecoming celebration to become an integral part of Sikeston culture. The Cotton Carnival returned Tuesday, Sept. 26 to the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds, where it will entertain residents and visitors through Saturday, Sept. 30...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Harry Frank LeGrand, 93, died Sept. 25, 2023, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

SIKESTON — Robert Earl Lott, "Beaver,” died Sept. 19, 2023, in his home in Sikeston. Beaver was born on Dec. 17, 1970, in Sikeston, to Luebirda Lott and the late Leroy Lott. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his three children, Kylie Gross of Columbia, Missouri, Kyland Gross of Sikeston and De'Laya Banks of Morley, Missouri; one grandson, Kacey Gross; two sisters: Sarah Davis and Shirley (Brian) Gadson; four brothers: L.C. (Florence) Shaw, Tony Shaw, Joe (Viola) Lott and Steve Lott...

SIKESTON — Purpose Lovelyn-Grace White, 1 month and 4 days old, passed away on Sept. 20, 2023, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born Aug. 16, 2023, to Tiffani White.  Services are scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, at New Hope Ministries, 124 North West St., Sikeston. The time of service is at noon with Pastor Jeremiah White Sr. officiating...

FRESNO, Calif. — Joe Ollin Lewis, formerly of Birmingham, Alabama, and Georgetown, Kentucky, died at his home in Fresno on Aug. 30, 2023, at the age of 87. He was the loving husband of Shirley (Robinson) Lewis and the father of sons, Paul and Page Lewis...

SIKESTON — The new boards of commission were sworn in during Sikeston City Council’s regular meeting Monday, Sept. 25.  The reassignment of an airport lease for a T-hanger at the Sikeston Airport was also approved by the council. City of Sikeston Finance Director Amanda Groves said James Lincoln and Associates wanted to sell James Ferris their hangar, which is located north of the area known as T-hangers...

Robert Cooper waits patiently for a bite while fishing early Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at the Complex Lake in Sikeston.

Sikeston American Legion members peeled and sliced 400 pounds of onions for the famous fish and hamburger sandwiches for sale at this week’s 79th Annual Cotton Carnival, which began Tuesday, Sept. 26 and ends Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. The Legion’s fish stand will be open during the lunch hour of 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again at 4 p.m. through the week...

SIKESTON — Brigadier General Matthew M. Bacon will serve as the parade marshal for Sikeston’s 79th Annual American Legion Cotton Carnival. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. Bacon was commissioned as an engineer officer in 1996 through the Reserve Officers Training Corps at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. ...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Jerry Wayne Rosson Jr., 33, formerly of Charleston, Missouri, died Sept. 25, 2023, in Charleston.