Stories from Friday, January 12, 2024

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – State Rep. Jamie Burger officially announced on Friday, Jan. 12 his bid for Missouri Senate District 27 to replace Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder, who is seeking the position of lieutenant governor. District 27 includes the counties of Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Iron, Madison, Perry, Reynolds and Scott.

MINER, Mo. — Multiple crews responded after a Scott County business caught fire late Friday, Jan. 12 in Miner. According to Capt. Nathan H. Rapert with Miner Police Department, at 7:44 p.m. Friday, crews were called to the scene of a fire at Heartland Wood Products, 121 N. Interstate Drive, in Miner. The business was closed at the time the fire started, and it’s unknown how the blaze started at this time, Rapert said around 9 p.m. Friday...

In my denomination’s tradition, our gospel lessons will focus upon Mark. The Gospel of Mark differs from other gospels in that there is no birth narrative. In Matthew we have the story of Jesus’ conception and birth from Joseph’s viewpoint. In the Gospel of Luke we have the nativity story from Mary’s point of view. ...

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased!” (Mark 1:11 ESV). What wonderful words of encouragement! These words are of the Father speaking to His Son, Jesus, in the Jordan River at Jesus’ baptism. To “dot the I’s and cross the T’s” of God’s Law, Christ went into those muddy waters to be baptized. ...

I think Congressman Jason Smith is doing a wonderful job. I’m so glad that he is from this part of the country. I think the man is a genius. I think he could be President one day. Go, Jason Smith.

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Area residents should get their green thumbs ready. Mike Mueller, owner of Day 3 Seeds in Charleston, kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 13 a six-class course, “Great Gardens in Small Spaces,” to teach the fundamentals of gardening, including planning, planting and managing small gardens...

David Jenkins, head coach of the purple third/fourth grade team for Sikeston Parks and Recreation’s co-ed youth basketball league, gathers with his players prior to their first practice Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in the gym at Wing Elementary in Sikeston. Sikeston Parks and Recreation took over operations of the third through sixth grade co-ed basketball teams from the YMCA of Southeast Missouri in Sikeston this year. Games for the season will start Saturday, Jan. 20...

SIKESTON — Sikeston’s 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will include three events in an effort to unleash King’s dream. Sikeston’s Dr. MLK Day Committee will present “A King Day” musical at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. Michael K. Harris Sr., who organizes the yearly MLK celebration in Sikeston, said the event will include numerous area praise teams, church choirs and musicians...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — The Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office released its annual calls for service report for 2023. “Our average response time was 11 minutes, and our average on-scene time was 30 minutes,” Mississippi County Sheriff Britton H. Ferrell said...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Larry Gene Brown, 80, died Jan. 11, 2024, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Arrangements are incomplete at this time with Nunnelee Funeral Chapel of Sikeston, Missouri.

SIKESTON — Seasonal viruses are on the rise across the United States, and as winter sets in, the Sikeston area is also dealing with an increase in flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. Registered nurse Eric Slaughter, who is the infection prevention/safety and emergency preparedness coordinator at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, said he has seen a number of illnesses this winter...

SIKESTON — Sikeston’s National Guard Unit recently underwent a leadership transition, holding Delta Company’s change of command ceremony to welcome a new commander.  Sgt. First Class Austin Meese of the Missouri National Guard Unit in Sikeston said about two years ago, the Delta Company took over the existing transportation company, transforming it into the 1-138th Infantry Regiment Company. ...

Employees with Missouri Department of Transportation load trucks Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at the maintenance shed in Sikeston in preparation for possible winter weather over the weekend.

SIKESTON — Southeast Missouri residents braved the strong winds and rain Friday, Jan. 12 as they also braced for extremely cold temperatures and possible winter weather heading into the weekend. Overnight storms Thursday, Jan. 11 into Friday, Jan. 12 dumped 2 inches of rain in Sikeston as of 7 a.m. ...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Two Lilbourn men are in federal custody following a narcotics investigation. Everett Fields and Joshua Harralston were indicted on drug charges stemming from a 2023 narcotics investigation, according to a social media post by the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department...