Stories from Friday, February 2, 2024

Did you notice that Republican Gov. Parson in his speech to the state last night mentioned that the highlight of his achievement was the $2.5 billion in roads and highway infrastructure, but he made not one mention that most of the money came from Biden’s long-term investment trust bill which most Republicans opposed. How do we to save this country when the zombies are never allowed to know the facts?

Today is Groundhog’s Day, the day when we want to know whether a groundhog sees its shadow. While Punxsutawney Phil is the most famous of our nation’s groundhogs, each region has its own, like Woodstock Willie in Woodstock, Illinois, or Tater in Kansas City. ...

“...and they found Him and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for this is why I came out.” And He went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.” Mark 1:37-39 ESV...

SIKESTON, Mo. — Charles William “Billy” Eldridge, age 54, died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at his home in Sikeston, Missouri. He was born Sept. 11, 1969, at Charleston, Missouri, to Mary Ann McEntire Chappell, who survives of Sikeston. Billy had lived in Sikeston most of his life...

SIKESTON, Mo.— Travis Eugene O’Neal, age 83, passed away Jan. 31, 2024, at his home in Sikeston, Missouri.   He was born Dec. 3, 1940 in Pocahontas, Arkansas, son of the late Omer O’Neal and Ivern Goodman O’Neal.   Travis had a long career with the United States Postal Service, where he retired in 2000. He was a devoted member of Matthews Church of Christ, and enjoyed sharing the word of God...

SIKESTON — Sikeston High School’s director of bands, Darren Steelman, was recently inducted into Phi Beta Mu, the International Bandmasters’ Fraternity.  “It’s truly an honor,” Steelman said. “They are about service to the profession and for my colleagues to say they feel that I have been serving the profession, that what it takes to be inducted is just an honor.”...

BENTON, Mo. — The Scott County Courthouse is 112 years old and in a serious state of repair in multiple places. Scott County Presiding Commissioner Danny Tetley detailed the various repairs needed for the courthouse. “Our courthouse is 112 years old now, and we have some exterior brick work that is going to have to be completed because we have crumblings that are starting to fall from the top of the building,” Tetley said. ...

The sunset created “stunning skies,” displaying an array of colors above Sikeston on Ables Road Thursday evening, Feb. 1, 2024.

A youngster prepares to the throw the ball during a friendly game of dodgeball Thursday evening, Feb. 1 during the church family dodgeball tournament at St. Francis Xavier Church’s Parish Center in Sikeston. Saint Francis Xavier School concluded its weeklong celebration of Catholic Schools Week with an early dismissal on Friday, Feb. 2...

SIKESTON — To help meet the dental health needs of children and adults, Delta Dental of Missouri awarded a $75,000 oral health grant to Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation (DAEOC) in Sikeston. The funds will be used for Project Ashley’s Smile, which enables follow-up dental treatment for those identified through its Innovate Readiness Training events...

SIKESTON— Bertha Mae Estepp Bowman, age 98, passed away Jan. 17, 2024, at Providence Hospice at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She was born May 1, 1925, in Owsley County, Kentucky, to Hayes Estepp and Louetta Couch Estepp.