Stories from Thursday, March 14, 2024

SIKESTON — Scott County Central School has a fun new edition to its library and it is huge, according to Amber Gill, school librarian. “This book vending machine will supply new, free books to the students who show outstanding positive behavior at our school,” Gill said. ...

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. — A Morehouse man will serve life in prison for the murder of a young woman. James Merritt, 35, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Joshua Underwood on Wednesday, March 13, to life in prison for the 2020 murder of Haley Decker, 18, of Normal, Illinois. ...

SIKESTON — A Sikeston resident is competing in an online competition to be on the cover of Inked Magazine. Tiffany Knight on Monday, March 11 was ranked fourth in her group with the next round of contestant cuts expected Thursday, March 14. As part of the contest, one tattooed model will be featured on the cover of Inked, win $25,000, fly to the Bahamas on a private jet for a photoshoot and receive an exclusive tattoo session with Ryan Ashley...

MATTHEWS, Mo. — Donald Gene Spraggs, age 65, passed away March 12, 2024, at his home in Matthews. He was born Nov. 8, 1958, in East Prairie, Missouri, son of the late J.B. Spraggs and Mary Johnson-Spraggs. He worked as an HVAC Technician for Spraggs Heating and Cooling. He was a charter member of the Big Prairie Jaycees, he enjoyed fishing, flying RC Planes, and spoiling his grandkids. He was always assisting others regardless of their means...

A crew with Putz Construction LLC of Millersville, Missouri, works to improve the sidewalks Thursday, March 14 on Route 91 in Morley, Missouri. The project is part of the Missouri Department of Transportation’s initiative to bring roadway facilities into compliance with the current standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This section of roadway is located between Mandeville Street and Kelly Street...

SIKESTON — Five local children have been named the poster children for the annual Kenny Rogers Children’s Center Telethon. Set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 16 at the Sikeston Field House, the day includes a multidude of activities. A pancake breakfast kicks off the day at 8 a.m. ...

SIKESTON — Several local high schools have received grant funding from the Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety for their upcoming project proms or graduations. “Traffic crashes have a lasting effect on each of us. Through education programs like Project Prom/Graduation, BUPD or Arrive Alive, hopefully we can change the causes or impact of these crashes.” says Sgt. Clark Parrott, Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E Public Information Officer...

About 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 Sikeston Department of Public Safety’s Fire Division responded to the 3300 block of State Highway BB for a structure fire, according to DPS. First arriving units to the fire encountered heavy flames and smoke at the residence. ...

Shortly after midnight March 12, officers responded to the 100 block of Saint Vincent Street for a traffic crash in New Madrid. A vehicle had crashed into a light pole, then struck a tree in the median of the street. The registered owner of the car had fled the scene on foot before officers arrived, but was found a short time later on Dawson Road and taken into custody. ...