Fair ~ 63°F   River stage: 32.55 ft. Rising Saturday, May 25, 2013

Stories Blogs Comments Photos Events Classifieds Marketplace Real Estate Everything Archive since 1918

Scott County news Three seeking to fill two seats on the Scott City School Board (03/29/13) A three-way race for the Scott City School Board has an incumbent and two newcomers competing for two available seats. Lisa Schaefer, who was elected in 2010 and had previously served on the school board from 2004-2007, will be running against Gary Elders and Bobby Underwood for one of the seats in Tuesday's election... Bollinger, Perry, Scott counties put use tax on April ballot (01/23/13) Voters in three Southeast Missouri counties will decide in April whether governments can charge a use tax that officials say is needed to make up for lost revenue after a 2012 ruling by the Missouri Supreme Court. County commissioners in Bollinger, Perry and Scott counties all have approved placing on April ballots a use-tax question that would allow the counties to collect a tax on out-of-state and person-to-person vehicle purchases. ... Jackson man found guilty in DeWitt Co. kickback scheme (06/20/12) The trial for a Jackson man accused of stealing $500,000 from a Sikeston, Mo.-based company began Tuesday. Jason Mitchell was involved in a kickback scheme that led to the transfer of more than $500,000 to a fraudulent bank account from 2007 to 2010, prosecutors said... Trial date set for Scott County man accused of child porn possession (09/29/11) BENTON, Mo, -- An Oran man arrested on charges of downloading child pornography to his computer after a two month long multiagency investigation will stand trial in February. Andrew Stroud, 22, was charged in April with 10 counts of possession of child pornography. An investigation completed by Scott County, the Poplar Bluff Police Department and the Southeast Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force alleges Stroud downloaded videos containing child pornography... New city administrator hired at Chaffee (09/21/11) CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Chaffee has a new city administrator. Lee Horton, 49, of Chaffee, has been hired by the Chaffee City Council, and moved into his city hall office on Sept. 6. "I am excited to work directly with the mayor and city council on projects coming up for the city. One of these is a water improvement project. I can't wait to see this completed since it is something Chaffee has needed for some time," he said... Weekend accidents injure several in Scott, Bollinger counties (08/16/11) Several people were injured in car accidents on state highways over the weekend in Scott and Bollinger counties. Three people were injured in a crash Sunday afternoon on Highway 77, a half-mile east of Benton, Mo., according to the highway patrol. The accident happened when Jacquelynne N. ... Water district customers in Scott County ordered to boil water (08/17/11) Residents in the Scott County Public Water Supply District No. 4 are advised to boil their water until further notice as a result of a line rupture Monday. An electrical contractor working for SEMO Electric hit a main water line while working to install new electrical poles on County Road 514, about three miles east of Blodgett, said Tim McIntyre, water district manager... Scott County mourns loss of recorder of deeds (08/14/11) BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County Recorder Tom Dirnberger didn't mind coming into the office on a Saturday to issue a marriage license to newlyweds who had forgotten they needed one for their big day. During the holidays, he'd stay in the office so his staff could go enjoy Christmas lunch with the other county workers. Keeping the doors open was always a point of pride for Dirnberger... Battlefield Missouri: 1864 was a busy year for the Show Me State as it warred with the Union (08/14/11) Editor's note: The following is the second in a series about Missouri and its involvement in the Civil War, which began in April 1861. The third part of the Civil War series will visit central Missouri to see "Civil War Missouri: A House Dividing" at the Missouri State Museum and site of the First Battle of Boonville. Look for it and the remaining entries in Good Times each week.... Scott City parents accused of locking kids out of house plead not guilty (08/12/11) A Scott City couple pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges they repeatedly locked their two children outside their home for hours without proper food and water while they were at work. Scott County tries orange notices with properties subject to tax sale (08/12/11) BENTON, Mo. -- Some property owners most at risk of losing their properties in the annual county tax sale may soon have an unmistakable sign: an orange 8.5-by-11-inch notice attached to the property. The annual county tax sale will be Aug. 22. "It is always the fourth Monday in August," said Mark Hensley, Scott County collector of revenue. ... Cyber crimes funding to pay for equipment, training (08/12/11) POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The recent renewal of the grant funding for the Southeast Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force will make equipment upgrades and more training possible as officers continue their fight against Internet crime. The SEMO Cyber Crimes Task Force, based at the Poplar Bluff Police Department, received a grant totaling $105,206 to continue its effort to fight online criminals who often seek to entice children and deal in child pornography... Sheriff's department: Couple from Benton, Mo., charged with growing marijuana (08/11/11) BENTON, Mo. -- A Benton couple are facing charges of growing marijuana after their arrest by the Scott County Sheriff's Department. According to a sheriff's department news release, William Russell, 57, and Karla Russell, 55, both of rural Benton, were arrested and charged with two counts of manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia... Oran man chosen as Scott County's emergency management director (08/11/11) BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County has a new emergency management director. The decision to hire Patrick Young of Oran, Mo., to the position was made Thursday, County Commissioners said during their regular meeting Tuesday. Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn said commissioners held off on announcing their choice as a courtesy to other applicants so they could inform them by letter that the position was filled... Route CC in Scott County reduced for pavement repairs (08/11/11) SIKESTON, Mo. -- Route CC from Highway 91 to Route W in Scott County will be reduced to one lane with a 14-foot width restriction Monday through Aug. 19 while Missouri Department of Transportation crews overlay the roadway. Weather permitting, the work will be done from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area. For more information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636... Event will give children in Scott City a sample of youth program (08/11/11) Scott City children can get a glimpse of what it was like for 15 others who participated in a community group's day program over the summer during a free event Friday at the Scott City Park. The Scott City Interactive Park Program, or SCIPP, will host the first SCIPP Anne Smith Day beginning at 8 a.m. ... Sikeston merchants favor improvement district idea (08/08/11) SIKESTON, Mo. -- Historic Downtown Sikeston has begun the petition process for a community improvement district by talking with property owners and business owners, according to Brandon Kuehn, the organization's executive director. Merchants seem to be in favor of the CID, Kuehn said... Route H overpass now open to traffic (08/08/11) BLODGETT, Mo. -- The Route H overpass over Interstate 55 south of Blodgett is now open to traffic. Lane restrictions will remain in place on I-55 as work is finalized on the guardrail and guard cable. Construction on the new bridge began June 19 and was completed ahead of schedule. ... Five of 18 area school districts meet No Child Left Behind goals in latest MAP tests (08/07/11) The majority of area school districts failed this year to meet the proficiency targets under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Missouri Assessment Program scores were released Thursday, and only five of 18 districts in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Perry and Scott counties -- Advance, Bell City, Kelso, Leopold and Oran -- met all targets this year for adequate yearly progress in communication arts and math set by No Child Left Behind. ... Vanduser voters approve joining rural fire district (08/05/11) VANDUSER, Mo. -- Vanduser voters approved becoming a part of the Scott County Rural Fire Protection District. All 29 ballots cast in the election were in favor of the measure, according to Scott County Clerk Rita Milam. "I thought it would pass, but getting a vote of 29 to 0, that's amazing. ... Route CC in Scott County reduced for pavement repairs (08/05/11) SIKESTON, Mo. -- Route CC from Highway 91 to Route W in Scott County will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction Monday through Wednesday while Missouri Department of Transportation crews overlay the roadway. Weather permitting, work will be done from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area. For more information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636... Sikeston city council hears proposal for new movie theater project (08/03/11) SIKESTON, Mo. -- Extra seating was brought in to Council Chambers at City Hall to accommodate citizens attending the public hearing for a proposed theater project. It remains to be seen if Sikeston will ever see more theater seats brought in. The public hearing on the proposal to establish a Community Improvement District in the Midtowner Village shopping center was held during the regular Sikeston City Council meeting Monday... Schools examining MAP results ahead of public release this week (08/02/11) While children and their parents are looking toward the start of a new school year, teachers and administrators are looking back at the last school year as they review the Missouri Assessment Program test scores released recently by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education... Route N in Scott County reduced for pipe replacement (08/01/11) SIKESTON, Mo. -- Route N in Scott County is reduced to one lane today, allowing Missouri Department of Transportation crews to replace a pipe under the roadway. This section of road is from Route E to County Road 332. Weather permitting, work will be completed by 5 p.m. The work zone is marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area. For additional information, contact the MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636... Local businessman Pee Wee Rhodes, founder of Plaza Tire, dies (07/31/11) Vernon "Pee Wee" Rhodes always dreamed of starting his own business and succeeded by transforming a hand-operated carwash into Plaza Tire Service, a retail business with 49 stores throughout Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Arkansas. FEMA extends deadline, announces closure of center in Morehouse (07/29/11) The Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended its disaster assistance application deadline to Aug. 26 for renters, homeowners and business owners who suffered damages from severe storms, tornadoes and floods. "Don't prejudge your situation or feel that you may be taking something away from your neighbor," Federal Coordinating Officer Libby Turner said in a news release. "We want to make every effort to reach all Missourians and ensure that they receive assistance for eligible losses."... Arraignment set for Scott City couple accused of child endangerment (07/28/11) A Scott City couple who are accused of repeatedly locking their two children outside their home for hours while they were at work without proper food and water will appear before Judge David Dolan for an arraignment Aug. 11 at the Scott County Courthouse... Scott County emergency management director resigns to spend more time with children (07/28/11) BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County is looking for a new emergency management director. Scott County commissioners confirmed during their regular meeting Tuesday that Amber Scudder, emergency management director, has verbally advised them she is resigning... Former Emerson campaign staffer announces bid for state rep (07/27/11) Holly Rehder is ready to step out from behind the scenes. The former campaign staffer for U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson has announced her intention to run next year for the 160th House District seat. Sikeston man sentenced to 25 years in prison for infant murder (07/27/11) ST. LOUIS -- A Sikeston, Mo., man was sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday for the death of an infant in his care. Kevin Dixon, 20, was sentenced to 25 years for second-degree murder and 25 years for child abuse with the sentences to run concurrently. Dixon, who was charged in the March 24, 2009, death of 8-month-old Jamieon Quanterius Jatwaun Mosby in Sikeston, was sentenced by St. Louis County Judge Colleen Dolan, who heard the case on a change of venue from Scott County... 22 working in area disaster recovery program; more start this week (07/27/11) Under a scorching summer sun, with the heat index hovering at 100 degrees, Don Freeman and Oscar Patterson slap shovelfuls of asphalt onto Scott County Road 212. It's hot, hard work. But after months of standing in unemployment lines, they say it's work they are grateful to have. They're proud to be earning a paycheck again... Church youths raise $250 for water charity (07/24/11) Children from the children's church and youth group from Cornerstone Wesleyan in Scott City raised $250 to fund water projects in Africa. The money was raised from a lemonade stand, an indoor yard sale and bake sale and will be sent to the Blood:Water Mission, a charity based in Nashville, Tenn... Scott County to pay more for jail inmate food (07/21/11) BENTON, Mo. -- Inmate meals at the Scott County Jail are going up in cost, but it could have been worse. Glenn Klander Jr., general manager of correctional services for Aramark, and Chris Brooks, the front line manager, met with Scott County commissioners during their regular Tuesday meeting to discuss the price increase... U.S. 62 reduced for shoulder repairs (07/20/11) SIKESTON, Mo. -- U.S. 62 in Mississippi and Scott Counties will be reduced to one lane with a 14-foot width restriction Monday and Tuesday, while Missouri Department of Transportation crews make shoulder repairs. The section of highway is from Interstate 55 at Sikeston to Route B at Bertrand, Mo. ... SEMO Port expanding, upgrading its rail system (07/19/11) More than $2.78 million in improvements are either in progress or scheduled to be completed this year at the SEMO Port with funding from state and federal grants. As the port continues to ship out more tons of cargo, upgrades to its railway and roadways are needed... Scott County sees sales tax revenue increase (07/17/11) BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County's sales tax numbers are looking good for the year. During Thursday's commission meeting, Commissioner Donnie Kiefer reported that there was an increase again in the month of June, adding to the overall growth in sales tax for the year... Man wanted in connection to Scott City crime arrested in St. Francois County (07/17/11) A man wanted in connection with a Scott City burglary has been arrested in St. Francois County. Shawn Kinsey was arrested Thursday and charged with burglary, robbery, assault, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a firearm, property damage and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to a Scott City Police Department news release... Sikeston woman charged with hitting child with vehicle, leaving scene (07/12/11) SIKESTON, Mo. -- A Sikeston woman remained in custody Tuesday morning on charges of leaving the scene of a motor accident with injuries after police say she hit a toddler in a gas station parking lot Sunday. Alethea Sue Sutton, 49, is in the Scott County Jail under $10,000 bond after hitting a 2-year-old girl at a Sikeston business Sunday afternoon... Flood damage to county, state roads tops $81 million (07/10/11) Months after the floodwaters receded, miles and miles of Southeast Missouri roads are still in need of repairs. The Missouri Department of Transportation has already shelled out $1.2 million in its Southeast District to fix flood-damaged roads. Damage to state and county roads as a result of this spring's severe flooding exceeds $81 million, according to estimates provided to the Southeast Missourian by MoDOT and individual counties... I-55 traffic detoured for Route H overpass project in Scott County (07/10/11) SIKESTON, Mo. -- As contractors work to set beams for the new Route H overpass south of Blodgett, Mo., Interstate 55 will be closed from exit 80 at Benton, Mo., to exit 69 at Miner, Mo., for one 24-hour period. Traffic will be detoured to U.S. 61 from 9 p.m. ... FEMA closing Sikeston disaster recovery center Saturday (07/08/11) SIKESTON, Mo. -- Scott County residents looking for assistance to recover from this spring's flooding will have one less resource at hand after Saturday. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced the closing of the FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center at 103 S. Kingshighway in Sikeston at 6 p.m. Saturday... Bridge work near Chaffee, Mo., goes on (07/08/11) Construction continues Thursday, July 7, 2011, to replace the Route EE bridge over Little River Drainage Ditch No. 11 in Scott County, west of Chaffee, Mo. The roadway will remain closed from Route 25 to Route 77 during construction. Completion is anticipated in early August. ... Route ZZ in Scott County reduced for pavement repairs (07/08/11) SIKESTON, Mo. -- Route ZZ from U.S. 61 to Route BB in Scott County will be reduced to one lane Tuesday through Thursday while Missouri Department of Transportation crews patch the roadway. Weather permitting, work will done from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Signs will mark the work zone, and motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area. For more information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636... Buyers not put off by rising price of Southeast Missouri farmland (07/07/11) With a weak dollar and a shaky stock market, farmland is becoming an increasingly appealing investment. Agricultural real estate broker Ken Cantrell of Cape Girardeau has a long waiting list of potential buyers looking for farms in Southeast Missouri. They aren't put off by record land prices, either... Crowell could be eyeing statewide office in 2014 (07/06/11) Jason Crowell will be forced out of office by term limits next year, but the Missouri state senator from Cape Girardeau appears to have his sights set on statewide office in 2014. Crowell, a Republican, has changed his campaign committee paperwork to Missourians for Crowell and to reflect a bid for an unspecified statewide office. ... SEMO Port director: Other ports in region won't be dredged, either (07/01/11) The Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority won't be alone this year as it searches for funding to dredge its harbor. According to Dan Overbey, director of the port authority, seven of the nine ports in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis district have recently found out they also will no longer receive the dredging services done by the corps in the past. ... Jackson, Sikeston men arrested after reported meth lab explosion (06/30/11) SIKESTON, Mo. -- Two men were arrested as a result of a weekend meth lab explosion in Sikeston. Around 1 a.m. Sunday, the Sikeston Department of Public Safety received several calls in reference to an explosion heard at the Midtowner Motel, 833 E. Malone Ave... Still no cause determined in fatal Chaffee fire (06/28/11) CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Fire officials haven't established the cause of a fatal June 22 house fire, Assistant Missouri State Fire Marshal Greg Carrell said Monday. Investigators have classified the fire at 121 Black Ave., as undetermined as the investigation is still ongoing. They're conducting interviews in connection to the blaze that killed 21-year-old Andrew Biler and his toddler nephews... Scott City couple charged with locking children out of house (06/28/11) BENTON, Mo. -- Two Scott City parents were charged Monday with child endangerment on allegations they locked their two children out of their home for several hours per day without adequate food and water.