Stories from Sunday, April 1, 2012

Kerri Rice and Aaron Cole will be exchanging wedding vows at 6 p.m., Friday, April 6, 2012, at First Southern Baptist Church in Malden, Mo. A reception will immediately follow in the church's Family Life Center. Kerri is the daughter of Rachell Rice of Dexter, Mo., and D.J. Rice of Buckley, Wash. She plans on graduating from Cosmetology School at Poplar Bluff Technical and Career College in May 2012...

By COREY NOLES Statesman Staff Writer BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - With al of the buzz about the August primary election, it's easy to forget about another important election that is coming up very soon. The municipal election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 3, 2012 with a number of city and school board positions up for grabs...

By CHRIS BLANK Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich released a report Friday questioning some of the ways federal funds have been used in state programs. The auditor's office compiles a report each year tracking the state's use of federal money. Missouri used $14.2 billion in federal funds during the 2011 budget, which includes about $1.8 billion of stimulus money -- both totals are down from what the state used in 2010...

By NOREEN HYSLOP Managing Editor Achievements for 16-year-old Jacob Mier don't come as easily as they do for most teenagers. A task as simple as walking down the school hallway can be daunting. To hold a pencil and write a sentence is a daily challenge. To learn to drive is an even greater one...