Stories from Wednesday, April 23, 2014

PUXICO, Mo. - For a second straight game Advance coach James Hamlin had his team take extra batting practice before the start of play at the Stoddard County softball tournament in Puxico. "We got over here early today and put in some extra hitting practice and spent some time in the cage beforehand," Hamlin said. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon raised new concerns Tuesday that a tax cut passed by the Legislature could have "cataclysmic" consequences for state revenues, but a Republican legislative leader immediately dismissed that as "absurd."...

The year 2013 was a strong one financially and fraternally for Modern Woodmen of America, according to recently released results for the year ending Dec. 31, 2013. Locally, Modern Woodmen representative Lee Bowman has an office at 205 W. Malone, Sikeston...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Bagby Investment Consultants is pleased to announce that it has changed its name to Bagby Wealth Management to better reflect its offerings and approach to serving the financial needs of clients. The community can expect a fresh look to accompany the name change and offerings have been updated to provide an even higher level of service...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. honored 13 current and former employees at its New Madrid Power Plant during its 20th annual Excel employee recognition ceremony held recently in Springfield. The recipients of these prestigious Excel awards were nominated by their peers at the power plant. Among this year's recipients is a Puxico man who is employed with AECI...

A Dexter man arrested with two guns and an active meth lab has been released from jail to participate in a drug rehabilitation program. Christopher Wilkerson, age 32, is charged with the Class C felony possession of a controlled substance. His bond was set at $100,000 cash only...

Six individuals now face charges related to property damage in Dexter between September 2013 and mid-October 2013, including the Oct. 12 incident that left significant damage to four downtown business storefronts. Following a 10-week investigation of the October downtown damage, police arrested a Campbell man, Joshua Eugene Miller, 27. ...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Stoddard County Commission will open bids for construction of bridges on County Road 784 and County Road 754 on May 5 at the Commission Room in the Government Building. The two bridges are being advertised for bids as one project. The commission held their regular meeting Monday morning...

Proponents counter funding would increase

In keeping with their promise to expand the realm of medical opportunities in Stoddard County and the surrounding area, SoutheastHEALTH Center of Stoddard County has upgraded their X-ray equipment from analog to digital. With the installation of The upgraded Radiography and fluoroscopic exam equipment at the local hospital, patients are now afforded quicker procedures with significantly improved detailed images...

The spring of 2014 seems to be the year for brilliant blooms. Redbuds and dogwoods have provided a colorful landscape in recent days, and this flowering crabapple is sporting some of its most full and colorful blooms ever. The tree is near the old Elders Manufacturing plant on Elder Drive in the yard of Danny and Doris Shelton...

The Missouri Sportswriters and Broadcasters released its media all-state basketball team at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Four players and a coach were selected all-state from SCAA schools. Dexter coach Chad Allen was selected as the Class 4 girls basketball Coach of the Year...

The top-seeded Bernie Mules will host the second-seeded Bloomfield Wildcats today at 4:30 p.m. in the SCAA baseball championship. Bernie beat fourth-seeded Advance 7-2 in its semifinal Tuesday. Bloomfield snuck past sixth-seeded Puxico 5-4 in its semifinal...

PUXICO, Mo. - Defending champ Bernie scored a run in every inning as it salvaged third-place at the SCAA softball tournament Tuesday with a 14-4 six-inning victory against Dexter. The Mules scored six runs in the first inning, one run in the second frame, two runs in the third, four runs in the fourth and one more in the fifth as it revenged a 7-4 regular-season loss to Dexter...