Stories from Wednesday, May 28, 2014

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A former Stoddard County man accused of hiring a couple who attended a church he pastored to burn his home and kill his wife appeared in court Wednesday. Donald Lafferty, 69, was arrested Monday, May 12, 2014, in North Andover, Mass., and charged with the Class B felony of attempted murder, the unclassified felony of armed criminal action, the Class B felony of first-degree arson, and the Class A felony of financial exploitation of the elderly ($50,000 or more.)...

Rain or shine, the second annual Poker Run and Cook-off Competition to benefit the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield will take place on May 30 and 31. The event is a motorcycle Poker Run event will commence with registration from 8-10 a.m. at the American Legion Post 114 at 333 S. Kingshighway in Sikeston. The cost is $20 per bike and $5 per passenger (price includes 5 p.m. meal). Call 573-475-0965 for further information regarding the run...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- When it opened nearly 11 years ago, the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield was conducting about 12 services a month. Today 30 services are conducted each month, according to cemetery director Ken Swearengin. "The cemetery is getting busier," Swearengin said. "A lot of that has to do with more interest and increased knowledge that it's here."...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Stoddard County Commission is still waiting for final approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to begin construction of a bridge on County Road 410. The bridge was destroyed by flooding in 2011, and is located in Castor Township. FEMA officials gave preliminary approval for replacing the bridge using FEMA funds, but there have been many snags since that time...

None were wearing seat belts

John McMichael, 15, of Bloomfield, was called upon at Monday's Memorial Day service at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery to conclude the ceremony with the playing of Taps. Comprised of 24 notes, Taps was adopted throughout the military officially in 1874...

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) -- Political, business and civic leaders in St. Louis and St. Louis County say they are done fighting over economic development projects that can benefit the region as a whole. St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and County Executive Charlie Dooley joined several dozen regional leaders Tuesday morning at a Clayton hotel on the city-county border to unveil a new strategic plan for the region's economic developments. ...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Unlicensed child care centers could become subject to new state oversight under legislation pending before Gov. Jay Nixon that would bring Missouri into compliance with new federal requirements. The legislation would require state workers to conduct onsite visits of child-care facilities receiving state or federal funds to check for minimum health and safety standards. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri conservation officials are urging people headed outdoors to take precautions against tick bites. Insect repellants and covering up are two steps that can help. Officials say long-sleeved shirts, pants and securing pants cuffs are the first defenses...

HAZELWOOD, Mo. (AP) -- A St. Louis County outlet mall's financial struggles could lead to higher utility bills for Hazelwood residents. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (bit.ly/1lIQclF ) reports that elected leaders have agreed to ask Hazelwood voters in August to approve a 7 percent residential utility tax increase. City Manager Matt Zimmerman has said that declining sales tax revenue from the St. Louis Outlet Mall and the 2006 closing of a Ford Motor Co. assembly plant have hurt municipal finances...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A Missouri state trooper is out of the hospital after being struck by an alleged drunken driver. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 32-year-old Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Jeremy Potocki of Weldon Spring was struck about 8:30 a.m. Sunday on the shoulder of Interstate 55 in south St. Louis County...

KENNETT (SMNS) -- Charges against a Kennett businessman have been upgraded to first degree murder in the shooting death of his wife. Allan Branum, 51, is accused of shooting his wife, Regena Branum, in the head with a .38 caliber revolver around 8:30 p.m. Thursday at 305 N. Jackson St., Kennett...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- It's rare to see a campground from the 19th century set up in the middle of a neighborhood in South Cape Girardeau. It's even rarer to hear the cannon fire that boomed throughout the day Saturday. But that's exactly the scene set up on Fort Street during Memorial Day weekend...

FENTON, Mo. - Dexter's MaKayla Waldner is state bound for a second straight season in girls track. Waldner finished second in the 100-meter hurdles and first in the 300-meter hurdles Saturday at the state sectional track meet at Rockwood Summit High in Fenton, Mo...