Looking Back...2008 Year in Review, Part 3

The Daily Dunklin Democrat is publishing a Year in Review series of summaries from news stories published throughout 2008.

August, 2008:

* After a week-long investigation, the Dunklin County Sheriff's Office has arrests Jimmy Lee Linley, 26, of Conway, and Frankie Wayne Pitts, 36, of Kennett, for taking copper wire and pivot parts without the consent of the owners.

* Residents throughout Kennett join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the "25th Annual National Night Out" (NNO) crime and drug prevention event, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by the Kennett Police Department.

* James Raulerson of Raulerson Farms in Pemiscot County pleads guilty to environmental violations. Raulerson admitted to the felony discharge of pollutants, namely glycerin, methanol and oil into Belle Fountain Ditch, a water of the United States.

* Area peach crops fare better this year than in previous ones, according to harvesters.

* Rural Missourians get to know then candidate for Attorney General, Missouri Senator Chris Koster of the 31st District, as he visited the area for the second time in recent weeks, making a stop on Thursday at the Dunklin County Courthouse in Kennett.

* The Armory Building on the north by-pass in Kennett closes temporarily for renovations.

* The Dunklin County Sheriff's Department hosts a barbecue fundraiser for department member Justin Beard, who was battling brain cancer.

* In the Democratic primary for Second District Dunklin County Commissioner, Patrick McHaney takes 50 percent of the votes to secure the victory on election night, Karen Vandiver takes the victory with 57 percent of the votes over Brenda Dicus for Dunklin County Assessor, and Kathy Rasberry takes the victory in the primary for Dunklin County Collector/Treasurer with a narrow 53 percent to Democrat candidate Scott Anderson's 47 percent.

* Missouri is the best state in the country in manufacturing and logistics, according to reports released by Ball State

University's Bureau of Business Research.

* U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson toured Manac Trailers in Kennett and met with various community leaders, while noting, "Southern Missouri is home to a tremendous work ethic and a great economic environment."

* Senator Barack Obama opens 24 "Campaign for Change" offices in Missouri, with Kennett being one of those locations.

* Kennett High School students return to a more modernized campus and facility, after the structure underwent a $6.9 million facility retrofit improvement program designed by Control Technology and Solutions (CTS), of St. Louis, Mo.

* The Kennett Educational Foundation presents teachers with more than $9,000 in grants, enhancing learning for all students throughout the district.

* Dunklin County judge sentences 'deadbeat dad', Shawn D. Kilgore, 36, of Malden, Mo., to be incarcerated at Missouri penitentiary for criminal non-support of his three children.

* Thomas E. (Jake) Fisher, 66 of Portageville, was appointed to the Missouri Technology Corporation by Gov. Matt Blunt.

* Changes in the elementary academic program were discussed at a Holcomb Board of Education meeting as a result of low MAP scores. According to Pam Lowe, curriculum director for Holcomb schools, the elementary curriculum guide is about 10 years behind the state level.

* Kristopher Parker, 34, of Kennett, who charged in June 2007 with the first-degree murder and rape of his ex-wife, Tiffany, and kidnapping of their toddler son, pleads guilty to both charges and asked the victim's family to forgive him for his actions.

* Visibly upset with the objection of his proposed sales tax of 1/8 of 1% in support of the Kennett fire and police departments, Kennett Alderman Mark Ellis walked out of the council meeting.

* Work is expected to get underway to install traffic signals at Route 25/Russell Street in Kennett.

* Kennett native Sheryl Crow lends her vocal talents to a project 14 other popular singers are also collaborating on in support of cancer research. The song is titled "Just Stand Up" and is set to release Sept. 2 on radio and on iTunes.

* Several schools in the area adopt drug-testing policies to ensure the safety and health of their students. Kennett, Holcomb, and Senath-Hornersville Public Schools all agree to incorporate the new requirements.

* Mayor Wheeler writes letter asking citizens of Kennett to keep storm drains clean by picking up trash in and around their property, as well as leaves and other debris after yard maintenance is done. Reminds citizens that citations can be presented if non-compliant with request.

* Arbyrd hosts 3rd Annual Cotton Pickin' Concert featuring The Kentucky Headhunters, with special guest, The Ben Brand Band and Friends of Nashville, Tenn.

* A ground breaking ceremony for the completion of the City of Kennett's new dog pound takes place.

* Caruthersville police officers arrested a "Gambling Granny," a 56-year-old grandmother on charges of child endangerment over the weekend. Glennia L. Roberts, of Rock Port, Texas, was gambling at Lady Luck Casino while her grandchildren were left in the car for several hours. One of the children, age 13, drove the car to the local park and left it there after running out of gas.

* A 44-year-old Campbell man was found deceased at a section of railroad tracks in Campbell, Mo. Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder, said it was believed that a train struck and killed Keith L. Skaggs between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m., which is when the last Union Pacific trains were known to come through the area.

* In the upcoming November election, Kennett resident Pat Wilson-Allen has locked in her candidacy as an Independent representative for the 163rd District of the Missouri House of Representatives. Allen, who needed 187 signatures, managed to secure more than 700 signatures on a petition in order to be certified as a candidate.

* The Redneck Grillers, a competition barbecue team from Kennett, won the Cape BBQ Fest State Championship at Cape Girardeau, Mo.

* U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson addressed the Kennett Lions Club on the issues of farming, labor and energy at the club's weekly luncheon.

September, 2008

* A Cape Girardeau couple opens their home to a group of French citizens forced to evacuate New Orleans over the weekend before Hurricane Gustav hit, testing the city's new levees.

* Alderman Donnie Burke addressed the Kennett council at on behalf of the Industrial Park committee making a motion the city use the available money in the Industrial Capital Improvement Fund and pay off the mortgage on the land and spec building located in the industrial park in the sum of $80,511.94. Councilman Burke also made a motion that the city street department to receive a reimbursement of $47,601.25 for the work it had done at the spec building site. Each motion was passed.

* The Senath community honors retiring officer, Lester Hunter, who has served as a member of the Senath Police Department for 25 years.

* Over 80 men and women of Dexter's 1221st Unit of the Missouri National Guard departed Dexter, headed for the flood ravaged state of Louisiana once again, just a couple of days following the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

* Dunklin County Director says people are tying up the emergency 911 lines with inappropriate calls.

* A Clarkton, Mo., man, Codey P. Trinkler, 40, was issued a summons for leaving the scene of an accident, after officers found his overturned truck abandoned at Frisco Street and Soybean Road in Kennett. Trinkler claimed to not remember the incident.

* The Kennett Area Humane Society (K.A.H.S.) is formed, with board members including Freddi Sokoloff, Candace Mitchell, Jerry Noble, Michael Parr, Debby Stokely, and Brian Mitchell.

* Causbie's Bakery, located at 212 Kennett Street in Kennett, celebrates 60 years of selling bakery goods.

* KHS hosts public tennis court dedication with many in the community present to see the ribbon cutting and hometown girl, music celebrity Sheryl Crow play tennis with her father, Wendell.

* As a result of a joint investigation by the Bootheel Drug Task Force (BDTF) and other local and surrounding agencies, four men are arrested and approximately $470,000 worth of methamphetamine, cash, weapons, and property are seized. Those arrested included Manuel Castaneda, 30, of Blytheville, Ark., Ward Harden, 48, of Kennett, Dennis Wheeler, 51, of Beaufort, Mo., and Ron Jefferson, 36, of Blytheville.

* Former Kennett resident, Jill Jana Marie (Plunk), publishes a children's book called "Zoo Rendezvous."

* The effects of Hurricane Ike strike the Bootheel, leaving many homes and businesses in town damaged by gusts of winds reported to be between 30 to 40 mph.

* Holcomb receives a Rural Water Grant in the amount of $344,998.00 and a revolving fund loan in the amount of $350,000.00 at an interest rat of 2.2 percent for 20 years to begin the process of building a new water well and elevated storage tank. The funds were derived from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and a loan from the State Revolving Loan Fund.

* The Kennett City Council prepares an ordinance to rename Second Street from Kennett Street to South Main as Sheryl Crow Drive and Third Street from Kennett Street to South Main as Leonard Younger Drive, in honor of the local humanitarians.

* A Lower elementary student at Kennett Public Schools gets one year suspension after hitting a teacher and cursing in class.

* The Senath-Hornersville School Board approves a new teacher-written curriculum for Communication Arts, Math, and Science, that is to meet the standards set forth by the state.

* 2008 KHS Royalty is celebrated at Annual Homecoming Parade, as onlookers were presented with school floats, bands, football players, cheerleaders and twirlers, prior to the introduction of Homecoming Queen Brook Burcham and her 2008 royal court.

* The wrongful death suit filed in May 2008 by William Joseph and Carolyn Jeannine Flowers against the city of Campbell, Campbell Assistant Police Chief William "Buck" Riley, and the local Dollar General convenience store moves forward. The case is the result of an August 12, 2006, murder-suicide involving the plaintiff's daughter, Kasi Leanne Flowers, 18, of Campbell, who was shot and killed while at work at the Dollar General by her ex-boyfriend, Billy Gene Meadows, Jr., 22, also of Campbell, before Meadows turned the rifle on himself.

* Local United Way begins annual campaign with 100 percent employee participation from the United Parcel Service (UPS) of Hayti in pledging over $4000, and a donation of $1000, given by the ladies of the Presbyterian Bazaar.

* The Annual Delta Fair and parade takes place with Varner River named First Place Float Winner.

* The late B.J. Larsen, a former principal and coach at Senath-Hornersville Middle School, is honored among family and friends, as the middle school gymnasium gets renamed in his honor.

* Four area retailers, Lack's Package Store, Jellybean Hill, Westgate Drive-in, and Walmart Supercenter are cited for liquor sales to minors following an investigation by the Missouri Department of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (MDATC).

* Kimberly A. Rickman, 22, of Holcomb, Mo., allegedly stabs a 22-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman during a disturbance at a home in Columbia, Mo. The male victim identified Rickman as his ex-girlfriend. Rickman was arrested on suspicion of two counts of armed criminal action, one count of first-degree domestic assault and one count of first-degree assault.

* Two injured, and a few contestants are escorted off track at Delta Fair Demolition Derby after tempers began to fly.

October, 2008:

* Sikeston's Neal Boyd belts it out to win America's Got Talent.

* Rep. Emerson returns from trip to see Missouri troops at Kosovo.

* CSI: New York star campaigns in Kennett for Presidential candidate Barack Obama.

* Grammy-winning singer and Kennett native Sheryl Crow recently launches a new western/folked inspired casual denim clothing line dubbed Bootheel Trading Company (BTC).

* After a sudden rise to nearly $4 last month, gas prices start to fall all around town. The average is $3.15 per gallon.

* Suspected case of scabies outbreak seen at Malden schools. The Department of Health visits the school and conducted some tests on students to positively identify if students do have scabies. The problem is eventually eradicated and school life returns to normal after the district rules out scabies and puts blame on the Oak leaf mite as the main suspect.

* Senath hosts annual walk in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

* The Dunklin County Sheriff's Department has arrested a 74-year-old Holcomb man, Steve Edward Waltrip, on 3 counts of misconduct with a child under the age of 15.

* James Fenton Dement, Edward Donald (T-Bone) Hall, Rocky Hamrick, J.T. Moody, Sylvester Pulley, Sr., Mary Jane Rogers, and Louis Jean Slankard are inducted into the Dunklin County Hall of Honor.

* The traffic signals at the intersection of Route 25 and Russell St. in Kennett are completed and activated

* Southeast Strategic Planning Forum takes place in Kennett including members of the advisory council of SEMO - Kennett. The forum was facilitated by Dr. Margaret Dalton, a member of the steering committee.

* Following an evaluation by North Central Accreditation (NCA), the Kennett High School (KHS) will be fully accredited for the next five years.

* Communities across the nation, including Dunklin County, come together in recognition of National Red Ribbon Week.

* Annual Kennett Cup golf tournament raises needed funds for Delta Children's Home. A total of 60 individuals participated in this years tournament.

* The barefoot walker, Dashiel Alsup, 19, of Coaldale, Colo., takes a short break from walking across America to stop in Kennett and spend some time with his grandparents.

* Delta Children's Home Auction a success, more than $45,000 raised

* First Annual Missouri Waterfowl and Sports show takes place in Kennett featuring big-name hunting enthusiasts.

November 2008:

* Terrell "T.R." Baker, 89, of Kennett, died Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

* After a long night of tallying votes, the 2008 election results are in for Dunklin County. Democrat Karen Vandiver defeated Republican Drew Joyce to secure her position as Dunklin County Assessor with 6,505 votes to 3,856 votes.

In the race for Dunklin County Collector/Treasurer, Democrat Kathy Rasberry pulled a narrow victory over Republican Patti Riggs with 5,679 votes to 5,141 votes.

* KMS teacher Anna Siebenhuener is recognized throughout the community as "Teacher of the Year."

* Kennett native Aaron Marchbanks. Marchbanks, the son of Sheila and Gary Marchbanks of Kennett, is to appear in "Aisling," a documentary DVD.

* Gas prices are down below two dollars a gallon after months of high priced fuel. The average price of fuel in Kennett is $1.92 per gallon.

* The end of an era: Wallace &Owens sells all of its stock to Harps Foods.

* The Holiday Open House, an annual Kennett event, draws crowds of hundreds into local businesses over the weekend.

* The city of Cardwell hires Hornersville Mayor Richard Mara to correct water and sewer issues during the City Council meeting Nov. 13, 2008. Mara is a Certified Water Commissioner and has recently been involved with correcting water and sewer issues in the city of Hornersville.

* Governor-elect Jay Nixon announces that John R. Watson, formerly of Kennett, will fill the role of chief of staff under the new governor's administration.

* Former 'Winston Man' visits South Elementary School to talk to students about the dangers associated with smoking.

* Due to the economy, some employees of Noranda Aluminum were recently laid off. Company officials confirmed that 35 people were laid off effective Nov. 1. Those terminated were chosen by seniority.

* Kennett native, Don Downing is named among the top five percent of lawyers in Missouri and Kansas, as a 2008 "Super Lawyer," by "Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers" magazine.

* Dunklin County authorities investigate the cause of death of a man, Mike Chandler, 52, of Caruth, Mo., whose body was found in a drainage ditch near Kennett. The preliminary autopsy reports came back stating the cause of death as hypothermia.

* Respected jurist, Flake McHaney dies from respiratory complications at 88, leaving a legacy of a community-minded individual, who as a judge expected prepared lawyers in his courtroom. In Dec. 6, 1972, McHaney was appointed as Dunklin County's 35th Circuit Court, Division I, Judge and continued to hold that position until the mandatory retirement age of 70, at which time he was immediately appointed by the Supreme Court as Senior Judge. McHaney was honored by many throughout Dunklin County and surrounding areas in the wake of his death.

* Kennett High School student Will Johnson wins the "Most Aesthetic" award at the Missouri Department of Transportation's Fifth Annual Bridge Building Competition.

December, 2008:

* Following a study of earthquake consequences in the Central USA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has began planning catastrophic event response assessments, particularly in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ).

* City Administrator Ken Goslee announced his retirement effective Feb. 28, 2009 at a City Council meeting early in the month.

* Seven students from the Kennett School of Performing Arts (KSPA) are chosen to dance with the world famous Moscow Ballet as it presents "The Great Russian Nutcracker." Those chosen include Hannah Davis, 7, daughter of David and Nick Davis of Steele, Mo.; Elaine Graham, 7, daughter of Thomas and Fran Graham of Kennett; Emily Haywood, 12, daughter of Gary and Karen Brown of Kennett; Marie McMullan, 8, daughter of Johnny and Michelle McMullan of Kennett; Hannah Mowrer, 9, daughter of William and Melinda Mowrer of Kennett; Brooke Segraves, 12, daughter of Janiece Segraves of Holcomb, Mo.; and Hunter Timmons, 7, daughter of Bill and Lynette Timmons of Kennett.

* The Adelphian Civic Club hosts its 39th annual Christmas Bazaar at the American Legion Building, featuring approximately 130 booths with crafters offering Christmas decorations, wood items, ceramics, food, clothing and accessories, jewelry, candles, and a variety of other finds.

* Progress is made as local Humane Society Board meets, mailing thank you notes to all donors who have made the project possible. Board members Candace and Brian Mitchell, Debby Stokley and Mike Parr focused on continuing with plans to follow its mission in Kennett, which is to make possible a better world for all animals by providing shelter, educating the community about humane care and treatment, advocating animal welfare, and promoting the human-animal bond.

* A community seminar is held at the Ely Walker Apartments with guest speaker, Missouri Partnership President and C.E.O. Christopher Chung, talking with guests about how the Bootheel can be better marketed economically and efficiently.

* Kennett Jaycee's host its annual Good Neighbors project throughout the community. The original idea for the event came about in 1964 when Mayor Sol Astrachan decided the city of Kennett needed a way to help out with charitable work for the needy at Christmas. Today, the club distributes approximately 120 food and toy baskets at a value of around $3,000 to area families.

* Members of the Cardwell, Arbyrd, Senath, and Kennett Fire Departments responded to a fire at the Lazy J restaurant at Cardwell, Mo., where the structure was later deemed a total loss.

* Dewey Odell Hopper, Jr., 42, who was being held on charges of forcibly raping a 16-year-old developmentally disabled girl in Arbyrd, Mo., is found guilty of the charge following two and a half hours of deliberation by a jury. Prior to being found guilty, on May 31, 2008, Hopper escaped from the Dunklin County Jail but was captured just five days later at a residence in Cardwell, Mo. Hopper is currently serving a four year sentence for that offense, along with a five year sentence for tampering with judicial proceedings for an incident where he made threats to Circuit Judge Stephen Sharp, who was presiding over the rape case at the time. Hopper now faces a sentence of life imprisonment or a sentence of 10 to 30 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

* Citizens in the Senath community express concern with dangerous dogs kept in city limits. The council decides that the city will pursue the enforcement of muzzle requirements for dangerous dog's outside of their required residence.

* South Elementary School performs its traditional Christmas play, with this year's theme being "Shaping Up Santa."

* Work continues by Migrant Whole Health Outreach and members of the community located in Independence Township, behind John Deer in Kennett, toward establishing a sewer district. There are a total of ten health issues in the community, according to MWHO coordinator, Sister Louise Benecke. Of these issues, the highest priority, according to public health standards, is the waste health hazard. This hazard is a serious threat to the health of individuals living in the community, especially the elderly, children, and child-bearing women, said Benecke.

* Hornersville hosts its first Christmas parade in years featuring more than 30 entries and a total of nine floats.

* Kennett High School hosts its "Winter Wonderland" themed Christmas Ball. The event is a tradition for the high school.

* KFD receives more than $203,000 in grants. The first grant the department received was for $175,000 in order to buy a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) certified water tanker truck. Of the $175,000 grant the city will have to match five percent, which is the sum of $8,750. The second grant received by the department is for $28,800, which will be used to equip fire trucks with noise canceling, two-way radio headsets in six of the fire trucks. The city's fraction of the grant equals the sum of $1,440.

* A drunk driver plows into newly installed street lights, leaves the scene but is later located at a residence on Route EE in Kennett. After failing a field sobriety test, the 42-year-old male who police did not identify is arrested for driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident.

* Winter weather pours into Kennett forcing many schools across the Bootheel to close their doors.

* John A. Downing, 92, a prominent Malden businessman died Monday morning as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident at Malden involving a fire department vehicle that was responding to an emergency. Downing was owner of Farm and Home Appliance and Furniture in Malden and served on several boards and in civic groups. He was well-known in the Malden area, and one of the oldest Malden High School alumni, having graduated in 1934.

* Volunteer fire department at Hornersville elects Tommy Burgess as the new chief for 2009.

* After coming in as the best-selling debut male of the 2006 class of freshman artists, and releasing three consecutive hit singles from his first CD, Country Is My Rock, Kennett native Trent Tomlinson returns to the country airwaves with a new single and a new label home with Disney Music Group imprint Carolwood Records.

* Kennett Fire Chief John Mallott is invited to take part of Governor Jay Nixon's inaugural event in Jefferson City with the Kennett Fire Department's communications vehicle.

* Former Pemiscot County teacher's aide, Michael W. Smith, 52, of Steele, Mo., is sentenced to 293 months imprisonment on one felony count of Production of Child Pornography.

* Four employees of Loxcreen of Hayti, Mo., Andrew Abbot, 35, of Hayti Heights, Mo., Shawn Smith, 31, of Hayti, Donald Borders, 41, of Hayti, and Michael Richmond, 33, also of Hayti, were recently arrested following an investigation surrounding aluminum theft from the facility.

* The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, acknowledges Senath-Hornersville Schools for its hard work in preparation for the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) review.

* The annual Christmas in Kennett video is completed by Ken Williams. Consisting of a different theme each year, along with different Christmas aspects of the city of Kennett, The 16th annual Christmas in Kennett video theme is "I've got a Christmas Attitude."

* Concerned citizens, along with a generous showing by McMahon's Auto & Diesel and NAPA Auto Parts, both of Kennett, breathe life back into a very valuable piece of equipment for the Holcomb Fire Department-- The Sting, a water tanker that was received much needed work thanks to community donations and support.

* Police in the Missouri Bootheel are looking for a masked gunman who held up two nuns outside a church. Caruthersville police are called to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church where the nuns told them they were walking to the parking lot when a man approached them. They said the suspect displayed a gun and took a purse and cell phone, then forced them back into the church's school before fleeing on foot. The nuns, who were not injured, said the gunman was about 18 to 24 years of age with a slender build and 5-feet 6-inches tall.

* Operation Safe Cab in Kennett sees its 14th year of keeping people safe this holiday season.

* The Kennett Board of Education announces Susan E. Shetley as its nominee for the John T. Belcher Memorial Scholarship.

* Following a recent article in USA Today which listed H. Byron Masterson Elementary School, located on the North Bypass in Kennett, as one of seven schools with the worst air quality in the nation, Kennett Superintendent Jerry Noble contacts the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in an effort to see if area students were truly in danger.

* Relay for Life is ready to begin its 25th year of giving a helping hand to the American Cancer Society, by raising awareness about the progress against cancer.

The theme for the 2009 year is "Celebrating 25 Years of Hope," to coincide with the 25th year anniversary.