Stories from Monday, September 5, 2022

An act of kindness meant to help a local man was sabotaged by the callous indifference of a hit and run driver. Jamie Johnson, 34, of Doniphan, an employee of the McDonalds restaurant, was leaving work on a bicycle thoughtfully donated to him by one of his customers. His shift had ended at about 11 a.m., and he was headed home to his family...

Rarely, if ever, has there been a statewide election in Missouri that has the potential to profoundly impact a specific business sector, especially one that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. But it will happen in November when voters are asked to decide whether recreational marijuana use should be legalized in the Show Me State...

Sen. Roy Blunt met with Ripley County officials recently. He spoke about some of the federal relief options for area farmers hit hard by the summer drought. He discussed the effects of high inflation on residents. The senator also spoke with County Clerk Mike Williams, who asked about the challenges of elections caused by the lack of people willing to serve as election judges...

The Harty Duck Farm off Highway 51 is an impressive operation. The approximately 200 ducks and chickens are housed in well-maintained houses at night. Some of the hatchlings are sold, as are many eggs through the Harty Duck Farm Facebook page. The birds are cared for meticulously — and most importantly they are loved...

St. Louis-based Mid-America Transplant has pledged $100,000 toward design and construction of a sculpture on the grounds of Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus and for other benefits to the school. The intent, according to a news release this week, is "to honor those in the Heartland who have donated lifesaving organs and tissue to patients in need."...

The world’s largest manmade watermelon makes it’s way through the streets of Blodgett during the Blodgett Watermelon Festival parade Aug. 27.

Melvin Lee Lewis, age 75, of Fisk, Missouri, died Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Broseley, Missouri. Mr. Lewis was born July 18, 1947 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, son of the late Martin D. and Stella Faye Lewis. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War. He was a lifelong farmer and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed working on old tractors and cars and making sure he and his grandchildren had a tractor to drive in parades. He was a member of the Fisk Presbyterian Church...