Stories from Monday, December 17, 2001

BERNIE -- Bell City over came a 21-point deficit in the second quarter with 27 points in both the third and fourth quarters to rally past Bernie 88-78 Friday night. I was Bernie's first loss of the season. "It's a big win for us," said Bell City coach David Heeb. ...

Maybe during this holiday season I shouldn't be writing about murders and such. But when something disturbs me or bothers me, I figure it might just bother you too. So forgive the negative nature of today's column during this season of joy because the following two incidents carry no joy whatsoever. Only pain...

Students at Matthews Elementary School in Matthews presented "This is Christmas" for their parents recently. Following the play, students sang two songs in memory of the victims of Sept. 11 and for all the veterans and professionals who have served and continue to serve their county...

SIKESTON -- Christmas is right around the corner and while many people are finishing up their holiday shopping, the Community Christmas Campaign is preparing to deliver baskets to the needy Wednesday. It is still not too late to assist the Campaign. Delivery help is needed as over 250 baskets must be delivered on Wednesday. Also, there is still a shortage of toys to be given to children...

NEW MADRID - As a Three Rivers Community College student, Ryan Mayo has never frequented the school's library. He's never met most of his fellow students, nor been in one of the college's classrooms. In fact, when Ryan Mayo receives his certificate for completing the Industrial Electrical Technician classes from TRCC, he will have never set foot on the Poplar Bluff campus...

SIKESTON - A Sikeston Department of Public Safety officer was treated at Missouri Delta Medical Center and released for minor injuries after losing control and striking light poles on West Malone near Sunset Drive, according to DPS officials. The accident reportedly occurred at approximately 10:45 p.m. Saturday as the officer began following what appeared to be a careless and imprudent driver. The loss of control was attributed to wet pavement by DPS officials...

SIKESTON - Sikeston area residents who decorate with real Christmas trees have a valuable conservation asset that will have a positive impact well beyond the holidays. By recycling a real Christmas tree through the annual Christmas tree collection program, area residents can improve fish habitat at Lake Wappapello and the city's lakes in the Recreation Complex and R.S. Matthews Park. The improved fishing habitat means improved fishing, officials point out...

CHARLESTON - The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a one-vehicle accident Sunday afternoon in which two passengers escaped serious injury. Pedro Martinez, 31, of Chicago, Ill., was driving south on Interstate 57 in Mississippi County, .02 miles south of Route B when a rear passenger tire came loose from his vehicle. His vehicle then skidded across the roadway and overturned in the median...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - The Sikeston Bulldogs basketball team ended the first half of their season on a winning note, defeating Notre Dame 48-47 on Friday night at Notre Dame High School. Sikeston won't have another game until Jan. 4 when they host Charleston. The Bulldogs head into Christmas break with a 5-4 record...

DEXTER -- Dexter fell from the ranks of the undefeated Friday night, losing to Poplar Bluff 72-64 in a battle between two of the area's top teams. "We are trying to put the pieces together to become the strongest team in Southeast Missouri come district tournament time," said Poplar Bluff assistant Jim Vaughan, who was filling in for John David Pattillo. ...

CHARLESTON - The Blue Jays (3-3) used 18 points from freshman Ashton Farmer to defeat Caruthersville's Tigers (7-2) Friday night. Jordy Mixon and Kewain Gant both chipped in with 14 for Charleston in the 83-67 win. "I thought we played well tonight," said Charleston coach Danny Farmer. "Things began a little fast, but we did finally get things going our way."...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Many teams would be happy with an eighth place finish in one of the toughest wrestling tournaments in Missouri, but the Sikeston Bulldogs had their sites set higher at this year's Tiger Classic. "Our goal was to finish in the top six," said Sikeston coach Chris Hodgkiss whose team had to settle with the eighth place finish. "We didn't achieve it because we didn't wrestle as well as we should have...

BROSLEY - Joy Daniel led Sikeston's Lady Bulldogs Saturday as they defeated Neelyville in the opening round of the Twin Rivers Lady Royals Tournament. Daniel totaled 22 points in the Lady Bulldogs' 57-32 win. "I thought our girls played really well," said Sikeston head coach Lee Brooks. "Joy (Daniel) and Kerri (Jones) really stepped up for us. We were taller than they are, and we really used that to our advantage."...

The Standard Democrat welcomes your comments. Letters must be signed and include address and daytime telephone number for verification purposes only. Timely letters of 250 worlds will receive priority. As a general rule, only one letter will be published per writer each month...

SIKESTON - They may not be Dasher or Dancer or Prancer or Vixen and certainly not Rudolph. But right along with Santa's reindeer, another famous team - the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales - will visit Sikeston in December. Eight massive work horses, pulling a 1900s-era wagon, will be on display for five days in Sikeston thanks to the Bob Ralph Distributing Co...

SIKESTON - Although divorce is hard on the entire family, it doesn't necessarily cause emotional problems for children. Instead, some say it's conflict between parents, whether they're married or not, that causes emotional difficulties. A program now being conducted in Scott and Mississippi counties is designed to help parents help their children through it...

SIKESTON -The first of two public input meetings for the Home Rule Charter is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday. Home Rule Charter commissioners will present the current draft of the charter for a review by the public at this time and hope "to hear from people from every corner of the community," according to Harry Sharp, commission chairman...

SIKESTON - W.K. Jackson, an embalmer formerly connected with the National Funeral Home, now is connected with the Buchanan Funeral Home on South Kingshighway. He and his family now are occupying an apartment at the home. SIKESTON - At its regular monthly meeting Tuesday afternoon the Board of Education approved the employment of Janis Randon of Italy, Texas, as a teacher to be assigned to Lincoln School. ...

I just read the birth announcement of a woman who had her ninth child. It did not list any father or any job. Is this another person having nine kids that the taxpayers are supporting? We don't know. When babies are born, it is news. Therefore, we publish the information given to us. Nobody but the mother knows her situation as far as the baby's father and who supports the children. Our business is to print the news....

NEW HAMBURG - Michael Joseph Backfisch Sr., 53, died Dec. 13, 2001, at his home. Born April 26, 1948, in Cape Girardeau, son of the late Joseph Lawrence and Lucille Rose Halter Backfisch, he was service manager for Ford Groves in Cape Girardeau and a U.S. Army veteran. He was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg...

SIKESTON - Mildred "Dooley" Gilmore, 79, died Dec. 15, 2001, at her home. Born Feb. 19, 1922, at Charleston, daughter of the late Ward and Etna Hay DeField, she was a member of the First Christian Church in Sikeston. On Aug. 9, 1941, she married Weber Gilmore who survives of the home...

KANSAS CITY - Kenneth L. Mouser, 70, died at 3:25 a.m. Dec. 13 2001, at North Kansas City Hospital. Born Oct. 3, 1931, in Sikeston, son of the late Otis and Violet Westmoland Mouser, he was a truck driver and service station manager. On April 19, 1965, at Miami, Okla., he married Robert Wickham who survives of the home...

DEXTER - Faye Bailey, 97, died Dec. 14, 2001, at Cypress Point Healthcare. Born March 4, 1904, at Aid, daughter of the late Andrew Franklin and Effie May Anderson Lynn, she was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Dexter. She taught school for the Dexter, Bloomfield and Essex school districts before retiring and was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and Golden Age Club...

DEXTER - Branon Garrett, 78, died Dec. 14, 2001, at his home. Born Oct. 1, 1923, in Stoddard County, son of the late T.M. and Clyde Palmer Garrett, he was a retired truck driver and lived in Michigan before moving to Dexter 35 years ago. He was a member of the Second General Baptist Church in Dexter and served in the U.S. Army during World War II...

DEXTER - Charles Franklin Robertson Sr., 67, of rural Dexter, died Dec. 14, 2001, at Three Rivers Healthcare South in Poplar Bluff. Born Oct. 17, 1934, in LaValle, son of the late Oatley J. and Fannie Marie Davis Robertson, he was a farmer and veteran of the U.S. Navy...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Friday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Jerry L. Shipman, 81, who died Dec. 12, 2001, were: Mark Putnam, John Shipman, Stewart Shipman, Dan Comte, Brandon Chapell, Dustin Young and Denny Putnam.

BENTON - Kelsi Marie Essner, 8, died at 9:05 p.m. Dec. 15, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 14, 1993, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Ronald Joseph and Laura Anne Riley Essner, she was a second grade student at St. Denis Catholic School. She was also a member of St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton...

EAST PRAIRIE - Glenda Rhae Brock, 55, formerly of Anniston, died at 7:25 a.m. Dec. 16, 2001, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Born Nov. 29, 1946, in Cairo, Ill., daughter of Frances Nadine Calhoun Houser of East Prairie and the late Raythel Lee Brock, she lived in Anniston most of her life and was a member of the Anniston Christian Church...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services conducted at 10:30 a.m. today at the First Christian Church in Sikeston for Mildred "Dooley" Gilmore, 79, who died Dec. 15, 2001, were: Hugh M. Gilmore, Jon Gilmore, G.W. Gilmore, Boyd Green, Brian Green and Charles Atchison...

KELSO - Gladys Helen Diebold, 91, died at 11:21 p.m. Dec. 15, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born May 29, 1910, in Kelso, daughter of the late George and Caroline Lux Glueck, she was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and St. Ann Sodality...

How long is it before a bill collector will stop trying to collect a bet. I got a bill that was almost six years old and they said I have to pay it, out of the blue. I didn't even recognize the name but they said I owe it and have to pay it or they will garnish my pay. ...

DIEHLSTADT - The high school boys' team of Diehlstadt won Tuesday night by defeating Vanduser 29-19. The local girls won from the visitors, 54-11. 40 years ago Dec. 17, 1961 BELL CITY - Miss Gay Lemmons was crowned Bellmo Queen at the annual Bellmo dance. This dance is held in honor of the school yearbook, the Bellmo...