Stories from Friday, November 1, 2002

BENTON - The contract for modifications at the Scott County Courthouse including the installation of an elevator to bring the building fully up to Americans With Disabilities Act standards was awarded to the low bidder, Penzel Construction of Jackson...

CHARLESTON - Presiding Commissioner Jim Blumenberg is optimistic about Mississippi County's chances for receiving a solid waste grant through the Department of Natural Resources for the purchase of a limb grinder, noting one or two of the other participating area counties appear to keep getting all the funds each year...

A princess and her mother get Halloween treats at the First Baptist Church Halloween event. Over 2,000 trick-or-treaters attended the annual Sikeston Factory Outlet Stores Safe Trick-or-Treat event Thursday night. The gathering was held for children 12 and younger...

BENTON - When you head to the polls Tuesday, voters need to not only remember which amendments and candidates they favor but also some form of identification. Beginning with this election, all voters are required to present personal identification to the election judges before receiving a ballot. ...

BENTON - While there are few local issues facing voters Tuesday, the ballot will be lengthy with state races and issues to be decided. Topping ballots in Scott, Mississippi and New Madrid counties is selection of the U.S. Senator. Incumbent Jean Carnahan, a Democrat who was appointed to the office, is being challenged by Republican Jim Talent, Libertarian Tamara A. Millay and Daniel (digger) Romano, Green Party candidate...

BERNIE - Rex Anthony, 85, died Nov. 1, 2002, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie.

IMPERIAL - Mary Ellen Lambert, 80, formerly of Matthews, died Oct. 31, 2002, at Beverly Healthcare in New Madrid. Arrangements are incomplete at Blanchard Funeral Chapel in Sikeston, where visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home...

PUXICO - Tincy Cookson, 84, died Oct. 31, 2002, at the Puxico Nursing Center. Born Dec. 11, 1917, in White Oak, Ark., daughter of the late Lee and Gennie Oller Harris, she was a lifelong resident of Puxico. She was a cook for the Doris and Sonny Jones Restaurant and the Puxico Nutrition Center before retiring...

FISK - William Alford "Bill" Mannon, 51, formerly of East Prairie, died at 7:35 p.m. Oct. 30, 2002, at Three Rivers Healthcare North Campus in Poplar Bluff. Born April 13, 1951, in East Prairie, son of William A. "Pete" Mannon of Fisk and the late Ina L. Baty Mannon, he lived in Fisk for the past 10 years and was of the Baptist belief...

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for funeral services held at 2 p.m. Oct. 31, 2002, at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston for James D. Baker Sr., 74, who died Oct. 28, 2002, were: Roger Manwaring, Joe Allen Baker, Shawn Baker, Jim Morris, Tim Morris and Lindell Revelle...

GORHAM, Ill. - Margie A. Crowden, 59, died at 12:42 a.m. Oct. 31, 2002, at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro. Born Feb. 22, 1943, in Advance, Mo., daughter of the late John William and V. Beatrice Miller Mouser, she was a cook at the Rehab and Care Center of Jackson County and member of the Mount Carbon Church of God in Murphysboro...

PARMA -- Gracie Shaw, 91, died Oct. 30, 2002, at the Malden Nursing Center. Born Dec. 5, 1910, in Wright County, daughter of the late Louis and Roxie Ward Cravens, she was a retired New Madrid County librarian. A lifelong resident of Parma, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Parma, the VFW Auxiliary, the Home Extension Club and the Parma Citizens Club...

I'll be the first to admit that I wouldn't know art if it hit me in the head. But a lettuce leaf between two slabs of granite wrapped in copper wire is not art. But you can see this and other examples of "Poor Art" at one of the nation's premiere museums. And yes indeed, taxpayer dollars are helping to fund this exhibit...

Many times a good deed is done and goes unrecognized. Over the years, the Standard Democrat has publicized special events, charity dinners and other announcements for the Fraternal Order of Eagles. We here at Auxiliary 3319 would like to publicly thank you for all you have done to help our charity dinners and special events. Thank you for getting the word out...

I would like to respond to "Counting the days." First of all, it's none of your business who I want to vote for. Keep your nose out of everybody's business and let them vote for whoever they want to. I'm a Carnahan fan. She's got my vote all the way...

SIKESTON - Dr. A.D. Martin, who recently was commissioned an Army first lieutenant in the medical corps, has received orders to report Nov. 22 to San Antonio, Texas, for a 90-day course in aviation medicine. SIKESTON - Hank Switala, office manager for Fabick Brothers, has been appointed deputy director for logistics of the Sikeston Civil Defense and Disaster Agency by W.L. "Barney" George, C-D director...

DIEHLSTADT - David and Rhonda Turley are the parents of their fourth child, second daughter, born at 8:53 p.m. Sept. 24, 2002, at Three Rivers Healthcare in Poplar Bluff. Hannah Mackenzie Turley weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and was 18 1/2-inches long...