Stories from Monday, April 10, 2006

The 10th Annual Day of Silence, scheduled for April 26, 2006 is now a mandated Public School day observance held in select public school districts on the East and West coasts, and elsewhere across America. The purpose of this Day of Silence founded by GLSEN is to honor gays, lesbians, transgender and bisexuals, by calling attention to alleged "discrimination" and alleged "hate speech" against them in our society."...

The community of Charleston and the surrounding towns are outraged at the violence that has erupted in the Charleston area. The violence in small towns has become an ongoing problem that the law enforcement officials in this area are not addressing with vigor or speed that is appropriate for the law abiding citizens in our area...

HEATH, Ky. -- Sikeston dropped its final two games in the McCracken County Wood Bat Tournament on Saturday. In the first game, a strong Calloway County (Murray, Ky.) team shut out the Bulldogs 9-0, then, in the nightcap, Heath (Ky.), the home school, edged the Bulldogs 4-3. Sikeston managed only three hits in the two games...

I have a very long SpeakOut. Dear Mr. Jensen, We receive the Standard- Democrat and we read about the new ethanol plant and were happy to hear about the 55-65 new jobs that are very much needed in this community. However, I was very disappointed in reading the Bulldog Barker that construction of the math and science building had been halted and the Standard-Democrat was not the least bit curious as of why. ...

Kassi Bright, 5, throws a ring in the bunny ring toss game Saturday during the First United Methodist Church Eggstravaganza at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Grounds sponsors building. Children had several different activities to participate in from jump-n-space to face painting...

SIKESTON -- With the onset of spring, a lack of fresh produce at local food pantries and soup kitchens is something backyard gardeners can do something about. Mary Kroening, University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener program coordinator, is encouraging Missouri gardeners to take part in the national Plant a Row for the Hungry campaign...

SIKESTON -- Some months are harder than others, and during those times, especially, Rochelle Ford said she is grateful for the Sikeston Rescue Mission Food Pantry. "If the food pantry wasn't here, I'd have to steal to feed my family," Ford said. Luckily, the Sikeston mother of seven children ranging in age from 4 to 17 years old hasn't had to resort to crime -- and that's because she's been utilizing the food pantry in Sikeston for years...

SIKESTON -Lucille Hahs won second place in an international business English letter writing contest. It is sponsored each month by the Business Education World, a monthly business periodical. SIKESTON - Fair skies welcomed Easter worshipers at Sunrise services yesterday at the high school band shell. The Rev. James E. Fitch, pastor of the Fellowship Baptist Church, delivered the sermon, "He's Alive."...

ESSEX - Billy Dean Williamson, 56, died April 8, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 17, 1950, son of Wilma Ruth Dunn Williamson of Essex and the late Billy Marion Williamson, he lived most of his life in Essex and Southeast Missouri. A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, he was a retired history teacher and coach and taught at many area schools. He later trained as a real estate appraiser...

DEXTER - Pallbearers for funeral services conducted on Sunday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter for Davy Lee Newcomer, 71, who died April 6, 2006, were: James Razer, Leland Razer, Lennie Hanner, Tom Jarrell, Bob Noyes and Glen Langford.

DEXTER -- Pallbearers for the funeral services conducted on Sunday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter for Barbara J. Gaines, 64, who died on April 6, 2006, were: Dave Wood, Charles Farmer, Mike Farmer, Daniel Farmer, Bradley Gaines and Ron Gaines...

SIKESTON - Mayme Gremore, 92, formerly of Lilbourn, died April 9, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born July 10, 1913, in Bertrand, daughter of the late Charles and Mary Roden Willis, she was a member of Kewanee Missionary Baptist Church and had worked for Sickrey's Dry Goods in Lilbourn...

PUXICO - Lavada Faries, 82, died April 8, 2006, at her home. Born Nov. 22, 1923, in Poplar Bluff, daughter of the late Thomas Albert "Abner" and Florence Belle Coleman Crunk, she lived all her life in the Puxico area and was a member of the New Life Baptist Church in Wappapello...

MORLEY -- Scott County Central boys basketball coach David Heeb has been handed a suspension that will keep him from coaching the Braves for much of next season, including district and state tournament games in 2007. The Missouri High School Activities Association Board of Directors on Saturday handed out a suspension for the second semester of the 2006-07 season for violations of association by-laws pertaining to undue influence...