Stories from Sunday, November 30, 2008

NEW MADRID -- Erica and Terry Williams Jr. are the parents of their second child, second son, born at 3:47 p.m. Oct. 16, 2008, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Justin Andrew Williams weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and was 18.5 inches long...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Helen A. Maxon, 94, died at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 27, 2008, at her home. Born April 5, 1914, in Texas, to the late Claude and Emma Jones Compton, she had lived the past five years in East Prairie moving from California. In 1965, she married Homer Maxon, who preceded her in death...

BLOOMFIELD -- Pamela K. Westmoreland, 61, died Nov. 27, 2008, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born Jan. 25, 1947, in Sikeston, to the late Herman and Ova Mowery Smith, she had lived in Sikeston for many years before moving to Bloomfield eight years ago. She had attended the First Assembly of God Church in Sikeston...

PORTAGEVILLE -- Boyd O. Crowe, 70, died Nov. 22, 2008, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born May 16, 1938, in Boonesville, Miss., to the late Velma Heathcock and Troy Crowe, he was a retired police officer of the Portageville Police Department. He also served on the Portageville Fire Department...

DIEHLSTADT -- Dorothy Joan Parker Miller, 72, died Nov. 28, 2008, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born March 29, 1936, in the Deventer community of Mississippi County, to the late James Floyce and Daisy Margaret Johnson Parker, she had lived in Mississippi County most of her life, was a graduate of the St. ...

BLOOMFIELD -- Mildred Hyslop, 89, died Nov. 27, 2008, at Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter. Born March 14, 1919, at Bloomfield, to the late Curt and Rosa Harries Edwards, she had spent all her life in the Bloomfield community where she was a member of Hill's General Baptist Church...

CHARLESTON -- Bobby Eugene Nelson, 69, died Nov. 28, 2008, at the Charleston Manor. Born Sept. 2, 1939, in the Deventer Community of Mississippi County, to the late Robert A. and Jewell Lillian Lindsey Nelson, he had lived in Charleston most of his life where he was a member of the Southside Baptist Church. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was employed as a truck driver for Pullen Brothers Trucking for a number of years until his retirement in 1996...

CHARLESTON -- Pauline Null Freeland, 90, died Nov. 27, 2008, at the Charleston Manor. Born June 12, 1918, in Charleston, to the late Henry Lawrence and Susie Roach Null, she lived her entire life in Charleston. She and her husband pastored the Church of God of Prophecy in East Prairie and Charleston for a number of years. She had served as the assistant state secretary of the Church of God of Prophecy a number of years and was currently a member of the Bertrand Church of God of Prophecy...

By Michelle Felter michellef@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Renovations to the Malone Park Bandstand are nearing completion, just in time for one of the year's final events at the historic site. "There is some finishing work left to be done," said Monique Rice, a concerned citizen and volunteer who helped spearhead the project...

BLODGETT -- A Blodgett woman has a lot to be thankful for this year. The man who almost ended her life last year is behind bars and will remain there for at least the next 17 years. "I'm very thankful -- I'm thankful to be alive," said Angie Rice, 32. ...

Caroline Murray, daughter of David and Jeanna Murray, is the Standard Democrat's Calendar Girl for December. Miss Murray, the winner of the 2008 Miss Sikeston Contest during the Sikeston American Legion Cotton Carnival, plans to attend a southern college in the fall...

60 years ago Nov. 30, 1948 SIKESTON - The first baby to arrive at Missouri Delta Community Hospital was daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hazel and was delivered by Dr. A.D. Martin. 40 years ago Nov. 30, 1968 SIKESTON - Two bids on a proposed new airport building were taken under advisement after being read to the city council during its regular monthly meeting last night. ...

Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you voted for Obama. But then I repeat myself. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free! In Miner, if you lodge an official complaint about the loudness of music in a bar, you'll be facing the music in court. Residents in Miner do not like anyone interfering with their reason for living there; namely, to party down. If you can't take it, move to Las Vegas...

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, my thoughts have turned to the generosity required this year to help others in need. I hope that all of our readers are taking just a moment during the Christmas season to think of ways they can possibly help others who are less fortunate...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Bulldogs wrestling team looks to gain experience throughout the year as it will feature a lot of fresh faces. The Bulldogs lost key wrestlers Gavin Bland and Robert Madison to graduation. Bland captured a conference championship and earned a fourth place medal in the state tournament last season. Madison, who was injury plagued in his senior season, was described by Sikeston wrestling coach Kent Gibbs as "very solid" when he was healthy...

NEW MADRID -- With the help of a late fourth quarter dunk, the Scott County Central Braves were able to squeak by the Byhalia Indians in the first round of the Riverbend Classic at New Madrid County Central High School on Friday night. With 3:41 left in the fourth quarter, Byhalia's Kenyatta Jones tied the game with a 3-point basket. Just soon after that, Josh Rodgers received a dish and laid it in to give the Indians a 66-64 lead...

The Charleston Bluejays failed to complete a Missouri sweep of the first round on Friday night, as they fell to the West Memphis Blue Devils 80-63. "The effort was there and we played hard," Charleston head coach Danny Farmer said. "We played a good team. I'm pleased with the effort."...

NEW MADRID -- The New Madrid County Central Eagles basketball team held off a fourth quarter rally to edge the Pine Bluff, Ark. Zebras 56-54 Friday afternoon in the first night of the Riverbend Classic in New Madrid. The first quarter of Friday's contest began as a defensive struggle as both teams looked to find a offensive rhythm in the year's first game...

DEXTER -- November is national hospice and palliative care month, a time when care providers across the country are working to educate people about high quality end-of-life care. Preferred Hospice, with offices in Misosuri, including Dexter, is part of a national campaign launched by National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization encouraging people to learn more about hospice before they are faced with a healthcare crisis...

SIKESTON -- The UPS Store, located at 223 N. Main St., in conjunction with other locations nationwide and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, is giving a long-lasting, life-changing gift to local children this holiday season. Through Dec. 31, the store will sell $1 donation cards to benefit the Toys for Tots Literacy Program. ...

Rent One recently held a grand opening ribbon cutting at its new location, 941 E. Malone. The move more than tripled the showroom area, said Charlie Lutes, store manager, who is cutting the ribbon. Also pictured are, front row: Chanda Jones, assistant manager; Alonzo Harris, account manager; Lutes; Brigette Denning, customer service representative; Ricky Green, account manager; and Missy Marshall, executive director of the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce. ...

ST. LOUIS -- With the start of the holiday shopping season, the Better Business Bureau urges consumers to avoid pitfalls that can dampen the enjoyment of the holiday season. Gift cards As a result of the declining economy, the number of retailers closing their doors has increased substantially, leaving confused shoppers wondering what will happen with gift cards from retailers who close or file for bankruptcy. ...