Stories from Friday, March 20, 2009

Lucretia Nieves, 4, who receives treatment at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center, holds two tickets for the Cardinals vs. Dodgers game in St. Louis. The tickets are amongst several items up for bids in the silent auction at this weekend's telethon, according to Michelle Fayette, executive director. Fayette said donations continue to come in, and said those interested in the tickets and other items can go to the Center's Web site, www.kennyrogerscenter.org...

CHARLESTON -- Drainage projects -- past and proposed -- were the main topics of discussion for Mississippi County commissioners during their regular meeting Thursday. Donnie Sams advised commissioners he may need to file a lawsuit to resolve a problem that that started two years ago with unauthorized ditch excavation work alongside his farm land on County Road 312...

Scott Central head coach Ronnie Cookson hugs senior Bobby Hatchett while giving him advice following the Braves 78-44 state semifinal win over the Glasgow Yellowjackets on Thursday night at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. Scott Central will play in the Class 1 state championship game at 12:20 p.m. Saturday. The Portageville Bulldogs also advanced to its class championship game and tip off today...

BENTON -- Scott County commissioners are looking into whatever grants are possible, to help pay the expenses for needed items. During their regular meeting on Thursday, they reviewed a list of grant opportunities given to them from David Dolan, circuit court judge...

Concrete work is well under way for the new UAP dry fertilizer facility at the New Madrid County Port. Officials said the concrete work began about five weeks ago and should be done by June. Steuve Construction is the general contractor for project...

COLUMBIA -- With the Portageville Bulldogs battling foul trouble throughout most of the game and one of their senior leaders on the bench late in the game because of it, Portageville still managed to pull out a 60-53 victory over the Miller Cardinals in their state semifinal game at Mizzou Arena on Thursday morning...

COLUMBIA -- In 1976, the year Scott County Central won it's first of many state championships, the Braves squared off against the Glasgow Yellowjackets in the state finals. Scott Central defeated Glasgow 82-71 that year while being led by Otto Porter, Ricky Thomas and James "Frog" Williams...

ORAN -- After an impressive state run last season for the Oran Eagles baseball team, head coach Mitch Wood says his squad is back in 2009 and ready to get to work. Though the Eagles don't have quite the senior leadership or numbers that they've had in recent memory, Wood says the team is learning quickly and improving daily...

NEW MADRID -- Tom Coin, 83, died March 19, 2009, at the Golden Living Center in New Madrid. Funeral arrangements are with the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON - Frances Magill Hunter, 95, died at 9:34 p.m. March 19, 2009, at her home in Sikeston. Funeral arrangements are with the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

MURRAY, Ky. -- Martha Stephens, 90, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., died at 6:30 p.m. March 19, 2009, at Murray-Calloway County Hospital in Murray. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

CHAFFEE -- Earl Edward Blattel, 80, died at 3:06 p.m. March 18, 2009, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Funeral arrangements are with the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

HAYTI -- Jessie Holmes, 93, died March 14, 2009, at the Pemiscot Memorial Hospital. Funeral arrangements are with the Richards Funeral Home of New Madrid. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- Peggy Lou Pearson, age 67 of Sikeston, died at 12:26 a.m. March 19, 2009, at the Miner Nursing Center. Funeral arrangements are with the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

DEXTER -- Bill Silliman, 76, died March 19, 2009, at his home near Dexter. Funeral arrangements are with The Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...