Stories from Wednesday, May 20, 2009

BERTRAND -- Dessie McWhirter, 89, died at 5 a.m. May 20, 2009, at her home. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Shelby Chapel at East Prairie.

PARMA -- James Everette Hawkins, 81, died May 18, 2009, at his home. Funeral arrangements are with the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Parma. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

CATRON -- Ann Chamberlain, 75, died May 18, 2009, at the Golden Living Center in New Madrid. Funeral arrangements are with the Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- Dr. Robert C. Ahlvin, 81, died at 11 a.m. May 18, 2009, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Funeral arrangements are with the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel of Sikeston. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

NIXA -- Sikeston freshman Evan Deere completed his two rounds at the Class 3 State Tournament on Tuesday, finishing with a 180 over the two days. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

CHARLESTON -- After leading the Kelly Hawks on Monday in their opening round win against East Prairie, Josh DeBrock waited until his last at-bat to have yet another big impact in the Class 2, District 3 tournament. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

ORAN -- The Bell City Cubs picked up a 2-0 victory over the Oran Eagles on Tuesday afternoon by capitalizing on the lone hit that they recorded through seven innings of play. The Bell City victory is just their sixth of the season as they improve to 6-11, while Oran wraps up the year with a 12-9 record...

SIKESTON -- Sikeston will observe Memorial Day with a service at 10:30 a.m. May 25 at Sikeston Veterans Park. Guest speaker will be retired U.S. Air Force Col. James Donahoe, who is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. During that conflict, he flew reconnaissance missions and logged over 6,000 hours as a navigator...

BENTON -- Scott County is making strides to provide water to residents across the county. On Tuesday, County Developer Joel Evans informed Scott County commissioners he was provided information from state Rep. Ellen Brandom on how to possibly obtain federal stimulus funds to help expand a water district into the southwest part of the county...

SIKESTON -- In a year of uncertain economic times, members of the Sikeston R-6 graduating class of 2009 are looking to their futures with hope and a "ticket to change the world." Two hundred thirty-five Sikeston High School and New Horizons School students received their diplomas Tuesday night at the 108th annual commencement at the Sikeston Field House...