Stories from Friday, June 5, 2009

CHARLESTON -- William Shroyer first introduced the metal bat in 1924. Shroyer patented the bat, but it wasn't until 1970 when baseball actually saw the first aluminum bat used in a game when Worth put them into production and since the '70s the product has grown in leaps and bounds...

CHARLESTON -- Usually when you have a combination of good pitching and good defense your put in good position to win. The Charleston Squirrels had both in their opening round game of the nutsbaseball.com Woodfest tournament on Thursday night. All the Squirrels needed was four runs over the course of seven innings while Zach Wilson did the rest on the mound as Charleston defeated the Cape Girardeau Legion team 4-0...

SIKESTON -- Mary Merritt, 71, died at 5:20 p.m. June 4, 2009, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete with 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...

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for services set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church for Rosemary Elizabeth Annesser, 76, who died June 3, 2009, will be: Bob Grojean, Shon Stratman, Mike Hamra, Glenn Pinkerton, Larry Wilson and James Eberhard...

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for services conducted Thursday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Caleb Michael McClellan, 21, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Sikeston, who died May 31, 2009, were: Brandon Burton, Justin Bruch, Danny Pelley, Tim Hosey, Larry Hancock and Trip Culbertson. Honorary pallbearers were Luke McClellan, Jordan Andershock, Don Culbertson, Mike Karnes, Mark Smith and Bob Crowley...

ORAN -- Pallbearers for funeral services conducted Wednesday at Ponder Funeral Home for Alexis Michelle Cummins, 14, who died May 31, 2009, were: Jason Merritt, Stephen Dale, John Smith, Jimmy Watkins, Michael Schlitt, Mike Ramsey, Chris Hanback and Dave Randolph...

BENTON -- Lee F. Golightly, 72, formerly of East Prairie, died June 3, 2009, at his home. Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie is in charge of arrangements. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- Gwendolyn Elizabeth "Gwen" French, 94, died at 12:50 a.m. Thursday, June 4, 2009, at West Ridge Place. Arrangements are with Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

BENTON -- Scott County commissioners now have a better grasp of the timeline to relieve traffic congestion in the northern part of the county. During their Thursday meeting, Eric Krapf, a project manager with the Missouri Department of Transportation, presented commissioners with drawings of plans for the project's second phase, as well as update them on first phase progress and third phase plans...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- Mississippi County commissioners approved buying a new engine for the sheriff's department but would like to see deputies keep a closer eye on vehicle maintenance. Commissioners approved the purchase of the replacement engine for the department's 2002 Trailblazer during their regular meeting Thursday...

Teresa Bye, right, chairman of the Scott County American Cancer Society's Relay For Life, and Julie Aycock, regional director of development for ACS, put up a banner for the June 13-14 Relay for Life. The Relay, which will begin with the Survivors' Lap at 11 a.m. ...