Stories from Thursday, August 6, 2009

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for funeral services held Wednesday at Ponder Funeral Home for Maxwell Author "Max" Richardson, 92, formerly of Bell City, who died on Aug. 2, 2009 were: Alex Gregg, Thomas Gregg, Todd Gregg, Jeff Richardson, Max Richardson and Darin Strobel...

NEW MADRID -- Russell "Peck" Chanley, 80, died Aug. 5, 2009, at Golden Living Center in New Madrid. Arrangements are incomplete with Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid.

SPRINGFIELD -- Father Edward Payson Nichols Jr. died Aug. 5, 2009, at The Neighborhoods at Quail Creek in Springfield where he had resided since 2006. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Howard G. Brown, 78, of Cape Girardeau, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009 at his home. Funeral arrangements are with the Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

WYNNE, Ark. -- Esther Virginia Hitchcock, 87, died Aug. 4, 2009, at her residence at the Southern Independent Living Center. Funeral arrangements are with the Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston, Mo. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

ORAN - Paul Edward Neal, 74, died Aug. 5, 2009, at The Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Funeral arrangements are with the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Howard G. Brown, 78, of Cape Girardeau, died Aug. 4, 2009, at his home. Funeral arrangements are with the Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- The 57th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo got the weekend of festivities started with some tough competition from the cowboys and cowgirls on Wednesday night. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- A home inside the Sikeston Housing Authority was damaged in an early morning fire. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- People can make a difference. That was the message members of the grassroots group Americans for Prosperity pushed on Wednesday afternoon in Sikeston, when its Hot Air Balloon Tour made a stop at R.S. Matthews Park. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- Sikeston's favorite rodeo clown will celebrate a milestone at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo this year. "I've been coming here for 50 years," said Rick "The Ragin' Cajun" Young. "Can you believe that?" For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- Missouri families will get a small break this weekend while shopping for back-to-school supplies. The "Back-to-School" sales tax holiday will run Friday through Sunday. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...