Stories from Sunday, November 29, 2009

EAST PRAIRIE -- Ronnie Conyers, 59, died Nov. 27, 2009, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete with Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie.

DEXTER -- Lois A. Eakes, 69, died Nov. 27, 2009, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter 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...

BERTRAND -- John R. Dickerson, 43, died at 9:10 p.m. Nov. 25, 2009, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston 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 -- Sikeston Public Library will have Fine Free Weeks Nov. 29 through Dec. 13. For every overdue library item returned in usable condition, patrons can bring in a new toy or nonperishable food item, and the fine will be forgiven. Existing fines for lost or overdue books cannot be forgiven during this time. ...

SIKESTON -- You don't have to be perfect to be a perfect parent. That's the message adoption agencies, including the local Children's Division, are working to spread now during National Adoption Month. "We need to spread awareness there are children who currently need to be adopted," said Brenda Miller, adoption specialist for the 33rd Judicial Circuit, which includes Scott and Mississippi counties. "In Missouri, we have approximately 1,600 children available for adoption."...

SIKESTON -- In an effort to add another element and increase community involvement in the annual Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long, Southeast Missouri instrumentalists are being encouraged to participate in this year's presentation of favorite carols. "The biggest criteria to participate is the love of music," said director Harry Howard. "It's a chance to have fellowship and have the community come together and celebrate birth of the Savior."...