Stories from Sunday, April 4, 2010

Brittany Simpson, daughter of Brad and Rhonda Simpson, is the Standard Democrat's Calendar Girl for April. Simpson, the fourth runner-up in the 2009 Miss Sikeston Contest, is planning to attend Southeast Missouri State University and major in education...

Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. ...

By Brent Shipman sd_sports@yahoo.com PADUCAH, Ky - It was a good start to the annual McCracken County Tournament for the Sikeston Bulldogs as they kicked things off against the Herrin, Ill. Wildcats at St. Mary's Academy's baseball facilities. Sikeston would hold the lead the entire contest after scoring two in the top of the first, beating the Wildcats 13-6 after six innings with the game being called on a two hour time limit...

DEXTER -- Entering the 2009-2010 basketball season, not much was expected of the Dexter Lady Bearcats. After all, the Lady Bearcats had lost four starters and a majority of the offense from last season's fourth place team in Class 4. Fortunately for Dexter the lone returning starter was Abbie Warren...

BLOOMFIELD -- Connie Hankins, 71, died April 2, 2010, at the Golden Living Center in Bloomfield. Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield 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...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Sue Finley, 82, formerly of East Prairie, died March 31, 2010, at her home. Arrangements are with 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...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Jane Hamelmann, 79, formerly of Florida, died April 1, 2010, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Nunnelee Funeral Chapel 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...

FISK -- Billy Joe Mekan, 77, died March 30, 2010, at his home. Arrangements are with the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie with the Rev. Ivan Mekan officiating. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Races have developed in state and federal seats for the August primary and November general election, as filing ended this week. The official Web site of Secretary of State Robin Carnahan provides a complete list of all those who have filed...

NEW MADRID - A variety of issues from how to select the a police chief to who will lead the local governments will be decided in the April 6 election in New Madrid County. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

BENTON - A Morley man entered a guilty plea Wednesday to a charge of first degree child molestation. According to Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd, Gary Calhoun entered the plea in connection with an incident involving a 13-year-old girl. Sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections, execution of Calhoun's sentence was suspended and he was placed on five years supervised probation...

SIKESTON -- Sikeston voters will pick one of the city's two at-large Council members during Tuesday's election. Running for the position are Mike Bohannon, the incumbent; and challenger David Carnell. Both candidates are Sikeston Senior High School graduates: Bohannon in '76 and Carnell in '79...

SIKESTON -- It's not hard to spot Otto Porter. A crowded school hallway, the basketball court; it doesn't matter. His tall and skinny 6-8 frame rises above them all. However, it's not his height that makes him stand out. It's not even his 747-like wingspan that he calls arms. Otto Porter is the reason Otto Porter stands out. His tireless work ethic and his general personality has placed him towards the top of the Missouri recruiting ladder as one of the most sought after junior recruits...