Stories from Wednesday, July 7, 2010

A few months ago, my wife switched jobs and during her switch I was asked if I wanted a refugee -- a betta fish. With the only other option being a flush while still alive, I agreed. It is a fish, how much trouble could it be?...

Last week I addressed the apparent disconnect between the current administration in Washington, D.C., and the issue of illegal immigration. Either this administration knows something we don't know or they turn a blind eye to illegal immigration for other motives...

NEW MADRID - Mildred Marie Joiner Henry, 95, died at 9 a.m. July 6, 2010, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

DEXTER -- John Vaughn, 75, died July 6, 2010, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Sue Ella Marble, 81, passed away quietly at her home on Monday, July 5, 2010, surrounded by family. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

CHARLESTON -- William "Pink" Craven, 89, died July 2, 2010 at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

BLODGETT -- Janetta Valada Marshall, age 94, of Blodgett, went home to be with her beloved Lord at 8:45 p.m. Saturday, July 3, 2010, at the Miner Nursing Center in Miner. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

sd_sports@yahoo.com NEW MADRID -- New Madrid County's playoff chances got a little bit slimmer Tuesday evening as they split a doubleheader with the visiting Chaffee Red Devils. Needing to sweep the Red Devils to increase their chances at making the state Senior Babe Ruth Tournament, New Madrid County came out of the gate strong rolling to a 13-0 win in the first contest, winning on the 10-run marcy rule in the fifth inning...

The dog days of summer have never held truer for me. The lull of a typical sweltering Southeast Missouri day just adds to the relentlessness that is the summer season for us sports writers. Believe it or not, we like to enjoy our summer as much as the next journalist, but news never sleeps. And as the clock strikes 3 a.m., apparently I don't either...

Stephanie Essner has been surrounded by success during her four years at Scott City High School. Every year has been a forward progression, as the class of 2010 has been through possibly the most prosperity a senior class has ever been through in the schools history...

JEFFERSON CITY - Twelve people died in traffic crashes during the 2010 July Fourth holiday counting period. The counting period began at 6 p.m., Friday and ended at 11:59 p.m., Monday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol worked 281 crashes in which six people died and 139 were injured...

scottw@standard-democrat.com BENTON -- Even in hard economic times, good help is hard to find -- and keep. Despite offering decent wages and benefits in a time of high unemployment, Scott County is having problems keeping staff at its E-911 Communications Center, according to Scott County Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn...

michellef@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Plans to consolidate operations on the eastern side of the Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland Council have raised concerns of parents and leaders in Sikeston and the surrounding area. "I'm concerned with how we are going to continue to serve girls in the Southeast Missouri area," said Gabbie Hodgkiss, a Sikeston Girl Scout leader and delegate for GSMH...

PADUCAH, Ky. - Despite the local dry weather, the National Weather Service issued flood warning for portions of the Mississippi River in Illinois and Missouri. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

leonnah@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- With less than an inch of rain recorded throughout the area last month, water usage is on the rise, leaving many to wonder when the next big rain will finally arrive. Ed Throop, director of the Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities, said customer usage of the city's water system has definitely increased...