Stories from Friday, December 17, 2010

SIKESTON -- James Henry Mason Sr., age 88, a loving husband and father, died Dec. 15, 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...

PORTAGEVILLE -- Virginia Helen Nace, 84, died Dec. 15, 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...

ESSEX -- Betty Sue Wheeler, 72, died Dec. 15, 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...

BENTON -- John Alvin Kerby, 72, died Dec. 16, 2010, at his home. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition..

MOREHOUSE - Larry J. Curtis, 54, died Dec. 17, 2010, at his home in Morehouse. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

BENTON -- In the coming year, department heads and elected officials in Scott County will have a bit more wiggle room when it comes to purchasing items used to conduct business. During their meeting Thursday, county commissioners altered bidding requirements. Now, any purchases greater than $2,000 to $6,000 require at least two bids from qualified vendors. Previously, the threshold was $1,500...

Members of the Sikeston High School Choir entertain those in attendance at Thursday's Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon. Missy Marshall, executive director of the SACC, noted the longtime tradition is "an opportunity to showcase the talent of our high school students." The choir is directed by Abe Leach...

CHARLESTON -- Mississippi County officials will have to wait on the Missouri Supreme Court to assign yet another judge before a recount in the presiding county commissioner race. Leigh Ann Colson, circuit court clerk, said a motion for a change of judge was filed Monday and approved Wednesday...

CLARKTON -- The Risco Tigers missed out on their third-straight trip to the championship of the Clarkton Holiday Tournament, falling to top-seeded Gosnell, Ark., 82-77 in the semifinals on Thursday night. Risco led 26-17 after one quarter but a 22-7 run by Gosnell in the second quarter, helped by five 3-pointers, put the Pirates in front 39-33 at halftime...

CHARLESTON -- Unable to work their way back from a 17-point first quarter deficit to the Delta Bobcats Thursday night, the Charleston Lady Bluejays fell 66-40. "We've had a problem, but (assistant coach Dollette Jones) and I can't really figure out what it is," Charleston head coach Josh Thompson said. "We're having a hard time getting started in the first half. First quarter especially."...

CHARLESTON -- Unable to work their way back from a 17-point first quarter deficit to the Delta Bobcats Thursday night, the Charleston Lady Bluejays fell 66-40. "We've had a problem, but (assistant coach Dollette Jones) and I can't really figure out what it is," Charleston head coach Josh Thompson said. "We're having a hard time getting started in the first half. First quarter especially."...

BROSELEY -- The 14th annual Twin Rivers Lady Royals Christmas tournament will signal the beginning of Christmas break as well as the start of the holiday basketball tournaments around the area. Sikeston, New Madrid County Central, Dexter, Kelly, Charleston and Portageville will all be involved as they each play their first game on Saturday during the opening round...

SIKESTON -- It wasn't the start the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs had in mind. Dexter's Brittany Harris proved to be too much to handle on Thursday night as she led the Lady Bearcats with 19 first quarter points helping Dexter to a 19-point lead after the first eight minutes...