Stories from Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The Missouri Legislature is struggling with an interesting problem on just how, when or if to spend $189 million in federal funds to help struggling school systems pay their staffs. The funds are part of the Obama administration's attempt to infuse tax dollars into the struggling economy. But as with so many other issues in Washington, the funds come with little direction...

SCOTT CITY -- Putting together one of their best offensive performances of the season Tuesday night, Scott City turned a hot shooting night into a big win over the visiting Kelly Hawks. Holding a slim two-point lead entering the second quarter, the Rams opened up the frame on a 22-0 run on their way to an eventual 85-44 win...

BELL CITY -- The Dexter Bearcats stopped their two-game losing skid in a big way on Tuesday, thumping the Bell City Cubs 80-36. Dexter (13-9) jumped out to a 25-8 lead in the first quarter thanks to 11 points from junior Tyler Miller and were never challenged the rest of the way...

PORTAGEVILLE -- The Portageville Bulldogs executed almost flawlessly in their efforts to pound the ball inside against the East Prairie Eagles. The results, however, didn't match their inside-first plan. Despite missing over half of their shots which included many from point-blank range, Portageville still came away with a 61-37 win over the Eagles on Tuesday at Portageville High School...

DEXTER -- It is beginning to look like the young Dexter Lady Bearcats basketball team is growing up. Dexter dominated the Meadow Heights Lady Panthers for three quarters and then held off of a frantic fourth quarter rally to defeat the No. 2 team in Class 2 58-54 Tuesday night at the Bearcat Event Center...

CHARLESTON -- Bobby Allen Cole, 72, died Feb. 8, 2011, at the Bertrand Nursing Facility. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

BLOOMFIELD -- Doyle Leo "Bro. Honey" Stogsdill, 76, died Feb. 7, 2011, at his home. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers at services conducted Tuesday at Ponder Funeral Home for Allan Stonecipher, 66, who died Feb. 5, were: Gary Doherty, Mike Street, Ron Cross, Jack McCarley, Bardis Dismuke and Nathan Mays. Honorary pallbearers were: Joe Chessor, Jim McDaniel, Dale Carr, Keith Brown, Jerry Hannig, Eric Lambert, Harry White, E.E. Chuck Grant, Taylor Duncan and Ray McCord...

NEW MADRID -- Betty Jean Payne, 64, died Feb. 2, 2011, at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Louis. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

CHAFFEE -- Elgin "Bud" Walton, 74, died Feb. 5, 2011, 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...

HOWARDVILLE -- Iodia Wheeler Johnson, 96, died Feb. 7, 2011, 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 -- Charles Kruse considers his service to Missouri Farm Bureau "an honor and a privilege." In December, the Dexter man stepped down after serving as the organization's president for 18 years. And he has a lot of accomplishments and moments of pride to look back on...

BENTON -- The Missouri Department of Transportation will have its bridges in Scott County safe and sound by the end of the year. Andy Meyer, regional field engineer for MoDOT, updated Scott County Commissioners during their regular meeting Tuesday on MoDOT's Safe and Sound bridge program in the county and surrounding area...

Rotary Club members served more than 1,000 bowls of chili to customers at noontime Tuesday and expected another 500 bowls to be served Tuesday evening making it a record-setting turnout. Some 30 members of the local civic group assisted in the 57th Annual Chili Day, which raises funds for the Sikeston Rotary Club to support the Kenny Rogers Children's Center, maintain Rotary Park, provide scholarships and fund other projects in the community and with the international organization. ...

SIKESTON -- The annexation of 38.28 acres of property owned by Three Rivers Community College located southeast of the intersection of South Main and Highway 60 was approved during the regular Sikeston City Council meeting held Tuesday morning due to inclement weather Monday...

SIKESTON -- Before spending any money on a short-term remedy, Sikeston R-6 school officials want to find the source of large cracks forming on the high school track. During its regular meeting Tuesday, the Board of Education rejected the sole bid of $26,800 from Byrne and Jones Sports of St. Louis to repair cracks along the expansion joints on the inside and outside of the track. Instead the Board wants to further explore the issue...

This is mine and my husbands dog Ziggy enjoying the snow in our yard.