Stories from Friday, March 4, 2011

PORTAGEVILLE -- Mary Ellen Waynick, 54, died March 2, 2011, at the Gideon Care Center. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Melvin Robey, 72, died March 3, 2011 at his home. Arrangements are incomplete.

JACKSON -- James D. Melvin Ash, 94, died March 2, 2011, at the Monticello House in Jackson. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

MALDEN -- Ira Easily Babcock, 89, died March 2, 2011, at the Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

sd_sports@yahoo.com DELTA -- For the better part of three quarters, the Scott County Central Bravettes put a scare into the Delta Lady Bearcats. However, Delta heated up from the perimeter and extended their season with a 60-47 win over the Bravettes to claim the Class 1, District 2 girls championship on Thursday at Delta High School...

sd_sports@yahoo.com NEW MADRID -- The Charleston Bluejays wanted to make sure that there would be no repeat of last year. After such a brutal double-overtime victory against New Madrid County Central in last year's district semifinal game, the Bluejays had nothing left in the tank in a lopsided loss to Kennett in the championship game the following night...

sd_sports@yahoo.com DELTA -- The line stretched from the locker room door, all the way to the gym floor. Kids, teenagers and some adults stood anxiously awaiting Otto Porter's presence with pens and markers in hand wanting the star's autograph. He signed every last one of their hats, shirts, phone covers, dollar bills and ESPN Rise magazines with his picture gracing the cover. Some kids even took their shoes off their own feet for Porter to sign...

sd_sports@yahoo.com ORAN -- After last year's disappointing loss in the Class 2, District 3 Tournament semifinals, this year's group of Oran seniors wasn't about to let their last shot at a district title slip through their fingers. Playing on their home court for the last time in Thursday's championship game, Nathan Michelsen, Jon Morrow and Tyler Heuring, all seniors, combined for 51 points against Advance, helping propel the Eagles to a 72-55 win...

sd_sports@yahoo.com GIDEON -- Prior to last season, the Risco Tigers had won one district title in school history. On Thursday night, the Tigers used the experience they garnered from last season's district title to defeat Clarkton 79-73 in the Class 1, District 1 championship game...

leonnah@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- As the first official day of spring nears, the likelihood of severe weather conditions also increases. "Spring is definitely the peak time for severe weather, and we should be on guard year round," said Rick Shanklin, warning coordination meteorologist for National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- The 2010 Census will result in Mississippi County's districts swapping townships. "The County Commission district lines will have to be redrawn," County Clerk Junior DeLay advised commissioners during their regular meeting Thursday. "The reason for this is the prison population."...

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