Stories from Sunday, March 6, 2011

I had hoped this weekend's column would be an analysis of the census numbers for Sikeston as I had promised last week. Sadly that will not be the case. Here's the problem and believe me, it's shared by communities and counties and other political subdivisions across the country...

By Brent Shipman sd_sports@yahoo.com PORTAGEVILLE -- Despite Portageville's best efforts to stop her Friday evening, Seleena Neal guided Senth-Hornersville to the Class 2, District 1 championship Friday evening, finishing with 28 points, 11 rebounds and five steals in a 66-39 win...

PORTAGEVILLE -- Bernie's Jordan McGowan scored 23 points, Portageville struggled from the field and the Bulldogs suffered a tough district championship loss on Friday, 57-47, at Portageville High School. "They were just better than us tonight -- pure and simple," Portageville coach Jason Irby said about Bernie. "We didn't play the type of game that we needed to play and they did a good job in what they needed to do to beat us. It was just a tough night all the way around for us."...

By David Jenkins sd_sports@yahoo.com NEW MADRID -- Coming into Charleston's Class 3, District 1 championship game match-up with Kennett, Lady Bluejay coach Josh Thompson knew his team couldn't fall behind early. But an untimely injury and a fast Lady Indian start proved too much to overcome to Charleston as the Lady Bluejays fell to Kennett 59-43 on Friday night...

NEW MADRID -- Order is restored. There are a few things that are certain in life: death, taxes, and Charleston winning championships are among those certainties. After a one-year hiatus, the Charleston Bluejays are back on top in Class 3, District 1 with a 64-54 victory over defending champion Kennett on Friday night at New Madrid County Central High School...

SIKESTON -- Melvin Earl Robey, 72, died March 4, 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 -- Wanda Denbow Skalsky, 83, died at 3:36 a.m. March 4, 2011, at the Miner Nursing Center. 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...

SIKESTON -- Late this summer, Missouri Delta Medical Center will open a new healthcare service for the community. In August, the Missouri Delta Wound and Hyperbaric Center is set to open. This service will be located in the new Dr. Leo and Dortha Bruce Medical building, located west of MDMC...

SIKESTON -- A couple warm days this week have triggered many to think about gardening. Lucky for them, the University of Missouri Extension and Delta Master Gardeners will be offering three free spring gardening seminars this month. They will be at 6:30 p.m. March 17, 22 and 29 at the Sikeston Public Library...

SIKESTON -- The Standard Democrat is offering a new service to the community, and all people need is a cell phone to take advantage of it. "We are excited to announce an addition to our local coverage of the area through free text and email alerts," said Don Culbertson, chief operating officer. ...

SIKESTON -- For most people, graduating with two master's degrees at the same time would be the hard part. For Jeff Lester, 44, physically getting to the University of Michigan-Dearborn's graduation ceremony is the latest challenge. On Oct. 8, 1993, Lester was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement...