Stories from Sunday, April 17, 2011

I am both surprised and disappointed that there has not been more concern voiced over the loss of population in Sikeston. When the census numbers were finally released in February, the sad news is that our community lost about 675 residents during the past decade...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Bulldog basketball team continues to make an impact on the Sikeston community. Citizens of Sikeston are cooperating to throw a Community Appreciation Day and host a basketball tournament at Roberta Rowe Park in Sikeston to commemorate and honor the members of the Sikeston Bulldogs and their recent accomplishments...

SIKESTON -- In only his second year racing in the Comp Cams Super Dirt Series, 16-year-old Sikeston native Austin Rettig picked a touching day to record his first win in the late model division. Competing in the Riverside Invitational in West Memphis, Ark. on April 9, seven years to the day after his brother Nathan's tragic death in an ATV accident, Austin edged out race leader Billy Moyer Jr. on the final lap to record the victory...

MALDEN -- The New Madrid County Central Eagles totaled 10 hits in their 13-2 drubbing over the Malden Green Wave in five innings on Friday during the Malden Invitational Tournament in Malden. Denton Daughtry led the Eagles with two hits, including a home run, and four RBI. Sam Barnett and Gabe Smith also had two hits as well. Smith and Jayshawn McDaniel also clubbed home runs in the game...

MARION, Ky. -- The Bootheel BassBusters held their first tournament of the year on April 3rd with the weigh-in at the Fenton ramp on Kentucky Lake. Ty Garrett won the tournament with four bass weighing 12 lbs. 14 oz. Greg Gooch was second with four bass weighing 10 lbs. 8 oz. and also took Big Bass honors with a 4 lb. 11 oz. bass. Leven Cox was third with three bass weighing 6 lbs. 14 oz...

SIKESTON -- Surrounded by family and friends, Sikeston's Janeil Hatchett took his next step in his basketball career on Friday, signing a letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The 6-1 senior was a first team all-state performer, and helped the Bulldogs to a perfect 30-0 record and a Class 4 state championship. He also earned first team all-conference and all-region honors while averaging 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game...

BLOOMFIELD - Altha Lois Watkins, 95, died April 14, 2011, at the 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...

PUXICO -- Harold "Gene" Treadway Sr., 77, died April 14, 2011, at his home. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

NEW MADRID - Mary Elizabeth Sutherland Fowler, 74, died April 16, 2011. Richards Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete.

PARMA -- Lloyd A. Dozier, 79, died April 14, 2011, at the Golden Living Center in Malden. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

BENTON -- Vernon L. Vetter, 76, of Benton died Thursday, April 14, 2011, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

BERTRAND - John Stallings Jr., 88, died April 15, 2011, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

MEQUON, Wis. -- Eloise W. Stallings Dixon, 95, died Jan. 20, 2011. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Susan E. Vanover, 67, went home to be with the Lord on April 14, 2011, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- The city of Sikeston has mailed out a second billing for delinquent taxes. If anyone has purchased real estate property and did not get a tax bill or if you have lost a loved one in 2010-2011 and not sure if their taxes have been taken care of, please contact the collector's office to avoid having their name being published in the newspaper for delinquent taxes in July or August 2011...

SIKESTON -- Later this month, a bug will be passing through Sikeston. But instead of crippling the community, it will spread hope -- through service and celebration. "It's just an idea that came to us at First United Methodist Church last fall," said Brad Aycock, worship coordinator and one of the Hope Epidemic organizers. "We wanted to do something that would have a major impact on this community."...

SIKESTON -- The National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky., reports a tornado might have touched down near Chaffee and Kelso on Friday afternoon. The weather service said at about 4:47 p.m. a Chaffee Police Officer reported a rotating funnel cloud east of Chaffee. ...

Above: Paige Kirkpatrick and her daughter, Katelyn Kirkpatrick, of Charleston ride their bicycles through the canopy of pink and white dogwoods on Cypress Street in Charleston. The 43rd Annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival wraps up Sunday with events including a 5k race, plant sale, carnival, petting zoo and piano praise concert, among other activities. ...

SIKESTON -- Recent weather events have made it clear: tornado season is back. While bad weather can happen at any time, this area's tornado season typically runs from early March through late spring, according to Sgt. Jim McMillen, public information officer for the Sikeston Department of Public Safety...

SIKESTON -- A lot of people remember seeing the tornado that wreaked havoc in Sikeston on May 15, 1986. Some even have pictures.