Stories from Sunday, June 5, 2011

SIKESTON -- Jared Self has vague memories about hearing that his uncle, Kevin Self, was going to be the new Sikeston baseball coach in 1997. But he does remember one thing. "I was glad and excited about it," Jared Self said. "It was a little strange for one of my family members being involved in a school program, but I was used to that growing up. I was definitely happy."...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Lucille Cutliph Place, 90, passed away in Knoxville on May 28, 2011, following a lengthy illness. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

NEW MADRID -- Mary "Marie" Jones, went to be with her heavenly Father on June 3, 2011, at her home at the age of 86. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

WASHINGTON, N.C. -- Patsy Ruth Conlin, 64, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., died June 1, 2011, at her home. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

CHARLESTON -- Jerry Wayne Faris, 59, died June 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.

BERTRAND -- Thomas Lavern "Tommy" Clark, 80, died Thursday, June 2, 2011, at his residence in rural Bertrand. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Billy E. Thurmond, 79, died at 1:35 a.m. June 4, 2011, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

BLOOMFIELD -- Reuben Jackson, 79, died June 2, 2011, at his home. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

BERNIE -- Clarence Houston Smith Sr. died June 3, 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 -- Bonnie Miller, 58, died June 3, 2011, at Saint 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...

On Monday, a delegation from the Malco Cinema company will come before the Sikeston City Council and ask them to form a Community Improvement District to help finance the expansion of the movie theater. The Malco group has plans to expand the local theater to a six-screen complex. But the cost of the project -- around $2 million, we're told -- would be largely financed through the formation of this new tax district...

SIKESTON -- With the majority of the same roster expected to return, along with key additions, Sikeston Legion Post 114 is looking to build off of last year's postseason push. As the fifth-seed, which was the lowest seed of last year's district tournament, Post 114 defeated Poplar Bluff in their first round game, fell to annual powerhouse Dunklin County in the next round but defeated Jackson in a wild 23-13 win...

DEXTER -- After a very successful premiere, the Rib City Shootout will make another appearance. Basketball teams from all over the area took part in one of the biggest shootouts Southeast Missouri has ever seen last year and it continues to grow. The Rib City Shootout has dramatically increased it's team turnout from 62 teams last year to 158 this year, with possibly more to come...

SIKESTON -- Although he is listed as the author, Dr. Jim Davis gives the credit to a higher power. "It's God's work," said Davis. "It's not really mine." The book "Won to be One" focuses on breaking down fractures and denominations amongst Christians, laying out Biblical verses that Davis said shows God's will is for all the people to be unified, not divided...

SIKESTON -- The Missouri Department of Transportation believes it can do more with less. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission will decide Wednesday whether or not to approve the "Bolder Five-Year Direction" plan, according to Mark Shelton, district engineer for MoDOT's Southeast District...

SIKESTON -- As the recovery efforts continue in Joplin following an EF5 tornado that hit May 22, those in Southeast Missouri are doing what they can to assist. On Saturday, four deputies from the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department were deployed to assist with emergency law enforcement operations. They are expected to return this coming weekend...