Stories from Friday, February 17, 2012

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CARUTHERSVILLE - The Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department is seeking the public's assistance in solving a recent residential burglary. A homeowner discovered the back door of her home, located on County Highway 533 outside of Caruthersville, was open and items inside of her residence out of place on Monday...

DEXTER -- Ray Edward Null, 26, died Feb. 15, 2012, at his home. Born July 17, 1985, in Mounds, Ill., son of Ronda Orton Merriman of Dexter, he had lived in Dexter most of his life and had worked at Mid Continental Nail in Poplar Bluff. In addition to his mother, he is survived by: one son, Christopher Null; and one sister, Heather Mayberry of Dongola, Ill...

SIKESTON -- Shirley Ward, 76, died Feb. 16, 2012, at the home of her granddaughter. Ponder Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete.

OXFORD -- Rose Mary Rushing, 82, formerly of Dexter, died Feb. 15, 2012. She had worked for Clinton Valley Center in Pontiac for 24 years and at POH for 10 years. She married Wallace Rushing who preceded her in death. Ten brothers and sisters also preceded her in death...

BLOOMFIELD -- Ella Jane Abernathy Pry, 99, died Feb. 15, 2012, at her home. Born Nov. 30, 1912, in the Aredeola community in Stoddard County, to the late Jerome and Lizzie Summers Abernathy, she had lived in the Bloomfield area most of her life and attended the Bell City United Pentecostal Church...

SIKESTON -- Nannette "Nan" Pollock, 88, died Feb. 15, 2012, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born July 20, 1923, in Charleston, to the late Walter R. and Lucille Davis Beck. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and had been employed at Missouri Delta Medical Center for 34 years as a registered nurse...

sports@standard-democrat.com CLARKTON -- The Risco Tigers came out strong in the second half and downed North Pemiscot 87-70 in the semifinals of the Tri-County Conference Tournament on Thursday. Risco, who earned their 20th win of the season, will now take on Holcomb in the finals tonight at 7:30 p.m. Risco defeated Holcomb 74-64 on Dec. 2 and lost to the Hornets 72-67 on Jan. 20. Holcomb defeated Gideon 66-59 in the other semifinal...

sports@standard-democrat.com BENTON -- Bridgette Chandler has been one of two seniors that have had to deal with playing with much younger teammates this season. With a roster compiled of mostly freshman, Chandler, as well as fellow senior Karlie Ashcraft, have had to tow the load for the Kelly Lady Hawks, especially early in the season when they lost nine of their first 11 games...

sports@standard-democrat.com CHAFFEE -- Rebounding from an overtime loss to Kelly earlier in the week, Scott County Central took advantage of a sluggish start by Chaffee on Thursday to post its sixth win of the season. Led by Johniqua Fort's 21 points, while getting 13 from Mikaela Blissett, the Bravettes took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter before holding on for a 55-49 final...

sports@standard-democrat.com COLUMBIA -- Sikeston's Blake Angle and Kenton Robinson both stayed alive in their hunt for state titles on Thursday, each winning their first round match in the Class 3 state tournament. Angle, wrestling in the 120-pound class, won a 7-4 decision over Demetrius Wilson of Fort Zumwalt North to improve to 43-8 on the season...

leonnah@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Grandparents raising grandchildren isn't as rare as Debbie Wilburn of Sikeston once believed. "I felt like I was the only one -- and I'm not," said Wilburn, who has been raising one of her grandchildren for the past five years...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- Mississippi County commissioners will think things over before making a decision on a higher-than-expected asphalt bill. Ron Seabaugh and Gail Seabaugh, owners of Paving Pros in Oak Ridge, met with commissioners during their regular meeting Thursday to discuss what they say is an outstanding balance of $13,475 for asphalt overlays on county roads...

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