Stories from Thursday, February 23, 2012

EAST PRAIRIE -- Ellen S. Williams, 64, died at 12:55 a.m. Feb. 23, 2012, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Arrangements are incomplete with Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie.

PORTAGEVILLE -- Aubrey Carter, 87, died Feb. 22, 2012, at the Golden Living Center in New Madrid. Arrangements are incomplete with the DeLisle Funeral Home of Portageville.

JEFFERSON CITY -- Paul Franklin "Bo" Hill III, 37, formerly of New Madrid, died Feb. 17, 2012, at his home. Born Aug. 3, 1974, in Memphis, Tenn., the son of Paul and Sandy Hill of New Madrid, he was a 1992 graduate and salutatorian of New Madrid County Central High School. ...

BENTON -- Doris Ann Long, 67, died Feb. 21, 2012, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 29, 1944, in Danville, Ill., daughter of the late Robert and Nellie Kennedy Gore, she was a certified nurse's assistant. On Jan. 4, 1972, in West Lebanon, Ind., she married Arvel Omer Long, who preceded her in death on Dec. 7, 2006...

PORTAGEVILLE -- Henry Brands, 88, died Feb. 22, 2012, at his home. Born April 2, 1923, in Portageville, to the late Theodore and Sena Elfrink Brands Sr., he was a lifelong member of St. Eustachius Catholic Church. He farmed for many years, served on the board of Farmers Bank and was on the Farm Service Agency Board for 20 years with Drainage District No. 29 for 30 years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus...

SIKESTON -- Georgia Frances Williams, age 81, died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, at her home in Sikeston. She was born May 12, 1930, in Matthews, to the late George and Elizabeth Bryant Myers. A member of the Tanner Street Church of God in Sikeston, she graduated from Matthews High School and had worked for Osco Drug Store and later Super D Drugs before retiring...

sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- After a year that placed him as one of Sikeston's all-time rushers, James Watson will be heading to Lincoln University to suit up as a Blue Tiger in Jefferson City. Watson recently signed his letter of intent to play football for Lincoln following a senior season that entailed 1,605 rushing yards -- good enough to place the one-year running back fourth all-time in school history...

davidj@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- When Sikeston senior Clayton Driskill started looking for a college he wanted the opportunity to play football at a university that offered his major: finance. He found that in Avila University. Driskill, an offensive lineman, recently signed his letter of intent to play for the school located in Kansas City. He chose Avila over Truman State, William Jewel and Missouri State...

sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- When the Class 4, District 1 seeds were released and Sikeston came in at No. 2, it might have served as a little motivation for the Bulldog players. On Wednesday in the semifinals of the district, the defending state champion Bulldogs sent out a statement that they are still indeed a force to be reckoned with as they completely dominated third-seeded Perryville, 82-55 at the Field House...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Do you wear your seat belt every time you get in a vehicle? Now might be a good time to get in the habit. Officers from Highway Patrol's Troop E will join statewide law enforcement on Friday for an aggressive "Click It or Ticket" mobilization to get more motorists to buckle up -- and save more lives...

BENTON - A Sikeston man is in custody following a sexual assault investigation involving a young girl. Jerry W. Decker, 34, is charged with 10 counts of forcible rape, 10 counts of statutory rape, and five counts of first degree child molestation. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

leonnah@standard-democrat.com MINER -- Parents, healthcare providers, social service agency representatives and government officials gathered to learn more about the federal health care reform during a community meeting Wednesday at the Miner Convention Center...