Stories from Tuesday, May 22, 2012

sports@standard-democrat.com ORAN -- Looking for a return trip to the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown, the Oran Eagles found themselves one step closer on Monday after facing Cooter in a rematch of last year's Class 1 sectional matchup. In what was the fifth postseason meeting between the two schools in the last seven years Oran got a combined one-hit effort from pitchers Dalton Elfrink and Kody Moore as the Eagles pulled out an early lead and held on for a 6-3 win...

SIKESTON -- Carolyn Louise Butrum, age 69, died at 10:40 a.m. Monday, May 21, 2012, at her home in Sikeston. She was born Oct. 4, 1942, at Wolf Island, Ky., to the late Byoma and Addie May Wilson Long. On April 4, 1958, at Benton, she was united in marriage to Marvin L. Butrum who survives of the home...

WICKLIFFE, Ky. -- Charles P. Conley, 52, died at 1:46 a.m. May 20, 2012, at Lourdes Hospital. Born Aug. 1, 1959, son of the late Joyce Monan Poynor, he had been employed by Kinsey Construction for 24 years. He was a trustee for the Fraternal Order of Eagles 3397 of Wickliffe...

BERTRAND -- John Warren Merrick, 63, died at 1:10 a.m. May 21, 2012, at his home in rural Bertrand. Born Oct. 7, 1948, at Cape Girardeau, to the late Bob M. and Charlene Ruth "Cricket" Warren Merrick, he had lived in Scott County his entire life and was a 1966 graduate of Kelly High School. ...

JOPLIN -- Two New Madrid residents are making a run at the 2012 Missouri Women's Senior Championship after the first day of play at Twin Hills Country Club in Joplin on Monday. Harriette Myers shot an 8-over par 80 in the first round, putting her in a tie for fifth, five shots off the lead...

news@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Law enforcement officials are reminding motorists and boaters to practice safety and responsibility as they travel this Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer. "Our roadways have been pretty busy these past couple years anyway because people have cut back on taking bigger trips and traveling by plane," said Trooper Clark D. ...

SIKESTON - It was egg-sactly the perfect conclusion... Kindergarteners crowded around the container filled with the peep-peep-peeping baby chicks. Carefully they offered a finger to touch the tiny birds, knowing just the proper way to caress the babies they had watched hatch, stretch their wings and learn to fend for themselves...