Stories from Monday, December 10, 2012

news@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- As he prepares for retirement, Capt. Mark Crocker is doing a lot of looking back at his more than three decades of work in law enforcement. "I think we all come in to the job hoping to save the world," said Crocker. "But I also think that over time and reality maybe, you decide that you can't save the world, but you can probably make a difference."...

CARUTHERSVILLE - An employee with the Department of Health and Senior Services is facing sexual assault charges. The Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department reported today that Charles L. Weaver, 56, of Wardell, was taken into custody at 5:22 p.m. Friday...

MINER -- Tim Pinnell, 42, died Dec. 9, 2012, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete with Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

SIKESTON -- William "Bill" Paxton, 85, died Dec. 7, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Oct. 27, 1927, at Cardwell, to the late T.J. and Naomi Moore Paxton, he served as a private in the Army Air Corps. On Nov. 16, 1974, he married Lela Davidson who survives of the home...

VIENNA, Ill. -- David W. Blackburn, 53, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Dec. 7, 2012, at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion. Born Jan. 12, 1959, in Sikeston, to the late William Robert Blackburn and Doris Virginia (Redden) Blackburn, he was a 1977 graduate of Sikeston High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Mid-America Nazarene College in Olathe, Kan. ...

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers at services conducted Monday for Brenda Kay Vaughan, 50, who died Dec. 7, 2012, were: Mike Jobe, Allen Lankford, Mike Swain, Jeanette Martin, Emily Martin, Kim Glastetter, Justin Vaughan and Lee Vaughan.

JACKSON -- Bernadean Francis Tidwell, 80, died Dec. 9, 2012, at the Monticello House in Jackson. Born Oct. 18, 1932, at St. Louis, to the late Andrew and Doshia Lollar Terry, she had been a seamstress at Thorngate for 22 years and was a member of the Grace Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Advance...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Lawrence Duley, 85, formerly of Dexter, died Dec. 9, 2012, at The Manor in Poplar Bluff. Born April 27, 1927, at Risco, son of the late Archie and Lucinda Blevins Duley, he attended the Midland Church at Poplar Bluff, was a retired carpenter and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Robert Crawford had a career game, primarily from the outside. Tyler Stone had a career game, primarily from the inside. Outside won. Crawford, a senior guard, poured in 39 points Saturday night as Central Arkansas slipped past Southeast Missouri State 88-85...

sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- The Sikeston junior varsity wrestling team won 13 medals during their annual junior varsity wrestling tournament Saturday at the Sikeston Field House. Out of 16 wrestlers, Sikeston had all but three win either first or second place...

CHARLESTON - The Charleston Department of Public is continuing its investigation into a shooting. Charleston DPS Director Robert Hearnes reported today his department is seeking the public's assistance concerning a shooting at 4 p.m. Thursday in the 700 block of Warren Street...