Stories from Wednesday, April 17, 2013

I have to be honest. When I paid my federal and state tax obligation this week, I did so with a tinge of resentment. Granted, I recognize the importance and necessity of a tax obligation. I understand - as best I can - that these funds are what fuel much of our economy...

PUXICO -- Thelma Marie Smith, 79, died April 15, 2013, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Born March 8, 1934, in Wardell, to the late James and Cora Hanners Smedley, she had worked as a physical therapist assistant at the Dexter Memorial Hospital...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Ronald Lewis Tatum, 69, died at 4:50 p.m. April 15, 2013, at his home. Born July 29, 1943, in Wyatt, to the late Treevor and Bessie Lowry Tatum, he lived all of his life in East Prairie where he owned and operated DePest Pest Control, Tatum's Garden and Tree Service and Tatum's Mini-Storages. He served in the Army and National Guard for six years...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Brenda Kay Freed Guinn, 63 years, five months and seven days, passed away April 16, 2013, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition...

DEXTER - Nancy Louise Norman Stevens, 74, died April 15, 2013, at her home in Dexter. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


SIKESTON -- Joe Earl Lott Jr., 21, died April 12, 2013, in Sikeston. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


EAST PRAIRIE -- William Kenneth "Sonny" Smith, 77, died at 9:57 a.m. April 15, 2013, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs took a 1-0 loss to Cape Central Tuesday on the road. "Our defense played solid," Sikeston head coach Doyle Noe said. "We had one failed clearance that got through and the shot got passed Annie (Ramey)." Cape Central scored their goal at the 30-minute mark...

CHARLESTON -- Sikeston and Charleston form one of the most intense rivalries in area high school sports, but there are times when the competition is used for a good cause. The "Rivals for a Cure" theme has been used the past couple years the two schools have met on the baseball diamond and that continued on Tuesday at Charleston's Hillhouse Park...

ORAN -- After stranding five runners through the first two innings Tuesday, the Oran Eagles found the timely hitting they needed against visiting Saxony Lutheran. Combining for 12 runs through the third and fourth frames the Eagles cruised to a 14-1 win over the Crusaders in five innings on the mercy rule...

SIKESTON -- The Annual Community Clean-Up Campaign will be from 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. April 27 through May 5. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


BENTON -- The County Commission is looking into beefing up Scott County's security. "We're looking at our camera system in the jail," Jamie Burger, presiding county commissioner, said during the regular County Commission meeting Tuesday. "It's time for it to be updated so we just wanted to see . . . the cost to include the whole county complex, possibly put (cameras) in all the county buildings."...

MINER -- City officials from Miner and Sikeston will meet next week to discuss items from fire protection to animal control. "We want to cooperate with Miner any way we can," Sikeston Mayor Jerry Pullen said to the Miner Board of Aldermen during the Board's regular monthly meeting Tuesday...

Derrick Pullen embraces Charleston catcher Dylan Baugh after Pullen threw out the first pitch of the Rivals For A Cure baseball game between the Sikeston Bulldogs and Charleston Bluejays Tuesday at Hillhouse Park in Charleston. Proceeds from the game went to the Marshall Pullen Foundation for the 4-year old who has suffered from an Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (AT/RT)...

The YMCA of Southeast Missouri will hold its 2013 Kentucky Derby Party from 3-7 p.m. on May 4 at the Bedell Home on 1535 N. Main in Sikeston. The party is a benefit for the YMCA and will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, race festivities, live entertainment and a ladies hat contest. ...

CARUTHERSVILLE - A teen driver was killed when she was thrown from her vehicle during an accident. Ashley L. Woods, 18, of Caruthersville was pronounced dead by Pemiscot County Coroner Jim Brimhall at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.
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