Stories from Friday, August 9, 2013

sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Another night on the water-logged arena floor led to some disappointing finishes for many of the competitors on Thursday at the 61st annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. No one could unseat the previous night's winner Heath Allan Demoss' high score of 84 in the saddle bronc riding, though Chet Johnson came close with an 82 to lead the night. Wyatt Barstow and Cole Bilbro both posted scores of 78 to tie for second place on the night...

LILBOURN -- Gerald L. Bibb, 52, died Aug. 7, 2013, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

DEXTER -- Anthony Gene Dement, 40, died Aug. 8, 2013, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. -- Carole "Sue" Mayfield Staggs, 65, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died July 26, 2013, in Sevierville. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

Randy Houser performs on Thursday night at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. The rodeo will continue through Saturday. Performing tonight will be Gary Allan with Chris Cagle closing out the performances Saturday.

KENNETT -- At approximately 8:23 a.m. Wednesday morning, the Dunklin County Sheriff's Office arrested Kennett resident, Frederick B. Tates and charged him with a Class D Felony of acceding to corruption. According to Sheriff Bob Holder, the warrant for Tates' arrest was issued by the Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- Mississippi County officials are just waiting on a notice to bid before tearing into things -- literally. County officials should get the OK from the Missouri Department of Transportation to begin soliciting for bids on the construction of a bridge on County Road 521 over Ditch 29, according to Carlin Bennett, presiding county commissioner...

news@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- With the new school year getting under way in local districts, students and motorists are reminded to follow bus safety rules. "Bus drivers have a very important job in the district -- transporting kids to and from school," said John Garner, director of transportation for New Madrid County R-1 School District, which begins the new school year today...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- This year people not only loved the annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, they also "liked" it a lot. When Zach Fayette, advertising and publicity chairman for the Sikeston Jaycees, was contacted early this week, he reported their Facebook page had just broke the 10,000 mark...

A bull rider does his best to hang on in the bull riding event of the 61st Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo on Thursday night at the Sikeston Rodeo Grounds.

Profits and losses Here's an idea. How about when a tanker train full of oil crashes or an oil rig out in the ocean catches on fire or some third world oil-producing nation drops a bomb on one another, how about the oil companies take the money out of their profit instead of raising the price at the pump? What do you think about that?...

Albert Ransburgh served as sheriff of New Madrid County from 1941 through 1944. He was a big man, well respected, and patient -- to a point. His sister, Virginia Recker, recalls one time when a magazine salesman visited her mother at their home. The salesman was working very hard to sell Mrs. ...