Stories from Tuesday, December 24, 2013

sports@standard-democrat.com BROSELEY -- Just fives days after picking up a win on New Madrid County Central's home court, the Dexter Lady Bearcats took down the Lady Eagles once again Monday to advance in the Lady Royals Holiday Classic at Twin Rivers High School...

Chaffee's historic season ran through dual-threat QB

About this team: The All-SD team was chosen by the Standard Democrat sports department from our coverage area that includes:  Chaffee, Charleston, Dexter, East Prairie, NMCC, Portageville and Sikeston. QB -- Peyton Montgomery jr., 6-0, 167, Chaffee...

SIKESTON -- The Standard Democrat will not publish a paper Wednesday in observance of Christmas, and the offices will be closed. Regular publication will resume Thursday with offices opening at 7:30 a.m. We wish everyone a safe and fun holiday...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Tuesday: 1. LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR JAN. 1 HEALTH CARE Today's 24-hour extension allows Americans more time to enroll for insurance plans that start on New Year's Day. HEALTH OVERHAUL...

NEW MADRID -- Linda Lewis, 68, died Dec. 22, 2013, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Michael S. Crider, 75, died Dec. 23, 2013, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for funeral services held Monday at Ponder Funeral Home for Margaret Rowell, 90, who died on Dec. 20, 2013, were: Andy Johnson, Josh Johnson, David Baker, Herman Grime Jr., Gabe Scherer and Lincoln Scherer. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- Myrle Davis Baker, 87, died Dec. 22, 2013, at Miner Nursing Center in Miner. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Mary Elizabeth Buchanan died Dec. 22, 2013. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for services held Monday at Ponder Funeral Home for Thomas Matthew "Matt" Evans, 32, who died on Dec. 19, 2013, were: Gary Mize, Grant Ellison, Seth Miller, David Terrell, Jimmy Cheatham and Mike Foster. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition...

ST. CHARLES -- Richard O. Antrobus, 81, died Dec. 21, 2013. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

HARLINGEN, Texas -- Marian Virginia Kirchner Beaty, 92, died Dec. 21, 2013. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

I would like to announce to the person that was in SpeakOut about gays and lessies, yes sir, it is a sin. Males and females are supposed to be united, not two men and two women. And also to the landlords of Sikeston, we cannot pay rent in Sikeston on government checks. If you would lower your rent, you might get a renter...

BENTON -- A Sikeston man is in custody for domestic assault, resisting arrest and traffic offenses after assaulting a woman Sunday evening. James Ramsey, 51, of 58 Pendleton Road was arrested Sunday by Scott County deputies shortly after the Sikeston Department of Public Safety transferred a 911 call that had been received at their agency...

leonnah@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Even with a Christmas eve birthday, Kerrie Taylor said her parents always made sure to separate her birthday from the holiday. "Mom always had a separate present and cake," said Taylor of Sikeston. Like Taylor, Lori Copeland of Sikeston said her Dec. 26 birthday was also kept separate from Christmas...

Eight-month old Audrey Mirabella Sitzes, daughter of Mark and Kristen Sitzes of Dexter, enjoys opening an early gift while anxiously awaiting her first visit from Santa Claus.

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Holiday travel is this area is likely to be under sunny skies but motorists still need to take appropriate precautions, according to the Patrol. "This is probably going to be a pretty busy weekend. A lot of people are going to turn this into a five-day weekend," said Trooper C.D. Parrott, public information officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Troop E...