Stories from Tuesday, February 4, 2014

SIKESTON -- Due to impending inclement weather, Sikeston R-6 School District will dismiss early today. The district's early dismissal schedule is as follows: High School and Fifth and Sixth Grade Center, 11:20 a.m.; Junior High, 11:40 a.m.; elementary schools, noon; Kindergarten Center, 12:15 p.m.; and Alternative School, 1 p.m...

PADUCAH, Ky. -- The Southeast Missouri Area is under a winter storm warning from 9 a.m. until Wednesday morning. According to the National Weather Service, a strong storm system over the southern Rockies will move rapidly northeast toward the region today. As the system approaches, a mix of wintry precipitation will spread northeast across the area today and into tonight...

Due to the winter storm moving into the area, Southeast Missouri State University's regional campuses in Sikeston, Kennett and Malden, Mo., will close at noon today, Feb. 4.

10 Things to Know for Today The Associated Press Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. AUTHORITIES TESTING PACKETS OF HEROIN FOUND IN HOFFMAN APARTMENT Officials want to know whether the drug was mixed with anything else. The actor's autopsy is underway and results are pending...

Cloudy tonight with snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing drizzle, mainly before midnight. and a low around 22. There will be a northeast wind 8 to 13 mph becoming northwest after midnight with gusts as high as 21 mph. Little or no ice accumulation is expected and new snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. ...

SIKESTON - The Sikeston Public Library preschool story time for ages 2-5 begins at 10 a.m.each Wednesday. The programs consist of reading, crafts and refreshments. The Feb. 5 will be on hibernation. BENTON -- Preschool story hour, for children ages 2-5 that live in the Kelly School District, will be from 2-3 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Kelly Elementary Library. "Colors" is the featured story...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Vangele O. (Fly) West, 56, died Feb. 2, 2014, at the V.A. Hospital. A memorial service will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Hardy Funeral Home, 2408 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, in Little Rock. Funeral services are scheduled at 1 p.m. Saturday at West End Missionary Baptist Church in Sikeston...

Staff Reports sports@standard-democrat.com JACKSON -- The Sikeston ninth grade boys basketball team finished the Jackson Invitational tournament as consolation champions Saturday, beating Notre Dame 40-39. "Great effort by my guys," Sikeston ninth grade coach Chris Sarakas said. "They had the will to win and made big plays at the end of the game offensively and defensively."...

PUXICO - Halen S. Smith, 95, died Feb. 3, 2014, at the Puxico Nursing Center in Puxico. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico where services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday. The Rev. Dennis Doublin and...

NEW MADRID - New Madrid County R-1 School District has announced the school will be closed Wednesday.