Stories from Thursday, February 6, 2014

SIKESTON -- The craft of beer and wine making continues to increase in popularity, and residents will have the chance to sample some of the area's best creations next month during two homebrew competitions in Scott County. For three years now, a homebrew competition has been part of Historic Downtown Sikeston's upcoming St. Patrick's Day Celebration. Set for noon to 4 p.m. March 15 at Malone Park, admission is $10 and includes a stein and beer samples...

POPLAR BLUFF -- The Naylor Eagles varsity girls basketball team was an offensive surge away from overtaking the state-ranked Dexter Bearcats a couple minutes into the third quarter Thursday night. A field goal by Naylor's Charity McCoy cut Dexter's lead to 46-33 with just under five minutes remaining in the third quarter...

JEFFERSON CITY- The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) offers the following tips for taxpayers as they prepare for the tax return filing season. The first day the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will begin processing individual tax returns is January 31. ...

By Ruth Campbell SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU -- When the weather turns nasty, working parents may have a few options -- stay home with their children, have an older sibling baby sit or place them in a child care program for the day. The last choice can be expensive, especially for those with more than one child...

EAST PRAIRIE -- An East Prairie man is facing felony charges after his arrest this weekend. Monte Steven Boyer, 49, of East Prairie, is charged with felonious restraint, a class C felony punishable by up to 7 years in prison and domestic assault, third degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in the county jail, according to a news release from Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore...

DEXTER -- Wilma Broyles, 81, died Feb. 5, 2014, at the Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

EAST PRAIRIE -- William Benjamin "Jack" Jones, 93, died at 1:30 a.m. Feb. 5, 2014, in the East Prairie Nursing Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- William "Bill" F. Koch, 99, died Feb. 4, 2014, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

I would like to speakout in regards to the picture in the paper about the American Legion Square, downtown Sikeston. To me, this sure don't look like our bandstand. I wish they would leave the bandstand just like it is. It might need some repair, but this picture here, it sure don't look nothing like the Sikeston American Legion Bandstand. ...

SIKESTON -- Winter storms and freezing temperatures put a halt to blood donations on multiple occasions this season. Now the American Red Cross is asking donors to help rebuild the blood supply. "This type of year is not normal," said Dan Fox, communication programs manager for American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Chapter. "We do see a period or two of inclement weather impacting blood drives each year, but this year there seems to be round after round of inclement weather."...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- Mississippi County's annual operating budget ended up being "a pleasure to work on" this year, according to Presiding Commissioner Carlin Bennett. County commissioners approved the county's 2014 budget during their regular weekly meeting Thursday...

The following cases were heard January 7, 2014 in Portageville Municipal Court by Municipal Judge Christopher J. Stinnett. Fines imposed do reflect court costs: Jody Chambliss -- No Valid Operator's License $200.00. Michael Carlos Smith -- Resisting Arrest $250.00 & Obstructing Police $150.00...

The following cases were heard January 7, 2014 in Marston Municipal Court by Municipal Judge Christopher J. Stinnett. Fines imposed do reflect court costs: Terilyn Tashana Hunter - No Insurance $250.00; Derek Jenkins -- No Valid Operator's License $150.00; Gary Murray -- Defective Equipment $175.00; Frankie Nolen -- Expired Plates $50.00 and No Insurance $250.00; Arthur Sanders -- Defective Equipment $50.00; Benjamin Peter -- Speeding $125.50; Jaylon K. ...