Stories from Thursday, March 6, 2014

sports@standard-democrat.com DEXTER -- For the fourth straight year the Charleston Bluejays have booked their ticket to the Class 3 quarterfinals. In a rematch of last year's sectionals, the Bluejays rode a hot second half against Clearwater to a 75-51 final that leaves them just one win from a return trip to the final four...

Members of the Lilbourn Volunteer Fire Department "dressed up" for a special photograph. A young boy that is battling Leukemia has ask for picture of both police and fire departments. For more information, contact Fire Chief David McClarty. From left are, Chief David McClarty, Dean Poore, Dana Perry, Anthony Sullenger, Scott Schaffer, Kenny Schaffer, Brad Williams and Rodger Seal. -submitted photo

NEW MADRID -- The reward for assistance in locating a missing New Madrid resident is now $50,000. The family of Barbara Stoffer, 83, who disappeared on Aug. 20, 2013, has doubled the amount of the reward for her return. New Madrid Assistant Chief of Police Joey Higgerson said the reward would be paid for the return of Mrs. Stoffer or for assistance in locating her...

The body of missing Sikeston man Jimmy Eugene Payne, 84, was found in Hickman County, Kentucky Tuesday. Farmers on ATV's in Hickman County found the body about 2 miles south of the Fulton County line at approximately 3:00 pm. Payne's vehicle was found stuck in a field 1.2 miles from where his body was found. Authorities later confirmed it was Payne's body...

The Office of Administration, in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Revenue, has awarded the management contract for the Kennett License Office to License Office of Kennett, Inc. All license office contracts in Missouri are awarded through a competitive bid process...

By Samantha Rinehart SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU -- While the winter weather has created problems for people across Southeast Missouri, it's also been a burden on a few furry friends. Having a natural fur coat, no matter how thick, is not always enough protection, according to Kelly Goff, director of the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri...

By Amity Shedd SEMO News Service SCOTT CITY -- Dominic "Dom" Hooper wouldn't let anyone walk by without flashing them a smile, said his mother, Sara Snider, and he wouldn't have thought twice of donating an organ to help someone. That's just how he was...

scottw@standard-democrat.com EAST PRAIRIE -- Coming soon to a field near East Prairie: sightings of a strange vehicle in the sky. It won't be a UFO making crop circles, however, but a UAV doing crop surveys. "A UAV is an unmanned aerial vehicle," said Kevin Mainord, sales and marketing director for MRM Ag Services of East Prairie. ...

SIKESTON -- After 35 years of providing rodeo goers with the proper attire and equipment, Linda's Western Store is hanging up its saddle. However, for owner Linda West Palmer, the decision to close wasn't an easy one to make. "I almost had a heart attack," Palmer laughed, although she was somewhat serious...

SIKESTON -- A pit bull was shot and killed after it attacked and killed a dog then became aggressive toward a police officer. Sikeston Department of Public Safety officers were called to a residence in the 1300 block of Shelby Avenue on Monday afternoon, after a resident observed a pit bull and a boxer attacking a Shitzu/poodle mix...

SIKESTON -- Ferrell Insurance Group and their staff are now licensed to assist the public in signing up for health insurance through the Affordable Healthcare Act, also known as the health insurance marketplace. Farmers Insurance agent Nikki Ferrell and her staff are excited about the opportunity to assist anyone who is interested in receiving a quote for health insurance. ...

NEW MADRID -- Noranda Aluminum was recently honored with a Flag of Freedom award by the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The award recognizes the New Madrid company for both participating in the Show-Me Heroes program and hiring veterans, which make-up about 20 percent of the aluminum smelters' workforce...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - Despite coming into the Class 2, District 1 semifinals a heavy underdog, fifth-seeded Portageville gave top-seed and reigning champion Bernie a run for its money Wednesday night. Plagued by troubles at the foul line, however, the Bulldogs saw a fourth quarter rally come up short, falling 55-48 as the Mules booked their ticket back to the title game...

First Baptist Church of Portageville would like to introduce you to their new pastor, John Compere and family. They are from left, Brother John, Janet, Mary, Elizabeth and Rachel. They have moved here and are getting settled in at the church parsonage on 10th street. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Entrepreneurs interested in starting their own business or expanding an existing business are invited to a no-charge training opportunity with other aspiring entrepreneurs March 11 in Cape Girardeau courtesy of the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Southeast Missouri State University...

Old Man Winter hit the Missouri Bootheel and most of the mid-south with another blanket of winter mix. Portageville received between five and six inches of snow in addition to the freezing rain and sleet beginning Sunday afternoon and through most of the night...

The Lilbourn Fire Department applied for a grant to receive new turn-out gear and received for $5000. They received two new sets of coats, pants and suspenders, valued between $2500-$3500 each. The grant was in cooperation with Globe Manufacturing, DuPont, and the National Volunteer fire Council. The Lilbourn Fire Department was one of 15 departments top receive the grant. Above are Dean Poore and Brad Williams in the new gear.

That's right folks, my favorite title to write under, used when I chase fish or game out of our beautiful little chunk of America! I know many of you probably expected another elaborate plan with which to eradicate Satan's favorite furbearer, Punxsutawney Phil, due to this arctic sleeper hold we're all succumbing to, but not today! Late Saturday evening I left 76 degree weather in southern Mississippi and made it home just in time to chop a rank of firewood and put the chains back on the tires, but rather than be disgruntled, I'm going to spend these next few miserable snow days in a blissful ignorance, reminiscing about the Mississippi Delta!. ...

Two men were talking about religion. The first challenged the other, "Ok, then if you are so religious, let's hear you quote the Lord's Prayer. I'll bet you ten bucks you can't do it." The second thought for a moment and then responded, "Now I lay my down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. And If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." The other reluctantly pulled out his wallet and said "Gee, I didn't think you could really do it."...

SIKESTON -- Jimmy Eugene Payne, 84, died March 4, 2014, in Hickman County, Ky. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CHARLESTON -- Victor Louis Pazdera, 74, died March 5, 2014, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

ROCKVIEW -- Rocky Carroll, 54, died March 4, 2014. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

GLEN ALLEN -- Louise Margaret Cox, 88, died March 4, 2014, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CHARLESTON - Bob F. Williams, 83, died March 2, 2014, at the Charleston Manor. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Gaylen Kruger Sr. died March 6, 2014, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

PARMA -- Terry Lynn Wilcox, 50, died March 1, 2014, at Parma. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

WYATT - Opal Hess Williams, 92, a resident of Wyatt, died Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at the Charleston Manor. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

If anyone has any burn barrels available, could you please put your number in SpeakOut? I see where Sikeston must be a very, very peaceful, dull place. I see in the paper five headlines on the front page - three Charleston, one Bloomfield, and one in Benton about a runaway bird. Way to go Sikeston...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- The deadline to clean up the rubble from the burned-down Dogwood School has come and gone. At a hearing held during the Jan. 30 Mississippi County Commission meeting, commissioners found the property, which is owned by former county resident Avery Hutcheson Jr., to be in violation of the county's nuisance ordinance...

The following cases were heard February 20, 2014 in Portageville Municipal Court by Municipal Judge Christopher J. Stinnett. Fines imposed do reflect court costs: Lorrie Michelle Posey- Amended charge of No Valid Operator's License $234.50; Mattison E. Lawson -- No Valid Operator's License , 2 counts Suspended Imposition of Sentence, 30 days unsupervised probation and $34.50 costs on each case;...