Stories from Wednesday, March 12, 2014

sports@standard-democrat.com POPLAR BLUFF -- In a rematch of their regular season meeting with Park Hills, the Dexter Lady Bearcats got similar results Wednesday in Class 4 sectionals. After taking a 10-point advantage into the half, the Lady Bearcats continued to pull away for a 59-42 final that propels them back into the quarterfinals for the third straight year...

sports@standard-democrat.com DEXTER -- The Dexter Lady Bearcats handed Park Hills Central their first loss of the season in mid-January. If the Lady Bearcats have it their way they'll also hand them their last. The two teams will square off tonight at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff during a Class 4 sectionals game as Dexter tries to take the next step in a return to the final four...

sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Last season, they didn't have the team to do it. That's not saying the talent wasn't there or the right personnel wasn't in place. But as a unit, the Scott County Central Braves weren't as cohesive as needed if they wanted to raise their fifth consecutive state championship banner...

Many television viewers saw a couple of familiar faces Monday night while watching NBC's The Voice. Bernie natives, Coty and Clinton Walker were contestants and were chosen by recording artist Usher to be part of his team. The twin brothers, who have been featured in several Rust Communication publications throughout the years, have performed often at area events, fairs, and schools...

I started my week with a hot cup of coffee and some lukewarm conversation at a local convenience store. That is not my normal routine but when the conversation turns to politics, weather and sports, I have some self-imposed obligation to throw my 2 cents in...

The Harper Family, a bluegrass gospel group from the Hills of Missouri, will perform at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church in Marston on Saturday, March 15 at 7 pm. All are welcome to attend. If you haven't heard of them then you are missing a blessing. If you have heard them then you know all about the blessing!!!...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - As school districts across Missouri continue to cope with dwindling budgets, new research examines the impact of class size and the role that crowded classrooms can play in students' educational outcomes. In a new policy brief, Diane Schanzenbach, associate professor of human development and social policy at Northwestern University, pointed out that having a manageable class size really does make a difference in how well students do in school...

1. WHAT'S NEXT IN THE SENATE INVESTIGATION OF THE CIA Varying interpretations of the facts are emerging, while some lawmakers are choosing sides and the White House seeks a middle ground. 2. OBAMA HOSTING NEW UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER Besides all the symbolism of the visit, he'll be seeking financial assistance from Washington...

NEW MADRID, Mo. (Feb. 3, 2014) -- Local farmer Traci Wescoat has directed a $2,500 donation to the New Madrid High School FFA. Funded by America's Farmers Grow Communities, the donation will be used to fund updates to the campus greenhouse. Thanks to the support of farmers across the country, more than $3.2 million is being directed to nonprofits in 1,289 counties in 39 states...

Jefferson City, Mo. -- Secretary of State Jason Kander announced on Tuesday, March 4th., a new partnership between his office and the Missouri Press Association to print the 2013--2014 Official Manual, State of Missouri, commonly known as the "Blue Book." Since 2011, the "Blue Book" has been available solely online...

Two guys were working for the city. One would furiously dig a hole, then the other would come behind him and quickly fill the hole. They were drenched in sweat. A man watching from the sidewalk couldn't believe how hard they were working, but also couldn't understand what they were doing. ...

ST. LOUIS (March 6, 2014) -- The bitterly cold winter season, with increased heating demand, has had a major impact on the natural gas market -- resulting in increased wholesale costs. As a result, Ameren Missouri customers will pay higher rates for natural gas supply under a revised Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA). The higher rates, approved by the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC), are a direct result of wholesale market price increases. The new PGA becomes effective March 7, 2014...

WYATT -- Patricia Shands, 60, died March 10, 2014, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

Many evangelicals, once known for a very prudent and biblical approach to doctrine, are fast becoming as doctrinally clueless as the unchurched people they are so keen to please. At least three decades of deliberately downplaying doctrine and discernment in order to attract the unchurched has filled many once-sound churches with people who utterly lack any ability to differentiate the very worst of false doctrines from truth. ...

SIKESTON -- Roberta "Bobbi Jo" Roseland, 57, died March 9, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON - Rudell Williams, 79, died March 9, 2014, at the Hunter Acres Caring Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

EAST PRAIRIE -- Obrey Eugene "Peewee" Cogdill Jr., 60, died March 10, 2014, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

BENTON - Lisa Lathum, 51, died at 9 a.m. March 11, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

WILSON CITY -- James Edward Brown, 58, died March 9, 2014, in Wilson City. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

ORAN -- Mary Jo Ressel, 57, died March 10, 2014, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

I do not know about you, but I am sure glad to see the sun. It seems like since before Christmas, we have been bomb-barded with cold temperatures, cold winds, rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow. I am thinking we need to get the Ground Hog, Jack Frost and Mr. Freeze and place them all in a locked down cell and through away the keys. Better yet, just have Superman melt them with his heat rays!...

I would like to know why your newspaper refused to publish my comments in SpeakOut about Dr. Ben Carson who spoke at the Field House? You don't have any problem publishing negative comments about President Obama, and I think you should publish comments about Dr. Ben Carson. They are both public people...

The New Madrid County R-1 Announces a Change in the Sports Practices for the Spring of 2014 In a new release sent out by the New Madrid County Central School District, "School districts in the State of Missouri have been contacted by the Missouri State High School Athletics Association (MSHSAA). ...

Two Portageville Basketball bulldogs were selected to the All- Conference Teams of the Bootheel Conference, announced Coach Jason Irby. Derrick Priggel was selected for Honorable Mention, and A.V. Banks was chosen for First Team All- Conference and also selected to the First Team All-District. From left are Derrick Priggel, Coach jason Irby and A.V. Banks...

City incidents- 1 02-28-14: Firemen responding- 12; Location- 927 State Hwy. 162; Structure Fire. Rural Incidents- 4 02-02-14: Firemen responding- 13; Location- 1573 Co. Rd. 433; Structure Fire. 02-02-14: Firemen responding- 5; Location- 1573 Co. Hwy. 433; Rekindle...

Today would have been a fantastic day to own a carwash, apparently there are a ton of folks who not only share a peculiar affection to shiny vehicles, but also have an abundance of quarters without a job that requires them to be at work on Monday. Personally, waxing my pick-up was the furthest thing from my mind. I was more preoccupied with the water temperature at Reelfoot and if the run-off from the snow melt was muddying up the water. I'll find out first-hand in a few days!...