Stories from Friday, March 21, 2014

sports@standard-democrat.com COLUMBIA -- They didn't have much time to savor their first state tournament victory in program history. Thoughts of how the Dexter Lady Bearcats were to topple mighty Incarnate Word were conveyed nearly minutes after beating Benton 54-21 Friday during a Class 4 semifinal at Mizzou Arena in Columbia...

sports@standard-democrat.com COLUMBIA -- Dreams became reality Friday afternoon as the Dexter Lady Bearcats exercised the demons of last year's demoralizing semifinal loss to Incarnate Word. Back in the semifinals for the second straight year the Lady Bearcats cruised to a 54-21 win over Benton to advance to the school's first ever championship game...

JEFFERSON CITY - After the first two weeks for candidates to file for office, the races for state representative could all be in the August primary. Sikeston's Holly Rehder, who is completing her first term as 148th District representative, has drawn an opponent on the Republican ticket. Duston Y. Stone of Scott City has also filed for the office, according to information from the office of State Secretary Jason Kander...

sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Sikeston's Gabe Wheeler will be hunting for his third straight trip to the state golf meet. Coming into this season as a junior, Wheeler is counting a return trip as one of his goals but he also calls this year his most important...

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- Michael Sam certainly draws a crowd. Scouts from more than 30 NFL teams, fans and media packed Missouri's training facilities Thursday to watch the former Tigers defensive end and 14 of his former teammates at the school's annual pro day...

An elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He went to the doctor who was able to fit for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100 percent. The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, "Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again." The gentleman replied, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will three times!"...

Twenty-six students from Portageville School District participated in the 58th Annual Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair on Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Tenth grade biology students participating were Anna Birdwell, Destiney Crossno, Hannah Jackson, Johanne Karizamimba, Erica Maddox, Amanda Moody, Harmony Patton, Briannia Pitts, Mikayla Rone, and Taylor Tiffany. ...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. PUTIN: NO NEED FOR FURTHER RETALIATION AGAINST US SANCTIONS The Russian president spoke after Obama ordered a second round of sanctions targeting about two dozen members of Putin's inner circle and a major bank supporting them...

SIKESTON - While the Sikeston Jaycees were still anxiously awaiting to confirm their Saturday night's performer at the upcoming Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, they still had plenty to talk about. Hosting the Sikeston Regional Chamber on Thursday, the Jaycees used the meeting to talk about this year's Rodeo, the entertainers slated to perform and other activities the group is sponsoring locally...

SIKESTON - The Sikeston Regional Chamber of Commerce's 64th Annual Awards Banquet is going Hollywood. During Thursday's SRC meeting, Susan Glasgow Lawrence, executive director of the SRC, announced some changes to this year's celebration of Sikeston area businesses and residents...

FISK -- William H. South, Jr., 88, died March 19, 2014, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

BERTRAND -- Clara E. Wilson, 91, formerly of Gary, Ind., died March 18, 2014, at the Bertrand Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Helen Shy Grady, 79, died March 19, 2014, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

ORAN -- Joseph Stevens Jr., 73, died March 17, 2014, at the Chaffee Nursing Home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

Calling about the school bond issue, Sikeston is not Cape for one thing. They keep basing things on Cape Girardeau. Sikeston does not have the tax base that Cape has. Sikeston is not Cape, has never been Cape and will never be Cape. We got a group of people in Sikeston that are very ambitious, and bless their heart. ...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Whether you are for legalizing marijuana or against it, Show-Me Cannabis hopes you will come talk about it. The Show-Me Cannabis Sikeston Town Hall meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Clinton Building...