Stories from Tuesday, April 15, 2014

JEFFERSON CITY- If all Missouri children deserve a chance to succeed, the state has some work ahead to ensure them equal opportunity. That's the finding of a new study from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which looks at how children are doing on key milestones based on their race or ethnic group.
While Missouri's American Indian, Latino, and Asian and Pacific Islander kids scored above the national average, the report finds that African-American children lag far behind. ...

JEFFERSON CITY- Another important campaign finance decision handed down Wednesday by the U.S. Supreme Court is provoking both celebration and consternation across the country. 
The 5-to-4 ruling in McCutcheon v. the Federal Election Commission means instead of a total of $123,000, a single donor who gives to all Congressional candidates and one-third of Senate candidates in an election cycle can give as much as $3.5 million. ...

Staff Reports sports@standard-democrat.com The Sikeston golf team finished third at the Poplar Bluff Invitational tournament Monday at Westwood Hills Country Club. Sikeston's Gabe Wheeler tied for fifth overall after shooting a 75 on the par 71 course. Blake Below shot an 81...

Scott County Central teammates Derien Ditto and Abby Ross signed a letter of intent to play basketball with Shawnee Community College Monday at Scott Central High School. Both Ditto and Ross helped the Bravettes to their second-straight district championship in early March. Scott Central (16-10) lost its final game to Naylor during a Class 1 Sectional...

Tonight will be clear with areas of frost after 1 a.m. with a low around 31. Sunny on Wednesday with a high near 60 then becoming mostly clear on Wednesday night with a low around 38. Thursday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 67 while Thursday night will be mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers and a low around 49. ...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. UKRAINE CRISIS IS A TEST OF OBAMA'S RESOLVE President's critics say his tough talk--like his "red line" on Syria--isn't followed by equally tough action...

ST. LOUIS -- The winter that just won't quit has one more punch for the nation's Heartland -- a cold front bringing a brief return to subfreezing weather, creating concerns for growers of apples, peaches, grapes and other fruit. Temperatures in the 70s and 80s in recent days gave way to highs in the 40s in much of the lower Midwest on Monday, with even colder temperatures on the way. ...

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. - Sally Nell Fauller, 103, died April 12, 2014, at the Royal Manor Nursing Facility in Nicholasville. Visitation will from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Service in Dexter where services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday...

BLOOMFIELD - Eula Faye Baca, 80, died April 14, 2014, at the Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m.Thursday at the First Baptist Church in Bloomfield with Steve Morrison of Bloomfield officiating. Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield, Missouri in charge of arrangements...

scottw@standard-democrat.com BENTON -- Sunny skies mean a brighter financial future for county revenue, according to Scott County commissioners. Dennis Ziegenhorn, county commissioner, said during Tuesday's County Commission meeting that the sees a connection between the amount of sales tax received by the county and the weather...

Danny Bishop was sworn in April 4 as Sikeston's postmaster. Bishop, who grew up in Puxico, began his career with the postal service as a carrier in Dexter in 1985. In 1990, he was promoted to postmaster for Wappapello and has served as the postmaster at Advance, Marble Hill, Doniphan in Missouri, Bolivar, Tenn.; and most recently in Muskogee, Okla. Also Bishop served as officer in charge at the Sikeston Post office in 2000...

BENTON -- A SUBWAY® restaurant, which is known for its fresh baked bread and offering a healthier alternative to traditionally fatty fast food, has opened in Benton on Dec. 11. The new restaurant is located at 6488 State Highway 77, near Boomland and features a drive-thru with a touch screen order kiosk and seating for 40 guests in the dining room...

PADUCAH, Ky. -- Lakilia Taylor-Bedeau, a Lilbourn native and daughter of Robert Taylor and granddaughter of Faye Taylor has been elected KEA Ethnic-Minority Director at the recent Kentucky Education Association Delegate Assembly in Louisville, Ky. on April 2...

SIKESTON -- Bootheel Counseling Services & Family Medical Clinic is pleased to announce that Tina Ivy was chosen as Employee of the Month for February 2014. Ivy's coworkers described her as efficient and conscientious, she displays professional courtesy, sets a good example with her work ethic and she demonstrates good team work. She has been with the agency for almost five years...

Approximately 700 people attended the B97.9 Women's Show on March 29 to visit the 65 different vendors, watch a fashion show and to learn more about a variety of services available in the region. The show benefited the Southeast Missouri Food Bank with those attending donating canned goods which filled two barrels and $950...