Stories from Saturday, July 26, 2014

Lenexa, Kan. -- EPA Region 7 has reached an administrative consent agreement with a Patton, Mo. property owner to resolve Clean Water Act violations involving un-permitted discharges of pollutants into two tributaries of Baltimore Creek. Brent McMinn agreed to pay a $20,000 civil penalty as part of the settlement filed by EPA Region7 in Lenexa, Kan...

BENTON -- Two Kelly High School students face possible school suspensions of up to a year as a result of the accidental shooting death of classmate Kaden Robert a month ago. One boy's mother, Libby Urhahn, confirmed Friday that although nothing is finalized, the Kelly's school district board of education is considering punitive measures because of the involvement of a weapon on school grounds...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- One of the worst bumps on a Sikeston road will be smoothed out following an inconvenient week. The rail crossing on North West Street will be closed for a week starting Monday for a joint reconstruction project between the Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities and the city's Street Division...

EAST PRAIRIE - The Dorena-Hickman Ferry will resume service on the normal summer schedule at 7 a.m. today.

SIKESTON -- For the third consecutive year, BJ's Kwik Shop, 905 S Main St. in Sikeston, was inducted into the Missouri Lottery's Million Dollar Club, a group of 35 retailers, for selling more than $1 million in Lottery products last year. To celebrate the achievement, the Missouri Lottery hosted a customer appreciation event at the store on June 4...

A train was used to cut a ceremonial ribbon recently for the grand opening of three new railroad tracks at the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority in Scott City. Officials from the Delta Regional Authority, Missouri Department of Transportation and Semo Milling rode the train and attended the ceremony as well as members of the Scott County Commission. ...

A ribbon cutting was conducted July 14 to mark the opening of the Cowboy Outlet in the Sikeston Factory Outlet Stores, 100 Outlet Drive in Miner. Owned by Josh McCrimmon and managed by Ronda Huffman, the store offers apparel for the entire family. There are boots by Stetson, Ferrini, Tin Haul, Roper and Corral as well as apparel by Stetson, Roper, Petrol, Cowgirl Up and Tin Haul along with "lots of bling for the ladies," Huffman said, adding, "We carry the latest fashions so you don't have to be a Western person to shop here." Assisting Huffman at the store are staff members Linda Palmer, Tara Evans, Jordan Evans, Mandy Loftin and Abbie Thompson. ...

BLOOMFIELD -- Elmer Dean Fortner, 79, died July 24, 2014, at his home. For the full obituary, see our e-edition.

WEST PLAINS -- Raymond E. Leathers, 90, died July 22, 2014, at the Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains. For the full obituary, see our e-edition.

SIKESTON - Betty Jobe, 78, died July 25, 2014, at Clearview Nursing Center. For the full obituary, see our e-edition.

SIKESTON - Tyren Miller, 3, died at 10:50 p.m. July 25, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the full obituary, see our e-edition.

SIKESTON - Vickie Northern, 55, died July 26, 2014, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the full obituary, see our e-edition.

CANALOU - Two people riding an all-terrain-vehicle were injured when it overturned. At 8:15 p.m. Friday on Route A, one mile south of Canalou, Willard L. Robinson, 24, of Canalou and Austin E. Cummins, 18, of Canalou were driving their ATVs westbound, when Robinson's vehicle ran off the left side of the roadway striking Cummins' vehicle. ...

BENTON -- A new location and format for open-class entries are among the changes planned for this year's Benton Neighbor Day exhibits. Set for Aug. 29 and 30 at the Benton City Park, the annual Neighbor Days have for years included the tradition of various exhibits by local 4-H members and community residents...

Cub Scouts from the Cherokee District converged on the Elks Lodge Thursday through Saturday for Cub Scout Adventure Camp. The Scouts, who came from Sikeston, East Prairie, Charleston, Portageville and Benton, had the opportunity to test their skills and learn new ones as they took part in crafts, BB gun target practice, archery, swimming and other adventures...

Change is good. Change is bad. Well, that pretty well sums up where we find ourselves in so many ways. Let's look around our own small little community and we can find ample examples of change for the good and change for the bad. Sikeston is, by virtually any measure, in the middle of change. You can't help but notice the substantial construction under way with more on the horizon. These new ventures will translate into jobs and a brighter future for many of the newer generation...