Stories from Tuesday, August 12, 2014

ESSEX -- Wilbert "Fib" Gisi, 90, died Aug. 10, 2014, at Southeast Health of Stoddard County. Services were conducted Monday at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter with the Rev. Steve Tippen officiating. Burial followed in the Dexter Cemetery.

Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 58. Sunny on Wednesday with a high near 81 then becoming mostly clear Wednesday night with a low around 59. Thursday will be sunny, with a high near 84 while Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 60. ...

SCOTT CITY - Many construction updates are in the works at the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority, but in the short term, the organization is planning for U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt's visit Wednesday. Blunt, a Republican, will tour the port at 11:30 a.m. and also plans to answer questions from members of the public, said Dan Overby, the port's executive director...

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. - Nucor Steel has apparently not given up in its attempt to block Big River Steel from building another steel mill in Mississippi County. Nucor Corp. filed a lawsuit in federal court in Jonesboro Monday, accusing Big River of violations under the Clean Air Act. Big River is planning a $1.3 billion steel mill just south of Osceola that would eventually employ more than 500 workers...

BLOOMFIELD -- The Stoddard County commission discussed damages from a bolt of lightning that struck the old courthouse last Wednesday, knocking out electrical equipment in the Missouri Extension Office and Public Administrator's office. The electrical storm that hit in the afternoon also caused some damages to the Government Building, Justice Center and the Stoddard County Sheriff's office...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. FANS, STARS STUNNED AT ROBIN WILLIAMS' DEATH The Oscar-winning comedian, who died in an apparent suicide, battled substance abuse and depression for years...

DEXTER - Carolyn Seabaugh Eldrige, 64, died Aug. 9, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation is from 12:30 p.m. until time of service at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. For the complete obituary, see the Wednesday edition of the Standard Democrat...

SIKESTON - Louise Dorris French, 91, died Aug. 8, 2014, at the West Ridge Place in Sikeston. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston with the Rev. Maria Thumma of St. Franes Xavier Catholic Church, officiating...

DEXTER -- James R. Vaughn, 67, died Aug. 12, 2014, at Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County in Dexter. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, where services will be conducted at 10 a.m Thursday with Brad Aycock and the Rev. Ronnie Stevens officiating...

LILBOURN -- Harold Lawson, 77, died Aug. 10 2014, in Lilbourn. Visitation is from noon until time of service at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid with G.L. Keene and Webb Manley officiating. Burial will follow in Mounds Park Cemetery...

NEW MADRID -- Maxine Laverne Riley, 96, formerly of Miner, died Aug. 8, 2014, at the Golden Living Center in New Madrid. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until time of service at noon Wednesday at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Louis McRill officiating...

SIKESTON -- Gary Hartlein, 68, died Aug. 12, 2014, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete with Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

SIKESTON -- A billion years ago, nature was ripping the North American continent apart. Then it stopped. What remained is what geologists call the Mid-continent Rift System. Today, scientists are using the latest in technology to look deep into the Earth. They are peering some 10 or more miles below the surface to gain a better understanding of the geology of the continent...

By Scott Welton scottw@standard-democrat.com BENTON -- Even a couple of hours of severe weather can mean a couple of days of recovery work. Norman Brant, highway superintendent for Scott County, advised the County Commission during their regular meeting Tuesday that the county highway department's cleanup efforts, which started Monday morning, should be complete by the end of the day...

scottw@standard-democrat.com BENTON -- Scott County may need to do some Christmas shopping now to be ready for Thanksgiving. Deborah Gunter, president of the Scott County Historical Society, advised county commissioners during their regular meeting Tuesday that the courthouse needs a new Christmas tree for the lobby this year...