Stories from Monday, August 25, 2014

sports@standard-democrat.com CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Other than a strong rally to try and save the first set, the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs didn't have much luck in Monday's season opener against host Cape Central. A mix of first match nerves by the Lady Bulldogs and a strong night by the Lady Tigers' front court allowed Cape Central to pick up it's first win of the season in a two game sweep, 25-23, 25-13...

JEFFERSON CITY- As students across Missouri prepare to head off to college, many will be learning important debt-management skills thanks to grants from the Department of Higher Education.
Liz Coleman, the department's communications director, said the default-protection grants awarded to 31 Missouri colleges and universities will allow those schools to develop programs to help students understand how to live within their means.
"How to pay for college and earn a degree without overextending themselves financially," she said, "student loan debt, credit card debt, and the importance of planning for a secure financial future."
Experts estimate the average student loan debt for a student who just graduated in 2014 to be close to $33,000. ...

EAST PRAIRIE -- An East Prairie man was arrested over the weekend following an assault during the East Prairie High School football game. James Casey Holman, 28, of East Prairie is charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, 1st Degree, a class C felony punishable upon conviction by up to seven years in the Department of Corrections, and Assault While on School Property, a class D felony punishable upon conviction by up to four years imprisonment...

SIKESTON -- Dates for the City of Sikeston's Fall Clean-up, which gives residents an opportunity to dispose of bulky rubbish during their regular solid waste pick-ups, have been set for two weeks beginning Sept. 22. Residents with Monday and Thursday trash collection will have their fall clean-up opportunities on Monday, September 22 and Thursday, September 25. ...

By Savanna Maue SEMO News Service CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Ask anybody at the Cape BBQ Fest: If you're there, and you're participating, you're family. Hundreds of people gathered in the Arena Building in the cool air-conditioning to hear the results of this year's festival. The awards were divided into four categories: chicken, pork, pork ribs and brisket. For the overall competition, participants had to compete in all four categories...

Adam Brassfield of ''The Flight TV'' gives Clayson Anderson shotgun handling and safety instructions during the gun safety clinic held as part of the parent-child free skeet shoot at Amber Waves Gun Range on Saturday and Sunday.

CHARLESTON -- Frankie Jo Skelton, 70, died Aug. 23, 2014, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CHARLESTON -- Mildred Brown Nicholson, 93, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, at the Charleston Manor. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

PORTAGEVILLE -- Hazel Bell Mathenia, 87, died Aug. 24, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Virgil Hubbard died Aug. 24, 2014, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

MURRAY, Ky. -- Una Faye Houchin, 80, died Aug. 22, 2014, at her daughter's home in Murray. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

Let's talk about the racial issue. Everyone is quick to judge all African Americans from the actions of some. That is what we call being prejudice. I've been a reader of your paper for several years, and I can't help but notice that on the religion page, most of the churches and organizations that are giving free dinners and free clothing and having block parties for the community, those churches are the ones that have mostly members that are black. ...